In todays Sheffield Telegraph David Blunkett writes:

"How is it that a city of half a million people still struggles to have a decent, reliable and consistent restaurant?"

The full story: sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/news/Surely-our-city-can-do.3494429.jp

What do people think about his statements?

In todays Sheffield Telegraph David Blunkett writes:

"How is it that a city of half a million people still struggles to have a decent, reliable and consistent restaurant?"

The full story: sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/news/Surely-our-city-can-do.3494429.jp

What do people think about his statements?

If he means city centre I agree with him. There are obviously decent reliable restaurants outside of the city centre

In todays Sheffield Telegraph David Blunkett writes:

"How is it that a city of half a million people still struggles to have a decent, reliable and consistent restaurant?"


Because the rates are so astronomically high they can't survive in the city centre ?

How can Blunkett really have an opinion?

Now I know I will get people on my back for saying this, but surely the fact he is blind discredits his opinion somewhat?

How can Blunkett really have an opinion?

Now I know I will get people on my back for saying this, but surely the fact he is blind discredits his opinion somewhat?

having read the article alot of it is about service and the knowledge of the waiting staff and I agree with the article. Opening wine back of house, not knowing what glass goes with which wine and the inability to streamline service such as taking orders whilst people are waiting for their tables.

He's got a point and the fact that he is blind has bugger all to do with it.

He linked this with the training facilities and courses available at castle college.

How can Blunkett really have an opinion?

Now I know I will get people on my back for saying this, but surely the fact he is blind discredits his opinion somewhat?

He's not rreally blind you know, it's just a play so he can take his dog everywhere with him...........I've spotted him driving(Mr Blunkett not the Dog), silly bug*er has his name all over the car !!:loopy:

How can Blunkett really have an opinion?

Now I know I will get people on my back for saying this, but surely the fact he is blind discredits his opinion somewhat?

I may be being thick - but I'm struggling to work out how being blind would mean that you couldn't have an opinion on restaurants??!!:huh:

I guess he can't comment on decor and what a place looks like - but other than that... why would his opinion be discredited because he's blind??!!

How can Blunkett really have an opinion?

Now I know I will get people on my back for saying this, but surely the fact he is blind discredits his opinion somewhat?

I missed the lesson in Biology where they explained that eyesight was directly linked to taste buds and an ability to judge the reliability of a service.:rolleyes:

I agree with most of what he is quoted as saying, particularly his opinions of Greenhead House at Chapeltown which is our favourite destination for a special dinner.

I am at a loss as to why Sheffield cannot support a quality independent restaurant in the city centre. I have 25 years experience, a lot of them in catering as well as retail, working for other people and also running our own businesses.

I used to blame the high rents and the fact that only big chains could afford to invest in city centre properties but that doesn't explain why places like Manchester and Leeds can attract independents.

The only thing that I keep coming back to is that there aren't enough people in the city centre (or prepared to go into the centre at night), to support such a venture. How many people in Sheffield want to go out on say a Tuesday night and spend upwards of £35/£40 a head on a meal (probably more like £50 a head with wine)? Where are the 50+ customers coming from, particularly midweek? Because that is the minimum kind of numbers you are looking at to keep a restaurant afloat financially.

Whilst I have nothing against Mr Blunkett personally (I'll forget about the rates bills I used to pay in the 80's) on this occasion he is demonstrating how out of touch politicians have become. To use Greenhead House and the Mediteranean as examples more than adequately shows how far removed he has become from his constituents lifestyles.

How can Blunkett really have an opinion?

Now I know I will get people on my back for saying this, but surely the fact he is blind discredits his opinion somewhat?

Bloody hell blind people eating, what ever next? :loopy:

It is well known that when you lose one of your five senses your remaining senses are in effect heightened. That would make M Blunkett better able than many to comment on the taste of food

Bloody hell blind people eating, what ever next? :loopy:

Pathetic..

How can Blunkett really have an opinion?

Now I know I will get people on my back for saying this, but surely the fact he is blind discredits his opinion somewhat? Maybe!but generally I agree with his comments and have been saying so for some time! Sheffield is pretty poor
when it comes to the restaurant scene,can't think of one place that would drag me out on a cold night to part with hard earned cash for mainly blandness!
Strikes me as funny though that when Blunkett was in charge of the"Socialist Republic of South Yorkshire" and virtually brought Sheffield to it's knees!he certainly would not have wrote an article of this nature! But know he's had a few years down South, wrote a book etc, and presumably drenched in money, he's know taken on an expert culinary air about things,and sounds well into fine dining! Well done Blunkett!

Pathetic..

I agrre entirely. How could a blind man possibly have an opinion on food. I always thought that he shouldn't have been given government white papers in case they were green or yellow. I do respect his opinions on dogs with high vis coats.

