Angela Hartnett at the Connaught
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 2002 |
| Defunct | 2007 |
| Fate | Closed after hotel renovation; lease not renewed |
| Headquarters | London , United Kingdom |
| Products | Modern European cuisine (Mediterranean-inspired) |
| Owner | Gordon Ramsay Holdings |
Angela Hartnett at the Connaught, also referred to as Menu, was a dining establishment under the ownership of Gordon Ramsay Holdings, with chef Angela Hartnett at the helm. Situated inside the Connaught hotel in Mayfair, London, it launched following Ramsay's successful venture with Gordon Ramsay at Claridge's located in the Claridge's hotel, part of the same ownership group. Rather than relocating Restaurant Gordon Ramsay to this venue, Ramsay proposed that Hartnett oversee a new restaurant concept. The establishment held a Michelin star from 2004 until it ceased operations in 2007.
History
Following the triumph of Gordon Ramsay at Claridge's, Ramsay discovered that the Connaught hotel was searching for a chef to lead its restaurant, having previously considered hiring an American chef.[1] The venue had been managed by Michel Bourdin for 26 years prior.[2] Chris Hutcheson, Ramsay’s business associate, entered negotiations with Blackstone Group, which owned both the Connaught and Claridges hotels. Blackstone sought to relocate Ramsay’s three-star Royal Hospital Road to the Connaught; however, Ramsay opted to keep that restaurant separate.[3]
Blackstone insisted on appointing a female chef, leading Ramsay to suggest Angela Hartnett, who was then managing his Dubai establishment and had been a long-term collaborator since their time at Aubergine.[4] Hartnett met with Blackstone and Hutcheson and gained their endorsement. The main dining area underwent a six-month refurbishment concurrent with partial renovations of the hotel.[5] The kitchen received a complete overhaul, addressing previous operational challenges.[6] Although the restaurant initially operated at a loss after its 2002 opening,[7] it took two years to reach profitability—longer than the anticipated six months.[8] The opening phase was featured in the BBC series Trouble at the Top.[9]
The team consisted of 35 chefs catering to 65 covers,[10] with Neil Ferguson serving as head chef before Hartnett’s arrival from Dubai.[11] Initially called Menu,[12] it was subsequently rebranded as Angela Hartnett at the Connaught.[13] Hartnett made clear that the restaurant would not mirror typical Ramsay establishments and that he would not be involved in its daily operations.[14] Some former employees were retained; nonetheless, one ex-staff member successfully brought a wrongful dismissal claim against Gordon Ramsay Holdings.[15]
In 2004, chef Claire Porter briefly joined after appearing on Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares, but left shortly thereafter.[16] Diego Cardoso, promoted from within the staff ranks, became head chef at Hartnett’s Miami venue in 2006,[17] while Hartnett remained dedicated to the Connaught location with intentions to appoint a new head chef.[18]
The restaurant closed when the hotel underwent renovations following its acquisition by Quinlan Private Equity Group.[19] Gordon Ramsay Holdings decided against renewing their lease after refurbishment.[20] Media reports speculated that disagreements over room service policies were involved; however, Maybourne Hotel Group denied these claims.[21] Upon reopening, the Connaught appointed another female chef, Hélène Darroze.[22] Hartnett transferred most of her team to her new restaurant Murano, while placing staff within other Gordon Ramsay Holdings venues during the transition period.[23]
Menu
The menu at Hartnett's was heavily inspired by Mediterranean flavors, reflecting her Italian roots. She made it clear that the offerings would express her personal culinary vision rather than imitate other chefs' styles. Prior to opening, she embarked on a gastronomic journey through Spain, France, Italy, and the United States to gather ideas. While officially categorized as Modern European cuisine, some reviewers perceived the fare as either Italian or French haute cuisine.
Among the Italian-inspired dishes were risotto with prawns and leeks, pheasant agnolotti, and rabbit accompanied by wild mushrooms and polenta. Other main courses included John Dory fillets served with bouillabaisse sauce, saffron potatoes, and fennel. For dessert, freshly prepared soufflés were available on request.
Reception
The restaurant's debut elicited a range of responses from the hotel's usual patrons, partly due to its fully booked status and alterations to the menu. Critics’ early assessments were also diverse. Harden's guide referred to the launch as somewhat of an "anticlimax."
Matthew Fort of The Guardian commended the harmonious fusion of traditional French and Italian elements, giving the establishment a score of 18 out of 20. Fay Maschler from the Evening Standard praised the "deliciously subversive" Italian influence and placed it among London’s top five eateries featuring a "female touch" in 2004.
Hartnett's was awarded a Michelin star in 2004, maintaining this distinction until 2007. Additionally, it received the Best New Restaurant accolade at the BMW Square Meal Awards in 2003.
References
- ↑ Ramsay (2008): p. 73
- ↑ Caterer and Hotelkeeper, 2001
- ↑ Ramsay (2008): p. 74
- ↑ Ramsay (2008): p. 75
- ↑ Ramsay (2008): p. 79
- ↑ Ramsay (2008): p. 80
- ↑ Caterer and Hotelkeeper, 2012
- ↑ Ramsay (2008): p. 80
- ↑ BBC Active
- ↑ Ramsay (2008): p. 142
- ↑ Caterer and Hotelkeeper, 2002
- ↑ The Daily Telegraph, 2003
- ↑ Caterer and Hotelkeeper, 2002
- ↑ Caterer and Hotelkeeper, 2002
- ↑ Ramsay (2008): p. 88
- ↑ Caterer and Hotelkeeper, 2004
- ↑ Ramsay (2008): p. 88
- ↑ Caterer and Hotelkeeper, 2006
- ↑ Ramsay (2008): p. 91
- ↑ Caterer and Hotelkeeper, 2007
- ↑ Independent.ie; Caterer and Hotelkeeper, 2007
- ↑ Caterer and Hotelkeeper, 2008
- ↑ Caterer and Hotelkeeper, 2008