1 00:00:00,120 --> 00:00:03,680 Speaker 1: You are listening to Ruthie's Table four in Partnership with Montclair. 2 00:00:04,440 --> 00:00:07,520 Speaker 2: I'd been wanting to read Keith mc nally's memoir I 3 00:00:07,600 --> 00:00:11,600 Speaker 2: regret almost everything for some time because I know Keith 4 00:00:11,680 --> 00:00:15,480 Speaker 2: and I love him. It also has the best title ever. 5 00:00:16,120 --> 00:00:19,599 Speaker 2: But the first chapter nearly finished me off. In the 6 00:00:19,720 --> 00:00:23,079 Speaker 2: very first sentence, Keith writes about his attempted suicide in 7 00:00:23,200 --> 00:00:27,720 Speaker 2: Martha's Vineyard. It's painful to absorb as a reader, but 8 00:00:27,840 --> 00:00:31,080 Speaker 2: for a friend it was monumental. It took me some 9 00:00:31,280 --> 00:00:34,559 Speaker 2: time to return to the book, but I'm glad I 10 00:00:34,640 --> 00:00:38,800 Speaker 2: did because this is a brilliant book. It's funny, it's 11 00:00:38,880 --> 00:00:43,320 Speaker 2: moving and deeply honest. When arriving in New York City, 12 00:00:43,720 --> 00:00:48,120 Speaker 2: I go straight to Minetta Tavern before anyone knows I'm there. 13 00:00:48,840 --> 00:00:52,800 Speaker 2: Quite simply, it's my favorite restaurant I know, and I 14 00:00:52,920 --> 00:00:56,240 Speaker 2: love people who work there, and I love the food. 15 00:00:57,000 --> 00:01:00,880 Speaker 2: Mostly I go because it's a connection with Keith. From 16 00:01:00,880 --> 00:01:04,560 Speaker 2: the moment Rose Gray and I, two inexperienced women thirty 17 00:01:04,600 --> 00:01:08,399 Speaker 2: eight years ago, thought about doing the River Cafe, Rose 18 00:01:08,480 --> 00:01:12,040 Speaker 2: made it very clear that everything she knew she had 19 00:01:12,120 --> 00:01:16,120 Speaker 2: learned from Keith McNally, and over the last thirty eight years, 20 00:01:16,319 --> 00:01:20,000 Speaker 2: Keith has been our mentor, our model, and a hero 21 00:01:20,319 --> 00:01:25,679 Speaker 2: of restaurants, The Odeon, Pastith, Balthazar, Lucky Strike, to name 22 00:01:25,720 --> 00:01:28,640 Speaker 2: a few. Keith is here with me today to talk 23 00:01:28,640 --> 00:01:32,240 Speaker 2: about friends and family, writing a book, and most of all, 24 00:01:32,720 --> 00:01:34,720 Speaker 2: regretting almost everything. 25 00:01:36,400 --> 00:01:40,040 Speaker 3: I always say that we make very few decisions. 26 00:01:40,160 --> 00:01:40,560 Speaker 4: You hear that? 27 00:01:40,880 --> 00:01:43,080 Speaker 2: And what do we decide? You know? Nothing? 28 00:01:43,240 --> 00:01:44,679 Speaker 4: Nothing? Nothing? 29 00:01:44,840 --> 00:01:45,560 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think so? 30 00:01:46,040 --> 00:01:50,960 Speaker 4: And so when did you what was your first restaurant working? 31 00:01:51,560 --> 00:01:57,400 Speaker 4: Was actually a place called seven Serendipity. I really good 32 00:01:57,440 --> 00:01:59,360 Speaker 4: ice cream, really good back time. 33 00:01:59,240 --> 00:02:03,200 Speaker 2: When I was a little my dad, is it still there? 34 00:02:03,480 --> 00:02:08,160 Speaker 2: Do they still have those ice creams? Listeners? There was 35 00:02:08,200 --> 00:02:12,639 Speaker 2: a little place on the it's still there's a kind 36 00:02:12,639 --> 00:02:13,280 Speaker 2: of basic. 37 00:02:14,760 --> 00:02:15,399 Speaker 4: Go down. 38 00:02:16,960 --> 00:02:19,680 Speaker 2: That must be like one of the oldest longest restaurants 39 00:02:19,680 --> 00:02:21,560 Speaker 2: in New York because I probably went there in the lake. 40 00:02:21,960 --> 00:02:24,600 Speaker 2: So you worked at Sarah Dipity is the Boy. 41 00:02:24,760 --> 00:02:30,320 Speaker 4: But the first brag I really enjoyed working out place 42 00:02:30,480 --> 00:02:35,720 Speaker 4: not in there now called one fift Yeah. Yeah, that's 43 00:02:35,800 --> 00:02:39,280 Speaker 4: when I make the lawn and micros actually because sat 44 00:02:39,360 --> 00:02:43,640 Speaker 4: in Knight Live. If it just opened for three months earlier, 45 00:02:43,960 --> 00:02:48,520 Speaker 4: then always have the pasties after passes, they still do. 46 00:02:48,800 --> 00:02:53,440 Speaker 4: There were days people were like John Blueshi chav Is 47 00:02:53,520 --> 00:02:57,320 Speaker 4: chasing with the brown certain It was quite bizarre because 48 00:02:57,360 --> 00:03:00,240 Speaker 4: I was in chart at the pasties and so I 49 00:03:00,440 --> 00:03:02,720 Speaker 4: made to meet all the fancy people. 