food1
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Forgot to say, sister restaurant, The Greenhouse is doing a cracking deal until the end of August.
They are offering their dinner menu at half price. Its something like £18 n something for three courses. Offer valid on every night of the week they are open (not Sat). I think they are doing the same offer for lunch but not 100% sure.
So if your in or around kew, then looks like you could be on to a winner
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Just back from 2 weeks on Skye. My wife and I ate an excellent dinner at the Three Chimneys. We have dined in many special restaurants around the world, so believe we can benchmark to some extent. We were both delighted with the Three Chimneys. I do believe it is a world class restaurant. Some of the 2003 comments on the thread did shock me as my wife and I had a completely different experience. Imaginative combinations of flavour. Put together with artistry and high technical skill. Also, must say a word about the really friendly front of house staff. Finally, an outstanding wine list. We had a lovely Gevrey-Chambertin.
To reinforce the point, my parents in law dined in the restaurant on the previous evening, and they also came home singing the praises of the food, the staff and the atmosphere. We are all looking forward to returning. the restaurant is now advertising the idea of spending a New Year week at the Three Chimneys. Very tempting. It would take a few kms of biking on Skye to work that off.
It has always puzzled me why the restaurant has never been awarded a star. Its a lot better than a few starred places that spring to mind. Never mind, they are not alone!!!!
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Visted here a week ago. Another very enjoyable experience. The only duff note was an under cooked souffle, which wasn't a big deal, but the chef was pissed off with himself. Good to know some still care!! (Wasn't charged for pudd by the way). Good service by Will, who seems right at home in the place now.
One of the pudds they have on at the mo, is a 'lemon meringue pie' with a black currant sorbet. It looked superb and I would have definately choose, if wasn't intolerant to eggs and blackcurrant!! Was going to suffer the consequences but had to fly next day
Had the grilled calves liver, which was just the job. Yum
The folks of Chiswick are a lucky bunch. That said, I bet most don't know the place is there
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I've also been to both Wareing and Aikens.
Personally, I would never go back to Aikens again. Im just not a fan of the bloke, although Aikens did do a cracking lunch time deal. Not sure what the bob is now on that front. I think his food is a real mixed bag, great at times and piss poor at other times. Not sure if its anything to do with his monthly cycle!!!!
Wareings was a fine experience, a wee bit 'Ramsayish', which you would expect I suppose. A very luxury setting, more suited to dinner, IMO. Just be careful if you decide to have the wine flight, it costs a kings ransom!!
Probably won't help you but I would much rather visit the Square, over the other two. Dined there the other night, great experience.
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Yes Matt, I would definately go with Roast Chicken and other Stories. A great read by a fellow who really understands food.
A few other books that I have enjoyed a flick through are,
Passion For Flavour & Gordon Ramsay Three Star Chef, which is a proper coffee table book, fantastically photographed. Do any of the recipes actually work??
Essence by David Everitt Mathias
Nico by Nico Landis, such a single minded chef, who didn't suffer fools. Great intro by him, detailing his life etc.
Rhubarb & Blackpudding by Matt Fort, Paul Heathcote (IMO, Idea pretty much copied by another recent cookbook!!)
Fat Duck cookbook, just through the sheer attention and input given.
Canteen Cuisine by MPW, probably used by every aspiring chef over the last ten years. One chef I know, practically based whole menu upon book. And he's got a star!!!
Meat by Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall, packed with info.
The first seafood cookbook by Rick Stein.
Any book by Ainsley!!!!!!!!
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The Square has always been bang on for me, where as I've visted The Capital twice, and have pondered as to how the the place has a two star rating.??Loved the wines, but I thought the food was a real mixed bag. Then again, I've pondered over how a few restaurants have star ratings. Thats another thread I suppose.
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Its what I consider a proper restaurant, not flash, no pretention, just really appealling food that you what to eat.
Also been a favourite place of mine for a long time. We are actually back down at the restaurant on Saturday, 25th for Mrs big 40 birthday!!
I think all the restaurants under the platts-martin umbrella are class acts. Not too keen on the glasshouse though. For me its the weakest of the bunch.
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We went to the Manoir at the request of mini-PSB to celebrate his 10th birthday (he had specified any 'fancy restaurant'). It was a great success - the children's menu was, surprisingly, a little dull, so we opted to share two tasting menus between the 2 1/2 of us - but mini-PSB did get the egg mayonnaise made to look like a mouse mentioned upthread - which was beautiful. The food was very good - more inventive, and more modern, than some of the recent posts upthread had led me to think. I'm afraid I can't remember very much about it now, as it's over a month ago. The overall impression I retain is of light and very tasty food - no foams, but some unusual combinations. The bread was wonderful, as were the puddings. They were fresh, fruity and summery - just perfect. The staff were very good - they even organised a marzipan snail on the birthday boy's pudding plate - he loves snails and would otherwise have been disappointed that they weren't available.
God, I wish I had parents like you when I was 10.
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upmarket bistro - sounds a bit like keller's bouchon where some french laundry dishes make occasional guest appearances. if so it'll be a very welcome addition to the london scene
Upmarket bistro at the sumptuous MO - oh how hath the mighty fallen and we can all see what happens eventually to absentee chefs - reference GR!