I missed the lesson in Biology where they explained that eyesight was directly linked to taste buds and an ability to judge the reliability of a service.:rolleyes:

Presentation is also one of the most important factors in fine dining, and is something the Blunkster can't judge.

Now in my opinion David Blunkett has for many many years been and remains a compete and utter idiot. However on this issue, I do agree with him.

Presentation is also one of the most important factors in fine dining, and is something the Blunkster can't judge.

i'm sure his companions comments are audible when the plates arrive. :rolleyes: Your point is irrelevant and as you said yourself

Pathetic..

I know of several excellent restaurants, my favorite is Rush Hour on London Road/ Chesterfield road (near to ponsfords), absolutely first class.

i'm sure his companions comments are audible when the plates arrive.

Then that wouldn't be his OWN opinion then would it sweetheart.

Pathetic..

The only one on here being pathetic is you and your very silly posts.

On todays Sheffield Forum NEKRO138 writes:

"How is it that a city of half a million people still struggles to have a decent, reliable and consistent politician?"

Presentation is also one of the most important factors in fine dining, and is something the Blunkster can't judge.

Maybe this a distinct advantage.... so often ones mind associates appearance and taste whereas some rather unpleasant looking foods taste lovely... rice pudding, most curries, squid, etc. he can give a pure unadulterated review of the effects on his taste senses without the intervention of a visual whasname.

Then that wouldn't be his OWN opinion then would it sweetheart.

:D Im not you're sweetheart but just for you (http://www.bakosenterprises.com/IP/B-06152005/troll.jpg)

The only one on here being pathetic is you and your very silly posts.


Oh my god!!!

I only made an innocent comment, which genuinely reflects my opinion, and if you re-read my OP you will see I only said it would hinder his ability to evaluate SOMEWHAT, not completely.

But thanks everyone for the ganging up, refusal to accept an alternative opinion, and general cliquey behaviour.

Another victory for one sided conversation......

Maybe this a distinct advantage.... so often ones mind associates appearance and taste whereas some rather unpleasant looking foods taste lovely... rice pudding, most curries, squid, etc. he can give a pure unadulterated review of the effects on his taste senses without the intervention of a visual whasname.

That is the point I was trying to make earlier before the children starting sqaubbling on the thread

Some people are fussy.

Oh my god!!!

I only made an innocent comment, which genuinely reflects my opinion, and if you re-read my OP you will see I only said it would hinder his ability to evaluate SOMEWHAT, not completely.

But thanks everyone for the ganging up, refusal to accept an alternative opinion, and general cliquey behaviour.

Another victory for one sided conversation......

Look love, we're British. Lack of knowledge is no reason to not have an opinion and get irrate over it. You seem to be a clear example of this. :hihi:

Oh my god!!!

I only made an innocent comment, which genuinely reflects my opinion, and if you re-read my OP you will see I only said it would hinder his ability to evaluate SOMEWHAT, not completely.

But thanks everyone for the ganging up, refusal to accept an alternative opinion, and general cliquey behaviour.

Another victory for one sided conversation......

A comment so innocent that you felt the need to preclude it with "Now I know I will get people on my back for saying this"

I can only conclude that you are either drunk, taking some kind of medication, or just a plain old fashioned moron.

A comment so innocent that you felt the need to preclude it with "Now I know I will get people on my back for saying this"

I can only conclude that you are either drunk, taking some kind of medication, or just a plain old fashioned moron.

I wasn't wrong though was I?

Now can't you comment on the actual topic instead of having a dig at me for my views?

As opposed to having a dig at Blunkett for being blind?

As opposed to having a dig at Blunkett for being blind?

Let's not forget how ignorant Blunkett can be... I saw him walking his dog in Handsworth and waved to him in a very polite manner. He completely ignored me and just kept on walking!

Let's not forget how ignorant Blunkett can be... I saw him walking his dog in Handsworth and waved to him in a very polite manner. He completely ignored me and just kept on walking!

:D That's politicians for you..

As opposed to having a dig at Blunkett for being blind?

Simply not true. You made that up, and have no evidence to support such a foolish assumption.

Simply not true. You made that up, and have no evidence to support such a foolish assumption.

Where's your evidence on why blind people's opinion on food is less valid than anyone elses? Not that I do evidence... I still think women should be kept off the roads.

ps. You can only have an opinion on something once... Being pedantic and borderline insulting could get me through a whole afternoon.

Where's your evidence on why blind people's opinion on food is less valid than anyone elses? .

I thought we were discussing the "Dining experience", not just the taste of food......

I thought we were discussing the "Dining experience", not just the taste of food......

See... I told you pedantism was fun.

Not that I do evidence... I still think women should be kept off the roads.


