Honesty is a great and underrated quality

Going to a new restaurant on the very first service is risky and I’m often surprised if PRs suggest it – even with a few dry runs and ‘friends and family’ nights, the team and the menu can still be getting up to speed.

But there’s nothing like being there at the start when somewhere is clearly going to be a smash hit so I felt very happy to be at the new restaurant Mountain – from the same people behind Brat. I’m pretty sure the agency knew I’d be well disposed towards it because I’ve got to know the chef and team over a few years.

But they – and I to be honest – were surprised to see a well-known critic in there on the same evening. Presumably they’d booked like a civilian so it can’t be controlled, but it certainly caused a few jitters in the kitchen.

I know the rule is ‘if you’re charging full price you must expect to be judged’ but if I was still writing restaurant reviews, I might be minded these days to wait a little and see what the first people through the door – usually influencers to be honest – say and photograph to give me a flavour, so to speak.

Let’s see what this critic’s review says…

On that topic, I was surprised, pleasantly, to have a PR with whom I’ve got a dinner booking tomorrow write and request we change venue, as the place they’re repping isn’t – in their opinion – quite ready. That’s fine with me – honesty is a great and underrated quality.