I have not read Sitwell’s article, but I do agree with a lot of the points that you cited in this piece. Fun is a tough one as you say but my read is that 50 Best is the list for fun seekers. The overall dining experience is more relevant in the 50 Best lists than it is in the Michelin Guide in my opinion. I’ve been to a few of the 50 Best restaurants where I thought the food was “good” and who cares, but the ambience and overall experience stood out more. GAGGAN, for example. 50 Best is more of a PR fuelled exercise in who is hot right now and “fun” often has an outsized influence, for good or for bad.
I've got something a bit different lined up for tomorrow's edition of Smashed so I may not get to Giles this week but we'll see. Thanks again for the mention. I think Professional Lunch is going from strength to strength by they way!
Thanks for the very kind words, Andy. You're too kind. I wanted to say a big happy birthday but also my condolences after your note last week. I was glad to see you work yourself back into your usual form as you wrote last week's update. But if I can help with a pleasant bottle of wine sometime, please do let me know. Also, I've now been reminded of the history behind the Giles thing, and had forgotten what a mess it was at the time. Yikes!
I have not read Sitwell’s article, but I do agree with a lot of the points that you cited in this piece. Fun is a tough one as you say but my read is that 50 Best is the list for fun seekers. The overall dining experience is more relevant in the 50 Best lists than it is in the Michelin Guide in my opinion. I’ve been to a few of the 50 Best restaurants where I thought the food was “good” and who cares, but the ambience and overall experience stood out more. GAGGAN, for example. 50 Best is more of a PR fuelled exercise in who is hot right now and “fun” often has an outsized influence, for good or for bad.
That’s a really good point. And I probably should have mentioned the 50 best as one of the resources.
I've got something a bit different lined up for tomorrow's edition of Smashed so I may not get to Giles this week but we'll see. Thanks again for the mention. I think Professional Lunch is going from strength to strength by they way!
Thanks for the very kind words, Andy. You're too kind. I wanted to say a big happy birthday but also my condolences after your note last week. I was glad to see you work yourself back into your usual form as you wrote last week's update. But if I can help with a pleasant bottle of wine sometime, please do let me know. Also, I've now been reminded of the history behind the Giles thing, and had forgotten what a mess it was at the time. Yikes!