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TV chefs snubbed as top restaurants named
Bo Wilson, Evening Standard23 Jan 2007
The finest dining rooms, from a West End institution to a new pan-Asian restaurant, are named today.
The shortlist for the annual Tatler Louis Roederer Restaurant Awards is dominated by London restaurants, with 85 per cent in the capital.
They are notable for the absence of famous chefs and celebrity hangouts. None of Gordon Ramsay's restaurants receives a mention.
Jamie Oliver, Jean-Christophe Novelli and Hester Blumenthal are also left out but old favourites such as Joe Allen in Covent Garden and Le Gavroche in W1 and newcomers such as Gilgamesh in Camden and Scotts in Mayfair are nominated.
Jeremy Wayne, Tatler's restaurant editor, said: "There will be some surprises.
The bottom line is it is about the food. We like real places which serve the best food that doesn't cost the earth."
THE TATLER LOUIS ROEDERER AWARDS SHORTLIST
Most consistently excellent
Le Gavroche, W1
Joe Allen, WC2
Locanda Locatelli, W1
La Poule au Pot, SW1
Waterside Inn, Bray, Berkshire
Most original
Fishes Restaurant & Rooms, Burnham Market, Norfolk
Gilgamesh, NW1
Konstam at The Prince Albert, WC1
Leon, W1
Mews of Mayfair, W1
'It' room 2007
L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon, WC2
Cheyne Walk Brasserie, SW3
Daphne's, SW3
Galvin at Windows, W1
Porthminster Beach Cafè, St lves, Cornwall
Fabulous food
Arbutus, W1
The Greenhouse, W1
Sumosan, W1
Theo Randall at the InterContinental, W1
Umu, W1
Best newcomer
Arbutus, W1
Cerise at The Forbury, Reading, Berkshire Scott's, W1
St Alban, SW1
Tom's Kitchen, SW3
Best wine list
1707 at Fortnum & Mason, W1
Le Cercle, SW1
The Dining Room at the Goring, W1
Valvona & Crolla, Elm Row, Edinburgh
The awards will be presented at The Dorchester tonight.
Reader views (2)
I am delighted to see Arbutus nominated twice - I have eaten here several times and it is consistently excellent. The food is inventive, the option to taste any wine on the list by carafe is inspired and this restaurant is great value for money.
- Lynn, London, England, 22/01/2007 18:19
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Somewhat surprised that La Gavroche has been nominated. We went there a couple of weeks back: the lobster sauce was cold, the potatoes were cold. Considering the prices charged there one would have expected them to get the temperatures correct and to have served the food out in good time. We were, however, given a "free coffee" by way of apology.
- Sue, London, England, 22/01/2007 13:33
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