Message Boards

[link]

This is a lovely place to visit. Friendly and attentive service. Excellent food and pleasant and affordable accommodation. Very well worth a visit.

Cornetto, I think Jean Phillippe is Ramsey's MD at the London restaurant that's in a hotel [the name escapes me]. Apparently that restaurant is really struggling now and it's lost its rating recently.

I think GR may have lost the plot recently.

Captain Thunderbird's name is Nick. Yes he is charming too. Cold shower cornetto?

Thats what he is, charming. Very charming he reminds me of Captain Thunderbird.

Cornetto, at the time of GR's Hell's Kitchen, Jean Phillippe was at 'Petrus' in the Berkely Hotel London as Maitre D, thats where Marcus Waring cooks. Delicious nosh! He was so charming.

Is it his restaurant, Jean Phillipe's? He's quite dishy!

Cornetto, that's Jean Phillippe from his London restaurant. All his Maitre D's seem to be Belgian for some reason?

I don't know how this show is structured. The way GR talks and swears at JP can't be real. He'd quit.

And all those diners that never get fed? They must be invited guests that don't have to pay. Half the time GR closes the kitchen without serving any mains!

I love this show. Pure entertainment.

Anyone see Hells Kitchen? The Maitre D was very efficient. He tripped over with a tray of food.

SallyBB, no sadly we didn't...but our Maitre D was VERY good....made us feel extraordinarily welcome. I wonder where HE was trained!?

I'm back in LA now with some post-production work and am going to try to get back to Las Vegas just for a weekend. Here's an update on Las Vegas:

[link]

I'll let you know if I make it there and give you an update.

Dougy Boy, did you have the same over the top Maitre D as we had? Everytime we decided what to order he said something like, "Chef will be so delighted with your excellent choice, Sir." In the end we all got the giggles! Nevertheless, it was an evening to remember and the food was was wonderful, whether or not Chef cared, or cared not, who ordered it!

SallyBB, yes, yes I ate there also! I forgot all about it! But a bit expen$ive?? The ambience is second to none and I had a "milanese veal chop" (?) with a gorgeous silky Paris mash that was probably the best piece of veal I have ever had.

If you fancy somewhere really posh and expensive in Las Vegas you could try Picasso's at The Bellagio - real Picasso paintings on the walls. It's an experience not to be missed!

I'm off to California this October so will report back on any eateries that I find ineresting. We're actually doing the Pacific Coast Highway so staying at Carmel for a couple of nights - this place being well known as the small town that Clint Eastwood became mayor of for sometime. His other legacy is the Hogs Breath restaurant so that's one to try out but I'm sure we'll find others.

Anyway, tips on Las Vegas. There are many, many good places including the wonderful British Pub (Crown and Anchor) which if you are feeling a tad homesick will serve you well with a wonderful pub curry or an enormous roast or the wonderful P F CHangs - Chinese to die for but I would say that as someone pointed out on this forum, possibly the best collection of eateries in Las Vegas are in Ceasars - for example Spago's owned by Wofgang Puck - fantastic calzone and chicken bolognese! Although the restaurants change names and managers the eating area of Ceasars always seems to have superb quality restaurants. My other tip is if it's good quality beer and burger style you are looking for and like me have a hankering to do the Pacific Coast on a Harley then you cant beat the Harley Davidson cafe - meals that would feed the biggest road hog!!!

I will however point out the disappointing eateries and ones that I suggest you avoid. Firstly (and the name escapes me) is the pretentious restaurant outside the newly refurb'd Fashion Show Mall - over priced, awfully rich and overpowering food and very pretentious (reminds me of the 80's yuppy era)! The other one I wont be going back to which is a shame because my on first visit I loved it is The Nine Fine Irishmen - part of the NY, NY. I had sausages, champ and gravy for a very over-priced amount in a very dark corner of the restaurant - boring, tasteless and bad service - if you are in the NY.NY you are far better off going to the wonderful Italian restaraunt, il fornaio (possibly one of my favourites but be prepared to queue - its not a well kept secret) or even the America bar for good old fish and chips!!

Oyster, also if you're going to pass through Los Angeles let me recommend Jiraffe Restaurant in Santa Monica.

We had to do a few days of post-production work in LA so had the opportunity to try out a few restaurants in the area. That one was terrific.

Also I would suggest "Little Next Door" on 3rd Street in LA. Very respectable French.

I'm actually get an idea for a TV programme.... Maybe Giada could host it.

Thanks, I'll take your recommendations and any others that people can post. hotlipz?

I too am looking at the internet and it's actually confusing me a little. I found a site where diners rate restaurants: www.yelp.com. Interesting but don't know if I can trust it.

Sorry..hit the post button too early....so any other suggestions besides those two would be most, most appreciated! Looking at the internet gives too many suggestions so first-hand recommendations are really helpful.

Cheers.

I would absolutely commend Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill in Caesar's Palace. Superb.

Another is Blue Ocean in the MGM Grand Hotel.

Have a lookout for special Christmas fare, also. There's no place like the US for holiday cookery!

I'll be going to Las Vegas at Christmas time this year and will definitely look forward to the dining! It'll be my first time and really don't know what to expect. It's a 14 hour flight from here

And specific restaurant suggestions hotlipz?

Thanks hotlipz! It was my first time as we are doing a shoot in the Mojave desert and I thought to myself "why not!?" Only a 30 minute drive from our location.

What a total shock, it must be the best kept secret in the world. I have never even heard a PEEP about Las Vegas dining scene except for perhaps Ramsey's attempt to get a foothold there.

I am definitely going back!

Horrah for Dougy! I have now visited Las Vegas nine times and people think I'm bonkers (I also take in other sites in the West but this is the place I chill out and enjoy). Peoples reaction is always the same 'are you a gambler' - well I like the slotties, yes BUT the reason I go is because the wonderful food, the entertainment (seen more West End shows than on the West End!!), the weather and the easy retreat into the real wild West with everything that has to offer (horse riding, canyons, off-roading, hiking, cycking) - do not sniff at people like me who visit the Valley regularly until you have experienced it! And with the exchange rate at the moment - its a snip!

ps off to the North of California this year - going to try out Clint Eastwoods restaurant in Carmel - I'll do a review when I'm back

I'm in Dorset, didn't know Gordon Brown was, thought he was dealing with the Foot and Mouth outbreak.

Whereabouts in Dorset are you going Soup Kettle?

Which one where cornetto?

He is supposed to be holidaying there at the moment.
I went to an Indian restaurant the other day, I wasn't to impressed. I was a bit baffled with the menu, I am no expert on Indian food.

You might bump into Gordon Brown

I came back when I found out that GFL and that horrible Jeni Barnnett had gone. UKFood will be a much better place without her. Not everyone adored GFL and a lot couldn't stand Ms Barnett.

Back on topic going down to Dorset soon, any suggestions?

Gemma, you're not the only one. Many people that adored GFL have now left UKTVFood more or less totally.

Doug, off to Las Vegas at Christmas. Your post has encouraged me as this was not my "ideal" destination for the holidays!!