Episode Reminder
Multi-Millionaire who brought KFC to the Scots opens restaurant, French chef who over garnishes his food.
The Aftermath
Late 2005, La Riveria renames to Abstract
May 2006, Abstract is named ‘Scottish New Restaurant of the Year at the Scottish Chef Awards. More Info
June 2006, The owner of Abstract opens a sister restaurant a few steps away called Contrast to provide more simpler food.
October 2006, Abstract was named the most stylish restaurant in Scotland at the Scottish Style Awards. More Info
December 2006, Ramsay returns to do a revisited episodes, and is surprised Abstract are yet to win a Michelin star, he suggests if they keep it simple they will get a star.
January 2007, Abstract gains a Michelin star. More Info
Status = Still Open
Vince:
October 20, 2008 at 10:41 am
Abstract hasn’t got their star yet. They were named ‘rising one star’ which means they are close to getting a star. Maybe next year?
Chris:
December 9, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Bah.. the stars are garbage. They are biased towards French food (so surprising).. what is French food? Just food slathered in some kind of sauce.
Ronny Henri:
January 20, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Apparently Vince, you don’t seem to have a clue what the French kitchen stands for. Class! Etiquette! Standing!
Aurelie:
March 26, 2009 at 9:46 pm
HAHA Guys !!!!
French food … Come to France, to my place or my Grandma’s place, and then you’ll discover real French food… without blabla… just love of cooking ^^
Gordon ton émission c’est géant ^^
Lisa:
May 8, 2009 at 8:54 am
The Chef was capable but thinking way too much with freaky food even Asians wouldnt eat….Ild rather eat the owners KFC.
Alan:
May 14, 2009 at 12:12 am
Lisa I think that you have no style and are a racist. “freaky food that even Asians wouldnt eat”
That is a disgusting comment. I would hate to see where you live and your back ground. Obviously very “chavy” I quite enjoyed the food and the company in the kitchen. Not bad at all.
Alan
scharabo:
May 15, 2009 at 12:12 pm
Michelin biased towards French?
http://www.opentable.com/promo.aspx?m=8&pid=210
Of the 32 New York restaurants to receive a Michelin star in 2009 only eight were French. Others included American, Italian, Comtemporary American, Greek, Modern Europe, Seafood, International, Japanese and Austrian.
La Riveria is one of KN’s success stories. However, I get the impression they were doing OK already, they just couldn’t get a coveted Michelin star. They did in 2007 after listening to Gordon.
In looking at the criteria to get a Michelin star your fare, service and atmosphere needs to be noticeably above even a good restaurants. For two or three the quantity and quality of the wine cellar seems to come into play.
Raymond Blanc’s (The Restaurants - BBC/Last Restaurant Standing - BBCA) flagship restaurant has had two stars for many years. He has been unable to rachet it up to three.
The value of a Michelin star? With each one you can raise your prices. PerSe, a three-star in NYC, doesn’t even have a menu. You are served a 20-course dinner. Seating about 85, they have 15 chefs. With house served wine, about $500 per person. If you special order wine then $800 or more per person.
How many of you could feed a family of eight on $800 a month, let alone $1,600 for a couple?
Jay Cho:
May 30, 2009 at 5:26 am
Wow, they seem to be going quite strong.
What happened to the French head chef? On their website I can’t find his name
Afterburner:
June 26, 2009 at 9:41 pm
The French chef quit the job and was hired around a year in another city (can’t remember the name).
Then, he decided with his wife to go back to France
terbo:
July 14, 2009 at 7:59 am
Glad to see the head chef is no longer with the company. French arrogance!! So Ramsey comes in, helps and then the chef changes it all again…. why open “Contrast”???
3 things for success…
1) KEEP IT SIMPLE STUPID
2) IF IT AIN’T BROKE DON’T FIX IT
3) GET OUT OF YOUR HEAD (because it’s about the client not the chef or owner)
Romano:
November 12, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Stop all your stereotypes about french !
We don’t say “all english are beer drinkers and hooligans” or “americans are just good enought to eat some McDonalds” !
So don’t say that all french are arrogant, or shits like this !
This was a really great show, and a great restaurant !