50 00:03:02,880 --> 00:03:05,680 Speaker 2: So you in charge of parties at one f job. 51 00:03:06,000 --> 00:03:12,040 Speaker 4: I was also waiting, and then eventually became GM and. 52 00:03:11,960 --> 00:03:14,240 Speaker 2: Then you decided to do well, you didn't decide, But 53 00:03:14,320 --> 00:03:16,679 Speaker 2: how did? Then? How did? Because starting a restaurant is 54 00:03:16,680 --> 00:03:17,920 Speaker 2: a big deal, yes it is. 55 00:03:18,120 --> 00:03:21,919 Speaker 4: But then I left the one face and got a 56 00:03:22,000 --> 00:03:26,480 Speaker 4: green card because I was quite illegal these days. I 57 00:03:26,600 --> 00:03:34,480 Speaker 4: was default and mad, so why I was legal for 58 00:03:34,600 --> 00:03:38,000 Speaker 4: the four years? And then once I got my green car, 59 00:03:38,800 --> 00:03:43,640 Speaker 4: my brother Brian and my girlfriend Lynn decided to look 60 00:03:43,720 --> 00:03:47,520 Speaker 4: for the place because we really got fed up with 61 00:03:47,720 --> 00:03:49,120 Speaker 4: working for the other people. 62 00:03:49,720 --> 00:03:52,320 Speaker 2: Did you think there was also a kind of restaurant 63 00:03:52,320 --> 00:03:53,840 Speaker 2: that you missed that you wanted? 64 00:03:54,600 --> 00:03:57,960 Speaker 4: I don't know. First of all, I wanted just a 65 00:03:58,240 --> 00:04:04,680 Speaker 4: sandwich shop, but one we found Towers cast up Ceteria 66 00:04:04,880 --> 00:04:09,080 Speaker 4: and tried Beckham and that we loved. It was bath placed, 67 00:04:09,120 --> 00:04:14,320 Speaker 4: as was larger wrestle. But I always liked everybody enjoyed 68 00:04:14,640 --> 00:04:17,760 Speaker 4: lack of Pol in mid from Paris, so I had 69 00:04:17,760 --> 00:04:20,400 Speaker 4: that my mind would beat. 70 00:04:20,560 --> 00:04:23,360 Speaker 2: Yeah, what did you love about locker. 71 00:04:23,200 --> 00:04:26,840 Speaker 4: Pool because it was open to all hours to all 72 00:04:27,360 --> 00:04:28,159 Speaker 4: kinds of people. 73 00:04:28,400 --> 00:04:31,839 Speaker 2: I was sitting outside locker Pool with Richard and we've 74 00:04:31,880 --> 00:04:34,440 Speaker 2: been to a movie and it must have been about 75 00:04:34,920 --> 00:04:38,680 Speaker 2: twelve thirty and we're very young. We're just doing the pomperty. 76 00:04:38,760 --> 00:04:41,320 Speaker 2: And there was a couple and they it was like 77 00:04:41,560 --> 00:04:43,560 Speaker 2: it really was almost one in the morning, and they 78 00:04:43,640 --> 00:04:46,200 Speaker 2: came and the man was on his cane and they 79 00:04:46,240 --> 00:04:49,120 Speaker 2: looked kind of elderly at frail and they looked at 80 00:04:49,120 --> 00:04:51,400 Speaker 2: the menu, and then they talked to each other and 81 00:04:51,400 --> 00:04:53,440 Speaker 2: then they went inside. And I said, that's how I 82 00:04:53,480 --> 00:04:55,320 Speaker 2: want to get out. I don't want to live in 83 00:04:55,320 --> 00:04:57,440 Speaker 2: the country. I don't want to retire. I want to 84 00:04:57,440 --> 00:05:00,680 Speaker 2: be deciding at one o'clock in the morning whether I 85 00:05:00,680 --> 00:05:04,000 Speaker 2: should go to local pol or not. I was so. 86 00:05:03,800 --> 00:05:08,880 Speaker 4: Excited, but it was changeful for me too. I don't 87 00:05:08,920 --> 00:05:11,880 Speaker 4: have to each the two week in the morning. But 88 00:05:12,240 --> 00:05:15,720 Speaker 4: New you cand of if you love me. That's why 89 00:05:16,240 --> 00:05:19,880 Speaker 4: I left London. I didn't know the reason, but when 90 00:05:19,920 --> 00:05:22,760 Speaker 4: I've personally arrived in New Yorm, that's one of the 91 00:05:22,760 --> 00:05:26,239 Speaker 4: main things I really enjoyed, and I don't necessarily really 92 00:05:26,440 --> 00:05:30,359 Speaker 4: want to go every night, just the idea that I 93 00:05:30,520 --> 00:05:30,880 Speaker 4: can do. 94 00:05:31,080 --> 00:05:33,720 Speaker 2: You can. Yeah, and so Odeon Why did you call 95 00:05:33,760 --> 00:05:34,240 Speaker 2: it Odeon? 