For all women who found this insulting: I know him, I work with him, I have slapped him for this comment, and he has apologised and said of course he doesn't mean it.

I refuse to take responsibility for anything else he's said, however, and would like to maintain a healthy distance from his opinions.
Thank you :D

If you take the time out to look at "Lady"Smith's other posts you will see that they have a certain pattern...not trying to antagonise at all are you? Anything about my post you'd like to comment upon?

Because the rates are so astronomically high they can't survive in the city centre ?

Theyre no higher than other places that can sustain good restaurants

Anything about my post you'd like to comment upon?

That it's severly off topic.

That it's severly off topic.
...and you are seriously mis-guided. Back ON topic, sight is one of only 5 main senses and if you think that losing that means that someone is therefore unable to judge the quality of a restaurant then...I despair.

Like I said (http://www.bakosenterprises.com/IP/B-06152005/troll.jpg)

I refer any comments to the pedantic arguments to the above link

...and you are seriously mis-guided. Back ON topic, sight is one of only 5 main senses and if you think that losing that means that someone is therefore unable to judge the quality of a restaurant then...I despair.


Of course blind people can judge a restaurant!!

All I was saying was that his opinion must be SOMEWHAT hindered by his disabilty.

I refer any comments to the pedantic arguments to the above link

Really substantial post that.

Bravo.

I refer any comments to the pedantic arguments to the above link
Pedantic or not, sometimes it's hard not to post when someone's being so troll-like (I just couldn't think of the word myself)..winds me up something rotten. Anyhow, couldn't agree more with Blunkett, Sheffield CC's got plenty of chain establishments which tbh are a bit run of the mill, but there's loads of scope for development; it only takes a few innovative people, with plenty of cash, to start the ball rolling surely: where are all of the entrepreneurs?

Go to places like London, Leeds and Manchester you get some great restaurants. Sheffields restaurant scene is poor to say the least, we need a few top end restaurants but it was the councils choice to focus on the student population so is the clientelle so service a top class restaurant here? I don't think it is.

All I was saying was that his opinion must be SOMEWHAT hindered by his disabilty.

No you didn't.

The first line of your post reads:
How can Blunkett really have an opinion?

You then try to justify this attack with:
Now I know I will get people on my back for saying this, but surely the fact he is blind discredits his opinion somewhat?

OT: I (like many others on this thread, it would seem) agree with his comments:)

Anyhow, couldn't agree more with Blunkett, Sheffield CC's got plenty of chain establishments which tbh are a bit run of the mill, but there's loads of scope for development; it only takes a few innovative people, with plenty of cash, to start the ball rolling surely: where are all of the entrepreneurs?

Quite a few have tried in the past lost their money and gone away. If you think that's all takes then you obviously know squat about running a catering business.

Let's not forget how ignorant Blunkett can be... I saw him walking his dog in Handsworth and waved to him in a very polite manner. He completely ignored me and just kept on walking!And I bet he wouldn't be listening to you either!

The only consolation is that there are plenty of nice places to eat on the outskirts of Sheffield and beyond (I like the Plough near Hathersage), but that's not much use for those looking for something decent in the city centre. There is certainly plenty of room for improvement.

How can Blunkett really have an opinion?

Now I know I will get people on my back for saying this, but surely the fact he is blind discredits his opinion somewhat?

Absolutely! Everyone knows that blind people don't even eat food.

How can Blunkett really have an opinion?

Now I know I will get people on my back for saying this, but surely the fact he is blind discredits his opinion somewhat?

Why? This is an ill thought out statement. He can still taste food can't he.

How many people in Sheffield want to go out on say a Tuesday night and spend upwards of £35/£40 a head on a meal (probably more like £50 a head with wine)? Where are the 50+ customers coming from, particularly midweek? Because that is the minimum kind of numbers you are looking at to keep a restaurant afloat financially..

jim, im no expert on this im just after clarification, so your saying it costs a restaurant £2500 each night to keep running? or do you mean this it needs £2500 from mon-fri? so thats about 10 people per night?

Pedantic or not, sometimes it's hard not to post when someone's being so troll-like (I just couldn't think of the word myself)..winds me up something rotten. Anyhow, couldn't agree more with Blunkett, Sheffield CC's got plenty of chain establishments which tbh are a bit run of the mill, but there's loads of scope for development; it only takes a few innovative people, with plenty of cash, to start the ball rolling surely: where are all of the entrepreneurs?Not in Sheffield obviously! we all know Sheffielders are very price conscious,and generally will only spend up to a certain amount on dining out! there have been some good restaurants from time to time but they have all failed or moved on eventually. We are only just surfacing from the cloth cap image,the"Socialist Republic of South Yorkshire" era,(when nobody would do business in Sheffield) the World student games fiasco,Centre for popular music and airport failures.........I could go on!
Hardly likely to attract Gordon Ramsay ! are we!

