DY wrote:

DML wrote:I avoided Delacosta because the chef made what I considered rude comments about Chicago before the place opened (basically saying that he was dumbing down the food for us simple midwesterners) and I would avoid Ramsey's place for the same reason.

In fact, Ramsey gave credit to Chicago for its progressive culinary scene.

If you were making a point about jackassery in general ... that doesn't bother me as long as the food is good.

Point taken.
Based upon that, Ramsey's place still will be low on my list, but definitely above Delacosta.

If the food is good, who cares what kind of character he plays on TV (which is what he's doing) or whether he's in the kitchen or not (good luck going to Per Se or French Laundry and guessing whether or not Keller is actually in the kitchen).

Any chance we can wait to judge the restaurant until it, I don't know, actually exists?

jbw wrote: try looking at it (or avoid looking at it) from the north side of Michigan Avenue

But Michigan runs north/south!

Right you are. I meant the north bank of the river at Michigan (as you're walking south. in particular).

At least I can say that I ate in Ramsay's place in NYC last year. We enjoyed it very, very much. Customary Dining Companion still talks about the rice pudding, which he, a man not given to hyperbole or rash statements, proclaimed as the best dessert he'd ever had in a restaurant. The place was sleek and lush, and the service was perfect...ahhh.


Welcome to Chicago, Gordon!

There seem to be some really harsh judgments being made here by people who know nothing of what it is like to eat in one of Ramsay's restaurants; therefore, I am motivated to writing something...

Although it is hard to believe that GR is not completely overextended in his commitments, his restaurant in London named Petrus makes the Chicago scene seem amateurish, and this is coming from someone who lives in Chicago and dearly loves his hometown and all the great restaurants that is has to offer. Hopefully he has the means of executing something really wonderful here.