First day of vacation. OK?

How thrilling to be in Boston, Massachusetts, once again.

We celebrated by going out to breakfast at the delightful Theo's Cosy Corner Cafe, tucked away in the city historic North End.

No need to describe this riot of self-indulgence - the evidence is before your eyes.

Enough to say that we relished every mouthful.

Service was friendly and, of course, our coffee mugs were replenished frequently.

Marco distinction

To tell or not to tell? Mr Gnome has been in two minds about trumpeting the delights of Marco's Deli and Bistro, Church Street, Stratford-upon-Avon.

After all, having discovered a treasure, one might be forgiven for not broadcasting the map reference to all and sundry.

Anguished moment over. Here goes.

Marco's is one of those family-run, small-scale, high-quality, low-price eateries that you may have been tempted to believe had gone the way of the dinosaur.

Fear not. Marco's is alive and kicking, a byword for quality to shoppers, office workers and the staff and students of the Shakespeare Institute (just across the street).

Breakfasts, lunches (not open in the evening) and snacks. Delicious bread baked on premises.

Service is prompt and cheery. You'll probably be addressed as 'Darling'.

And the bacon rolls. Words fail us. The fresh bread. The dizzying aroma of the bacon. The outrageous generosity of the bacon-to-roll ratio. Heaven.

Ditto the roast beef sandwich - carved and carved again from the just-roasted joint. Can so much pleasure be morally justifiable? Whatever. Tuck in.

Go. Try. Tell.

Pappa, Poppa, Puppo

Mr Gnome found himself embroiled in a spelling-related shopping crisis today.

His conclusion?

Variety always goes with spice...

Prime number

Along with the ruby-slippered Dorothy, Mr Gnome has learned to look for the good things waiting to be discovered 'right here in my own back yard'.

Eleven, in Leamington Spa's Regent Place, is small, unpretentious and of tip-top quality - aspects that Mr Gnome is always eager to celebrate. And the food and ambience are so French that Mr G now refers to this splendid bistro as Onze.

The evening had an element of serendipitous discovery. Booking at the very last minute, we discovered that the special feature of every Tuesday evening at Eleven is the £13.50 menu terroir. (By the way, terroir means 'of the earth'.)

The other special feature of the terroir menu, is that it offers le choix de Hobson - one dish per course - no other choices!

We began with a pork and duck rillette - that's a kind of coarse pate, served with a salad and some dinky slices of toasted bread. Jolly good portions as well. Scrumptious.

Next was rump steak (top-quality) accompanied by hearty, golden, perfectly cooked potato chips.

Finally a blackcurrant mousse, served in generously proportioned tumblers. Wow!

Glance back to the price per person. Yes, £13.50.

Excellent, friendly service from our French host.

Mr Gnome will return.

All the info you need at www.elevenrestaurant.co.uk

Browns study

Mr Gnome is a firm believer in the anti-depressant properties of a square meal in pleasant surroundings.

Hence his enthusiastic endorsement of this splendid independent bar-cafe-restaurant in the centre of Coventry.

Browns is in the way of being a bit of an architectural gem as well, with an intriguing mixture of wood, stone, glass and copper - not too mention the bold, curvacious shaping of the interior.

There's a big menu and helpings are on the hurrah! side of big. Loads of fresh vegetables.

Tonight the HB relished his chicken and ham pie with carrots, cabbage and garliccy roast potatoes. All for £5.50.

Atmosphere is a wee bit bo-ho, but the place is clean and staff, including the wardrobe-wide doorman, are cheerful and efficient.

Indulgence...

Mr G has definite views regarding food, hence his endorsement of this traditional teatime treat.

It's one of those things that one either loves or loathes. A category that includes numerous operatic sopranos, packets of pork scratchings and the novels of Terry Pratchett.

Mr G and the HB can think of few things more delightfully up-picking on a winter evening than hot buttered toast, liberally slathered with Marmite.

Ah, the memories induced by the aroma.

A Proustian boost.

The eye of the master maketh the horse fat

Mr Gnome rattled along the rails today to visit the historic port city of Bristol.

The HB improved the shining hour with some Christmas correspondence.

Mr G was privileged to be granted a behind-the-scenes glimpse of an up-and-coming local eatery - THE MAGIC ROLL.

It's located at 3 Queen's Row, a short step from the University. Do try. SO not a chain.

Mr G declares an interest. His HB is related to co-proprietor JPK.

A colourful expression emerged.

JPK noted the importance of a gently watchful management style in a business that employs many people with cash-handling responsibilities.

One doesn't have to mount a heavy surveillance operation. One simply has to be around, taking an interest and letting people know that you are aware.

Since he's been doing this, cash no longer goes astray - the tills balance.

He remarked: 'Old proverb: 'The eye of the master maketh the horse fat.'

Wise words from a wise man.

Product placement

Mr Gnome isn't at all sniffy about 'brand name' coffee shops. He likes them.

Here he is planning a jaunt in Leamington Spa's Caffe Nero.

Or Caffe Nerd, to some.

Friendly staff, good coffee, pleasant ambience, newspapers, open all hours.

What's not to like?

Nosebag for an Oxonian gnome

While Mr G's academic achievements are a closely guarded secret, his love for the ancient city of Oxford is not.

He's a frequent visitor and usually finds that he has time to ascend to his favourite local cafe, The Nosebag, tucked away up a steep flight of stairs on St Michael's Street.

Mr G likes the informal cafeteria-style servery. The healthy salads and substantial main dishes remind him of his heyday in the 1970s - as do the chunky crockery and no-nonsense decor.

Pictured is his absolute fave: the lemon cheesecake. Generous portions, or what?

Mr G is NOT a fan of the minimalist slice on the large plate with the arty swirl of coulis.

'Oh, please....' he murmurs, eyes rolling heavenwards.

The cafe is popular with students and dons, affording splendid opportunities to 'listen in' as one munches. Mr G has turned a discreetly sympathetic ear to many anguished outpourings re the state of Phyllida's PhD or Giles's overdue essay on metaphysical poetry....

Three rumbustious cheers for The Nosebag.

Gnome Modern

Having relished the Betjeman extravaganza, Mr G nipped to one of his favourite London eateries: Café 2 at the Tate Modern art gallery.

This is a tip-top, moderately priced place to meet for lunch. Super menu. Friendly, speedy service and a busy, buzzy atmosphere. Totally family friendly.

Knockout views over the river, of course.

Naturally, if you're Mr G you have to put up with a wee bit of papparazzo attention.

Actually, we spotted a literary celeb-ette during the short wait for our first course: Nick High Fidelity Hornby.

You can't beat a good celeb-spot when you're out in the capital.

Mr G gives this splendid venue three loud Hurrahs.