About
Richard Bagnold MBA MA PGCE was born and bred in London and has travelled extensively in the UK and overseas.
From an early age he's been interested in fine food. Now he's one of the very few people – if not the only person – to have visited and reviewed every Michelin starred restaurant in the UK.
From
London, United Kingdom
Born
June 02
Job Title
Founder & MD
Social
Restaurants
- Richard Bagnold added a new meal Meal at Zafferano at Zafferano
This was a pleasant lunch no question as the ingredients were pure and fresh. I couldn’t help thinking though that it was entirely plain. At the time of my visit they had a set menu, which I sampled and was not hugely impressed with – the starter was a mozzarella ball on on a bed of sliced cherry tomatoes and the main was turbot on a bed of... More
This was a pleasant lunch no question as the ingredients were pure and fresh. I couldn’t help thinking though that it was entirely plain. At the time of my visit they had a set menu, which I sampled and was not hugely impressed with – the starter was a mozzarella ball on on a bed of sliced cherry tomatoes and the main was turbot on a bed of green beans with a pesto blob on the top. Fresh and well cooked yes, but entirely non-special for a Michelin starred restaurant. So much more effort could have gone in to this and it actually ranks as the most uninspiring / disappointingly basic set menu I have had within any Michelin starred restaurant. Perhaps the a’la carte may be a little better but sadly the experience has made me not want to dive to the front door again in any hurry. If I need to take someone out who adores Italian food and I happen to be in the area and we happen to be hungry, then I will try Zafferano again.
Food Grade: 47%
https://major-foodie.com/zafferano/
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- Richard Bagnold added a new meal Meal at Vineet Bathia at Vineet Bathia
Formerly Rasoi until 2014 and with a Michelin star at the time of visit, Rasoi lost its star the following year, refurbished itself and regained its star in 2017 and is now packed up barely a week later(!). I took my Godmother out for a lunch at this restaurant at the time and had no idea before going in (other than the fact that my Godmum loves Indian... More
Formerly Rasoi until 2014 and with a Michelin star at the time of visit, Rasoi lost its star the following year, refurbished itself and regained its star in 2017 and is now packed up barely a week later(!). I took my Godmother out for a lunch at this restaurant at the time and had no idea before going in (other than the fact that my Godmum loves Indian food) of the fact it was essentially set in a Victorian town house, blended in to all the others on the same side street to King’s Road. After ringing the front doorbell like any other house you are greeted with superb hospitality. The dining room is obviously small as a result and therefore it is up to the diners to pretend that they cannot hear other people’s conversations. That is probably the only negative of this otherwise highly amiable little restaurant. The food was wonderful and the cleverness of the dishes was impressive, most notably the lamb served under a cloche of wood-ship smoke. Lovely flavours and an entirely charming eatery; perfect for Indian food lovers and especially for taking folks or God-folks out for a lovely bite if they like Indian food.
Vaneet Bahia is due to close in order to relocate premises and reopen just before Christmas 2017 or just after – time will tell what happens.
https://major-foodie.com/rasoi/
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- Richard Bagnold added a new meal Meal at Rhodes W1 at The Brasserie
Another great show from Gary Rhodes, just a shame that it has now closed and been relocated to Dubai. The restaurant has simply changed its name to Restaurant at The Cumberland using roughly the same décor but a different patron (The Cumberland Hotel in which it sits). The dishes had here were refined and a total pleasure. Not unlike Rhodes 24,... More
Another great show from Gary Rhodes, just a shame that it has now closed and been relocated to Dubai. The restaurant has simply changed its name to Restaurant at The Cumberland using roughly the same décor but a different patron (The Cumberland Hotel in which it sits). The dishes had here were refined and a total pleasure. Not unlike Rhodes 24, it probably needed a refresh. Maybe he has had enough of London and wants to enjoy the sunshine somewhere else – who could blame him? When it was there – horrible décor, lovely food, shame it’s gone but hopefully someone can breath life in to it again.