96 00:05:34,279 --> 00:05:37,559 Speaker 4: But my brother Brian kind of by their name because 97 00:05:37,560 --> 00:05:39,080 Speaker 4: of Cinema Cinema. 98 00:05:39,200 --> 00:05:42,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, the Odeon Cinemas, which are chain of cinemas in London. Yeah, 99 00:05:43,120 --> 00:05:45,960 Speaker 2: it's a great name. Was it difficult opening yet? 100 00:05:46,320 --> 00:05:50,680 Speaker 4: No, but it it's costs under one fifty two thousand dollars. No, 101 00:05:50,880 --> 00:05:53,239 Speaker 4: it's just memory cole. Now this one. 102 00:05:53,040 --> 00:05:57,840 Speaker 2: Costs US thirty thousand pounds. Rose is to drive up 103 00:05:57,839 --> 00:06:01,640 Speaker 2: to like miles away to find some broken down fridge 104 00:06:02,160 --> 00:06:03,040 Speaker 2: in Lovely. 105 00:06:03,400 --> 00:06:08,080 Speaker 4: Maybe by necessity. Yeah, once you got money, you fixed 106 00:06:08,240 --> 00:06:11,680 Speaker 4: province with money. If we don't have the money, it 107 00:06:11,760 --> 00:06:14,480 Speaker 4: must be fixed birth provilence created. 108 00:06:14,720 --> 00:06:17,159 Speaker 2: Yeah, if you have money, you fix it with money. 109 00:06:17,200 --> 00:06:19,240 Speaker 2: If you don't have money, you fix it creatively. 110 00:06:19,760 --> 00:06:20,000 Speaker 4: Yeah. 111 00:06:20,160 --> 00:06:23,719 Speaker 2: Interesting and was an immediate success. 112 00:06:23,279 --> 00:06:28,279 Speaker 4: By third night with but because working downtown for so long, 113 00:06:28,680 --> 00:06:31,080 Speaker 4: when you go to know lots of people and the 114 00:06:31,160 --> 00:06:36,039 Speaker 4: thing that got off the ground was really normal. Michaels 115 00:06:36,080 --> 00:06:39,240 Speaker 4: and just sat in and I would come and needs 116 00:06:39,320 --> 00:06:43,479 Speaker 4: to also drive back in the early eighties, so that 117 00:06:44,120 --> 00:06:49,360 Speaker 4: was nineteen eighty was the center of the artwork arters. 118 00:06:49,560 --> 00:06:52,039 Speaker 2: So do you remember Jack's Kansas City or. 119 00:06:52,279 --> 00:06:55,360 Speaker 4: It makes its Kansas City? 120 00:06:56,000 --> 00:06:59,320 Speaker 2: Yeah, that was kind of cool because my older sister 121 00:06:59,400 --> 00:07:02,440 Speaker 2: was a painter and a lot of those artists, you know, 122 00:07:02,520 --> 00:07:05,960 Speaker 2: painting alone all days, lonely and you know, you don't 123 00:07:05,960 --> 00:07:08,240 Speaker 2: see anybody, and then they used to go out at 124 00:07:08,360 --> 00:07:10,600 Speaker 2: night and then everybody would meet up at night. 125 00:07:10,680 --> 00:07:14,360 Speaker 4: Lots of the painters like Jacks and podk was. 126 00:07:16,200 --> 00:07:19,240 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, how did you deal with that? I was 127 00:07:19,320 --> 00:07:20,760 Speaker 2: drinking a different thing then. 128 00:07:21,440 --> 00:07:25,600 Speaker 4: Yes, because we were at the same age basically. Yeah, 129 00:07:27,080 --> 00:07:27,720 Speaker 4: it's different. 130 00:07:28,120 --> 00:07:32,240 Speaker 2: Yeah, I think it's interesting how it's changed. Do you 131 00:07:32,280 --> 00:07:33,960 Speaker 2: think it was more forgiving then do you think? 132 00:07:34,960 --> 00:07:40,920 Speaker 4: Yes, My happiest times was actually with hisself after work 133 00:07:42,480 --> 00:07:48,080 Speaker 4: because they treating me as one of the son. But the 134 00:07:48,360 --> 00:07:55,600 Speaker 4: drinking beers and then after after doing Catherine Lutemburg, that 135 00:07:55,760 --> 00:07:56,560 Speaker 4: was way uptown. 136 00:07:56,600 --> 00:07:59,160 Speaker 2: I remember they have white childs on the floor, is it? 137 00:07:59,280 --> 00:07:59,480 Speaker 4: Yeah? 138 00:07:59,880 --> 00:08:01,880 Speaker 2: I remember Luxemburg is still there. 139 00:08:01,920 --> 00:08:06,400 Speaker 4: Yeah, I didn't have been there for four to five years, 140 00:08:07,640 --> 00:08:12,360 Speaker 4: carefully members forty one years and after that now and 141 00:08:12,640 --> 00:08:15,440 Speaker 4: after that Lectrige drive, Lucky Stride. 