Monday 6 July 2009

On your Marques......

Don’t know if anyone saw it or not, but this Weekend Australian’s Food and Wine section restaurant review was of our Marque IV restaurant in Hobart.

Obviously The Australian is a national newspaper. Thus it stands to reason that the majority of its readers are mainlanders, or, as we may well like to think of them, prospective visitors to our shores, and restaurants.

So – whilst being excited and proud that John Lethlean, the reviewer in question from The Australian found MIV’s (and naturally Sir Paul Foreman’s) food excellent (= my interpretation of his general reaction to Paul’s food), the reported exchange between Mr Lethlean and the girl on reception at the hotel in which he was staying (he says that MIV was “400 metres from my ill-informed digs”) left a lot to be desired, and quite frankly left me cringing in embarrassment for our local hospitality industry.

So, the review starts thusly, and is headed “Marque of distinction”:

“The girl at the hotel reception doesn’t know the restaurant. “Never heard of it,” she says, and not particularly apologetically, either.
“It’s well known,” respond I, the comment’s impotence immediately apparent. So another bloke next to me weighs in, a fairly Tasmanian sort of thing to do. “I’m from here and I’ve never heard of it either”.
Mmmm. My sentiments are rapidly shifting towards the restaurant’s cause. “Well I’m not, and I have”.
I eventually get to Marque IV, a restaurant with a reputation – among some, but clearly not all – as one of the state’s best."

Mr Lethlean goes on with the article/review to explain the menu items he had, his level of enjoyment and what he had to drink. He finishes the article with the following sentence:

"Simple, friendly service only serves to reinforce the skills of a talented kitchen making a real effort to do modern – rather than jingoistic – things with Tasmanian produce. I hope all you Hobart hotel staff are reading."

Well, if they weren’t reading the Weekend Australian, I hope they are reading my blog, because the message is the same – until we as a state get much more aware of implications; of hospitality in its truest sense; of the power of general knowledge; of staff training; of staff recruitment – and many other associated things, we are sunk as a tourism destination, and you, darling (yes, I'm talking to you, young lady receptionist at whichever hotel it was) are out of a job.

102 comments:

sir grumpy said...

Marque IV? Never heard of it Rita. John Lethlean? Never heard of him. Weekend Australian? Never heard of it!
Mind you, I don't like Lethlean's writing or reviews, so I don't care if our Tasmanians didn't come up to his expectations.
Stuff him, I say, what, are we Disneyland and having to prostrate ourselves for all bloody tourists.
We've got our own lives to get on with. We are not just extras on some tourism set.

Anonymous said...

Hi Rita-I too thought it a fine review & Paul & his team will no doubt be very pleased & take great pride in it.
However Lethlean's experience with the hotel reception & the other ill informed person was to put it mildly, plainly embarrassing.
Perhaps the reception person was under indtruction not to direct their guests to other establishments? Or perhaps they were just ignorant of what outstanding restaurants were to be found in Hobart which would be curious especially if your job meant you were the main the point of contact for your hotel guests?

Michelle said...

I loved the "wake up Hobart; we're not coming down for Irish Pubs and scallop pies" quote...Too true!

sir grumpy said...

They're not Irish pubs anyway. They are fake-Irish pubs. What's wrong with Aussie pubs for goodnes sake? And I don't care if they don't come here at all.
let's stay sleepy. Who'd want to be another Melbourne or Sydney anyway.

Anonymous said...

Now Sir G I know your passions run deep on this subject but you HAVe heard of marque iv & you HAVE heard of the Weekend Australian.
It is not unreasonable for a staff member manning a reception of a hotel frequented by tourists to be expected to know of at least some restaurants if not the better ones.

sir grumpy said...

Yes but I like the fact the receptionist AND the guy who chipped in knew it was Lethlean and refused to tell him anything. Way to go Tasmania.

Anonymous said...

Whats wrong with scallop pies anyway. had a fabulous one the other day from the Dunnalley Bakery in the Cat & Fiddle.

Anonymous said...

you'll be heading to peppermint bay for the next serve of pauls food in a few weeks. he's all done at marque iv. i think he'll have to do scallops pie down there or perhaps scallop pithiviers?

marque iv lover

Rita said...

Hmmm, Anon 8.50 - what do you know that the rest of us don't?

Anonymous said...