Pathetic..

Would that be me or you?

Of course blind people can judge a restaurant!!

All I was saying was that his opinion must be SOMEWHAT hindered by his disabilty.


can i ask why???? you go to a restaurant to eat food and the last time i checked yur tastebuds wasn't linked to your eyes?

If he is talking about the decor then im sure there are people with him who can describe it?

................

In defense of LadySmith, none of Mr Blunkett's comments were about the quality of the food, they were about the level of service. So all those digs about how the blind can still taste are pretty irrelevant.

I reckon someone's been driving him to Barnsley or Chesterfield and telling him they're on Ecclesall Road.

I agree with most of what he is quoted as saying, particularly his opinions of Greenhead House at Chapeltown which is our favourite destination for a special dinner.

I am at a loss as to why Sheffield cannot support a quality independent restaurant in the city centre. I have 25 years experience, a lot of them in catering as well as retail, working for other people and also running our own businesses.

I used to blame the high rents and the fact that only big chains could afford to invest in city centre properties but that doesn't explain why places like Manchester and Leeds can attract independents.

The only thing that I keep coming back to is that there aren't enough people in the city centre (or prepared to go into the centre at night), to support such a venture. How many people in Sheffield want to go out on say a Tuesday night and spend upwards of £35/£40 a head on a meal (probably more like £50 a head with wine)? Where are the 50+ customers coming from, particularly midweek? Because that is the minimum kind of numbers you are looking at to keep a restaurant afloat financially.

Whilst I have nothing against Mr Blunkett personally (I'll forget about the rates bills I used to pay in the 80's) on this occasion he is demonstrating how out of touch politicians have become. To use Greenhead House and the Mediteranean as examples more than adequately shows how far removed he has become from his constituents lifestyles.

My Mum and Dad saw him come in at The Old Vicarage Restaurant at Ridgeway. Me, my brother and sister had paid for my Dad to go for his 60th birthday. My Mum was amazed at how skilled Blunkett was with how he ate and everything he did to say he was blind.

This is an interesting concept..... a restaurant where everyone eats in the dark:

http://www.danslenoir.com/london/

According to the blurb "Darkness leads to truthfulness about taste, kills preconceptions and let you face the realities of ingredients and cuisine."

My Mum and Dad saw him come in at The Old Vicarage Restaurant at Ridgeway. Me, my brother and sister had paid for my Dad to go for his 60th birthday. My Mum was amazed at how skilled Blunkett was with how he ate and everything he did to say he was blind.If only more of us could afford to eat like politicians!............wev'e been saving up all year to go there!

jim, im no expert on this im just after clarification, so your saying it costs a restaurant £2500 each night to keep running? or do you mean this it needs £2500 from mon-fri? so thats about 10 people per night?

I would estimate that to run a restaurant with the level of service, and the associated ambience that Mr Blunkett was suggesting we all aspire to, it would need to take in excess of £12,000 per week.

How it is split up over the days of the week is very relevant which is why I asked how many people would go to such an establishment midweek. If you are paying say £50 a head a place needs atmosphere otherwise people won't come back, it's very difficult to generate atmosphere in an almost empty space.

Blunkett has a point. There is NO really high class restrauant in Sheffield, and there never has been.

Quite a few have tried in the past lost their money and gone away. If you think that's all takes then you obviously know squat about running a catering business.
Ahem..I didn't say I knew about running a catering business, I would have thought it was obvious that it takes more than just cash so that's why I didn't put in a full business plan in to my post. There may be plenty of people in Sheffield CC that are price conscious but the same can surely apply to any other city; there are plenty of other people in this city who would happily pay top prices for quality food and atmosphere.

Ahem..I didn't say I knew about running a catering business, I would have thought it was obvious that it takes more than just cash so that's why I didn't put in a full business plan in to my post. There may be plenty of people in Sheffield CC that are price conscious but the same can surely apply to any other city; there are plenty of other people in this city who would happily pay top prices for quality food and atmosphere.

I disagree I don't think Sheffield has 'plenty' of people happy to pay top prices, if they existed then so would the restaurants. I repeat that people have tried and failed. It's not just the restaurants and the population, the city centre for many years lacked a real 'centre'. We looked into this same thing years ago and suitable locations were like hen's teeth. Things have improved recently though.


Sorry I took this from your other post to indicate that you knew about running a business.

it only takes a few innovative people, with plenty of cash, to start the ball rolling surely: where are all of the entrepreneurs?

