Scott

That's the one thing Jamie Oliver needs of course, more publicity. If that's all he wanted, he could have just made a cookery series, written a book and spent the year promoting it. It appeared from the series that he had made a real emotional investment in that project. Clever editing? Well, maybe, but it certainly looked a lot more like hard work than pottering around his estate cooking tomatoes. well that's just plainly not true. firstly, it's an attempt at manufacturing the St Jamie image, which your example can't do. and again, I direct knowledge of the efforts they went to trying to find crappy schools to fit their agenda, how many they rejected, and they way they blindsided various people at interview level - clever editting only if you believe in the easter bunny. I never said his heart wasn't basically in the right place, but the school dinners campaign was a cynical con.

Next he will be campaigning for the plight of the Ecuadorian farmed prawn and the mental health issues this incarceration causes said crustacea. Or maybe against poor farmed salmon, oops I forgot, he actually promoted and advertised them ← school dinners was cynical exercise in self publicity. his prodn team spent 6 months trying to find his targets, sorry schools. he ambushed interviewees in true Ali G manner, the whole thing was a friggin joke. it achieved nothing, because it was never interested in any of the details. as for animal cruelty. meh, ever seen what a fox does a chicken? mother nature is a lot more cruel than any of us ever would be.

agree Chris. The Fox n Hounds is an excellent counter point.

You wouldn't go out of your way to eat at thestaratharome? You're mad sir/madam. For a start, you'd never get there if you didn't go out of your way. ← Sorry, I did not mean to include the Star in that bracket as I think they are closer to the Sportsman, I was meaning more Ramsey/Gun/Rosendale. I have not been to the Star for about 10 years where as the others are more recent. ← The distance betweeb what Harris is doing at the Sportsman and what is being served up at the Rosendale should be measured in light years. I would say there is no comparrison but obviously there is. By comparrison to the Sportsman the Rosendale is completly hum drum and workaday. ← Have to say Van de Groot must have the best PR in London. How the Greyhound and Rosendale have curried so much favour escapes me. there's nothing wrong with either, but not so much truly exemplary either. and the wine list is, erm, highly overrated. and overpriced

Bit harsh - there are those of us who like Tom's Kitchen and I would hope that you could respect that we have a different opinion of it to you. Did you read the article in question and look at the names of the people who might have tipped it? ← who said anything about you not being allowed to like it, on the right day I like it too. I also like Burger King from time to time, and I don't think that should have a star either. I might remind you, that if Tom's kitchen were to get a star it would be rated alongside the eponymous restaurant - and yes, only a card carrying moron would think that appropriate. there is a big difference between liking a casual eaterie and assuming that means it should get a michelin star, and I do not recant one bit from my earlier characterisations. sorry.

that's because the people who go there, don't talk.

I'd change offy! ← Blimey - I'm with Howard. Even my local dining pub knocks the 2004 out at £34. ← I'll name and shame - it's Eagle's Wines on Lavender Hill (Battersea). Thanks for the feedback, I'll try and be a bit more discerning next time. ← pardon my language, but that's freaking unbelievable!!! is harry enfield behind the counter? did he see you coming?

That's the one that sticks clearly in the memory . Not that I'd order it myself mind; if I want sauvignon give me a Cotat Sancerre any day of the week. ← cotat is from chavignol but I agree with you, I had an unbelievably poor meal at the capital in july, which came 3 days after the best meal yet at the square... so it's hard to drum up much enthusiasm for the capital these days.

wasn't it ducasse who famously was asked "who cooks when you're not in the kitchen?", "same person who cooks when I am".

The issue only becomes an issue for people insufficiently informed, such that they a) believe said proprietor is always behind the stove b) that it makes a difference. further to point b) if it does make a difference there is something inately wrong with the restaurant setup such that it should be avoided irrespective.

any sightings thus far?

discuss it all you want, it's now shut until 13 January

this whole thread is bogus, full of hearsay, gossip and innuendo... I have no idea whether this a good restaurant or not, and this thread has helped in no way at all.

I'm surprised anyone who claims to know their onions would favour the taillevent wine list over tour d'argent? sure, they tend behave like arses at tour, but the depth and range of mature wines, from great vintages, cannot be beaten. Burgundy is where they excel, and you have to be firm. Champagne and Bordeaux are focused too heavily on the stateside visitor, but great things and great values are also possible from the rhone, alsace, madiran etc.

Taillevent was seriously average last time I went. what about Savoy's 100 euro menu? from the carte: half entree main half desert

bit stupid everyone cancelling on the nebulous say so of others. surely the point is to see for yourself, after all how much consensus is there on other high end places? other than Mark Palmer = special

I was there the same night, and we got our food without any problems.

when I was there. in a small dining room was jill dupleix & durack fay masch & Shaun Hill Mark Palmer which on that one night, was more press coverage than they received in the last 7 years in Ludlow. will write something about meall; suffice. Savoury Foie Ice Cream; Lamb Sweetbreads w/ Oyster; suckling pig; vanilla souffle well worth attention. technically superior food with high concept combinations.

Bastard. ← I'm sure you don't want to hear that it was brilliant!

going tonight. can't wait!

Greenhouse

Mugaritz or Etxebarri in san sebastian. avoid arzak.

excellent point. you are entirely right, if Gordo has fallen out with them over one group, then he has fallen out. period. however the other restaurants will have a contract ongoing, but when that is up for renewal...

No !

went for lunch yesterday. Brilliant! most ambitious new startup opening since Tom Aikens. almost 2* std off the bat. mind you, I think they will need to scale back in the beginning and work up to their expected standards. seemed a bit overkill for a place only open a few days.