Jamie Oliver

[JD]

StevieBee said:

My nearest big town is Chelmsford. It's a prosperous place and growing at a pace yet I really can't think of any place you can eat that isn't part of a chain, big or small, other than your usual Indian / Chinese / Greasy Spoon.

What a bizarre comment.

Have a look on Tripadvisor

Then book a table at Vita Bella (only 10 mins down the road from you).

[Europa1]

85Carrera said:

No, should be chicken in a basket

Both chicken and scampi came in baskets (often plastic "baskets") when I was growing up. Felt dead posh ordering it as a child.

The menu often stated "chicken/scampi [delete as appropriate] in a basket" - I wonder why? These days, you don't seem to see eg "your meal served on a piece of slate, so using the knife will set your teeth on edge and any sauce will dribble off the sides. And your fries will come in a miniature basket so they're really hard to get at."

[85Carrera]

snuffy said:

85Carrera said:

No, should be chicken in a basket

Either I think:

Controversial ...

[85Carrera]

By the way, those who hanker after the simpler times of the Berni Inn, you might want to check out this -

[prand]

Yep, I remember having orange juice as an exotic starter. Then tinned ravioli sprinkled with that puky smelling parmesan from a tub.

This was in a serious restaurant.

I think we've never had it so good. Makes us fussier consumers I reckon, especially when you can cook decent food at home now.

[kev1974]

I thought it was interesting that the only three of his restaurants that are staying open are all in Gatwick Airport. Obviously making money hand over fist out of airline passengers!

[jakesmith]

kev1974 said:

I thought it was interesting that the only three of his restaurants that are staying open are all in Gatwick Airport. Obviously making money hand over fist out of airline passengers!

Or to do with the lease arrangement or maybe operating as a franchise possibly?

[craigjm]

kev1974 said:

I thought it was interesting that the only three of his restaurants that are staying open are all in Gatwick Airport. Obviously making money hand over fist out of airline passengers!

That’s the only one I’ve ever eaten at. Never again even if they don’t close.

[kev1974]

jakesmith said:

kev1974 said:

I thought it was interesting that the only three of his restaurants that are staying open are all in Gatwick Airport. Obviously making money hand over fist out of airline passengers!

Or to do with the lease arrangement or maybe operating as a franchise possibly?

Don't think so, the administrators have been very clear that Fifteen Cornwall and all the international branches are franchised (and all unaffected) so I believe they would have been similarly clear if that was the case for the Gatwick ones too, to avoid harming the franchise partner.

I think it most likely is as simple as the Gatwick branches are the only ones that made worthwhile money, after all they will be unique cases of the menu prices being even higher than usual yet without the burden of customers that sit around after their meal taking up a table and not really spending anything, because at the airport they've all got flights to catch so they don't linger.

[Don Roque]

Vandenberg said:

I'm yet to find an Italian meal that doesn't taste like overpriced warmed up vomit. It's the ultimate in foodie cons.

The Italians aren't world leaders in food by any stretch but they have a few good dishes. Osso bucco and porchetta are delightful.

[Europa1]

Don Roque said:

Vandenberg said:

I'm yet to find an Italian meal that doesn't taste like overpriced warmed up vomit. It's the ultimate in foodie cons.

The Italians aren't world leaders in food by any stretch but they have a few good dishes. Osso bucco and porchetta are delightful.

Are you quite sure? Are such quintessentially Italian dishes delightful, or do they taste of overpriced, warmed up vomit? As you travelled in Italy, how often did they offer you vomit as a regional delicacy?

[jakesmith]

I went to Jamies amny times at the start in fact you had to queue to go in.
But for some reason after a couple of years we did completely stop going
Used to go to one in Kingston, staff were over familiar asking what we were up to that weekend etc was a bit odd
Been a few times with work to one in Reading, service was mainly poor
Think it had its day really more 10 years ago IMO
I always thought the food was great - no complaints there. Polenta chips, the burger was great, the spag bol was made I think with rabbit and breadcrumbs or something it was delicious.

[anonymous-user]

The big problem is Frankie and Benny's have this whole market
sown up really.

[jakesmith]

Thesprucegoose said:

The big problem is Frankie and Benny's have this whole market
sown up really.

No! F&b is reheated food
Jamie’s was cooked fresh
Jamie’s was a segment above in quality, service and price

[So]

Anyone know anything about Individual Restaurants, owners of Piccolino, Gino D' Aacampo et al?

In my view the best food and experience of any chain I've been to.

[BrabusMog]

So said:

Anyone know anything about Individual Restaurants, owners of Piccolino, Gino D' Aacampo et al?

In my view the best food and experience of any chain I've been to.

I didn't know Piccolino was a chain until recently, I go to the one near Virginia Water quite often - genuinely thought it was an individual place. Too many gyppos use the bar on a Friday night though.

Edit - didn't realise s falls foul of the swear filter!

Edited by BrabusMog on Friday 24th May 09:21

[snuffy]

jakesmith said:

Used to go to one in Kingston, staff were over familiar asking what we were up to that weekend etc was a bit odd

That drives me up the wall as well.

I've often wondered if it's a management policy that they have to follow.

[anonymous-user]

snuffy said:

bristolracer said:

Bring back the Berni inn

Prawn cocktail
Steak and chips
Black forest gateaux for afters.

All washed down with a pint of McEwans bitter

Those were the days !

I used to have a fruit juice to start - when that was considered a starter.

And plaice and chips when I was really young.

All that AND a roll and butter!

Spanish Burgundy anyone?

[Vaud]

There was a very good documentary on the Berni Inn - well I enjoyed it...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b053pzmd

[JB!]

JD said:

StevieBee said:

My nearest big town is Chelmsford. It's a prosperous place and growing at a pace yet I really can't think of any place you can eat that isn't part of a chain, big or small, other than your usual Indian / Chinese / Greasy Spoon.

What a bizarre comment.

Have a look on Tripadvisor

Then book a table at Vita Bella (only 10 mins down the road from you).

nah too far...