I agree with some of what he says, especially about wine being opened away from the table. I refuse it at the table if its already opened and this appears to get waiters and owners irrate for some reason.
They should know better, its a fundamental rule to show the label and open it at the table. I aint paying 50% or more mark up for soemthing that could have possibly been open for ages or worse still filled from a different bottle.

I believe independent restaurants tend not to survive because Sheffield doesn't have enough of a trade for what is seen as 'over priced picture on a plate' establishments.
I personally like to see quality rather than quantity but a lot of people don't, and like it or not the majority of Sheffielders don't want to pay over the odds for 'nowt on a plate undercooked' !

Blunkett has a point. There is NO really high class restrauant in Sheffield, and there never has been.

Then you obviously havent been out recently and went to the likes of Zizzi, Piccolinos, the restaurants in S1, roma, Lonodn Rd, etc etc - things are definitely getting better in the last year or two ...

In defense of LadySmith, none of Mr Blunkett's comments were about the quality of the food, they were about the level of service. So all those digs about how the blind can still taste are pretty irrelevant.

Well in that case ....his sense of timing is not hampered by judging how long food gets to the table, how much he has to pay for it, did they open the wine at the table or not, what the diabled loos are like, I could go on and on but I guess unless they actually had a disability some people on this forum can never even begin to understand what its like !!

This is bad :( I served him at a restaurant I used to work in as a manager. It has closed now though.

Then you obviously havent been out recently and went to the likes of Zizzi, Piccolinos, the restaurants in S1, roma, Lonodn Rd, etc etc - things are definitely getting better in the last year or two ...


Have you been to Zizzi? Dreadful chain owned rubbish.

You open a good restaurant in the city centre, spend a lot of time and money on training the staff and creating good food, but the rates are far too much, and there's not a big enough market.

You'd always have been show the wine label at boho, never had the bottle opened behind the bar. Yet due to the cost of the rent, and the area the place struggled. It's a bloody shame, but until there's some more support from the council and other organisations there's little chance for small, independent restaurants to stay open.

The main reason I was exasperated to read the article and Blunket's comments is that if anyone is to blame for the fact that Sheffield is unable to support a decent restaurant (which I agree there have been many, but they don't get the support they need to keep going) it's him and the rest of his gang local party that reduced Sheffield to a level from which it's only slowly recovering ... :rant:

Then having cut his teeth on Sheffield, he went on to Government to lay the jinx on Education, the Home Office, and anything else he ever deigns to undertake. Then he's got the barefaced cheek to start pontificating about how it's just not good enough (for a man of his present taste and refinement)

What a slap in the face for the good resterateurs of the City, I hope they kick him out next time he shows his face. Let him eat straw! :rant:

.... and breathe ... :P

I suggest Mr Blunkett keeps his snooty opinions to himself.
Even better, perhaps he could try his hand at opening an establishment that meets his high standards and then he'll gain some experience and get a clue what he's talking about.

Mod note:

Mr Blunkett's inability to see does not impair his ability to use his other senses.

Let's move away from this ridiculous assumption and instead discuss his assertion that many of Sheffield's restaurants aren't much cop.

Because the rates are so astronomically high they can't survive in the city centre ?

I once heard that the rates the Shop's pay near the Town Hall are not to far behind the same amount a shop would pay in central London :mad:

Then you obviously havent been out recently and went to the likes of Zizzi, Piccolinos, the restaurants in S1, roma, Lonodn Rd, etc etc - things are definitely getting better in the last year or two ...
All very run of the mill with less than average service. It's not really a debating point - Sheffield doesn't have a single "top class" restaurant -as a regular host to overseas visitors it is very disappointing to have to trek them out to the Walnut Club to get the closest top notch meal..

This is bad :( I served him at a restaurant I used to work in as a manager. It has closed now though.

And you didn't take the opportunity to let a male member of staff garnish the cream of mushroom soup with his own special ingredients? For shame.

Blunkett may believe that Sheffield is unable to offer any serious competition in the gourmet stakes but I also believe that Sheffield is unable to offer a cabinet member who is capable of running the Home Office, not scuttling a married woman and not abusing his position to gain a passport for a member of her household staff.

Kind of puts getting Crayfish in a plum and cranberry jus in to perspective doesn't it David?

And you didn't take the opportunity to let a male member of staff garnish the cream of mushroom soup with his own special ingredients? For shame.

Blunkett may believe that Sheffield is unable to offer any serious competition in the gourmet stakes but I also believe that Sheffield is unable to offer a cabinet member who is incapable of running the Home Office, not scuttling a married woman and not abusing his position to gain a passport for a member of her household staff.

Kind of puts getting Crayfish in a plum and cranberry jus in to perspective doesn't it David?But Sheffield did offer a cabinet member who was "incapable" of running the Home Office etc etc!

