Escoffier

Well said Magnolia, what is wrong with producing Italian or Japanese (or any other singular cuisine) to the highest standard is beyond me. The attempt at fusion near where I live resulted in bankruptcy within 6 months, and has anyone missed the pretentious crap ... in a word NO. IMHO there is far too much emphasis put on the decor/design of restaurants, all to the detriment of the food. Or is it all done to provide a distraction as to how bad it really is, or how far your leg is getting lifted.

When I went there it seemed about as Italian as a tin of Cirio tomatoes.

I got the nostalgia pangs too, next time I am down that way I will go just to see if a non vodka induced view of the place is the same! I cant remember the name of that celeb hangout across the rd is it San Lorenzo? Went there once too and decided it traded rather too heavily on the 'Dianas fave restaurant' tag far too much. Overpriced and crap.

Certainly cleaner than most NHS hospitals anyway.

Dont know who owned it when I used to go. That was 85 to about 87. I last passed by the place last march when I did a fireproofing job on a rather large house at the end of Pont St. It does not look like it has changed at all.

why? During the course of my work as a painting /specialist coatings contractor I have been in to re coat/ repair concrete floors etc. The factory where they build Toyota car engines is cleaner than the McCain chip plant.

... and it does happen. Woe betide anyone who complains. I have since left the cheffing business and am now a contractor. I have seen the insides of some bloody dodgy looking food factories I can tell you. I didnt see the programme referred to as the telly was pre booked for the corrie fest, I assume it was referring to the fast food prep industry. Did he actually get inside a McCain chip plant? They are by far the worst I have come across.

Bloody hell, the Borstch on Beauchamp Place, staggered out of there a few times. I used to live round the corner on Ovington Sq. the Bortsch was the only place close by that didnt mind late night drinkers, used to do the most magnificent Kiev as well.. A guy called Cofi used to run the bar with his mate Brett who was in a TV series early 90's but that was so exciting I cannot remember its name.