Plutocrat

Terrible news. http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/local-west-yorkshire-news/2013/06/22/70-jobs-go-as-flockton-chef-anthony-flinn-s-leeds-restaurant-group-collapses-86081-33509262/ They are to make a statement on Monday.

Cheers Bapi, we have definitely had to find more time for lunches these days, since I agree that restaurants are fare game at that time I'll give the Millbank a go in the next few weeks then since we've been feeling a little deprived recently. Got our first babysitter in for a trip to No 3 in a couple of weeks.

Bapi - I take it from your earlier posts that they are ok with young kids? I've got a 4 month old at home now and we are struggling to find places that are ok with them. Anthony's said it would be ok but I have a slight nevousness about her clearing out that enclosed space. We had a slightly traumatic event at the Star at Harome in the bar area where she decided that no one else should get to eat at all. It ended with us eating our courses indicidually whilst one of us rocked a pram outside! -Not a relaxed dining experience, especially with 20 people standing at the bar ogling your table with avarice. Cheers P

From what I have heard over the years. Madame Avis can be difficult to deal with. Colleagues of mine have come out of confrontations dripping with sweat. I had heard that she had mellowed over the years though. There is as Andy says, insufficient information to base anything on. I had to check this thread since I'd heard a nasty rumour that it was for sale and thought the Guellers were leaving - I would have been sorry if that was the case.

Thats not really what I got from it. Surely the point is that these restaurants are in trouble in the first place so apply to be on the programme? If thats the case - why not take any advice on board and carry on doing what got you into trouble in the first place. GR did advise that money would be made on the wine even if he cut food prices. Tastings and things may get people in once but the point was they surveyed the locals and most who had been said they wouldn't go back - reason - cost. Since this used to be a destination restaurant hes trying to maintain it as such - the legacy you mention - but without a Star and with a falling reputation how is he going to make money as a destination. You need some local support to keep you ticking over I would have thought. What use is 40 years legacy if you have to close? I think a lot of GRs advice on downgrading comes because of the restaurant he had which failed in Glasgow, Amaryllis?, or something. It seemed to fail because of over fussy food and high prices, and although he is no management guru, a lot of advice does make sense, to me anyway. I agree with the pectorals bit though P

He seems a bit less harsh this time round. The only significant bit of swearing was in the "Full Metal Jacket" style bit of squad motivation held outside - and I'm sorry, that maitre'd wouldn't scare my granny like that.

I bought a pair of peugeot mills about 6 months ago from here. I've been very happy with them. They give a good even grind for the pepper and have been completely reliable. The salt mill doesn't cope well with the flaky maldon salt though. I can't seem to get a really coarse grind out of them either. Like others here I use a pestle if I want big chunks. P

Apparently the newly starred Box Tree will be opening for Friday and Saturday lunch. I'm off next week so will report back P

Likewise. Shocked and stunned. P

I would agree that Tubbys is a pleasant experience but if price is not a factor then The Box Tree is far better food and surroundings. I always feel too exposed in Tubbys because of all the glass (but mabye thats just my inbuilt paranoia). The food is good enough for lunch but I don't think it can really be compared. I had a very decent duck breast with goats cheese a couple of weeks ago but it does lack a bit of finesse. Off to hunt down Jan Moirs review now. P

Finally made it in for sunday lunch on 17th since I can't seem to find the time for an evening meal at the moment. (exam issues as well I'm afraid). The welcome and initial service was ok, nothing special. The front room is nice and welcoming and has got rid of the previous peeling paintwork and smell of damp. We were ushered upstairs were unfortunately for a cold October day, the central heating seemed not to be on. Goosebumps ensued since our coats had been whisked away. I nice light dutch beer arrived promptly nad was a very pleasant aperitif ( sorry I can't remember the name of it - but it was first on the beer list) and a mineral water for the wife ( driving ) - Source I think. After a short while we were led downstairs to the dining room. I can see why people might have problems with this room as its not large. Every table is kind of stuck against the wall because its long and narrow. I had taken a recommendation on the wine and a 1999 Gigondas by Guigal arrived - very good indeed. My starter was pumpkin soup with a roasted scallop nestled within it. I really enjoyed this. I'm not usually the greatest fan of squash soups but this went down well. I think that one of Simons strong points is definitely the soups. My wife had a mushroom risotto which was not too innovative but very fresh tasting and light. Mains were roast beef for both. Not too much to say here. It was well done, good quality beef etc. etc. Puds were the raspberry pannacotta described above. Very good. Did remind me of an anthonys style pud somewhat. Great combination though. My wife had passion fruit sorbet - again something we used to really enjoy at Guellers - and it did not disappoint. Coffee and petit fours upstairs again. Service was adequate/ good. All the staff obviously need some bedding in time but everything was relaxed and very friendly. No complaints really. All in £120 with wine. The Sunday set menus are £18 for 2 courses and £25 for three. I do have to disagree with the above though. It is already the best restaurant I've found in Ilkley. Nothing else really offers that level of dining. Still got the Steps restaurant to do as I hear it has a new chef - but I'm not holding my breath. P