Mod note:

Mr Blunkett's inability to see does not impair his ability to use his other senses.

Let's move away from this ridiculous assumption and instead discuss his assertion that many of Sheffield's restaurants aren't much cop.


Correct, it does NOT impair his other senses, but how can he judge the presentation, cleanliness etc, uniform standards etc..

Surely these are factors which must be considered when judging a restaurant?

Clearly being blind does not hinder you reviewing or having an opinion on a restaurant.
However, being a socialist does!
I don't get how a commie like Blunkett feels free to discuss fine dining. Is het aking the michael or what? This is the man who bankrupted this city for his socialist opinions. It still has not recovered fully.

The reason there is no decent restaurant in the city centre is because nobody who would frequent a decent restaurant would dine in the city centre. Its horrible, full of drunks and there is nowhere to park. Blunkettsd meddling in the 80s also means that Sheffield still has a stigma attached to it which means diners, investors etc would run a mile before investing in a city centre restaurant.

In fairness there are some decent places on West Street. Piccolos, Sheiks, Nirmals etc. But none of them are fine dining. It is not exactly the right place when you have a thousand morons walking past the window mooning and spewing up.

I wonder if he's wishing he'd kept his mouth shut now?

I hope someone's read this thread to him ... he might think twice before rubbishing his own next time .... as if!!:rolleyes:

The reason there is no decent restaurant in the city centre is because nobody who would frequent a decent restaurant would dine in the city centre. Its horrible, full of drunks and there is nowhere to park. Blunkettsd meddling in the 80s also means that Sheffield still has a stigma attached to it which means diners, investors etc would run a mile before investing in a city centre restaurant.

In fairness there are some decent places on West Street. Piccolos, Sheiks, Nirmals etc. But none of them are fine dining. It is not exactly the right place when you have a thousand morons walking past the window mooning and spewing up.

Hit the nail on the head I reckon. There's only really the theatres that attract the older (and generally wealthier) clientele into the city centre. A decent restaurant in Tudor square could maybe work.

Correct, it does NOT impair his other senses, but how can he judge the presentation, cleanliness etc, uniform standards etc..

Surely these are factors which must be considered when judging a restaurant?

Not only that but imagine the wine waiter's dilemma when Blunkett walks in with his pregnant mistress and her Filipino maid and orders a bottle of the finest.

Who should he show the bottle to? The blind man? The mineral water drinking mistress? the illegal immigrant? the dog?

No. Far easier to open the bottle round the back.

Correct, it does NOT impair his other senses, but how can he judge the presentation, cleanliness etc, uniform standards etc..

Surely these are factors which must be considered when judging a restaurant?

Are you a moderator?? I hope not because I cannot see why you don't understand that what you have written is just plain offensive.

If I want to criticise a restaurant I don't have to comment on everything. I can just comment on what affected me. Who made you restaurant critic tsar?

I haven't found a restaurant I like in Sheffield Centre and I agree with those who say who wants to go there at night anyway? It is a downright unpleasant place to be at night. That is what is probably putting investors and 'entrepreneurs' off.

Are you a moderator?? I hope not because I cannot see why you don't understand that what you have written is just plain offensive...


Is not just moderators who are offensive and can't see why, you know. :rolleyes:

Not only that but imagine the wine waiter's dilemma when Blunkett walks in with his pregnant mistress and her Filipino maid and orders a bottle of the finest.

Who should he show the bottle to? The blind man? The mineral water drinking mistress? the illegal immigrant? the dog?

No. Far easier to open the bottle round the back.

I shouldn#t find this funny but................. best laugh on the thread.

Ummm.. Tricky ... I don't think you quite get my drift. I'm hoping LadySmith is NOT a mod BECAUSE they don't see the offence. It's called irony.

Blunkett has lost the plot, presumably after spending too much time at Annabelle's, wining, dining, and, er, so on, with wealthy socialites, and seems to have completely forgotten that Sheffield's economy is still trying to recover from the damage he himself inflicted in the 80s.

The man's a complete and utter fool, it seems every time he opens his mouth these days he says something mind bogglingly stupid.

I think he has a valid point, quality of service in most establishments is dire.

but how can he judge the presentation, cleanliness etc, uniform standards etc..



Still waiting for an answer to that.....

If I'm going to save my money to splash out on a good meal why shouldn't I expect a good meal, good service and good dinning? If somewhere charges over 200 quid a bottle for wine, what type of person do you think they are aiming for?

If it was someone else from Sheffield without the history/past, would there be so much resentment to the same thing being said?

So, to address his criticism, where is good and consistent?

I'd imagine the lack of good quality places has a lot to do with the make up of Sheffield's population. Due to historical reasons there just arent enough people with the spending power to keep a decent restaurant in business...

