265450 Sun Feb 13 18:00:57 -0800 2005 5 26 International 0 1401001 I may get flamed for this but I never read about Jamie's restaurants. Are they worth visiting? I love his most recent cookbook-great tone and good recipes. What's the word on his dining establishments? Thanks in advance. Sun Feb 13 18:00:57 -0800 2005 0 Sammy 1 1401010 I've HEARD--though never actually been--that they're overpriced and mediocre. I don't remember where I heard this specifically. THis might be a function of elevated expectations that come with celebrity. SOrry I couldn't provide actual evidence. Mon Feb 14 06:26:52 -0800 2005 1401001 0 drdawn 2 1401011 He's only got one restaurant and it's called Fifteen. When it started off there was a strong element of it being overpriced and mediocre. There was also a tendency for people to go there to look at Jamie Oliver rather than eat his food. However, I understand that things have improved a lot with the quality improving and the prices coming down. In particular, the more relaxed brasserie is supposed to be very good. (Fifteen is divided into a brasserie/bar/restaurant). It was also a nightmare to book a table, not sure what it's like at the moment Mon Feb 14 08:04:48 -0800 2005 1401010 0 londonosher 2 1401012 fifteen got some bad press when it first opened - it was apparently a "novelty" and overpriced for the quality of food. However, it has recently got a number of very good reviews (from memory, one reviewer was determined not to like it and was therefore disappointed that it was so good!) so may be worth checking out if you are keen. Mon Feb 14 08:12:23 -0800 2005 1401010 0 Melbourne Girl 1 1401028 About a year ago, I ate both upstairs and down at Fifteen and thought both were fantastic. Upstairs is much cheaper so you may want to try that for a quick lunch and if you like it (and get lucky with a reservation) move downstairs for dinner at the restaurant. The only thing I didn't like about the restaurant downstairs was that a lot of the dishes on the menu (maybe 40%) were recipes from his cook books that I had already made at home. I'm sure his versions were much better though! Mon Feb 14 17:19:02 -0800 2005 1401001 0 AJ 2 1401048 I have eaten breakfast there actually in the upstairs (ground level) of the restaurant. I have read some good recent reports of the downstairs dining room, although its a nightmare to get a booking. To say you have been there, i.e. for novelty value, they do nice breakfasts- things like good sausage sandwiches on buttermilk bread, and things like that- its more if you are a Jamie fan, rather than in search of good chow Tue Feb 15 09:18:56 -0800 2005 1401028 0 Desperate Diner