To be fair Pam, I reckon it will be more than just a simple bistro serving ciabatta sarnies etc. We are talking a three star chef here, who I believe deserves a bit more respect.
I don't think the place should be knocked, even before its opened. Seems the British way though doesn't it.
If its H.Bs take on a 'Bouchon' set up, then it will be grand.
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Just realised we are participating in this one too! Let me know how your take up is, from memory last time we did something similar we were fairly mobbed!
Erica
Will do Erica, I'll keep you posted. Be interesting to note any north/ south divide! L & I are virgins to this type of promo but willing to participate in a bit of rough!!! :laugh
Hope you do well Erica.
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food1: that little bit of javascript on your homepage that flashes new images happens too quickly, in my opinion.. barely had a chance to figure out what was in the picture before it flashed and changed. And the "flash" effect is kind of "bright" and sudden. But the food sounds amazing. Shame I'm too far away..
Thanks for your comments Time. I'd not really thought the 'javascript' before, due to the fact Im no web wizard!! It sort of does the job that Im after at the moment. Good point anyway.......p.s Your never too far!!!!!!
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upmarket bistro - sounds a bit like keller's bouchon where some french laundry dishes make occasional guest appearances. if so it'll be a very welcome addition to the london scene
If it is going to be a Bouchon sort of set up, then I totally agree with you Tony. I dined at Bouchon in Yountville a fews years ago whilst on honeymoon, taking in the French Laundry.
I absolutely loved the place. It was pure classic cooking done brilliantly well. Ah, that French onion soup. What a soup. One of the very best things I have ever had the pleasure in eating. Wasn't even my dish either, Mrs ordered it!!!
Like you say, if HB pulls off something similar, then he's on to a winner.
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Hello all
Wanted to bring to your attention that Artisan is very soon going to be offering a three course dinner for the absolute bargain price of just twenty five pounds p.p.
This is an offer which is being run in partnership with the Michelin guide and Telegraph newspaper. It will commence from the middle of July to mid September. If it takes off and is a viable propostion to the restaurant, L and I may well carry the deal on.
The deal will be on offer from Tuesday night through to Thursday night inclusive. As per norm, there will be NO table turning, added service charges etc, just good hearty Yorkshire food.
My fab value tasting menu will also be available throughtout, priced at forty five pounds per person. P.S This not tight, little portions!
All details of the promotion and how to participate will be printed in the Telegraph, on Saturday 11th July 09.
www.artisanrestaurant.com
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My wife and I live in NYC. Inspired by a last minute business trip to the UK next week, we decided to spend this weekend in London. Since we only have Fri-Sun, we only have a few meals. We're looking for places that are uniquely London (read: can't get in NYC) and are hoping you might be kind enough to share some of your favorite restaurants, food specialty shops and markets.
We were thinking about going to Borough Market on Saturday morning. Also thought we might try to get tables at St. John and Chez Bruce. Might like to try some of London's world famous Indian food. Perhaps a good spot for tea that isn't overrun by tourists. Any suggestions, particularly smaller places we might not have heard of, would be fabulous. Thank you so much for any help.
There are lots of places to go at. Some of my favourites are the square restaurant, la trompette (a little off the beaten track, but worth it) and the ledbury in Notting hill. All great places to eat and sister restaurants of chez bruce.
As for food markets etc, you've got far better in NYC. There is wholefoods in kensington which Im sure you will have been to before! Stay away from oxford street, nothing there, apart from the usual over priced nonsense.
If you are planning to go to borough market (similar to the market you have in union square) on a Saturday, well worth a vist, then go early, as it can get very, very busy.
Hope you enjoy yourselves.
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I went a couple of months ago and, save for the desserts, it was still greatly disappointing. Others on here had the savoury dishes and liked/loved them. I thought the veal dish especially was terrible.
So just how busy is this place at the moment, in view of the times we are in, the price of the place and very mixed bag of reviews?
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All this took over three and half hours making it about one course per half hour. with the miserly portions we all left hungry which is really unforgivable. Clearly there is talent in the kitchen - but portion size and general flavourlessness of the meal left us quite angry as it was so bloody expensive.
Wow, it seems the kitchen is inconsistent. We did have a really good meal there earlier in the year. We didn't leave hungry but have vowed to avoid tasting menu's in the future as the portion size irritates.
Was Nathan in the kitchen? Now he has two places to look after and slots on TV (Saturday Kitchen?) there is a distinct danger he over stretches himself.
Good to hear the FOH staff are still good.
Phil, I can think of one restaurant tasting menu where silly little portion sizes are completely outlawed, excuse the pun!!
P.s Unfortunately, wife and I didn't have the best of times at N.O last year. Service for us was a very mixed bag. Explained in earlier post.
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(And as we all know, Ramsay Holdings are struggling big time at the moment!)
RHR aside, Im reading that GR is still opening restaurants here, there and everywhere at the moment.
Im probably missing something very fundemental but where is the finance for all these ventures coming from, seeing as he was on the verge of going bust.
