Fay Maschler's week in food, from perky edamame at Robata to 'ironed chicken' at Coal Office

From a “nibble” of perky edamame in sweet soy with gochugaru flakes, the meal at Robata in Soho rolls gently downhill.

At La Ferme aux Grives, part of Les Prés d’Eugénie in south-west France, ingredients spit-roasted over an open fire include suckling pig stuffed “comme en Castille”. Succulence.

Not every business in Eugénie-les-Bains is run by Maison Guérard. Le Bistrot d’Eugénie, the village café, boldly provides us with classic jambon-beurre (baguette).

The first dinner according to the precepts of Michel Guérard’s Cuisine Minceur (three courses at 635 calories) kicks off with Le Clafoutis de Legumes de Saison.

After seeing Wild Rose with brilliant Jessie Buckley in the title part at Everyman King’s Cross, “Ironed chicken” with polenta, bulgur and dried yogurt sauce at jolly, jumping Coal Office.