Gordon Ramsay runs more than 80 restaurants around the world, but it was, of course (in case you’ve forgotten), the Gordon Ramsay restaurant on Royal Hospital Road in Chelsea, London, that cemented the fiery Scot’s status as a chef. elite.
The restaurant has held three Michelin stars for over 22 years, is the flagship of the Ramsay empire and most would agree that it has acquired “legendary” status.
Is it worth the hype? A worthy flagship? The American food content creator known only as ‘UA’ flew from New Jersey to the UK capital to find out.
He posted a video of his £519.80 ($652) experience at the restaurant on his YouTube channel. UA eats – and the footage garnered more than 300,000 views. Additionally, he revealed more thoughts to MailOnline Travel.
The verdict? Keep reading.
UA visits the restaurant with his girlfriend, Tina, and they both opt for the £210/$265 ‘prestige menu’.
The event begins with an appetizer, which includes cheese bites that taste like “signature Cheez-Its,” a “beautiful” mini mound of peas on a pastry-like base, and beef tartare with a micro salad that the UA says is “fantastic.”
Next up, it’s smoked confit egg yolk with crispy shallot, crispy chicken skin, and wild garlic mousse, which UA says is “somewhere between a thick chicken soup and a foam.” In the video he cannot contain his joy at the taste.
The American food content creator known only as ‘UA’ (above) flew from New Jersey to the UK capital to find out if the three-Michelin-starred Gordon Ramsay restaurant lives up to the hype.
Gordon Ramsay runs more than 80 restaurants around the world, but it was the Gordon Ramsay restaurant on Royal Hospital Road in Chelsea, London, that cemented the fiery Scot’s status as an elite chef.
Next up, “a taste of spring”: small Jersey Royals with asparagus, Lincolnshire Poacher cheese and pickled mustard seeds. The dish, UA says, “looks like an elven forest,” and the potatoes are considered “perfect.”
Next comes the restaurant’s homemade bread. It’s honey glazed and UA says it’s “one of the best breads of any restaurant.”
There’s also goat butter, which UA finds irresistibly tasty.
Meanwhile, a vegetable ratatouille sends UA into a state of ecstasy, with Cornish turbot and garlic cream before the main course: 100-day cured Cumbrian blue gray fillet with morels, leek, black garlic and Diane sauce.
A palette cleanser of cherry sorbet and coconut mousse “works perfectly” and in the video leads UA to characterize Ramsay as “a mad genius.”
Yum’s the Word: Cheese Bites That Taste Like ‘Signature Cheez-Its’
LEFT: Beef tartare appetizer. RIGHT: A mini mound of peas on a puff pastry-like base.
The final act is a walnut praline parfait, “one of the most memorable desserts.”
So what was UA’s favorite dish?
He tells MailOnline Travel: ‘The ratatouille was definitely my favorite dish. It was the best vegetarian dish I have ever had. It was tasty and I was somehow able to taste each vegetable individually, even when they worked together in unison. Absolutely delicious.’
And your least favorite?
UA says: ‘There wasn’t really a bad dish, but I guess I’d say my least favorite is the steak. It tasted great and cooked beautifully, but its texture left a little to be desired. It didn’t have any golden color, so the meat was tender but without any accompanying crunch. But that is just my opinion and my preference.”
Smoked confit egg yolk with crispy shallot, crispy chicken skin and wild garlic mousse
‘A Taste of Spring’: Petite Jersey Royals with Asparagus, Lincolnshire Poacher Cheese and Pickled Mustard Seeds. The UA says it looks like an ‘elven forest’
‘The ratatouille (above) was definitely my favorite dish,’ says UA
Cornish turbot and garlic cream precedes the main course
Any dish or flavor that surprised you?
UA comments: ‘I was very surprised and impressed by the quality of the vegetables. Everything tasted so fresh and perfectly prepared. I especially remember the peas. They had an incredible texture and were, without a doubt, the best peas I have ever tasted.’
How was the service?
UA comments: ‘The service was excellent. The atmosphere of the restaurant was also warm and welcoming. It was elegant but not stuffy or pretentious. I’ve been to other Michelin-starred restaurants where the atmosphere is stiff and stuffy. You feel like you need to be on your best behavior and you can’t even breathe too hard without being judged.
‘At the Gordon Ramsay restaurant, the service was excellent but not at all condescending. Everyone was helpful and friendly. “I felt very welcome.”
Is the restaurant a worthy flagship of the Gordon Ramsay empire?
UA says, “There really wasn’t a bad dish, but I guess I’d say my least favorite is the steak (above).”
A palette cleanser with cherry sorbet and coconut mousse ‘works perfectly’
The final act is a walnut praline parfait: “one of the most memorable desserts.”
Made: Chef Gordon Ramsay
“Absolutely,” says UA. “It was one of the best restaurants I’ve ever been to.”
Should we consider Ramsay one of the best chefs in the world?
UA says in the video that he’s glad Ramsay’s football career hasn’t taken off, adding to MailOnline: “He’s definitely one of the top chefs in the world, at least in terms of Michelin stars.” As for one of the best chefs in the world? I’m not sure I can make a statement on this as there are still many restaurants I haven’t eaten in and it’s also difficult to compare chefs who specialize in different cuisines. What I can say, however, is that your 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. To see the full video click here.