An amuse bouche (literally French meaning to amuse the mouth) is, as the name suggests, something small to have at the beginning of a fine dining meal to titilate the mouth in lieu of the dishes to come. I often find this the best part of some meals. Not this one though which was 👍🏼 throughout.

What is my fish for #FishFriday. Well it's sushi of course. What's yours.

Simon at high school rehearsing getting ready to go on stage. I wasn't terrible, and I loved it. #throwbackthursday

Cooking at a dinner can be really fun, if hard work. Here I am cooking with @drterrysimpsonmd and @sazzyrock and @producergirl for the winners of a dinner for Girls inc

#simonstares at Iberico ribs. These ribs are from the Iberico pigs that are from Extremadura in Western Spain, and are most famous for their hams. But, the rest of the pig is not wasted. These ribs were 👍🏼.

I used to do a post called "chefs who want to kill Simon". Here I had my chum and podcast producer @producergirl doing the same. I think she was a bit to forceful though. 🙂

We brought some of the best cheeses and a delicious duck pate to a small dinner event last night (from @domsfoods). What cheeses would you like to add to this?

You may see this chapeau of mine very frequently. It's a new hat bought for me by @sazyrock at a time when I was feeling low and depressed. What would you get if you were feeling down & out?

I don't know the English football results yet. But I do know that the results between me and this packet of British "biccies" will be Simon 20 : 0 Custard Creams. Particularly when "dunked" in a mug of @yorkshiretea.bsky.social

Jane Goodall has passed on at 91. She was one of the good ones. May she rest in peace and rise in glory. And be surrounded by her beloved chimpanzees.

Some Char Siu (from yesterday) fried rice using basmati (what we had), and various vegetables. I love using Char Siu in this way.

My preparation of Char Siu. Not bad at all. Marinaded in a sauce using Shao Xing wine, dark soy, white pepper and other ingredients and then left overnight. Definitely worth the effort.

Today would have been my parents anniversary. Here is a picture of them on one of their very early dates. An eternal happy anniversary to Mum & Baba

I seem rather happy, don't I? I am not surprised when I am served a hamburger with cheddar and bone marrow aioli @pasjoli.sm. Top stuff.

Sometimes all you need is a PB&J (or in this case a 1/2 PB&J) @paradisepantrymarket in Ventura. Having a late brekkie with @sazyrock @producergirl and @drterrysimpsonmd. I love me a PB&J. What about you folks.

#simonstares. The chicken pot pie @thegrillonthealleyla always takes me by surprise by just how humongous and delicious it is.

Mmm, I'm not sure if I have some "Casual British Style". But hey ho.

The "Ribeye Chicharron" at @almafondafina in Montecito was one of my favorite bites this year. Almost like a queso fundido. I almost smiled 🙂

Here I am working with @producergirl on series 14 of @eatmyglobe podcast. If you haven't listened, please do. If you have listened welcome back. It's going to be a fun season. #eatmyglobe

Do you remember the 21st night of September? Happy Earth Wind and Fire Day, everyone.

An English rose in California.

In 2014 I became a citizen of the United States of America. Now what shall I do for lunch. Hamburgers, Korean chicken, Filipino adobo, Tacos, Chinese food, Armenian food and so much more.

Have you seen a restaurant many, many times. But have never been into. We had that opportunity with some chums. @goldenbullsm. was fun. Which restaurants have you past by and never been into?

I was so pleased to see the Pacific Coast Highway was open again. When I first came to the United States of America on vacation my brother. I used to love going up and down this road and stopping at diners or places that we saw only on TV. Now, I live here and don't have the same passion for it. 🙂

Bloody heck, #rickyhatton has died. I saw live one time against Eamon Magee in Manchester. The crowd was rambunctious, the singing of "Blue Moon" was off the scale and the fight was solid. And only ever beaten by the superstars of the fight game. RIP Ricky. You created much joy.

