algy

I don't know what you're talking about. ← clearly

Matt ought to have a go at Jade Goody next. Everything is sorted and Arbutus have dealt with this nicely. ← Surely not a surprise - isn't that what people pay PR's to do?

"Bruni has re-reviewed himself only once." If that is true, it tells you all you need to know about the assumptions that underpin a reviewer's work and the environment in which he operates.

more like the hottest place for (potty) mouth. I blame Ramsay, seems like people can't discuss food now without excessive use of the F word. So different from the home life of our dear Queen.

it's every bit as good as I expected

this may sound terribly naive, but how do americans eat this sort of stuff without becoming horribly obese? Or are you supposed to throw it up afterwards? (or perhaps you don't have a choice).

My guess would be the quality of the presenters

I've only eaten at Nahm once, but couldn't see (or more importantly taste) anything that deserved a star. The only thing that was stellar was the bill.

now you're talking: Blair it is. He comes over, collects his medal and takes his rightful place alongside Gordon. Ricky Gervais we'd like back.

close doc, but no cigar

couldn't agree more (seriously), but how do you assure yourself of the total absence of gravy-dunked wangs before leaving the tip?

you may be right, but you must remember two things: 1. Ramsay is very persistent: he will never give up until he achieves his goal 2. He has secret weapon. Obviously very little can be disclosed at this stage, but he will soon secure the services of America's most popular Englishman as his Maitre d. 4 stars will follow, as night follows day.

was it something I said?

so what do you do when "your host is either very slow or stingy with the wine"?

as an (across the Channel) out of towner, this information is almost a year old, so treat with caution. We only experienced Mon Vieil Ami and Dominique Bouchet from your list and preferred the former by some way. Dominique Bouchet disorientated us a bit by serving the same sauce with three (very) different main courses - and the sauce itself was pretty banal. Created the impression of laziness and taking the easy option. Best feature of Db was the wine list - interesting, well priced, wines in good condition. MVA was tiny, service good, wine reasonable, but the food had a "cleanness" and simplicity that was attractive.

this comment is, like, so non creative. Loosen up grandad - "food meets music special" - it's got wow factor written all over it. I just can't wait to discover what they'll pair with food next - "food with WAG's special"; "food with cosmetic surgery special"; "food with contrived shock about racism on TV special". Mind you, not all of these would be mutually exclusive, but a month is a long time and people have short memories.

haven't seen many who look like media types when I've been in. Mind you, Channel 4....

clearly not somebody who likes to be overburdened by accuracy of expression. Where is this "England" place anyway?

here http://russelldavies.typepad.com/ateaandat...cy_cafe_17.html

was at Nicholas le Bec last night. Had the smaller of the two gastronomic menus (E98). Excellent stuff: fantastic blend of technique and creativity.

"great photos" I can't see them! Too hard to take

My award goes to Iceland's 'roast from frozen' joints. Kerry 'calm down, calm down' Katona couldn't have sunk any lower (other than doing a bestiality movie) when she signed up for that gig. Chav slag. ← "It is impossible for an Englishman to open his mouth without making some other Englishman hate or despise him," and as for "chav slag", it's a term of endearment, right? Why else have Kerry's picture as your avatar?

when did Graves cross the river? I thought that it was still in south west Bordeaux in 1998.

not so - his mum adores him

although this "personal style" isn't quite exemplified by the content of his website, which shows pictures of the great man with the chefs who actually cook at (and have a stake in) his restaurants. I'm not Ramsay's biggest fan, but one thing that he does seem pretty good at is building, developing and rewarding what is now a very substantial team. Of course, he could exert a svengali-like hold over them but, perhaps, it could just be that he's a very effective motivator. Does he present a caricature of himself to the media? Doesn't everyone darling? As to nerd v bully, in contemporary Britain, I wouldn't be so sure that the nerd would win out. As for feeling sorry for him, I'm sure that he'll appreciate that, but there have to be more deserving subjects for your compassion.