I had an amazing, amazing time. It was defiantly up there on top life experiences. I know, you are thinking, "Really? It's just a restaurant, right?" Yes, it is just a restaurant, but we didn't just go to the restaurant. We went to the restaurant and sat at the chefs table which is in the heart of the kitchen. The chefs table allows up to 8 guests to experience the pace and drama of the kitchen in full service, while enjoying an exclusive menu and wines selected by the sommelier.
We started off the evening with pre-dinner drinks at The London Bar. After drinks, we were escorted through Maze (the casual dining room), through the fine dining room and straight back to the kitchen...I felt so important! Our table was tucked into an alcove directly across from the fine dining "pass." The pass is where the executive sous-chef and executive chef put the final touches on every plate and "pass" them over to the waiters.
The kitchen operation was a lot different than I thought it would be. When you think of Gordon Ramsay, you think of him screaming at contestants on Hell's Kitchen or calling restaurant owners "stupid donkeys" on Kitchen Nightmares. It was far from that, everyone seemed to know exactly what to do without even speaking to each other. The kitchen was very calm and very quiet. It was defiantly a well oiled machine, true professional chefs! It really was amazing to watch.
After we got seated, the executive chef, Josh Emett, greeted us and told us a little about the restaurant. If you watch Chopped on The Food Network, you may recognize Josh's name...he won his episode a few weeks ago. He explained how the kitchen stations are set up. In order of importance, the chefs move from cold appetizers, to hot appetizers, to vegetables, to fish, to meat, to the pass. The time that you spend at each station depends on how well you do...some stay for 2 weeks...some stay for 3 months. He also shared a little insider secret with us, the low man on the totem pole is on cold appetizers which is in the corner of the kitchen. They have affectionally nick-named this corner what rhymes with "runt" corner...I'll let you use your imagination on what runt rhymes with...we all got a good laugh out of that!
The most exciting part of the night, which I was totally not expecting, is when they let us cook! We got to put on aprons and cook in Chef Gordon Ramsay's kitchen. I had died and gone to heaven! It was so exciting, we were all grinning like little school girls! We cooked...or help cook, our scallops appetizer. We each got to do one part and I'll have to say that I think mine was the most exciting. I got to put the finishing sauce over the scallops and yell "service" so the waiters would come get the plates. It really was a surreal experience!
We had a nine course meal which took us about 5 hours to eat! The food was amazing-the best stuff I have ever put in my mouth. Not only was it so so good, it was also so so pretty! They say that you eat with your eyes first and may I say that is was yummie looking! This was our menu:
1. Selection of Canapes
2. Loin of Pacific Yellow Fin Tuna, Battera Kombu, Jimica, Steamed Shitake, Yuzu Glaze
3. Pressed Hudson Valley Foie Gras Quince and Black Pepper Sherbet, Crispy Amaranth, Marocan Almonds
4. Sauteed Maine Diver Scallops with Braised Veal Cheeks, Tahitian Vanilla, Parsnip Cream
5. Slow Cooked Sablefish with Butternut Squash Carpaccio, Preserved Cucumber and Red Wine Vinaigerette
6. Carmalized Duck Breast with Spiced Anjou Pear Glaze, Beluga Lentils, Chicken Liver Rillette
7. Selection of Cheeses from the trolly
8. Olive Oil Gelato on Pistachio Sponge
9. Earl Grey Souffle with Milk Ice Cream, Apple Tarte Tarin with Vanilla Ice Cream, Single-Origin Venezuelan Chocolate Mousse, Passion Fruit, Balsamic Reduction and Yogurt Sorbet
No, I'm not sure what everything is...but it was GOOD! My favorite dish was #6 and my favorite dessert was the apple tarte tarin...just thinking about it makes me hungry! If you ever get the chance to to visit NYC and you get the chance, go to Gordon Ramsay At The London, you won't be disappointed! Here are some pictures from our wonderful night:
Just giddy!
The boys getting their instructions from the chef
Chef Donnell and Chef Bellshaw in action
"Service!"
The whole gang!
L-R Lauren, Craig, Ross, Gillian, Me, Chris
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