It is hard to believe that it was 24 years ago. I was standing by the computer in the office of the publisher I worked with in London watching it all occur. It is still as visceral now as it was then. #remember9/11

I went back to @pasjoli.sm for the first time since they changed their menu to this more "bistro" style. These two dishes are particularly on point (burger, with cheddar and bone marrow aioli and Chocolate Mousse with Olive Oil Cream). Definitely worth a visit.

#ad Thanks for all of the "swag" (is that the right word young people). @kingshawaiian. A happy 75th anniversary to you.

Simon (who doesn't really eat pizza. I know, I know ) getting ready to eat a very well made pizza @carasauristorante

A 7am walk in Los Angeles. Thinking of all the many things I have to do today.

I was never really a cookie fan. I preferred British biscuits. But, since Sybil brought home some of the excellent cookies from @zooies (served from the back of a gas station) have become more of a convert. Do you know the difference between cookies & biscuits?

This time a long, long time ago I started Comprehensive School (the UK equivalent of High School). The picture on the left is me at 13 - and very, very proud of that mustache. The one on the right is moi now. Sans mustache. Which looked better?

Have a great Labor Day. We are at Venice, California #laborday

Creamy or Crunchy. Which side are you on. #TheGreatDebate

One of the greatest Emcee's I have worked with and now an author. @adamchristing new book is a great read. "The Laughter Factor" really captures his humor and his leadership.

A top notch tasting menu @holboxlosangeles last night. Here is Chef Gilberto Cetina giving it large with some Santa Barbara sea urchin.They definitely do deserve their Michelin 1*.

Here I am at @sushizanmai.la Any captions?

Today is my late Baba’s birthday. This is the gentleman who taught me what little patience I have and was a very kind and considerate surgeon and parent. I really, really miss him.

I bought a Japanese cheesecake @uncletetsu_us in L.A's K-Town. How many of you have tried this light and airy beauty before?

I was busy yesterday, so I just made me & @sazyrock a couple of cheesy sammies. She wanted to add some brightness to it, so used some basil from our aero garden. It actually worked really well. Who knew?

Santa Monica, California. It was the first place my beautiful wife took me too sixteen years ago. For breakfast, if I recall. Do you have a place that holds a special part of your heart.

I was feeling a bit ropey yesterday so @sazyrock ordered a Chinese take out (take away, in U.K speak) to cheer me up. It worked. I am now feeling much better. Sometimes all you need is comfort food. Mmmmm.

Years ago (2003?) I booked Michael's in Santa Monica.There was mistake, a female star already booked the whole place. They were great about it and sent us to another place and asked them to send the check to them. I was there last week. What's a restaurant done to make you feel as if you mattered?

Another walk. Listening to a book. Happy Saturday everybody. I hope you have the most fantastic day.

This should not and will not be tolerated. Not to the football players, not to the trainers, not to backroom staff not to the supporters. In fact not to anyone at all EVER. #f**kracism

An extraordinary book from one of my favorite recent podcast folks. Dr. Jeffrey H. Cohen, is the Professor of the Department of Anthropology at The Ohio State University and we talked in Season 13 about people who eat insects. His new book is coming out in September. I may well have done a blurb. 🙂

This amazing sauce from the UK is something I put on EVERYTHING. Well more or less (Except dessert of course). It was invented in 1895 by Frederick Gibson. It is a mix of spices, tamarind, molasses and other things. What kind of stuff do you find so delicious you have to have it on everything.

I went to the freezer yesterday & found a steak that I had brought back from an L.A steakhouse (I know, I know, but these days I can't eat a whole rib eye). I decided to use it in a Chinese style take-away dish. Chinese beef with peppers & onions. How would you use leftover steak from your freezer?

A very fun radio show with my chum @forkreporter. Celebrating his birthday, he took a select crowd to the excellent @descansorestaurant which serves very delicious Michoacán food next to the La Brea Tar Pits.

I had to order in for yesterday's lunchtime. This is a rice, ground beef & mushrooms stuffed chicken, hummus and Baba Ganoush. From @jerusalem_chicken. Very, very nice it was too.