157 replies to this topic

[Lippy]

19/20

[macrosan]

To make any sense of these guidebooks, I'd need to see the rationale behind their awards. The only guide I ever used at length was the original Egon Ronay, and over time I came to understand their foundations and thereby reach accurate conclusions about which restaurants in their gradings I would enjoy.

I note that I have been to only three of Gault-Millau's top 10, although I'm going to a fourth later this week. Of the other six, my recollection is that two have been slated here and on other sites, one has had mixed reviews, and one has been rated as pretty good.

On the basis of one visit to Fat Duck a couple of years ago, and three visits to Ramsay RHR last year, I wouldn't argue with their rating of Fat Duck, but I would entirely disagree with RHR being in the top ten at all.

Unless, of course, they are rating restaurants on parameters quite different from those that interest me.

[Vanessa]

2005 GFG rates RHR as 10/10 Not that I have a view, not having been there.

(One of my NY resolutions was to stop going to restaurants. Into February and I haven't even been tempted to break it yet.)

v

[macrosan]

(One of my NY resolutions was to stop going to restaurants. Into February and I haven't even been tempted to break it yet.)

I haven't been to a restaurant in February either, and that's even without making a resolution.

[Vanessa]

(One of my NY resolutions was to stop going to restaurants.  Into February and I haven't even been tempted to break it yet.)

I haven't been to a restaurant in February either, and that's even without making a resolution.

Hmph

v

p.s. How do you think Ore is feeling so far?

[macrosan]

I'm going straight over there to find out. I wonder if he has an internet connection in his toilet

[Vanessa]

He's gone offline, I note. In Parma of course

Anyway, back on topic, I thought you might have a view on the GFG's rating of 10/10?

v

[cabrales]

(One of my NY resolutions was to stop going to restaurants.  Into February and I haven't even been tempted to break it yet.)

v

To clarify, do you mean you have not been to a single restaurant since December 31, 2004? You have been cooking or eating take-out since then, for every meal?

[Vanessa]

Cooked every meal. Perhaps one single take-out since then but I'm not sure. I'm not counting the odd sandwich or whatever bought at lunch when I haven't brought something in from home. Or meals as guest at someone else's house.

I don't think you'll find me unique in this hereabouts, Cabrales.

v

[macrosan]

Anyway, back on topic, I thought you might have a view on the GFG's rating of 10/10?

It would suggest to me one of the following :

• They haven't had an inspector there in a long time
  
• They advised Ramsay in advance they were coming, and he turned up
  
• Ramsay is done with TV and he's back at RHR permanently
  
• They fired the chef de cuisine they had on duty last time I was there and found someone good
  
• Those objects I see up in the clouds are pigs

[mongo_jones]

i'd like to hear from sideshow mel. i mean lml.

[Kikujiro]

The restaurant in the hotel where was skiing over the weekend got 19 in GM, making it better than all but one rests in the UK

[LML]

i'd like to hear from sideshow mel. i mean lml.

You're so witty.

To be objective about the value of this, one might ask, a) why Gault Millau situates Bray in London and b) if Bray is in London then why haven't they evaluated the Waterside Inn?


In the end I put the success of the Fat Duck down to a country getting the restaurants it deserves.

[Ms J]

Just to clarify, your lordship; it's the UK's fault that Gault Millau overrates Fat Duck?

[LML]

Just to clarify, your lordship; it's the UK's fault that Gault Millau overrates Fat Duck?

I don't believe the guides any longer make the market in the UK. I believe that to a very large degree they merely reward conspicuous success. This success is measured in press coverage, which in turn is manufactured by skillful PR. Publishers then harness this interest to sell more guides.

So yes, for allowing themselves to be led on these things to an insufferable degree the UK (or its relevant citizenry) is responsible for this.