Mr G-In that article it does not state anywhere that the girl on reception nor the stander-bye knew of Mr Lethlean or of his position as a food writer.
Check your facts skinflint/wowser

sir grumpy said...

I was having a lend, dear boy. In the name of FUN. Are you the Lethlean hisself?

Barry said...

No, Mr G, just giving you self-appointed Tasmanian 'clubby' culture custodians a wake up call that the rest of the WORLD now rightly expects a level of professionalism when it comes to tourism. The Tasmanian Government is quite aware of the impact to its economy on the discretionary spend of the tourist dollar. How small minded of you to look at the singular affect of the influx of the tourism dollar to the state.
What would you expect? That the concierge 'Talk Down' the Nationally recognised efforts of the few Tasmanian restaurants that 'mix-it' with the Nations best & brightest?

Get over yourself.

Anonymous said...

Well said Barry!

Sir G is sitting at a round table for 1 on this one.

Enjoy your scallop pie Sir G.

Anonymous said...

Just read Tassie Girls dissappointing review of Peppermint Bay. Why has this once lauded venue slipped so much? The Food Tourist site (arguably Tasmanias most creditable reviewers) quietly reduced their score for it from 14.5 to 13.5. Perhaps they too feel that standards have dropped?

Anonymous said...

Not for long now Mr Foreman has signed the contract Anon 7.53...

bri said...

Anon 7.53 (or anyone else that knows), what is the Food Tourist site?

Anonymous said...

www.foodtourist.com
is the website of food lovers & reviewers Sue Dyson & Roger McShane who are on the Weekends sunday show on Hobart ABC radio. They also contribute to Gourmet Traveller & have written guides on Tasmanias food culture over the years

bri said...

Great - thanks for posting the link!

Anonymous said...

turn over the page in the Weekend Aust Magazine and you get:

I'm at breakfast at a chi-chi hotel in Hobart, one with aspirations to gastronomic seriousness. As the waiter serves my scrambled eggs on toast, I note the absence of condiments on the table. "Could I have some salt, please?" The waiter looks at the plate, looks at me, and says: "if you need it, you can," and walks away. Well, I do need it, the egges are undersalted - but by the time it arrives, the food is cold.

Way to go Hobart.

Despite whether or not the chef and his minions know best about the correct amount of salt for scrambled eggs, if a customer wants more salt, so be it. Its called service.

As for the tourism comment, if we keep promoting the state as a gourmet food and wine destination, we need to be able to ensure we can deliver on such promises.

TJ

our man in Canberra said...

IIRC, Rob Gaison battled to get the message across to the state gov about the importance of service delivery once tourists had arrived in TAS. It’s not as sexy as cutting ribbons to flash eco-resorts, so perhaps the pols and bureaucrats need another reminder.

As to the hapless receptionist, the uninformed provincial being set straight by the savvy out-of-towner is a trope lifestyle journos are loathe to pass up. And while I agree that ignorance of the industry in which you work is annoying, so to are pompous wake up calls from folk with a limited sense of humour. *koff* Barry *koff*

sir grumpy said...

Well bombastic Barry, the rest of the world can kiss our arse!
I wouldn't take Lethlean seriously and I don't think people come here for top-shelf dining.
As much as I hope Marque IV succeeds forever, people such as Lethlean rarely venture past the shallow glitz of Sydney and melbourne.
The tourits dollar is spent on our natural assets. Sure, people need to eat when they are here, but the percentage of fine diners would be minimal.
That's not to say that the top-enders don't drag standards up overall.
However, even of those who read Lethlean and his ilk, only a tiny percentage would be possible Tassie visitors.
So, I fear no great damage.
I doubt that the alleged ignorance of the receptionist is indicative of our attitude in the state overall.
People often cite how helpful Tasmaniand are when they visit our state.
You need to develop a sense of humour mate and insight.

Anonymous said...

I saw Roger and Sue at a Chinese restuarant in Burnie once...they had pre requsted the cat I beleive and the restaurant bought in in specially...must have been late eighties....good with vegetarian fried rice!
I have also seen them at China Diner - in disguise as skinny people

Barry said...

I Mr G have a sense of humour alright but you seem to be historically very defensive when your comments are challenged, you my friend need to 'take as good as you give'.
As to your take on the Lethlean issue, many people DO read his column, from all over the country & here. He IS influential wether you agree or not.

the former sir grumpy said...

