Ivy Gestapo hound me out
Thursday, December 6th, 2007I went to The Ivy for lunch yesterday and whilst the food and service was impeccable, we were hounded off our table.
Arriving 11:55 for our 12:0pm table we had to queue outside whilst the staff were briefed. Eventually by 12:10 we were seated and ordered as quickly as allowed. We ate as quickly as one could reasonably be expected to eat without incurring indigestion.
At 1:20pm the Ivy Gestapo kindly permitted us to order a “quick” dessert or coffee, and leave. The Obergruppenführer waiter tried to look suitably embarassed but failed miserably. We were then encouraged, cajoled, and finally pressed to make our exit.
It’s a shame really when this sort of place leaves a slight tinge on an otherwise superb experience. But I don’t want to be rude to my hosts so I won’t complain any further.
The oysters were legendary. The Ivy Hamburger perfectly rare. The Grüner Veltliner extremely competent, and the coffee (macchiato of course) not bad, despite the rush.
Stumble It!