The fact that he is chef-patron at a restaurant that has been hailed as the best in the UK, and that I have eaten his food on numerous occasions.


If it's not your thing, fair enough. That's rather different from somewhere being 'utterly shit'.

I never said it was utterly shit. I just said it looked utterly shit. Not having eaten at said Manchester restaurant, I am in no position to say how it actually was. I am, however, in a position to say how it looked, which is what I did.

I didn't really like his food on the Great British Menu much either. His food just doesn't make me excited to eat it.

Who hailed it as the best in the UK?

The Good Food Guide, for one.

You're right, didn't realise.

The best restaurants in the world list came out this week I see. It's mostly made up tat but Noma was number one again.

Yeah, I was just looking at earlier on actually. Always a bit dubious as to how they manage to pull that list together, although having eaten at a few of the places on it, they're certainly very very good.

What made his food so special then?

There isn't one "X factor" with it, just a sum of the parts.

An excellent standard of cooking, which sounds pretty rudimentary but i've eaten at expensive places which have manage to cock-up things that would seem pretty straightforward. A focus on excellent quality local produce, including more unusual ingredients. Not scared of bold seasoning and strong flavours, whilst still managing to maintain perfectly balanced dishes - and something that is managed across meat, fish and vegetable dishes. No over-reliance on unnecessary 'fancy' techniques that don't really add anything to the dish, but when they are used, are used well.

I'd forget The Ivy and book Gauthier Soho instead. Their three course deluxe lunch menu with champagne, amuse-bouche, paired wines, coffee and petit fours is outstanding for the price.

LINK

It does look good value but I take exception to putting the calorific value on your menu. Yes, if you have a special 'light' menu but who, just who, would want to know their lunch came in at over 1200 calories. What good would this do, especially as it is a tasting menu so you are basically having the lot.

The only reason they do this is because Alexis Gauthier was diagnosed with a fatty liver problem so he does this to be informative to his customers. I find it quite useful, actually and the food is WAY better in quality and value than The Ivy.

My husband loathes overly ponced-up food, but he went to Alain Ducasse and said it was superb. And that was the tasting menu. I've just had a look at the seasonal menu and it looks wonderful, not at all fussy - turbot with asparagus, saddle of lamb with baby artichokes etc.

We went to Seven Park Place in St James a couple of years back - that was amaaazing.
Also Roast in Borough Market is good too although at the prices!! Benares is good too but the Indian is delicately flavoured as opposed to in yer face spicing! Worth the experience.