Choosing a celeb restaurant

Right, where to start. A google search; there seem to be a number of sites dedicated to table bookings for fancy restaurants, I have to admit whilst these are handy to look through I don't feel confident booking through a third party.

First problem I encounter is that nearly all the restaurants are in London, I like London but it is a long way to drive and trains are pricey, if I am going all that way it is going to be for more than a night; making an already expensive meal even more costly as I have to factor in transport and accommodation.

Might be worth seeing where else there is closer to home, inconclusive results - nothing much comes up.

OK, so I will try searching by chefs; Gordon Ramsey, Antony Worrall Thompson, Jamie Oliver, Ken Hom, Marcus Wareing, Michel Roux Jnr, Raymond Blanc among others... who on earth do I choose? I admit I don't know the names of all the chefs on TV and choosing one just because they are the most well known seems silly, so a quick search for celebrity chefs brings up BBC Food, which has a pretty good A to Z of chefs.

I find that pretty much all of the big names are London or Berkshire based, there are however a few chain type versions of restaurants particuarly interesting are Jamie's Italian and Brasserie Blanc.

I looked up Raymond Blanc's restaurant Le Manoir Aux Quat' Saisons it is so beautiful; from the stunning period building and walled gardens to the delicate piles and twists of food on the plates but at £135 a head I think I might have to pass, no matter how many michelin stars he has I can't afford to spend that on food. Maybe I can get a hint of the experience by going to the significantly cheaper Brasserie Blanc, still a step up from the local pub but not going to bankrupt me. Problem is it still feels like a bit of a cop out, the whole point is to challenge myself so I need to find somewhere between the two!!

Eat at a Celebrity Restaurant

OK, its nearly March and I haven't started on the list yet. I figure that a lot of the things are still going to be difficult but I am determined to start living my life again.

Challenge One - Eat at a celebrity restaurant.

I know what you are thinking: How is that difficult? well honestly it isn't, but then most things on my list wouldn't phase most people, but I am a complete scaredy cat, chicken shit, nervous freak!

What could possibly scare me about a meal out?

1. What to wear? Since I am at least 4 stone overweight I never feel confident in anything, I know I could look better if I was thinner, so I put off going out anywhere never mind somewhere classy and expensive. Then there is the whole how dressy should I look; smart casual or dinner dress, the latest fashion or classic elegance?

2. Etiquette. Call for a reservation or not? Wait for a table or take a seat? Order at the counter/bar or from a waiter? Wine testing? Finding the toilet. Tipping. It's a minefield of things that could go wrong.

3. Cost. OK not really a fear, but when you are counting every penny (aren't we all?) and have been for 6 years, deciding to spend it feels risky; have you seen the prices at some of these places? And what if something happens and I need the money and its gone?

So there are good reasons for it being on my list. I am not just doing it because it might be fun and I have never done it before.

The next thing is to decide where to go?