Gordon Ramsay runs more than 80 restaurants worldwide – but of course (in case you forgot), Restaurant Gordon Ramsay on Royal Hospital Road in Chelsea, Londonwhich confirmed the fiery Scotsman’s status as an elite chef.
The eatery has held three Michelin stars for over 22 years, is the flagship of Ramsay’s empire, and most would agree that it has achieved ‘legendary’ status.
Is it worth the hype? A worthy flagship? American foodie content creator known only as ‘UA’ has completely flown over New Jersey to the British capital to find out.
He posted a video of his £519.80 ($652) experience at the restaurant YouTube channel – UA Eat – with the footage gaining over 300,000 views. What’s more, he revealed further thoughts to MailOnline Travel.
The verdict? Read on.
UA visits the restaurant with his girlfriend, Tina, and both opt for the £210/$265 ‘menu prestige’.
Proceedings begin with amuse-bouche, consisting of cheese bites that taste like ‘upscale Cheez-Its’, a ‘gorgeous’ mini-pile of peas on a doughy base, and beef tartare with a micro-salad that UA concludes is ‘fantastic’ ‘.
Next it’s smoked jam egg yolk with crispy shallot, crispy chicken skin and wild garlic mousse, which according to UA is ‘somewhere between a thick chicken soup and a mousse’. In the video, he can’t contain his delight at the scent.
American foodie content creator known only as ‘UA’ (above) flew all the way from New Jersey to the British capital to find out if the three Michelin star Restaurant Gordon Ramsay lives up to the hype
Gordon Ramsay runs more than 80 restaurants worldwide – but it was Restaurant Gordon Ramsay on Royal Hospital Road in Chelsea, London, that cemented the fiery Scotsman’s status as an elite chef.
To follow, it’s ‘a taste of spring’ – baby Jersey Royals with asparagus, Lincolnshire Poacher cheese and pickled mustard seeds. The dish, says UA, ‘looks like an elven forest’, and the potatoes are declared ‘perfect’.
The restaurant’s homemade bread arrives next. It’s glazed with honey and UA says it’s ‘one of the best breads of any restaurant’.
There is also a goat butter that UA finds irresistible more.
A vegetable ratatouille, meanwhile, sends UA into a state of ecstasy, with Cornish turbot and garlic cream preceding the main course – 100-day-aged Cumbrian blue-grey steak with morel, leek, black garlic and sauce Diane.
A cherry sorbet and coconut mousse palette cleanser ‘works perfectly’ and on the video leads UA to characterize Ramsay as ‘a mad genius’.
Yum is the word: Cheese snacks that taste like ‘upscale Cheez-Its’
LEFT: Beef tartare amuse-bouche. RIGHT: A mini pile of peas on a doughy base
The final act is a pecan praline parfait – ‘one of the most memorable desserts’.
So what was UA’s favorite dish?
He told MailOnline Travel: ‘The ratatouille was definitely my favorite dish. It was the best vegetarian dish I have ever had. It was savory and somehow I could taste each vegetable individually even though they worked together in harmony. Absolutely delicious.’
And his least favorite?
UA says: ‘There wasn’t really a bad dish, but I think I’d say my least favorite was the steak. Its flavor was great and it was cooked deliciously, but its texture left a bit to be desired. It didn’t sear, so the meat was tender but without any crispiness to go with it. But that’s just my point of view and my preference.’
Smoked jam egg yolk with crispy shallot, crispy chicken skin and wild garlic mousse
‘A taste of spring’ – baby Jersey Royals with asparagus, Lincolnshire Poacher cheese and pickled mustard seeds. UA says it looks like an ‘elven forest’
‘The ratatouille (above) was definitely my favorite dish,’ says UA
Cornish turbot and garlic cream precede the main course
Any dishes or flavors that surprised him?
UA says: ‘I was extremely surprised and impressed with the quality of the vegetables. Everything tasted so fresh and perfectly prepared. I especially remember the peas. They had incredible texture and were hands down the best peas I’ve ever had.’
How was the service?
UA says: ‘The service was excellent. The restaurant vibe also felt warm and inviting. It was elegant, but not stuffy or pretentious. I’ve been to other Michelin star restaurants where the vibe is stiff and suffocating. You feel like you have to be on your best behavior and you can’t breathe too hard without being judged.
‘At Restaurant Gordon Ramsay the service was great, but not condescending at all. Everyone was helpful and nice. I felt very welcome.’
Is the restaurant a worthy flagship of the Gordon Ramsay empire?
UA says: ‘There wasn’t really a bad dish, but I think I’d say my least favorite was the steak (above)’
A cherry sorbet and coconut mousse palette cleanser ‘works perfectly’
The final act is a pecan praline parfait – ‘one of the most memorable desserts’
Powered by: Chef Gordon Ramsay
‘Absolutely,’ said UA. “It was one of the best restaurants I’ve ever been to.”
Should we consider Ramsay one of the world’s greatest chefs?
UA says in the video it is glad Ramsay’s football career hasn’t taken off, adding to MailOnline: ‘He is certainly one of the world’s most accomplished chefs, at least in terms of Michelin stars. As for one of the greatest chefs in the world? I’m not sure I can make a statement on that because there are still so many restaurants I haven’t eaten at, and it’s also hard to compare chefs who specialize in different cuisines. What I can say is that his restaurant served me one of the best meals I have ever eaten.’
UA’s final bill of £519.80 ($652) included water, tea and service. Click on to watch the full video here.
