We have a quality cultural scene in Little Rock, with the symphony orchestra, rep theater, art museums and historical surroundings; outstanding medical resources; unlimited natural surroundings; quality restaurants influenced by great Louisiana training; and an extended growing season that makes it a virtual paradise.
To date, however, there is no evidence that proximity to fast-food restaurants influences diet or obesity risk (Burdette and Whitaker 2004; Jeffery et al. 2006; Liu et al. 2007).
Pint from £3.35. 25 Forrest Road, 0131-225 2751, sandybellsedInburgh.co.uk In this hip, post-industrial space, the Radford family have created what is arguably Edinburgh's most exciting restaurant, influenced by Nordic cooking and the abundant Scottish larder.
Restaurant influences made themselves felt, too: the black cod in miso that I'd eaten in the first, New York, Nobu found its way in, though I used more accessible salmon; Alastair Little's oysters with spicy sausages (itself a reworking of 19th-century food writer Edouard de Pomiane) featured, too.
Whether the food was great was a source of some debate, but the restaurant's influence was not.
These regulatory and market pressures on independent restaurants have influenced the growth of the "restaurant group". Unlike a chain, with many locations featuring the same concept, the group operates multiple unique, high-quality restaurant concepts under one umbrella company.
In some ways, it might make little sense to draw divisions between them at all – considering that they often seem to blend together; the colour of food – and even the sounds of a restaurant – can influence taste, for instance.
But the restaurant's influence extends well beyond the 60 to 70 people who are fortunate enough to dine there each night.
This is a popular dish at the restaurant, heavily influenced by my love of Spain.
The food at Morrison's is admittedly very good; my overall opinion of the restaurant was influenced by the punishing noise level, the uneven service and that intrusive Tuesday night trivia game.
