The London-West Hollywood threw a one-year anniversary party for the Gordon Ramsay, and the chef who lent his name to the restaurant. The hostesses (there were four of them) were very welcoming and eager to show me to the reception. I would have liked to have not seen the guest list, but one of the hostesses was highlighting arrivals on a piece of paper on top, rather than behind the stand. The reception was held in the bar and sunroom of the restaurant - I entered the reception into the bar, which was like an up-scale English pub, lots of wood and dark lighting, then I entered the sunroom with great views of the city.
The restaurant offerred complimentary champagne and cocktails (FYI: my invitation noted that all dinner guests will recieve a complimentary glass of champagne throughout the month of June). I ordered the English Rose cocktail and started looking for the food. The servers were friendly and circulating nicely with appetizer options. I was surprised to see Gordon at the event, also circulating nicely.
The appetizers were vaguely disappointing. Lamb burgers, temperate and slightly dry. Chocolate cake, as heavy as a brick. Crispy ham on flatbread with balsamic glaze, warm and satisfying. Shrimp with cherry gazphaco, different and refreshing. Tiramisu, light with a nice coffee end-note. Panna cotta with caviar, one bite and a glup of my cocktail.
While the restaurant was sold to the LXR Luxury Resorts in March by Gordon Ramsay Holdings, it was nice to see that the restaurant was still operating in coordination with the chef. But one has to wonder whether the restaurant and hotel are floundering in the luxury boutique hotel market.
Gordon Ramsay at the London West Hollywood
1020 N. San Vincente Blvd.
West Hollywood, CA 90069
310.358.7788
http://www.gordonramsay.com/gratthelondonwh/
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