So, to address his criticism, where is good and consistent?

Is that aimed at me?

but how can he judge the presentation, cleanliness etc, uniform standards etc..
Still waiting for an answer to that.....

What does he care? He's blind.:rolleyes:

Service in Sheffield is generally poor everywhere, slow and innefficient. The only exception used to be Waterstone's in town where they were really friendly and knowledgable, but it seems to have been repopulated by teenage poseurs who think they are doing you a favour by swiping your card and taking a tenner off you.

In todays Sheffield Telegraph David Blunkett writes:

"How is it that a city of half a million people still struggles to have a decent, reliable and consistent restaurant?"

The full story: sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/news/Surely-our-city-can-do.3494429.jp

What do people think about his statements?


this is a political ploy to tarnish the good name of sheffield.
can't he see we have some excellent restaurants here??

What does he care? He's blind.:rolleyes:

Truly awful post. You are unable to answer me with logic and reason, so attempt to ridicule me with such a pointless, irrelevant and boring slice of sadness.

Answer my question if you can. If not, find another thread.

How can Blunkett really have an opinion?

Now I know I will get people on my back for saying this, but surely the fact he is blind discredits his opinion somewhat?


agree with u.
he is mainly talking abt service in restaurants...but he's unable to see he gets better service than he's given to people who voted for him.

Blunkett has lost the plot, presumably after spending too much time at Annabelle's, wining, dining, and, er, so on, with wealthy socialites, and seems to have completely forgotten that Sheffield's economy is still trying to recover from the damage he himself inflicted in the 80s.

The man's a complete and utter fool, it seems every time he opens his mouth these days he says something mind bogglingly stupid.

chris,couldn't have said it better.
he keeps dividing sheffield everytime he opens his largest orifice.
he should visit the toilets more often.

So, to address his criticism, where is good and consistent?

Greenhead House
Rafters
Marco@Milano
The Old Vicarage
Artisan
Pasta Bar
Zeugma
Mediteranean
Taste
Cricket Inn

Your question is difficult to answer as it's a case of 'different strokes for different folks'. I've got to the stage where I would rather buy something fabulous and cook it myself.

Ladysmith: even the sighted can feel and smell when something's clean. I guess a blind person may be even more able to. But why don't YOU answer MY question? WHY should he have to comment on those things when they weren't what was bothering him? I think you are just being deliberately awkward to get at him - but you are getting at all blind people. Why?

Ladysmith: even the sighted can feel and smell when something's clean. I guess a blind person may be even more able to. But why don't YOU answer MY question? WHY should he have to comment on those things when they weren't what was bothering him? I think you are just being deliberately awkward to get at him - but you are getting at all blind people. Why?


think she's just getting at blunkett...cos his demeanour suggests that he is perfect.

Blunkett might be a dislikeable politician or indeed a dislikeable person, I have not had any dealings with him and it probably betrays my opinion of him when I say I have no particular desire to. However, it says nothing of the people of Sheffield that they make puerile and frankly tasteless comments in relation to his blindness, that really is as inexcusable as it is irrelevant.

Some might say the first taste is with the eye, when it comes to many restaurants in Sheffield not having to suffer the presentation may be no bad thing.

There is a handful of restaurants which have been mentioned here which are of a decent standard but for a city of this size they are very thinly spread. In my opinion, even some of those restaurants are let down by their lack of professional waiting staff who know, for example, what glasses should be used for what drinks, what cutlery for what dish, etc. and do this not as a part-time but as a full time career in the restaurant industry. In my opinion, what happens front of house can make or break a restaurant, if this is not right the food can be almost irrelevant.

There is also an issue of consistency I think too with many eateries, some occasionally produce a great evening then disappoint and in my opinion there are no restaurants in the city centre that worth visiting for anything other than a mid-week supper.

Often we sit down and talk for an hour about where to go and end up going to Waitrose and cooking something really nice at home, despite living within ten minutes walk of nearly 20 restaurants. Just a thought or two.

[QUOTE=mrsmills;2859384There is a handful of restaurants which have been mentioned here which are of a decent standard but for a city of this size they are very thinly spread. In my opinion, even some of those restaurants are let down by their lack of professional waiting staff who know, for example, what glasses should be used for what drinks, what cutlery for what dish, etc. and do this not as a part-time but as a full time career in the restaurant industry. In my opinion, what happens front of house can make or break a restaurant, if this is not right the food can be almost irrelevant.

There is also an issue of consistency I think too with many eateries, some occasionally produce a great evening then disappoint and in my opinion there are no restaurants in the city centre that worth visiting for anything other than a mid-week supper.