Barry, it's cut and thrust on both sides mate. What I get annoyed at is as soon as I defend my view people like you say I am very defensive (now HISTORICALLY very defensive!)
Shit I am sick of that.
If you read between the lines I think one little whinge by a reviewer won't be that harmful in the greater scheme of things.
I'm grateful in truth that the great paper deemed our humble state worthy of a visit by one of its scribes.
But if he can have a go at us, why can't we have a gentle go back? Come on.

LuSh said...

In defense of the receptionist (and as someone who works in hotels) we can't know everything. I would expect all of my staff to know of MIV, but apart from our restaurant on-site we hesitate to recommend many of the restaurants around Hobart, as we are hard pushed to even get decent service for ourselves, let alone recognition for sending guests to dine around town. There's nothing worse than recommending a local restaurant and getting crap feedback and feeling that your advice has spoilt someone else's experience.

sir grumpy for the defence said...

Well said LiSh. That's another aspect.

Barry said...

Mr G-Whatever! A gentle go? You sir are the most bombastic & belligerent of all Rita's commeneters & whilst we & I respect your opinion, you are always coming acroos like your word is the last on the subject.
Take a deep breath & realise/admit that you are always very defensive if someone disagrees with your views, HISTORICALLY you also get very personal in your attacks yet whine about someone else's shortcomings in this department.
All this aside, I & others are left to ponder: What do you really believe in as far as restaurants/service/food are concerned in Hobart?
You know what? I am no closer to understanding this & have come to the conclusion that you can not offer any tangible instruction but merely like to sir from the edge, all concern but no responsibility.
I for one will finally start to regard you as one does with a dotty uncle, politely nodding when you ramble on, making little sense or understanding of an issue & never positively contributing or offering a realistic salve to the problems that are aired here.

sir grumpy said...

Sorry Barry, you lost me there. I nodded off. Sheesh.
My position on food is simple. I like it.
I no long do top-end, it bores me.
I like good bistro, mid-range eateries where things are more relaxed (not slack).
I am on the customer side of the debate, having no cheffing (or effing) experience.
I like to support Tassie.
I never cave-in to bullies.

sir grumpy said...

PS Barry, I'm amazed anyone would repect my opinion but thanks for that.
I might even tell the wife I've received something other than a pasting.
But she'd agree with you on most (no probably ALL) of your points.
Ah well. Lose some, lose some.
I will say I sometimes take the opposite position just for a good argument.
I think that usually opens up a fuller debate. I'm sure the words old bastard come to mind. And I think Lethlean knows his way around a plate. Just don't tell him I said so.

Stephen said...

Just some hack trying to fill his column inches with some ever popular reinforcement of his reader demographic.

Stephen said...

Just some hack trying to fill his column inches...

Of course I refer to Mr Lethlean, not Sir Grumpy...

:)

Rita said...

I wholeheartedly agree with what Lish said about making recommendations about restaurants round Hobart to people. I am constantly asked for recommendations, and find it really hard to name places for all purses that I can say, hand on heart, will deliver a consistent good service and food, as per my recommendation. That's why I usually tell people I recommend MIV (if they can afford it), as I know with absolute certainty that the food and service standards will always be faultless (no matter who is working that night), and predictably excellent.
I have been left feeling a true dork many times when somewhere I've guaranteed turns out to disappoint others.
I realise it's all subjective but still.....

Anonymous said...

This is all getting a bit stupid. There are plenty of restaurants in Hobart and plenty to recommend in all price brackets and genres.

If the people you are sending to these places can't put up with a bit of variability, well they need to get a life! We are not paying Sydney prices here.

Rita , if you honestly can't recommend anywhere except for MK 4 you should give up doing this blog on Hobart food!

Rita said...

Anon 10.57. Whilst I appreciate your right to express your opinion, I also disagree with that opinion, and will disregard your advice to give up the blogging. I will not dignify the comment with a justification of what I meant, and why. Suffice to say that I stick by what I said - it is hard to name a consistent venue to recommend to someone you don't know - then to loose your credibility if the recommended venue doesn't stand up to scrutiny.

Anonymous said...

I dont think Mr Lethlean was asking for a recommendation, merely for directions for how to get to MIV.

Reception lady could have said, I am sorry kind sir, let me look it up for you and then i will be able to give you directions...

