Jamie's Italian/Fifteen going into administration

[JudyC]

I ate at the Liverpool one once about 5 years ago. Tiny portions of pasta and I'm not a big eater. Never went back as poor value and there are plenty better places to eat.

[Bozza]

Originally Posted by Mr Tom Morrow

Sad for the employees but as usual the Owner will suffer little financial loss.

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I suspect, like those trying to build a business, "the Owner" put money up to get things going. He also put £13m of his own cash into the business last year to try and keep it afloat.

Originally Posted by Mr Tom Morrow

Is it me but why do people pay huge money to have a meal that for example consists of a scallop, two pieces of grass, an acorn and a dead dandelion and quite happily pay £75 and declare it delicious

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I don't recall seeing a £75 scallop and garden trimmings on the Jamie's menu when I went there. Let's be clear: Jamie's Italian was not fine dining striving for Michelin star recognition but If you hadn't been I guess you'd not know that. Their mains generally run £10 - £20.

[YorkshireT]

His restaurants have been a financial disaster. The Barbecue one next to St Paul's collapsed as well- went a few times to that and liked it, but very expensive and service slow.
Think he just failed to offer the value/ quality/ service proposition for the price.
I've heard loads of people go to Jamie's in Leeds say, and say it was average or poor. Never heard anyone say it is amazing,you have got to go. Never.
But there are plenty of restaurants, often much more expensive, where people do say that (such as Tatu) and they are very busy and thriving.
So overall, product just not good enough.

[scooby99]

Originally Posted by Mr Tom Morrow

Never eaten in a place like this and never will as I won't pay their prices.

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But, you eat on a regular basis in many of the on-site Disney restaurants?
Others would say the same about those; that they're charging over-inflated prices for meals that can be partaken off-site with the same standard & ingredients at half the cost?

[Pino_Spetzberg]

At some point people that run a business may realise being overtly political isn't necessarily a positive.
Especially with social media.
Only need to look at Chorlton Brewing Co and Burger King right now.
Why alienate half your customers ?

[OLS]

Originally Posted by YorkshireT

I've heard loads of people go to Jamie's in Leeds say, and say it was average or poor. Never heard anyone say it is amazing,you have got to go. Never.

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I would agree with that. We went to Jamies in Leeds 3 times, 1st time was "nice" but we did comment that the prices in proportion to the portions was a little excessive and the espresso martinis took about 3 hours to make and 3 second to drink while being above average in price. The 2nd time we went it wasn't as good as the first and the 3rd time was the worse, portions were even smaller (for the same sharing dish!) and service was terribe so we never went back, plenty of other places in Leeds city center to eat that are amazing food / portions, amazing service and at more acceptable prices. Saying that we went to the new Ginos Italian over the road from Jamies and walked out without even being seated. 10 mins we stood at the desk waiting for a table, it wasn't busy as it was late afternoon on a week day and no one came, so we left and went elsewhere!

[EssexSue]

My sister in law worked for him and he was a lovely employer, he used to treat his staff really well.
I have eaten in a couple of his restaurants and all I can say is I have paid more and had worse.

[cartoonp]

Poor food poor service over priced feel sorry for all staff but won’t effect him to much .

[Scaramouche]

We went to the one in Bristol for a date night. It was nice. We’ve never been back though, it certainly wasn’t what I was expecting.

[tspill]

Originally Posted by madasahat

over priced over hyped food its the customers that make or break a business he was taking people for mugs and be-leaving his own hype

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I agree with this. And the food was grim. As you say - all hype and customers aren't stupid and go elsewhere.