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I won't disagree that is a good value lunch. I was really referring to dinner. I didn't think you had a choice in the evening at L'Astrance I thought it was €190? At Arpege isn't it €285/360 in the evening? That is considerably more than Ramsay. Even if you take the lunch prices into account I guess that Ramsay would still need two sittings to match the takings of Arpege!
Just regarding this point...I was always under the impression that costs are higher in Paris - for ingredients, for staff - then in London.
Taking l'Astrance say, it is E190 for dinner (~£175), that is only £65 more than GR. And it does not turn tables. And it has only 25ish covers.
Good to see you back food snob, where have you been hiding?!
The last thing I would add to this debate, is that GR's RHR charges are completely relative to the rest of the UK restaurant industry. I.e Top end, which it should be.
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Whether the customer is told or not, for me a three star restaurant turning tables, just doesn't sit right. It doesn't matter if is London, Paris or New York.
How an earth can a restaurant claim to be three star, if they are only allotting a certain time space? Its not about get em in n get em out. No, its not right.
If RHR does operate this sort of system then Im with all the diners who say that the place is not three star anymore. Is G.R's three star status no more now than the Michelin looking after him and the celeb chef looking after them?
Also to answer your question Matthew, my last two three star outings were an early sitting at L'Astrance and likewise at the French Laundry. With the menu set up etc, there would be no way they could of put a time limit on the diner.
This just renforces my thoughts of the fact, is GR really a three star restaurant anymore, regardless of what Michelin proclaim?
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Greedy or buisiness minded? Restaurants, whether we like it or not, are a business there to make money. Chefs/owners with 3 stars or those aspiring to 3 stars (or those who aren't capable of getting them but using it as an excuse ) often complain of the expense of obtaining and maintaining a 3 star restaurant.
If their business model requires them to have two sittings to stay in profit and you are informed beforehand that you will have to vacate your table what is the problem with this?
I do not agree for one minute that a three star restaurant should turn tables. No way. This is supossed to be the ultimate in dining and hospi- fucking- tality, a leisurely, relaxed affair for the customer. At the end of the day alot of people have to save long and hard for such an experience and will not appreciate being told to politely fook off, we want your table back.
There are too many places now that set the stop watch as soon as their 'valued' customers enter. Three star restaurants should not be in this league
From my own limited three star experiences, I have never been asked to vacate the table.
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We had another good meal at the Star recently with that assiette of duck mentioned above the stand-out dish for me. It was virtually the same composition -but taster and more generous of portion- than one at the Capital a week or so earlier. Special mention also for the very impressive kiddies option of fish and chips. In my opinion, the Star's food improves perceptibly each time we visit.
I also liked the new room with the lighter, more spacious surroundings and the view out onto the gardens. Yes, it contrasts markedly with the older room, but I sometimes felt just a little cramped in there and certainly for the summer months I'd now ask for a table in the brighter, new space. Yet parents beware the clever positioning of a basket of teddy-bears at child's eye-level just inside the new door; Kropotkin junior raced in and immediately grabbed one - £12 down without even a drink to show for it!
Don't tell me it was an Andy Pern teddy bear!!!!
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Sounds like you had a great time. So you did beat me there in the end! God knows when I'll get the chance to get down there.
Just a thought, its probably best that the place is quite a trek, if was on your doorstep, I'll bet you would hardly ever go.
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David, as and when you visit Harry's, you'll understand exactly why the place is so low key. If it was anything else, it wouldn't suit somehow. Its a very different kettle of fish to your Purnells, The maestro PK etc!!
I have wondered and did ask them why they don't bother with a website etc but I reckon they are happy with their lot. Makes a refreshing change though!! I wouldn't think its too far from your HQ, especially as you seem to be on restaurant mission at the moment!!! Where is it this week then David?As for me here, yes I definately serve good 'Yorkie' portions! Only ever had one person in nearly five years who said we serve too much. Guess who that was? A michelin inspector, who having said that ate absolutely everything!! I reckon he was really just trying to sound me out. In my opinion theres nothing wrong with good old fashion hospitality. Anyway,as and when you ever visit us, you will definately not need to get a sandwich afterwards, thats of course if you like it!!
Gordon sells out! The decline of the celeb chefs?
in United Kingdom & Ireland: Dining
Posted
Yeah, I saw that interview too. Who is he still trying to kid? He's in danger of losing all credibilty. He still doesn't seem to want to accept the fact that he's bit off far more than he can chew. As the report suggested, if he acts more of a diva then a chef etc, it was always going to catch up with him. This is what gets me R, he such a contrary bloke. I got slated by some of the celeb chef lovers on here when I started this thread, condonning all he did. Hmm.........
The downturn will have had an effect, like it has on pracitically everyone but I still firmly believe he only has himself to blame for the position he finds himself in.
I nearly pissed myself laughing when he said 'it was time chefs got back in their boxes'. I couldn't agree more, but again, talk about hipocrisy on his part.
I really do think it will be a shame, if R ends up being remembered as a total gobshite, rather than the fine chef he was (is?????)