As for recs, tourists appreciate local knowledge, and you can always qualify by providing a few recommendations and justify as a personal choice, or you have heard that, or I havent been for awhile but...

its not that hard...

TJ

Stephen said...

Recommending is different to guaranteeing. I have no problem recommending but would never guarantee. If the distinction is clear then everyone knows where they stand.

That said, in my experience the most common request is for a seafood restaurant - I have a real problem recommending anywhere.

Anonymous said...

What about the Fish 349 place in North Hobart Stephen?

Anonymous said...

R U Kidding 349 is a chip shop!

Anonymous said...

Thats a cheap shot!
Seriously now, the place has fabulous fish and looks a million dollars!
And has, as you say, good chips.

sir grumpy said...

Am I imagining it Rita, or are the people reading this losing their sense of humour?
As I've said before, on blogs the intonation and delivery of comments is lost.
I think I may just post as anon, that way the cheap-shotters (!) won't be able to build up a case against me. Don't worry, I am not getting paranoid.
I'd just like to chip in with less fuss.
Those anons get it easy...breezing in and out and having a go.
Ah well, such is life.

Stephen said...

I agree Grumpy, there is a certain humourless quality to the anons.

Is it so hard to use a pseudonym?

Stephen said...

Seriously now, the place has fabulous fish and looks a million dollars!

They must be well on their way to paying off that million dollars - went there on Saturday night for takeaway and 2 x fish & chips plus tartare came to $55.

Anonymous said...

SIR G
Yawn
boring

Anonymous said...

Roger and Sue at Chinese in Burnie
HAW HAW HAW
At Chia Diner also
HAW HAW HAW
You are funny anon

Anonymous said...

can you get spell check Rita?

Anonymous said...

Just to get slightly off topic (or on topic??) I encountered a similar problem at the apartment Hotel I stayed at in Melbourne CBD not long ago - "Can you show me where Vue de Monde is on this map, I have dinner reservations..." - girl had no idea, and hadn't heard of it. Certainly a worry if it is happening in a smaller town but perhaps not a problem endemic to Tasmania?
napkin guy

Anonymous said...

marque iv is no more. wonder what will take its place? and i wonder who will be first to blame the economic down turn?

Thermomixer said...

Rita et al, I wouldn't get too upset.

On concierges not knowing locations of restaurants, I was staying in a 4 star hotel in Sydney about 500 metres from Christine Manfield's restaurant Universal and they were not able to tell me where it was, even with their little books. They did manage to locate it via internet after much fuss. I discovered after many years that not everyone is into food.

On Mr Lethlean - well read his review of 1889 Enoteca in the Australian:

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/business/story/0,,25659613-5018055,00.html

"Brisbane, city of paradoxes. It's raining. I mean, really raining: wheelie bins are floating down the street as we eat, yet water restrictions remain in place.
Another paradox? In the heart of Wooloongabba is a restaurant more Melbourne than Melbourne. It even has a Melbourne name: 1889 Enoteca. Melburnians, you see, roll in their pungent and pervasive Italian culture like dogs on a dead animal. Even the WASPS."

I always thought that Enoteca was Italian, ma Signor Lethlean pensa che sia una parola Melburnian. Non ci credo !

Anonymous said...

Maybe there will be a MK5.

Anonymous said...

marque iv is closing forever!!

Rita said...

Are you serious Anon 7.07?

Anonymous said...

Well that makes this post and 50 comments rather a waste of space!
If its true its a great pity.

It was a place where you could go and spend hours having the grande dinner or on the other hand a quick main course and a good bottle of wine!

Anonymous said...

alas it is true rita, i'm as saddened as you are!! where will we go for a special night??!

anon said...

You could try Fish 349.

Rita said...

I'm more than saddened Anon 7.48. I'm totally gutted and devastated!
Thank god I'm booked in there for dinner tomorrow night - it will be a final night of worship for Rita at the font of fine food! (Don't you just love alliteration!)

Anonymous said...

So, it's true then, fine dining just doesn't work in Hobart.
All the awards mean zilch.
You have to feed your demographic.

Anonymous said...

marque iv isn't fine dining. it's confused and fragmented like the chef. lebrina has been around for 14 years, fee and me 20. it's really a case of the better places survive and the rest come and go. it's no loss for hobart!

Anonymous said...

Is it a full moon?! I'm getting a little disenchanted by these comments...
napkin guy

Anonymous said...

