Restaurants

Stephen Bull

JUST AROUND the corner from the dirt, noise and general horror of Euston is World of Difference which sells all manner of environmentally and politically friendly goods. The cluttered shelves juggle everything from vegetarian shoes to recycled filofax inserts, `anti-plastic pens' and detergent-free ceramic laundry discs (shown left, pounds 45)as well as being a reference board for `green' advice.

The ancient craft of archery and the deadly art of the bull's- eye can calm the soul, reports Eric Kendall

A GIANT pair of angel's wings and a 6ft-high photograph of Linda McCartney will form the centrepiece at a vigil to the former Beatle's late wife in Trafalgar Square tomorrow evening, writes Suzanna Chambers.

Suggestive scones, erotic artichokes and Madonna's knickers: Paul Bailey takes his feast of sex-and-grub with a sack of salt

BUNHILL

BSE mystery

THERE IS an obvious alternative to the practices of the bloodsports fraternity - go in pursuit of vegetarian alternatives. We already have the pioneering Quorn Hunt, which has shown the way forward. Can we now hope to see the much kinder activities of soya baiting and tofu coursing.

More people than ever this Christmas chose to desert the kitchen for the local pub or eatery. Anywhere from Harvester restaurants to local boozers were crammed full of customers for Christmas lunch this year. One Beefeater restaurant, the Rusty Cutter in Bedhampton, was even booked out for the meal by last April.

A trial opens in Texas today that pits the American talk-show star Oprah Winfrey against the might of the state's beef ranchers - over allegations about bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

If you want to repent for a Christmas overstuffed with turkey, chipolatas and pork pie off the bone, then stagger down to Heather's in south-east London. This vegetarian and vegan restaurant is Deptford's second-greatest secret (the greatest, of course, being the identity of Christopher Marlowe's killer). Twelve quid gets you unlimited access to their sumptuous buffet, which creaks with African peanut soup, caramelised onions and nutty chocolate pudding. Open for lunch (not Sat) and dinner (not Mon or Sun).

From a distance, it looks like the changing room for Clapham Common's sweaty footballers, but a closer look reveals an intricate, glittery mosaic on the front and punters spilling out into the yard. Once inside the Cafe on the Common, you'll find candlelit tables, artwork all over the walls, friendly chatter and a range of delicious and inventive vegetarian food - from Thai red curry to mountainous vegeburgers - all for under a fiver. The vast all-day vege-breakfast (pounds 3.50) is highly recommended.

Jennifer Paterson and Clarissa Dickson Wright just love to cook and eat - all those things that the PC food police decree are bad for us. And how has it affected them? Well, they must get their trademark love of life from somewhere