Basildog

No You came , you ate, you report. What happens if you go again and it is fantastic? Does your report show that 50% of the time they get it right, the other 50% it's a bit pants? How does that help?

Of course Andy. Hell ,even we have the phone ring after any small mention in the National Press.But only short term, then it's back to normal.I would think that even a negative review like the Box Tree's will see a short term increase in trade for them, but i don't think critics owe Restaurants multiply visits.

I see. I think your giving critics to much credit.They can't close a good restaurant, and can't save a bad restaurant.They are a usefull tool to restaurants and customers, and they sell papers.I don't think they effect a buisness in the long term.

To compare Restaurant reviews to Buisness ones is a bit silly.All guest is going to invest in a restaurant is 2 hours of their time and a wedge of cash that they were going to spend on a Restaurant anyway.A Buisness review may be a tad more important to the end user.

Agreed Ready Steady Cook is not the best place for an aspiring chef, but these new shows, how do you know what there going to be like??

In an ideal world I think you are correct. But the reality of the situation is that, once a restaurant service is set up in a particular way, its often quite difficult for a customer to change that to suit them. I have for example on one memorable occasion seen a sommelier rush over to a table and take a bottle out of a customer's hand because he had dared to pour his own wine. Even if you do explain yourself at length, you don't always get what you want, (and not only in the UK as my recent meal at Aux Lyonnaise demonstrates.), but all I'm suggesting is that the compromise of explaining oneself might result in the desired service experience, rather than a battle. ← Andy, i can think of nothing easier for a restaurant to do than allow a punter to pour his own wine.Thats it , i'm done here.

Your right Andy,my mistake. In this case, Jay was testing the restaurant ability to allow him to pour his own wine.I don't think guests should have to explain their reasons for something this simple.It's not that the waiters were insisting on pouring, they just did not tell each other "Those freaks on table 3 want to pour their own wine"

This was not a test just for the sake of it.Jay had a reason to ask for the wine not to be poured.Just like some people ask for tap water, and shouldn't have to jump through hoops to get it.Anyone remember "the Napkin Test" or the "Mint Tea Test" from back in the day?.

Andy, if i could provide the line of coke and Jordan's services, i would gladly oblige.If a guest has a request that is reasonable, doesn't upset the balance of the universe, why is it a bad thing for a guest to get what they want.I don't think Jay is trying to stamp out wine pouring, just asking for something easy to do, similar to his 1/4 past the hour quirk.

Andy, why is wine poured by waiters intrinsic to quailty service? Surely good service is about giving the guest the experience he/she wants, and if that means letting them serve there own wine, where's the problem.

Thanks Mr Bulmer

I couldn't possibly comment. It does remind me of a story an old Head Chef of mine told me.He was a lowly commis at the Savoy, and after a particulaly appalling service, the Head Chef shouts to the brigade,"Right you c***s,line up here!".He then picks out one chef, with the words,"Not you, you have a line on your own, you are a Super C***" Makes me laugh anyway

Chefs is chefs is Chefs. Some are inspiring ,some are wankers.Same the world over. Best of luck

Mr Bulmer, please ignore Gary Marshalls opinion, he thinks Anthony's deserve a star, so what does he know ? (only jesting )

Derek, any chance of raising the Bib Gourmand level to say £26 ?? i have sometimes flattered myself that we might attain one, but reading the press release, i'm not in the game.

Andy, i don't mean to be picky, but you didn't chuck the veg leftovers from your balls did you?

Your bl9g is a hit already in this household.Becky saw the photo and shouted "OOOO look Daddy, yummy yummy dinner" Keep up the good work

Maybe Ludlow has reached saturation point?.New guys maybe not wanting the baggage that comes with a landmark restaurant?

It's always very nice to recieve a note of thanks.Just before Christmas i was wading through the post, the first one being notification of an Income Tax Inspection .The last one was a note of thanks for a 60th Birthday Party we did.It lifted my spirits no end , i can tell you.

1) St John (in a group, disappointing) 2) The Beachhut at Watergate Bay (good) 3) Ripley's St Merryn (excellent)

Excellent News!.My parents are in Torquay.Will hopefully see you soon. edit..websiteclick

so as well as uncomfortable viewing, could be quite a laugh then

What makes you think JC won't be able to controll a bunch of celebs Andy?

We may have something like that coming to Padstow.A Tea Room which , if the rumours are to be believed, will a "Thai" place in the evenings.I'm guessing it's the same guy that approached me awhile back wanting to rent the 2 nights that we are closed.I think my answer was "feck off"

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