Often we sit down and talk for an hour about where to go and end up going to Waitrose and cooking something really nice at home, despite living within ten minutes walk of nearly 20 restaurants. Just a thought or two.[/QUOTE]

I'm really in agreement with you on these points. One eaterie (long since bankrupt and gone), was lauded to the skies for the food served regularly getting top scores in reviews. The girl who did front of house I nicknamed the Ice Maiden, she was so cold and unfriendly that I had to stop going.

I agree totally with David Blunkett (for once). Sheffield is very slowly getting better, but there are still hardly any places with the quality of food and standards of service of many restaurants in Manchester and Leeds.

One of the few restaurants I really rate in the city centre is the Wig & Pen, so I was really excited when I heard that the same people were opening Platillos. Then I ate there. What a disappointment! Totally validates everything that Blunkett said in his article.

I've heard the Wig & Pen is very good but alas have not tried it as despite having lived here for some years remain seemingly incapable of finding anything in that little pocket of the city centre. A pocket which if memoy serves me correctly is notorious for style over substance, short-lived eateries, Sola for example. Although possibly a bad example as I believe it might still exist under a different name.

No, I don't think Sola still exists under a different name - the last owner did a runner and took all the fixtures, fittings & stock with him!

Somehow that does not surprise me, it's the kind of place I always imagined was involved in a far wider range of 'business' dealings than perhaps at first met the eye!

Perhaps, maybe, just maybe, if people in Sheffield stopped living in the past this city might be able to move on. Everyone keeps saying how businesses in the past have tried but failed to come in on the market successfully...isn't that sending out totally the wrong message? Sheffield is a-changing, whether you like it or not, and people with the will to spend their money a little more liberally ARE moving in to the centre, so why don't we embrace that fact instead of being penny-pinching tight arses that accept lagging behind every other major city in the country?

On todays Sheffield Forum NEKRO138 writes:

"How is it that a city of half a million people still struggles to have a decent, reliable and consistent politician?"

For the same reason it is said they don't have a decent restaurant.
No taste:D

Blunkett has in today's Sheffield Telegraph replied to all critisism he recieved.

I just don't want Sheffield to be second-best (http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/letters/I-just-don39t-want-Sheffield.3536824.jp)

Views on his reply?

Absolutely agree!

Blunkett has in today's Sheffield Telegraph replied to all critisism he recieved.

I just don't want Sheffield to be second-best (http://www.sheffieldtelegraph.co.uk/letters/I-just-don39t-want-Sheffield.3536824.jp)

Views on his reply?

Sheffield's biggest problem is the widespread, insular, luddite resistance to anything associated with the middle or upper classes. The very notion that anything should be done well, that aspiring towards quality and excellence is a good thing, is to a higher degree than many other places, anathema. In every arena, be it cultural, business, education, whatever, there is a deeply entrenched inverted snobbery that has held the city back for a long time. And to be honest David Blunkett's played a significant part of nurturing that culture himself. I agree with him now, but in the grand scheme of things, I think he's got a nerve.

And I know born and bred locals might not like me saying that, but it's the number one observation of just about everyone I've known who has moved to the city from elsewhere.

David Blunkett's still upset with me for sneaking up behind him at a pedestrian crossing and making beeping noises.

David Blunkett's still upset with me for sneaking up behind him at a pedestrian crossing and making beeping noises.

I remember seeing him at the same crossing patting his guide dog then gave it a biscuit followed by a swift kick, after it led him out in the road when a bus was passing.
I was disturbed & asked why pat it, then feed it followed with a kick.
He replied "I gotta make sure I kick the right end"

Most of the responses on this thread seem to be along the lines of how dare he - rather than addressing his actual points - with which I think it is quite hard to argue against.

Sheffield's biggest problem is the widespread, insular, luddite resistance to anything associated with the middle or upper classes. The very notion that anything should be done well, that aspiring towards quality and excellence is a good thing, is to a higher degree than many other places, anathema. In every arena, be it cultural, business, education, whatever, there is a deeply entrenched inverted snobbery that has held the city back for a long time. And to be honest David Blunkett's played a significant part of nurturing that culture himself. I agree with him now, but in the grand scheme of things, I think he's got a nerve.

And I know born and bred locals might not like me saying that, but it's the number one observation of just about everyone I've known who has moved to the city from elsewhere.

Move out then. :)

Move out then. :)
Great: an insular, luddite response.

Great: an insular, luddite response.

I prefer to call it a concise, to the point response.

I prefer to call it a concise, to the point response.

I prefer to call it wrong :thumbsup:

I prefer to call it wrong :thumbsup:

Still following me round the forum i see. How sweet. :D

Still following me round the forum i see. How sweet. :D

Am I? Hmm, isn't there anyone nicer I can stalk?

I'm just pleased he can go to these places... at my (and other taxpayers expense).... :roll: