Latest news with #LeGavroche
North Wales Chronicle
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
I had breakfast at one of the North Wales restaurants people love the most
The restaurant, ideally situated on Colwyn Bay's seafront, regularly features in lists of the top places to eat in Wales and the UK. Most recently it was named in the OpenTable top 100 places in the UK for outdoor dining, a list compiled from customer reviews. TASTE TEST: Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias. On OpenTable, the Porth Eirias restaurant has a 4.7 (out of 5) rating with nearly 4,000 reviews. I was aware of Bryn Williams having followed his career. Bryn, a former Coleg Llandrillo student originally from Denbigh, has gone on to have incredible success after he appeared on the Great British Menu in 2006. Williams worked for Michel Roux Jr at Le Gavroche in Mayfair between 1999 and 2003, starting out as a demi chef he honed his craft and graduated to sous chef before becoming Chef Patron of his very first restaurant, Odette's in 2008. As he opened more restaurants, as well as marrying Texas singer Sharleen Spiteri, it was only a matter of time before he returned home to North Wales when he launched Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias in Colwyn Bay in 2015. TASTE TEST: Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias. And it was there I found myself on a Sunday morning as Colwyn Bay was gearing up to celebrate Pride. OpenTable describes Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias thus: "This big open space with its easy, informal mood has an open kitchen where Bryn's team of chefs turn simple, local, seasonal ingredients into extraordinary bistro-style food. Menus are served all day by interesting people who really understand food, and there are no rules, so you can do what you like: tuck into breakfast, graze over small plates at the bar, share a Sunday feast with family, watch the sun go down with friends. Good times with good people, and no distance between you and the beach." The space is very impressive, classy decor, lots of natural light from the large windows with spectacular views of the sand and sea, and an open kitchen where the dishes are prepared. TASTE TEST: Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias. Seafood takes centre stage on the menu from prawns, cod to mussels, but the breakfast menu is more traditional yet equally tantalising. It was a busy day; I was one of the first customers to arrive but there were only a couple of tables unreserved. I would definitely recommend making a booking if you plan to eat there. Despite this, the ambiance was chilled, and the staff were friendly and attentive. And, for some reason, dressed in a combo of white shirts and denim, a look that brought to mind George Michael in the 80s. I know you can't go wrong with a traditional cooked breakfast, and I am certain the one served at Porth Eirias is top notch. However, I was in the mood for something different and opted for the muesli, soaked oats, yogurt, and apple, as well as Eggs Royale. The muesli with soaked oats was delightful. The flavours and textures of a dessert while your mind can be tricked into thinking you've gone for the healthy option. The yoghurt gave a delicious tang while the fruit delivered a chewy sweetness that gave the dish substance. TASTE TEST: Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias. Next was Eggs Royale, essentially Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon in place of ham. This dish, again, was excellent. It must be said that the price is double what you would pay in Wetherspoons for a similar dish. But the word similar is doing a lot of heavy lifting in the previous sentence; if you want something familiar, yet prepared with the best ingredients and utmost skill, then this is a treat worth splashing out on. Not to mention that the location, with stunning views of the coastline, that, on a sunny day, are worth every penny. TASTE TEST: Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias. I am a recent convert to poached eggs and these were the best I have had, with thick, luxurious yolks that combined with the rich Hollandaise. With the silky smoked salmon delivering saltiness and texture to the mix, this was a dish that, while humble, felt indulgent. I will be returning to Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias as I think I've only scratched the surface of what is on offer. It would be nice to try the restaurants famous seafood and other specialities like afternoon tea, and the Porth Eirias fish pie for two sounds delightful if anyone would like to join me.
Leader Live
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
REVIEW: Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias in Colwyn Bay
The restaurant, ideally situated on Colwyn Bay's seafront, regularly features in lists of the top places to eat in Wales and the UK. Most recently it was named in the OpenTable top 100 places in the UK for outdoor dining, a list compiled from customer reviews. TASTE TEST: Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias. On OpenTable, the Porth Eirias restaurant has a 4.7 (out of 5) rating with nearly 4,000 reviews. I was aware of Bryn Williams having followed his career. Bryn, a former Coleg Llandrillo student originally from Denbigh, has gone on to have incredible success after he appeared on the Great British Menu in 2006. Williams worked for Michel Roux Jr at Le Gavroche in Mayfair between 1999 and 2003, starting out as a demi chef he honed his craft and graduated to sous chef before becoming Chef Patron of his very first restaurant, Odette's in 2008. As he opened more restaurants, as well as marrying Texas singer Sharleen Spiteri, it was only a matter of time before he returned home to North Wales when he launched Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias in Colwyn Bay in 2015. TASTE TEST: Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias. And it was there I found myself on a Sunday morning as Colwyn Bay was gearing up to celebrate Pride. OpenTable describes Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias thus: "This big open space with its easy, informal mood has an open kitchen where Bryn's team of chefs turn simple, local, seasonal ingredients into extraordinary bistro-style food. Menus are served all day by interesting people who really understand food, and there are no rules, so you can do what you like: tuck into breakfast, graze over small plates at the bar, share a Sunday feast with family, watch the sun go down with friends. Good times with good people, and no distance between you and the beach." The space is very impressive, classy decor, lots of natural light from the large windows with spectacular views of the sand and sea, and an open kitchen where the dishes are prepared. TASTE TEST: Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias. Seafood takes centre stage on the menu from prawns, cod to mussels, but the breakfast menu is more traditional yet equally tantalising. It was a busy day; I was one of the first customers to arrive but there were only a couple of tables unreserved. I would definitely recommend making a booking if you plan to eat there. Despite this, the ambiance was chilled, and the staff were friendly and attentive. And, for some reason, dressed in a combo of white shirts and denim, a look that brought to mind George Michael in the 80s. I know you can't go wrong with a traditional cooked breakfast, and I am certain the one served at Porth Eirias is top notch. However, I was in the mood for something different and opted for the muesli, soaked oats, yogurt, and apple, as well as Eggs Royale. The muesli with soaked oats was delightful. The flavours and textures of a dessert while your mind can be tricked into thinking you've gone for the healthy option. The yoghurt gave a delicious tang while the fruit delivered a chewy sweetness that gave the dish substance. TASTE TEST: Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias. Next was Eggs Royale, essentially Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon in place of ham. This dish, again, was excellent. It must be said that the price is double what you would pay in Wetherspoons for a similar dish. But the word similar is doing a lot of heavy lifting in the previous sentence; if you want something familiar, yet prepared with the best ingredients and utmost skill, then this is a treat worth splashing out on. Not to mention that the location, with stunning views of the coastline, that, on a sunny day, are worth every penny. TASTE TEST: Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias. I am a recent convert to poached eggs and these were the best I have had, with thick, luxurious yolks that combined with the rich Hollandaise. With the silky smoked salmon delivering saltiness and texture to the mix, this was a dish that, while humble, felt indulgent. I will be returning to Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias as I think I've only scratched the surface of what is on offer. It would be nice to try the restaurants famous seafood and other specialities like afternoon tea, and the Porth Eirias fish pie for two sounds delightful if anyone would like to join me.
Scottish Sun
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Legendary BBC chef forced to shut two Michelin-starred restaurant warns of ‘dire situation' & UK ‘losing its identity'
The celebrity chef warned of more closures to come BOILING POINT Legendary BBC chef forced to shut two Michelin-starred restaurant warns of 'dire situation' & UK 'losing its identity' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A LEGENDARY BBC celebrity chef has warned of the "dire" situation facing the UK restaurant industry. Michel Roux, 64, has worked with the likes of Gordon Ramsay and has done stints on MasterChef: The Professionals. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Le Gavroche is set for a revival under new ownership Credit: Getty The celebrity chef currently owns and operates two restaurants in the Langham hotel in London and four in Scotland. Roux ran the world famous Le Gavroche in Mayfair after taking over from his father Albert 1993. He ran the restaurant for decades until it sadly closed in January last year. The culinary legend has now warned of the dire situation facing the UK food industry. He said a slew of closures are imminent across the UK as restaurants struggle to keep afloat. The former MasterChef judge said the situation was "so depressing" adding that well-known high end restaurants could be impacted. He warned that "If we lose restaurants on the street corners, Britain will lose its identity". The world famous chef went on to ask "Who would want to open a restaurant now?" Born in Kent, Roux has worked as a chef since leaving school at 16, he trained in London, France and Hong Kong. He has said operating the double Michelin starred restaurant in Mayfair had him working 90-hour weeks. Roux closed Le Gavroche so he could "make time for a better work / life balance". The famous two-star eatery opened in 1967 and was known for launching the careers of several world famous chefs. 3 Michel Roux ran Le Gavroche for decades Credit: Getty 3 Gordon Ramsay reportedly plans to open a restaurant at the site of Le Gavroche Credit: Getty It has been run by the Roux family since opening but will now reportedly be run by Gordon Ramsay. Cooking legend and TV star Gordon Ramsay planned to take over the eatery when its closure was announced. Ramsay worked at the French restaurant in the early days of his career under Roux's father in the 90s. Famously Marco Pierre White and Marcus Wareing also did stints at Le Gavroche. The restaurant even served the late queen on her 90th birthday. Ramsay is now set to take over the site of Le Gavroche at 43 Upper Brook Street. Gordon Ramsay secured a 15-year lease on the site with one of his companies acquiring the licence. Union Street Cafe successfully applied for a premises licence transfer of the Roux family restaurant in February. Union Street Café is the trading name for Gordon Ramsay Restaurants, which operate Gordon Ramsay Street Pizza, Gordon Ramsay Street Burger, Lucky Cat and Bread Street Kitchen. Matt Abé who has been at Le Gavroche for 16 years will reportedly be staying on under Ramsay. More details on the fate of Le Gavroche are expected later this year.