Well if its true, and that's yet to be proved, someone else will have to pick up the baton.
There is always someone coming and someone going.
Going back over the years there always have been a few top restaurants ... Dear Friends, Chez Dubois (if thats what the name was) and others. Alexanders at its peak, everything changes, but not the demographic. Maybe MK IV needed to loosen up a bit, maybe serve food outside every now and then?

Piccalilly, Smolt, or Montys will have to step up.
Lebrina,possible I guess, but quite a way to go in attitude.

Fee and me, yes move them down here!
Good attitude, good food.

Anonymous said...

All that tricked-up food. People need to eat, not look at disembodied bits on a plate.
Pork belly with chillie, yes...but the nashi pear and ``baby'' coconut. Nah.

Tassiegal said...

Has anyone from MarqueIV actually confirmed that its closing? or are we still doing the whole rumour and innuendo thing?

Rita said...

I will check out the facts when I dine there tonight TG!

Anonymous said...

Anon 901 funny you didn't mention 373, Henry's, moorilla, or meadowbank will take some of MIV' s customers, my work had a function at 373's new cellar dining room last week and it was lovely, very well priced( $65 per person 3 courses plus all the extra bits you get there) I think Hobart has more than 4 restaurants aiming at that market

Stephen said...

Cellar dining room at 373? Hadn't previously known of that.

I've noticed over the last few months that 373 hasn't appeared to be overflowing with diners on a Fri or Sat night - perhaps thats because they've moved them underground?

Anonymous said...

Quite right, sorry about that, there are a few more and all of those 4 should be on the list!

Anonymous said...

Marque 4 closing? :(

Tassiegal said...

Thanks Rita. Just in case it IS closing, Stephen and I are going on Sunday night.

Anonymous said...

marque iv closing means that fine dining doesnt work in tas? hmmm me thinks not

Anonymous said...

Well, just to prove a point I have just been to MKIV this evening and it was a wonderful experience.

My companions, a couple of Sydney foodies couldn't but rave about the food and wine.

It was fabulous. I can't see how it can possibly close.

Didn't see Rita there but didn't look either, too busy with the food and wine.

P

Anonymous said...

And Simon is leaving Meadowbank. What is going on?

Rita said...

Well, P, Rita was in fact there last night, eating magnificent food, and having a fabulous evening, as apparently you too were. I totally agree with you about MIV, which should surprise no one reading this blog, given that I have never hidden my love of Paul's food, Paul and MIV too!
I think we should all leave it for the time being regarding whether or not Paul is leaving MIV, plus cogitating about the future of MIV.
Naturally I spoke to Paul about this last night, given the amount of comments on this blog over the week. Paul is a gentleman. He neither confirmed or denied anything, but merely commented that we should wait - a comment I take on board, and hope everyone else will as well.

Anonymous said...

simon to MIV?

Anonymous said...

simon is going to mornington peninsula to open a restaurant and paul has been spotted round town with his new employers......

Tassiegal said...

Thanks Rita - I do love a good mystery!

Anonymous said...

Stephen I know the guys at 373 and they said that the cellar room is for groups only but the other day they did 56 ish people but only had 12 in the front room! 30 in the new cellar and 14 in the other room. He said its been a bit quite, but i think everyone is going through that now, though they are getting a few functions.

Anonymous said...

heard this morning that paul foreman is staying at marque iv and the restaurant will stay open

Christina said...

Oh the excitement and the mystery is too much for me!!
This coming from a girl who cried when Andre had to leave Masterchef!
I'm just a mess!

Anonymous said...

paul foreman is going to peppermint bay

Rita said...

That's where we started 70-odd comments ago Anon 4.24!

Tassiegal said...

Gotta love circular rumours!

Christina said...

After reading Graham Phillips in todays paper I really am starting to wonder does he have an original thought, or does he just rely on you Rita? Lately a lot of his articles have been on the same topic that you have previously raised.
Coincidence?

Anonymous said...

Christina: I was thinking the exact same! Why has he still got a job! I am hoping that his journalism career has the same outcome as his restaurant.

I am sure Graeme is reading this, as he is so self obsessed that I am sure he googles his name every hour to see what comes up, so Graeme: Hand in your resignation, as you are not representing the local hospitality industry in the manner that you should.

Jus

Anonymous said...