142 00:08:15,640 --> 00:08:18,600 Speaker 2: I remember Lucky Strike. We have just a word before 143 00:08:18,600 --> 00:08:23,960 Speaker 2: he said about Balthasar, because Balthasar is completely well. You've 144 00:08:24,480 --> 00:08:27,280 Speaker 2: changed cities. I mean you've changed New York. You have 145 00:08:28,000 --> 00:08:30,280 Speaker 2: You've made restaurants that people want to go to to 146 00:08:30,320 --> 00:08:34,480 Speaker 2: have fun, to think about themselves. The changes, the whole dynamic. 147 00:08:34,840 --> 00:08:37,400 Speaker 2: Didn't you find when COVID happened and there were no 148 00:08:37,520 --> 00:08:41,559 Speaker 2: restaurants here, restaurants closed, and then when they opened people 149 00:08:41,600 --> 00:08:43,480 Speaker 2: were so happy. 150 00:08:43,520 --> 00:08:49,000 Speaker 4: I remember it's Bouncers. Before COVID, I didn't really understand 151 00:08:49,880 --> 00:08:53,959 Speaker 4: well restaurant makes for people in the city. There's after 152 00:08:54,120 --> 00:08:59,120 Speaker 4: COVID I did. But when it reopened Boss, which which 153 00:08:59,160 --> 00:09:06,360 Speaker 4: is late March twenty the people with their first night 154 00:09:06,600 --> 00:09:07,920 Speaker 4: was crazy. 155 00:09:08,400 --> 00:09:08,920 Speaker 2: The dance. 156 00:09:09,840 --> 00:09:12,040 Speaker 4: It's like if we hear day. 157 00:09:12,360 --> 00:09:14,280 Speaker 2: I agree. I used to say that, you know, if 158 00:09:14,280 --> 00:09:16,640 Speaker 2: you ask me what makes the city great, it would 159 00:09:16,640 --> 00:09:20,640 Speaker 2: be museums and parks and hospitals and you know, theaters. 160 00:09:20,920 --> 00:09:24,920 Speaker 2: We realized that restaurants are right up. People cried when 161 00:09:24,920 --> 00:09:27,319 Speaker 2: they came back here having a bit away and you 162 00:09:27,440 --> 00:09:30,280 Speaker 2: realize that you go to a restaurant, you bump into 163 00:09:30,280 --> 00:09:32,839 Speaker 2: people you might not Yeah, I've seen. 164 00:09:32,720 --> 00:09:38,560 Speaker 4: You get, especially these days with people are online so much. 165 00:09:38,640 --> 00:09:43,120 Speaker 2: Yeah, just tell us about Balthazar. What was the idea? 166 00:09:43,720 --> 00:09:47,520 Speaker 4: Was in Paris? And then I saw a polk a 167 00:09:47,600 --> 00:09:51,160 Speaker 4: barmb for one hundred years ago. It was a huge 168 00:09:51,240 --> 00:09:54,400 Speaker 4: bomb and some ma'am I liked it so much I 169 00:09:54,480 --> 00:09:59,959 Speaker 4: bought their potoo and carried the photographs when every day 170 00:10:00,360 --> 00:10:03,320 Speaker 4: for five years and one day and I saw a 171 00:10:03,400 --> 00:10:09,120 Speaker 4: space and because them that was so high but lovely bomb. 172 00:10:09,559 --> 00:10:13,959 Speaker 4: That's when I got the I and the needs of 173 00:10:14,200 --> 00:10:20,280 Speaker 4: high seeing. Relatively so, there's some paces I saw, hell see, 174 00:10:20,679 --> 00:10:24,280 Speaker 4: but when I saw there's a warehouse and swoming students 175 00:10:24,559 --> 00:10:25,880 Speaker 4: and then yea. 176 00:10:27,720 --> 00:10:30,240 Speaker 2: And what a great restaurant it is. You know, if 177 00:10:30,320 --> 00:10:31,160 Speaker 2: you go there a lot. 178 00:10:31,720 --> 00:10:34,960 Speaker 4: I remember, I'm like to be alone there and we 179 00:10:35,600 --> 00:10:41,120 Speaker 4: be on. I also left the music late a night. 180 00:10:41,440 --> 00:10:46,719 Speaker 2: Does everybody start dancing? See that? Do you think it's 181 00:10:46,840 --> 00:10:51,160 Speaker 2: only a night nightclubs and restaurants you are slightly watching 182 00:10:54,120 --> 00:10:57,720 Speaker 2: people think I'm incredibly out there and very open, but 183 00:10:57,840 --> 00:11:01,640 Speaker 2: actually quite shy. I'm quite quite shy, and so in 184 00:11:01,720 --> 00:11:05,480 Speaker 2: a way it's a good way to see people have people, 185 00:11:05,920 --> 00:11:08,880 Speaker 2: but you don't actually have to engage that much. 186 00:11:08,679 --> 00:11:13,439 Speaker 4: But we'd like to watch other people not participaly. 