The Sun
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Legendary BBC chef forced to shut two Michelin-starred restaurant warns of ‘dire situation' & UK ‘losing its identity'
A LEGENDARY BBC celebrity chef has warned of the "dire" situation facing the UK restaurant industry. Michel Roux, 64, has worked with the likes of Gordon Ramsay and has done stints on MasterChef: The Professionals. 3 The celebrity chef currently owns and operates two restaurants in the Langham hotel in London and four in Scotland. Roux ran the world famous Le Gavroche in Mayfair after taking over from his father Albert 1993. He ran the restaurant for decades until it sadly closed in January last year. The culinary legend has now warned of the dire situation facing the UK food industry. He said a slew of closures are imminent across the UK as restaurants struggle to keep afloat. The former MasterChef judge said the situation was "so depressing" adding that well-known high end restaurants could be impacted. He warned that "If we lose restaurants on the street corners, Britain will lose its identity". The world famous chef went on to ask "Who would want to open a restaurant now?" Born in Kent, Roux has worked as a chef since leaving school at 16, he trained in London, France and Hong Kong. He has said operating the double Michelin starred restaurant in Mayfair had him working 90-hour weeks. Roux closed Le Gavroche so he could "make time for a better work / life balance". The famous two-star eatery opened in 1967 and was known for launching the careers of several world famous chefs. 3 3 It has been run by the Roux family since opening but will now reportedly be run by Gordon Ramsay. Cooking legend and TV star Gordon Ramsay planned to take over the eatery when its closure was announced. Ramsay worked at the French restaurant in the early days of his career under Roux's father in the 90s. Famously Marco Pierre White and Marcus Wareing also did stints at Le Gavroche. The restaurant even served the late queen on her 90th birthday. Ramsay is now set to take over the site of Le Gavroche at 43 Upper Brook Street. Gordon Ramsay secured a 15-year lease on the site with one of his companies acquiring the licence. Union Street Cafe successfully applied for a premises licence transfer of the Roux family restaurant in February. Union Street Café is the trading name for Gordon Ramsay Restaurants, which operate Gordon Ramsay Street Pizza, Gordon Ramsay Street Burger, Lucky Cat and Bread Street Kitchen. Matt Abé who has been at Le Gavroche for 16 years will reportedly be staying on under Ramsay. More details on the fate of Le Gavroche are expected later this year. What is happening to the hospitality industry? By Laura McGuire, consumer reporter MANY Food and drink chains have been struggling in recently as the cost of living has led to fewer people spending on eating out. Businesses had been struggling to bounce back after the pandemic, only to be hit with soaring energy bills and inflation. Multiple chains have been affected, resulting in big-name brands like Wetherspoons and Frankie & Benny's closing branches. Some chains have not survived, Byron Burger fell into administration last year, with owners saying it would result in the loss of over 200 jobs. Pizza giant, Papa Johns is shutting down 43 of its stores soon. Tasty, the owner of Wildwood, said it will shut sites as part of major restructuring plans.
Times
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
Michel Roux: ‘Many restaurants have closed. It's a dire situation'
Michel Roux, 64, was born in Kent, where his father, Albert, worked as a private chef. He left school at 16 to train as a chef and worked in France, Hong Kong and London before joining his uncle, Michel Sr, at the Waterside Inn in Berkshire in 1985 and then his father at Le Gavroche in 1991. In 1993 he took over the running of the restaurant until its closure in January 2024. He now has two restaurants within the Langham hotel in London and four in Scotland. His television work has included stints on MasterChef: the Professionals and Food and Drink. He lives in south London and France with his wife, Giselle. Their daughter, Emily, is also a chef. French restaurants lost their