Now, thats not all that fair. Poor old GP has to wait until this weekend to put his comment in after reading the weekend Australian last week where Rita could put her comment up straight away after reading the weekend Australian last week.

We do have a common theme here, we just have two methods of presentation.

Anonymous said...

And the key comments about front of house staff needing to be more aware of our icon restaurants will be more widely spread with GP's comments in the famous Sunday Tas.

Lets hope they can all read!

Anonymous said...

Has it been sorted out yet whether this poor staff member wasn't simply following some sort of corporate procedure?
How many times have we all asked advice in hotels all over the world with the staff pushing for the in house restaurant.
In this case I guess we are looking at the Grand Chancellor, the Woolstore and Henry Jones.

Any idea what they all say?

Anonymous said...

it was the woolstore. i think most people who stay there are not seeking a gastronomic experience, not that marque iv provides one!

Rita said...

Au contraire, last Anon! I actually think most people who stay there at Woolstore are staying there for the convenience of being close to everything including fine dining restaurants, should they want to avail themselves of that facility. Woolstore is convenient to many things, so used by many business people.

Not sure about their in-house restaurant, and as you never hear anything about it, I would presume it provides the usual fare, being neither outstanding nor bad.

The fact that John Lethlean stayed there so he could go along to MIV demonstrates my claim above. I also know others who have stayed there specifically to eat around the Salamanca area, and price comparisons with Henry Jones et al prove Woolstore a viable option, especially when others are booked out. I always recommend interstate people stay at Woolstore, as I figure HGC is generally booked with conventions etc and Jones is that next level up price-wise, thus leaving Woolstore as a viable option, and a large complex as well, so fairly sure they should be able to accomodate visitors at any time.

I rely on the efficiency of reception staff to guide/advise my recommended visitors accordingly. The fact that this documented (in last weekend's Australian) staff member hasn't, in fact, done this on this occasion, has left me feeling quite disillusioned.

Rita said...

PS - like it or lump it but MIV most definitely has the reputation of being a top notch restaurant - hence the very reason John Lethlean, who is based on the mainland and has his pick of every restaurant across the country to review, selected, on this occasion, MIV. You may not like MIV's food, but even you must acknowledge that many others feel the whole dining experience there is well above average!

Anonymous said...

do you think chose the hotel? VJP rita, VJP.....

Stephen said...

We went to Marque IV last night - very nice. I opted for the 'dinner special' $55 for 2 x entrées and a dessert. Really delicious - the highlight being the sugar cured ocean trout with caviar custard.

Oh, we also had three cheeses to round out the meal. Unfortunately, MIV only have four cheeses on the menu. While they are all excellent, I do enjoy the larger range at Montys.

Front of house staff were as impressive as the food. They had that perfect combination of quiet efficiency and cheefulness. Not a forced smile to be seen.

The only negative about Marque IV is its acoustics - even with most of the tables empty there was a slightly unpleasant reverberation.

Anonymous said...

Fee and Me moving to Mk4! You saw it here first!

Anonymous said...

who cares went to fee and me 1 year ago with all industry people and it was b far the worst meal any of us have ever had, must have been a bad night but they only did around 20 people so can't blame being too busy. and i doubt it.

Anonymous said...

wots vjp?

Anonymous said...

VJP = Visiting Journalist Program
Journo's come down and eat, drink and be merry with the bill picked up by Tourism Tas.

Barry said...

Thats typical, those Tourism Tas Types dont know who what or where in the dining scene here.

Anonymous said...

Good to see they put him up at the Woolstore instead of Henry Jones or Islington! Saved us a few bucks.

Tess said...

I would like you all to know that as of 4pm today 13/7/2009 Marque iv will be staying open. An advert will be going in the paper on Wednesday for a new head chef.
Regards
Marque iv staff

Rita said...

Thanks for that Tess.

Anonymous said...

Last chef to leave Tassie ... put out the pilot light.

Christina said...

Glad marque IV staying open.
The new chef has big shoes to fill!
Yaaay! 100

Rita said...

Yep - well done you, Christina! x (This post is now up there with the review I did a few years back of Le Provencal, which also attracted over 100 comments - just because Rita ordered what translated in English to steak and chips!!)

Anonymous said...

So, how did staying open go, Marque IV?


it is noted Peppermint Bay are currently advertising for a head chef on GUMTREE of all places - my, how standards have fallen. Back in my day you went out into the industry and poached staff.