Regarding the portion size I did mean that they were on the large size. I think someone had said that 3 courses on the ALC was a bit of a feat. I thought that they were large but so long as you avoid the tasting pud its comfortably done. (Likewise, I have never been accused of anorexia ) Regarding the comparisons between Anthony's and No.3 I know they shouldn't be compared but when they are two of the three fine dining restaurants locally to you its difficult not to put them side by side as an overall experience. I go through phases regarding what I fancy for my dinner and its great to have such a choice. But man is by gender a list maker and ranker of things Either one at the mo. is a great choice - I'll need to try the degustation double header when Anthony's is available. Amighty feat of endurance that would be P

I had the first meal I'd had in ages at No 3 on saturday past. I hadn't actually been since the old days of Simon Gueller. I used to be quite a fan but toward the end of his reign we'd had a pretty average but shockingly expensive meal there and just never seemed to find the urge to back. Anyway recent chat on here persuaded me to drag myself away from Anthony's and give it a go again. It was good The amuse was a small cup of gazpacho, which was a little shocking to the palate initially because of a heavy vinegar kick at hte back of the throat - I thought this was a little overpowering but it did mellow towards the end of the dish. I'm not the reatest fan of cold soup but it wasn't bad all in, having just a hint of the classic heinz tomato soup at the end. My starter was "Carpaccio of English Beef Fillet with Foie Gras, Pommery Mustard Cream, Salad of Herbs" The carpaccio was gorgeous - properly melt in the mouth. The foie seemed to lack a little depth though (maybe too cold?) The mustard cream was a lovely thing though. The salad of herbs was probably a little too strong for the delicacy of the rest though as I found myself taking a slurp of wine after every mouthful to clear my tongue a little (and that was obviously the only reason ). Overall though a really good dish. My wifes "Seared Sea Scallops with Jerusalem Artichoke Purée, Asparagus Salad, Truffle Vinaigrette" was superb. The scallops and that great resistance and then give that I love - beautifully cooked. My reason for not having the pigs trotter for starter was that I then had an exuse to go for "Braised Pig’s Trotter stuffed with Black Pudding, Veal Sweetbreads & Chicken Pomme Purée, Essence of Morels £ 17.95" I think somebody else described this dish as rich. Ooof - it was a belt buster. The trotter itself was fantastic, full of unctious flavours. The pomme puree was less of a hit, reminding me of school dinner mashed spuds - not a good memory. My wife had "Fillet of Beef, Gratin Dauphinoise, Buttered Spinach, Fricassée of Wild Mushrooms, Red Wine Sauce £18.95". This was gorgeous. Loveley tender, aged beef and a great sauce. The gratin was one of the best I have ever had - Its making me hungry even thinking about it - so creamy. By this time my wife was beginning to struggle so pre dessert that she could scoff down was a surprise. The details are a little hazy but it was some kind of creamy/thick banana thing with a butterscotch topping. I gulped it down in seconds - I could have eaten a whole bowful - gorgeous. After that my wife could only manage half her "Champagne Jelly with Red Fruits, Passion Fruit Sauce". This wasn't bad, but the jelly lacked any interest where it didn't surround the fruit. I however, was feeling braver. The " Assiette of Desserts " wasn't going to stop me. 6 little puds on a plate, one of each on the menu plus ice cream: Hot Chocolate Soufflé with Vanilla Ice Cream & Chocolate Sauce, Crème Brûlée, Compote of Granny Smiths, Blackberry Jus, Champagne Jelly with Red Fruits, Passion Fruit Sauce, Iced Banana Parfait with Bitter Chocolate Sorbet & Caramel sauce, Baked Lemon Tart with a Hot Orange Soufflé, Out of those, the Souffle was great as was the lemon tart. The creme brulee and ice cream good but not great and the other two a bit disappointing. ( I was very stuffed by this point though and it would have taken something special to keep me going). We finished a fine meal with coffee and homemade chocs in the bar, although many of the chocs went uneaten the ones sampled were good. Wine was the 1989 Chateau Musar as recommended by someone who eats here only rarely . It was good but I agree it kicks off serious sediment - the last glass had to be left half drunk . Many have mentioned the portion sizes and I certainly don't think they were small but I was only in physical pain because I went for the assiete of desserts. Its do-able comfortably normally. Seasoning was nearly all spot on too. A good meal then and at £170 for two possibly slightly more than Anthony's. A's remains my favourite for the moment though. Cheers P

I'm a bit gutted that they don't open for weekday lunch. I had visions of creeping in once a week for lobster thermidor mmmmm..... The menu does look good, definately on the comfort food side of things, but no bad thing - especially if they maintain comfort sized portions :-) P

I quite like this place. Just ordered a couple of Peugeot grinders from them. http://www.cucinadirect.com Reasonable selection of knives and widgets. P