The World’s Fifty Best Restaurants…Again
How many of us really care?
Restaurant magazine along with S.Pellegrino have recently announced this years winners and losers in the best restaurant of the year awards. How many of you know who a. won and b. who came second and third? I am sure many of you will know, however that Gordon Ramsay’s flagship restaurant in London didn’t even make the top fifty. If ever anything smelt of a marketing ploy then this has to be it.
I am hardly his biggest fan but considering his restaurant is the only three michelin starred restaurant in London and only one of three in the UK then it seems a bit strange that he can’t make the top fifty. Not suprisingly, the magazine’s venue of choice for the post awards dinner every year, St John in London is once again in the top twenty. Heston Blumenthal is number two, more people in the UK have heard of him than the winner, El Bulli who created the cuisine Blumenthal is an exponent of.
Once again Spain dominates the list with its new wave restaurants whilst the tried and tested exponents of haute cuisine continue to fall from grace. Ramsay has been criticised for some time now for having too many restaurants to maintain any real quality whilst ‘playing safe’ at his main restaurant and, apparently not daring to step outside of the Michelin guide parameters.
This might be the case and the reason for his spectacular fall out of not only the top fifty but the top 100. It might also be the fact that his name still generates a hell of a lot of publicity….
Chef,
I would agree with you - something smells off here !
I don’t believe GR’s restaurant has changed that much in a year.
If the list is correct then it should not have been included last year. If it deserved a place last year then I’m sure it does this year.
Something’s happening behind the scenes - that’s what I’d bet.
At to that the rats are leaving the SS Ramsay at an alarming rate.
Looks like a train wreck to me - we’ll see him on Ready Steady Cook within 5 years !
Cheers
Rod
May 1, 2009 @ 8:09 am
Miles,
Well done to Senor Adria yet again for maintaining his crown. It must be a tough job traveling the globe to dine at all the high end restaurants…. I notice no one has asked me to join the judges, can’t think why. Team Miles Collins could set up an alternative award scheme, all we need is a wealthy sponsor and first class travel, how hard can it be?
How important is it to be in the top 50 for the restaurants involved I wonder and do they know who is judging them and when? Surely the one award worth having is the vote between the chefs which I see was won by a young chef in Copenhagen.
Cid
May 1, 2009 @ 9:19 am
Miles,
Has a year gone by already? Hmmm, for Gordie to rise 11 places up to no.13 in 2008 and then to fall off the radar altogether the following year does raise an eyebrow. Maybe he’s been excluded because he doesn’t decorate all of his dishes with maltodextrin powders like everyone else does.
GDave
May 1, 2009 @ 11:02 am
Gosh you guys, I’m just leaving yesterday’s party in my Shadowcat disguise and you’re already on to something else.
I’ll be back when in a day or two after I rest up and change costumes. My UK restaurant knowledge is non-existent anyway.
Melissa
May 1, 2009 @ 2:13 pm
All,
It makes you wonder doesn’t it? Guy Savoy in Paris doesn’t make the top 100 and he has three stars and a reputation of being one of the greatest chefs France has ever produced.
GDave is right, the lean towards Spain is all well and good but being clever for clever’s sake doesn’t always mean it’s a better restaurant.
Miles
May 1, 2009 @ 4:41 pm
More than a few issues with the list. Nice to know one of the worst dining experiences of my life slipped down to 65. The list is a joke - food as art dominates - fashionable does not equate to good. Experiment - yes, push the boundaries -yes, have fun with food - yes, “Parmesian Air in a can” - bite me.
May 1, 2009 @ 5:14 pm
Miles,
Maybe it all boils down to the cleanest toilet?
Many’s the time I’ve enjoyed a meal in a restaurant only to find the ladies powder room a disgrace.
Must dash, it’s the Great British Menu on tv!
Cid
May 1, 2009 @ 6:33 pm
Dave,
Parmesan Air in a can - bite me. Quote of the year! I let out a huge guffaw with that one.
GDave
May 1, 2009 @ 8:03 pm