Food Grade: 81%
https://major-foodie.com/rhodes-w1/
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- Richard Bagnold added a new meal Meal at Tom Aikens Restaurant at Tom Aikens Restaurant
Although Tom Aikens doesn’t seem to have created another flag ship venue along with his Kitchens, it is unclear whether he has now switched entirely to this very pleasing food chain or whether he will re-invent a flagship Restaurant again. Ultimately however, there is not much point writing too much about this restaurant as it is now closed other... More
Although Tom Aikens doesn’t seem to have created another flag ship venue along with his Kitchens, it is unclear whether he has now switched entirely to this very pleasing food chain or whether he will re-invent a flagship Restaurant again. Ultimately however, there is not much point writing too much about this restaurant as it is now closed other than to say that it was a highly stylish affair and it must have been hard to lose the Michelin star the year after I visited, but they regained it back the year after that and is now seemingly closed. I should say that I found this restaurant on my visit as a great meal and if I was living local I would have been very sad to see it go. I have been to the Tom Aiken Kitchen (Canary Wharf) several times to mixed results and have reviewed that in the ‘Recommended’ folder to this blog under London.
Food Grade: 74%
https://major-foodie.com/tom-aikens-restaurant/
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- Richard Bagnold added a new meal Meal at The Bingham at Bingham Riverhouse
I had lunch with my Brother and Sister-in-law at this place and have been back on two occasions for tea in the hotel’s drawing room and terrace in the summer, which is the other lovely bonus to this place. I haven’t been back for food since it lost its star (not a factor in not going back hasten to add) so I cannot comment on the difference but... More
I had lunch with my Brother and Sister-in-law at this place and have been back on two occasions for tea in the hotel’s drawing room and terrace in the summer, which is the other lovely bonus to this place. I haven’t been back for food since it lost its star (not a factor in not going back hasten to add) so I cannot comment on the difference but evidently the Michelin inspectors saw a gear change downwards in their dishes. For my own part, when I went there it was unquestionably skilled and pretty looking / well presented food with pleasant extras but somehow just a little unmemorable and lacking in wonderful moments. The fact I can’t picture any of the dishes in my head from memory is not a good sign. It certainly wasn’t offensive and the establishment is very pleasant, working in all seasons, but I would agree with the Michelin guide on this one. Would I go back? Yes definitely, but not in a rush.
Food Grade: 64%
https://major-foodie.com/the-bingham/
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- Richard Bagnold added a new meal Meal at Gauthier Soho at Gauthier - Soho
I would happily go back here just for the matured virgin olive oil and sensational balsamic vinegar alone. The interior itself really does feel like you are having dinner in someone’s dining room of their house and has a very cosy feel, however, probably not for every occasion therefore. The unfortunate thing is that in recent times I have heard... More
I would happily go back here just for the matured virgin olive oil and sensational balsamic vinegar alone. The interior itself really does feel like you are having dinner in someone’s dining room of their house and has a very cosy feel, however, probably not for every occasion therefore. The unfortunate thing is that in recent times I have heard from friends who had ‘episodes’ within their experiences here (since my visit) and the establishment has also lost their Michelin star, which is a shame as it put on such a good show when I was there. It is perfect for a pre-theatre set menu prior to a show and the canapés and little extras were all wonderful. Hopefully it may take charge of itself again soon but should still not be discounted for a try, especially if going onward in the West End. I will go back for another visit when I can to gauge an up to date comparison.