187 00:11:13,200 --> 00:11:16,160 Speaker 2: Yeah, I agree. When I when I have a big 188 00:11:16,200 --> 00:11:18,920 Speaker 2: party at our house, I always stand at the door, 189 00:11:19,720 --> 00:11:22,560 Speaker 2: and everybody thinks Ruthie is so polite because I see 190 00:11:22,600 --> 00:11:25,960 Speaker 2: every single person who comes in. I say hello to 191 00:11:26,040 --> 00:11:32,959 Speaker 2: every person, but I don't have to mingle. Yeah, very similar. 192 00:11:33,200 --> 00:11:36,160 Speaker 2: There's a great you know the movie Castablanca. Well, that's 193 00:11:36,200 --> 00:11:38,200 Speaker 2: my favorite line. When people ask me to sit down, 194 00:11:38,200 --> 00:11:41,920 Speaker 2: I always say that. In Castablanca, Ingred Bergmann comes back 195 00:11:42,040 --> 00:11:45,880 Speaker 2: having looking for Rick, you know, and she had an 196 00:11:45,920 --> 00:11:48,600 Speaker 2: affair with him, and they left in Paris in a 197 00:11:48,679 --> 00:11:51,680 Speaker 2: very romantic way. And it's during the war, and she says, 198 00:11:52,080 --> 00:11:54,720 Speaker 2: please tell Rick, I want him to come and sit 199 00:11:54,760 --> 00:11:55,120 Speaker 2: with us. 200 00:11:55,559 --> 00:12:00,679 Speaker 4: And the lot. I remember that it never. 201 00:12:00,520 --> 00:12:03,320 Speaker 2: Sits with the customers, you know, And so sometimes I 202 00:12:03,400 --> 00:12:06,240 Speaker 2: say that everything, come and sit down and say rip never. 203 00:12:06,040 --> 00:12:08,240 Speaker 4: Sits allowed line too. 204 00:12:09,040 --> 00:12:11,440 Speaker 2: And your children, your son George is on the ball. 205 00:12:12,200 --> 00:12:17,319 Speaker 4: Great. The other kids worked barely, luckily they're not intan, 206 00:12:17,720 --> 00:12:18,760 Speaker 4: but George. 207 00:12:18,840 --> 00:12:22,319 Speaker 2: George is yeah, lovely, lovely guy. No, my kids don't 208 00:12:22,760 --> 00:12:26,240 Speaker 2: haven't taken up. Rose's son Ossie worked in the wine 209 00:12:26,360 --> 00:12:30,640 Speaker 2: and managed us and but my again, my family have 210 00:12:30,720 --> 00:12:33,200 Speaker 2: all worked here as waiters. It's nice, lovely. 211 00:12:33,760 --> 00:12:36,440 Speaker 4: One thing about love what you do here. The waiters 212 00:12:36,840 --> 00:12:39,200 Speaker 4: have to do the prep Yeah, I love. 213 00:12:39,160 --> 00:12:41,880 Speaker 2: It, do you? Yeah? It makes some bit. Now we 214 00:12:41,960 --> 00:12:44,839 Speaker 2: have so many people they do. We have preppers as well. 215 00:12:45,320 --> 00:12:48,680 Speaker 2: But that kind of involvement with food is good. But 216 00:12:48,800 --> 00:12:51,120 Speaker 2: you do that do they? What time? What time do 217 00:12:51,160 --> 00:12:52,120 Speaker 2: your waiters come in? 218 00:12:52,320 --> 00:12:56,560 Speaker 4: So when when the busy day we have to prepare them? 219 00:12:57,000 --> 00:13:02,800 Speaker 4: Can do one thousand cover amazing? That a month amazing. 220 00:13:03,320 --> 00:13:05,280 Speaker 2: But it's we have the best job in the world. 221 00:13:05,320 --> 00:13:05,640 Speaker 4: I think. 222 00:13:05,679 --> 00:13:06,640 Speaker 2: So don't you think we do? 223 00:13:06,920 --> 00:13:13,640 Speaker 4: I do know talking to you, to you makes me inspired. 224 00:13:14,360 --> 00:13:16,840 Speaker 2: We have to keep what else? You know? That's what 225 00:13:16,880 --> 00:13:19,120 Speaker 2: I think. I think we have a great and the 226 00:13:19,200 --> 00:13:21,360 Speaker 2: problems are you know, when we have a problem, you 227 00:13:21,400 --> 00:13:22,520 Speaker 2: can solve them, you know. 228 00:13:23,000 --> 00:13:26,320 Speaker 4: And I love the jump. I think the jump is 229 00:13:26,520 --> 00:13:30,560 Speaker 4: all about how do you solve problem? People saved to 230 00:13:30,640 --> 00:13:34,000 Speaker 4: take to me, but runs about of itself. It doesn't 231 00:13:34,559 --> 00:13:40,959 Speaker 4: It's almost closes every day there maybe your problem. 