Conrad Gallagher leaves London

[Andy Lynes]

http://www.caterer.com/news....D=41475

[cabrales]

The James Beard Calendar newsletter for October 2002 notes the following: "Dublin's original celebrity chef Conrad Gallagher -- who managed to lose his entire restaurant empire in his native Ireland due to a panoply of problems -- has set up a kitchen in Midtown[, New York]. His new spot, Traffic, is an upscale lounger that attracts a velvet-rope crowd. Expect classic cuisine like foie gras terrine."

[Andy Lynes]

Given Gallaghers "problems" which are a matter of record, and the massive pool of chef talent in New York, why would anybody take such a risk with him? I don't think his name by itself is worth that many bums on seats in NY. Anybody have any idea who is bank rolling the venture?

[ngatti]

The same Conrad Gallagher that is about to open "Traffic" here in NYC?

I have a menu next to my keyboard as I type this

Nick

[Simon Majumdar]

I wonder what the decor will be like. Will it have any nice pictures hanging do you think?

S

[Andy Lynes]

Simon - I believe he picked up a few things in Dublin.......(allegedly).

Nick - yes, that is what we are talking about.

[cabrales]

why would anybody take such a risk with him?

Andy -- I'd agree. I do not have a sense that Gallagher is known to too many NY diners. It's sad, but my suspicion is that not that many NY diners know even about Roger Verge, affiliated with Medi in NY (level of cuisine not yet evaluated).

[magnolia]

...It's sad, but my suspicion is that not that many NY diners know even about Roger Verge, affiliated with Medi in NY (level of cuisine not yet evaluated). 

Is that the Moulins de Mougins guy? He must be hitting his 70's...how involved is he meant to be ?

[cabrales]

magnolia -- Yes, that's the chef. I don't know how involved he is supposed to be, but he does not appear to be actually particularly involved.

[Blondie]

Andy -- I'd agree. I do not have a sense that Gallagher is known to too many NY diners.  

FWIW I ate at Gallagher's Peacock Alley in the first location on South William Street in Dublin. It was far and away the best meal I had in 3+ years living in Ireland.

I have only heard sporadic stories of his problems, but as I recall he was only about 21 when he opened the first Peacock Alley. Maybe a case of too much, too soon. It's a shame.

[Andy Lynes]

Rumours and stories abound about Mr Gallagher, but he keeps bouncing back. Given his history, having a mid-town Manhatten restaurant in which to ply his trade is pretty good going by my estimation, so maybe not so much of a shame. The luck of the Irish maybe.

[magnolia]

from the grapevine...the latest is that Gallagher ditched his court appearance in Dublin, and that he has married an American (green card, anyone? I should know :-) He claimed that leaving the US would l jeopardise his chances of citizenship (I guess an arrest warrant from another country isn't a serious enough barrier to entry). I thought people on the run from the law moved to South America, I guess it's just America now...? Stay tuned...

[LESider]

Rumours and stories abound about Mr Gallagher, but he keeps bouncing back. Given his history, having a mid-town Manhatten restaurant in which to ply his trade is pretty good going by my estimation, so maybe not so much of a shame. The luck of the Irish maybe.

Why are the Irish lucky ?

[Andy Lynes]

It's just a saying, I have no statistical evidence to hand with which to back this up.