Food Grade: 74%
https://major-foodie.com/gauthier-soho/
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- Richard Bagnold added a new meal Meal at Hibiscus at Hibiscus
Mixed emotions on this restaurant. The style of the food was certainly there and obvious care and skilled attention had gone in to the dishes, however I simply could not understand why some of them were there. The foie gras with jam was pleasant but only just, the asparagus with hollandaise was very appealling and smooth, the fish courses and ravioli... More
Mixed emotions on this restaurant. The style of the food was certainly there and obvious care and skilled attention had gone in to the dishes, however I simply could not understand why some of them were there. The foie gras with jam was pleasant but only just, the asparagus with hollandaise was very appealling and smooth, the fish courses and ravioli were nice but only just that. I did not however, enjoy the walnut and pea salad, the sweet tartlet with truffle or the chocolate and avocado desert. The execution was highly skilled here, but I struggled to simply enjoy the pairing of some of the flavours and several of the peripheral dishes including the fish courses and sorbet mouth cleanser were simply too plain to make me feel worthy of 2 Michelin stars. My guess is credence is being given to its daring nature and flare of originality on French cooking rather than the actual outcome of the taste. I also felt the restaurant was somewhat narrow to be truly comfortable as an environment but other may differ on that. I definitely need to go again in order to see whether it has changed much, which, I sincerely hope it has.
Food Grade: 65%
https://major-foodie.com/hibiscus/
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- Richard Bagnold added a new meal Meal at Club Gascon at Club Gascon
At the time of going to Club Gascon the dishes served were innovative and creative in design. The restaurant is perfectly pleasant but I would favour elsewhere for special occasions as it seemed as thought its main forté was for a business lunch environment. I enjoyed the chocolate crisp at the end but the foie gras and chocolate dessert was... More
At the time of going to Club Gascon the dishes served were innovative and creative in design. The restaurant is perfectly pleasant but I would favour elsewhere for special occasions as it seemed as thought its main forté was for a business lunch environment. I enjoyed the chocolate crisp at the end but the foie gras and chocolate dessert was just a little too experimental and a bridge too far for me to actually find the combination pleasant. In fact, this seemed quite the opposite and I was genuinely confused by this match for a dessert. Crafted cooking nonetheless.
Food Grade: 60%
https://major-foodie.com/club-gascon/
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- Richard Bagnold added a new meal Meal at Rhodes 24 at Signature by Regus - London Tower 42
When I came here on two occasions it was a lovely experience (photos unfortunately only retained from one visit) in terms of the food, but the décor and feel was completely out-dated making it only really suitable for business lunches and evening meals for those with no imagination other than wanting a good view for dinner. I was just very glad to... More
When I came here on two occasions it was a lovely experience (photos unfortunately only retained from one visit) in terms of the food, but the décor and feel was completely out-dated making it only really suitable for business lunches and evening meals for those with no imagination other than wanting a good view for dinner. I was just very glad to eat his signature dishes including the cod on noodles with foie gras sauce, the lobster thermidor served in a mini frying pan and the collection of desserts including the giant jaffa cake. Possibly it needed a re-fresh in any case and is always healthy for these things if Gary Rhodes’ 24 was becoming stagnant, but the food was certainly good. I have now been able to see Jason Atherton’s revamp of this venue to much delight and the review for what Rhodes 24 has now become is at this link of City Social.
Food Grade: 85%
https://major-foodie.com/rhodes-24/
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- Richard Bagnold added a new meal Meal at Nobu at Nobu London Old Park Lane
The menu is virtually identical to its sister restaurant on Berkley Street, however the loss of the Michelin star this year for both will no doubt be quite a blow to the group. The Michelin guide is quite an unpredictable beast at times, however Nobu must have simply dropped their standards overall to earn this demotion. This Nobu remains a lovely... More
The menu is virtually identical to its sister restaurant on Berkley Street, however the loss of the Michelin star this year for both will no doubt be quite a blow to the group. The Michelin guide is quite an unpredictable beast at times, however Nobu must have simply dropped their standards overall to earn this demotion. This Nobu remains a lovely address at the Metropolitan Hotel, even if it is bizarrely not-straight forward to get to, but its alluring view of the Park makes it a very plesant setting. A rather quiet affair as an atmosphere and with its apparent drop in food standards, I would only really have need to go to the Berkley Street venue now that I have done the Metropolitan hotel and don’t need to do again.
Food Grade: 71%
https://major-foodie.com/nobu-at-the-metropolitan-hotel/
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