232 00:13:41,559 --> 00:13:43,280 Speaker 2: They come up to me and say, Ruthie, we have 233 00:13:43,320 --> 00:13:47,440 Speaker 2: a you know, table four is a difficult table, and 234 00:13:47,520 --> 00:13:53,559 Speaker 2: I think great, Yeah, imagine estate bottled olive oil chosen 235 00:13:53,600 --> 00:13:56,720 Speaker 2: and bottled for the River Cafe, arriving at your door 236 00:13:56,880 --> 00:14:01,400 Speaker 2: every month. Our subscription is available for six or twelve months, 237 00:14:01,720 --> 00:14:05,120 Speaker 2: with each oil chosen personally by our head chefs and 238 00:14:05,240 --> 00:14:08,600 Speaker 2: varying with each delivery. It's a perfect way to bring 239 00:14:08,640 --> 00:14:11,840 Speaker 2: some River Cafe flavor into your home, or to show 240 00:14:11,960 --> 00:14:15,120 Speaker 2: someone you really care for them with a gift. Visit 241 00:14:15,160 --> 00:14:19,120 Speaker 2: our website shop the Rivercafe dot co dot uk to 242 00:14:19,240 --> 00:14:27,040 Speaker 2: place your order. Now, I wanted to read you this 243 00:14:27,200 --> 00:14:30,560 Speaker 2: piece so you could read it from your book about Rose, 244 00:14:30,600 --> 00:14:34,560 Speaker 2: because it was so moving. Okay, I just read this. 245 00:14:34,560 --> 00:14:39,480 Speaker 2: This is from Keith's book I regret almost everything, and 246 00:14:39,560 --> 00:14:42,640 Speaker 2: this is a piece he wrote about Rose a month 247 00:14:42,680 --> 00:14:45,840 Speaker 2: before we opened. Nell recommended, So that was Nel Campbell, 248 00:14:45,880 --> 00:14:50,200 Speaker 2: and this is Keith talking. Recommended an English friend of hers. 249 00:14:50,280 --> 00:14:53,680 Speaker 2: A brilliant home cook, she said, but someone who'd never 250 00:14:53,760 --> 00:14:58,240 Speaker 2: worked in a restaurant kitchen. While being skeptical of hiring 251 00:14:58,240 --> 00:15:00,920 Speaker 2: a non professional, I was in tre us enough to 252 00:15:01,000 --> 00:15:04,120 Speaker 2: fly to London to meet this woman. Her name was 253 00:15:04,240 --> 00:15:08,160 Speaker 2: Rose Gray. The meeting started awkwardly because we both knew 254 00:15:08,200 --> 00:15:12,720 Speaker 2: I was there to discuss food, but we consciously avoided 255 00:15:12,720 --> 00:15:16,800 Speaker 2: the subject. Eventually, Rose asked me if I fancied a 256 00:15:16,960 --> 00:15:21,400 Speaker 2: bite to eat. Her bite was a grilled, marinated lamb sandwich. 257 00:15:21,720 --> 00:15:24,360 Speaker 2: It was one of the most delicious sandwiches I'd eaten 258 00:15:24,400 --> 00:15:28,040 Speaker 2: in my life. I hired her on the spot. Rose 259 00:15:28,080 --> 00:15:30,560 Speaker 2: planned to stay for two months, but it ended up 260 00:15:30,600 --> 00:15:34,840 Speaker 2: being four. She couldn't continue any longer, she said, because 261 00:15:34,840 --> 00:15:38,680 Speaker 2: she was planning on opening an amateur sounding place in 262 00:15:38,720 --> 00:15:42,960 Speaker 2: London with her friend Ruthie Rogers. After she described her 263 00:15:43,160 --> 00:15:46,440 Speaker 2: cafe by the Thames, I told her it probably wouldn't 264 00:15:46,480 --> 00:15:49,720 Speaker 2: work and that she was better off remaining with me 265 00:15:50,280 --> 00:15:53,760 Speaker 2: at Nell's. Do you remember that, Yeah, So tell me 266 00:15:53,840 --> 00:15:54,440 Speaker 2: the story. 267 00:15:55,200 --> 00:15:59,000 Speaker 4: In one hand, of course, I wanted to be access 268 00:15:59,400 --> 00:16:02,360 Speaker 4: and the other way and I was quite jealous. 269 00:16:02,600 --> 00:16:06,920 Speaker 2: Oh, it was very It was very very tiny. We 270 00:16:06,960 --> 00:16:09,200 Speaker 2: wanted to be, you know, being Rose. Rose had this 271 00:16:09,320 --> 00:16:15,320 Speaker 2: incredible air of confidence and she just an ambition. And 272 00:16:15,440 --> 00:16:17,440 Speaker 2: I remember in the early days she used to get 273 00:16:17,480 --> 00:16:21,600 Speaker 2: into a taxi, but really early, and she would just 274 00:16:21,640 --> 00:16:23,640 Speaker 2: get in the cab and she'd go the River Cafe 275 00:16:23,960 --> 00:16:26,200 Speaker 2: and I'd go. That poor driver, so he has no 276 00:16:26,280 --> 00:16:29,040 Speaker 2: idea what the River Cafe was. And she could sound 277 00:16:29,120 --> 00:16:32,080 Speaker 2: quite fierce. No, actually she wasn't at all. She was 278 00:16:32,200 --> 00:16:34,240 Speaker 2: so vulnerable and so but. 279 00:16:34,320 --> 00:16:40,160 Speaker 4: She was fantastic cook, maybe the best cook every she is. 280 00:16:40,280 --> 00:16:42,680 Speaker 2: She was, And she was also a great cook and 281 00:16:42,720 --> 00:16:47,040 Speaker 2: a great teacher. She loved teaching these kids and coming in. 282 00:16:47,200 --> 00:16:49,760 Speaker 2: I've never worked in a restaurant at all, and I've 283 00:16:49,800 --> 00:16:52,280 Speaker 2: been a waiter when I was sixteen, and so to 284 00:16:52,320 --> 00:16:54,880 Speaker 2: come in and start this teene. The only good thing 285 00:16:54,880 --> 00:16:57,320 Speaker 2: we had was it was small, and the other good thing, 286 00:16:57,400 --> 00:17:02,440 Speaker 2: you know, because sometimes restrictions are good, you westract, I agree. 287 00:17:02,760 --> 00:17:06,440 Speaker 4: How do take to realize how good she was and 288 00:17:06,480 --> 00:17:08,359 Speaker 4: how the great their food was? 289 00:17:08,520 --> 00:17:12,359 Speaker 3: When when when we just started working, we sat down 290 00:17:12,880 --> 00:17:16,800 Speaker 3: and because again we only had a tiny, teeny little kitchen, 291 00:17:16,840 --> 00:17:19,680 Speaker 3: you know, we had one fire, one grill, and four 292 00:17:19,680 --> 00:17:20,360 Speaker 3: hot plates. 293 00:17:20,440 --> 00:17:21,760 Speaker 4: What was it on your menu? 294 00:17:22,080 --> 00:17:26,480 Speaker 2: We had two menus. We had a menu that was sandwiches, 295 00:17:27,040 --> 00:17:28,920 Speaker 2: so people could come in and have a sandwich for 296 00:17:29,040 --> 00:17:33,240 Speaker 2: two pounds fifty. And then we had a pasta every 297 00:17:33,359 --> 00:17:36,119 Speaker 2: we had one pasta and sandwiches. 298 00:17:36,280 --> 00:17:38,520 Speaker 4: What pasta has changed every day? 299 00:17:39,080 --> 00:17:41,919 Speaker 2: Yeah, the pasta changed every day. So I would do 300 00:17:42,080 --> 00:17:44,400 Speaker 2: one day, I would do the pastas and Rose would 301 00:17:44,440 --> 00:17:46,960 Speaker 2: do the sandwiches, and then one day I would do 302 00:17:47,000 --> 00:17:49,160 Speaker 2: the sandwiches and Rose would do that. We just switched 303 00:17:49,200 --> 00:17:52,160 Speaker 2: every time, and so it was learning. I'd known Rose 304 00:17:52,200 --> 00:17:55,520 Speaker 2: because she was Richard's girlfriend really before I even knew it. 305 00:17:56,200 --> 00:18:00,639 Speaker 2: They were about sixteen. They went to some Guildford college 306 00:18:00,720 --> 00:18:04,199 Speaker 2: or something, and then you know, we just we just 307 00:18:04,280 --> 00:18:07,439 Speaker 2: worked together, you know, and we just found we were different. 308 00:18:07,520 --> 00:18:10,120 Speaker 2: We had different approaches, we had different ways of cooking. 309 00:18:10,480 --> 00:18:14,600 Speaker 2: But you know what, well, I think in probably twenty 310 00:18:15,280 --> 00:18:19,120 Speaker 2: We started in eighty seven and she died in twenty ten, 311 00:18:19,240 --> 00:18:21,600 Speaker 2: so what's that thirty how many years is that? Twenty 312 00:18:22,240 --> 00:18:26,080 Speaker 2: twenty three years? We never had an argument and it 313 00:18:26,160 --> 00:18:29,640 Speaker 2: was conscious. My brother, actually, Michael said to me, I'll 314 00:18:29,640 --> 00:18:31,680 Speaker 2: give you one piece of advice if you ever worked 315 00:18:31,720 --> 00:18:34,719 Speaker 2: with somebody else, never have an argument, because you'll always 316 00:18:34,720 --> 00:18:37,639 Speaker 2: remember that argument. You'll remember the time, you know, you 317 00:18:37,720 --> 00:18:39,880 Speaker 2: turned around and said, well, I never liked the way 318 00:18:39,920 --> 00:18:42,439 Speaker 2: you come. And mostly it took an effort on my 319 00:18:42,480 --> 00:18:45,200 Speaker 2: part because I think she was happy to argue anything. 320 00:18:45,600 --> 00:18:47,800 Speaker 2: But it was a really good relationship. 321 00:18:47,840 --> 00:18:50,680 Speaker 4: How do you wasases get along with this kitchen? 322 00:18:51,280 --> 00:18:53,919 Speaker 2: Well, because we're all because we have an open kitchen. 