January 25th, 2009

Just back from Brazil, having spent my birthday trudging around various sugar plantations and mills in Ribeirao Preto, 200 miles west of Sao Paolo. Warm Brazilian-style hospitality and phenomenal, basic, home-made Italian food at the home of the 7th generation Italian ‘lords’ of the region – The raviolis they managed to produce! Wow!

Back in London but keen to take out my babe and my cousin and his wife for a high-quality, innovative and fun belated birthday dinner at 'L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon'. The girls are young and love to party and Al and I have our standards. This would certainly make for a week marked by a variety of style and I have never failed to be impressed by the quality and style of the food at the great chef's ‘pret-a-porter’ outlet in London.

The decor had always been fun, the staff young and fairly eager to please and the food well executed and highly original. There are two styles of atmosphere and fare for one to choose between, the upstairs being referred to as ‘La Cuisine’ and the downstairs being somewhat younger and more ecclectic in style. I was well inspired to indulge on my 41st and, being well familiar with both sections of the restaurant, I went for the upstairs.

It was fairly evident from the moment I arrived with Vera that Joel Robuchon had not visited his London restaurant in a while; either that or his corporate management skills are nothing to compare to his world-celebrated culinary mastery. Two female receptionists were available to receive us and take our overcoats but both were busy flirting with four slovenly, untucked-shirt male guests who apparently required the attention of both receptionists. It further transpired, when our arrival was finally acknowledged, that my cousin and his wife had been installed at another table downstairs – quite contrary to our reservation at upstairs ‘La Cuisine’.

So far so bad but worse was yet to come when we had all finally been seated upstairs. Our girls were chirpy and happy… More