323 00:18:54,440 --> 00:18:56,399 Speaker 2: First of all, you can't get angry, you know, you 324 00:18:56,520 --> 00:18:59,359 Speaker 2: just can't. It's a real kind of barrier there. So 325 00:18:59,400 --> 00:19:01,639 Speaker 2: if you say I've been waiting for this, I've been 326 00:19:01,640 --> 00:19:04,360 Speaker 2: waiting for that. And so they all I think they 327 00:19:04,400 --> 00:19:07,560 Speaker 2: get They get along pretty pretty well. And we don't 328 00:19:07,640 --> 00:19:11,800 Speaker 2: have that tom chef waiter front of house back. And 329 00:19:11,880 --> 00:19:13,560 Speaker 2: I have to say also, as you know, I have 330 00:19:13,600 --> 00:19:16,000 Speaker 2: a friend who has a restaurant and he's often talks 331 00:19:16,040 --> 00:19:20,320 Speaker 2: about having difficult customers. We don't have difficult I don't 332 00:19:20,320 --> 00:19:23,520 Speaker 2: complain about my customers very much, do you. I generally 333 00:19:23,760 --> 00:19:25,040 Speaker 2: quite like my customers. 334 00:19:25,440 --> 00:19:31,359 Speaker 4: Can't say I like them. I like, I'm jaking. 335 00:19:32,119 --> 00:19:33,520 Speaker 2: What do you mean that you don't. 336 00:19:33,840 --> 00:19:38,240 Speaker 4: James Gordon, yeah, Joining I wasn't there, but I was 337 00:19:38,560 --> 00:19:42,560 Speaker 4: a home and the manager called me and said joined 338 00:19:43,560 --> 00:19:50,080 Speaker 4: gracious in tears because James Gordon got angry and speacause 339 00:19:50,119 --> 00:19:51,119 Speaker 4: of the instrument. 340 00:19:51,600 --> 00:19:54,960 Speaker 2: So for the person who hasn't read Keith McNally's Instagram, 341 00:19:55,000 --> 00:19:57,600 Speaker 2: and I suggest you follow him because they're a great 342 00:19:57,640 --> 00:19:59,760 Speaker 2: way to start the day or end of the day. 343 00:20:00,160 --> 00:20:03,000 Speaker 2: Is that especially for somebody who works the way I do. 344 00:20:03,119 --> 00:20:06,280 Speaker 2: But also I think just for you know, seeing you're 345 00:20:06,320 --> 00:20:09,560 Speaker 2: such a good writer and the way that you Again, 346 00:20:09,640 --> 00:20:13,000 Speaker 2: there are letters. The instagrams really are about the people 347 00:20:13,040 --> 00:20:16,040 Speaker 2: who work in your restaurant. You give them credit, you 348 00:20:16,200 --> 00:20:19,119 Speaker 2: praise them, you're proud of them. You give them and 349 00:20:19,920 --> 00:20:24,120 Speaker 2: fire them, you fire them. I haven't seen instagram saying 350 00:20:24,119 --> 00:20:25,720 Speaker 2: you fire? Do you fire people. 351 00:20:27,480 --> 00:20:27,720 Speaker 4: About? 352 00:20:27,880 --> 00:20:28,640 Speaker 2: Have you fired people? 353 00:20:29,359 --> 00:20:32,399 Speaker 4: Yes, right of course, But I'm like you. I didn't 354 00:20:33,000 --> 00:20:36,159 Speaker 4: enjoy it. But he would give to him if I. 355 00:20:36,359 --> 00:20:41,280 Speaker 4: Of course, somebody to fire somebody often I have to 356 00:20:41,359 --> 00:20:42,439 Speaker 4: do with fire people. 357 00:20:43,520 --> 00:20:46,160 Speaker 2: I once had to fire somebody. I knew I would 358 00:20:46,160 --> 00:20:48,879 Speaker 2: have to because he behaves so badly. I mean, he 359 00:20:48,920 --> 00:20:51,879 Speaker 2: actually harmed somebody. And he's a great guy actually, but 360 00:20:51,920 --> 00:20:53,880 Speaker 2: he kind of had a breakdown. And I called him 361 00:20:53,920 --> 00:20:55,960 Speaker 2: up the next morning and I said, you've got to 362 00:20:55,960 --> 00:20:58,400 Speaker 2: come and see me. And I sat down. I said, 363 00:20:58,440 --> 00:21:01,480 Speaker 2: you know, what you did last night was crazy? You 364 00:21:01,680 --> 00:21:03,879 Speaker 2: are you know you did this, you did that, and 365 00:21:03,920 --> 00:21:07,120 Speaker 2: you harm somebody. And I said, you know what would 366 00:21:07,160 --> 00:21:10,000 Speaker 2: you do if you were me? He said, I fired me. 367 00:21:10,080 --> 00:21:12,080 Speaker 2: I said, okay, you're fired, and that was it. 368 00:21:12,760 --> 00:21:13,160 Speaker 4: Let go. 369 00:21:14,480 --> 00:21:17,560 Speaker 2: It's not a nice thing to do. I don't like it. 370 00:21:17,600 --> 00:21:20,399 Speaker 2: I don't like firing people, and usually you can just 371 00:21:20,560 --> 00:21:23,399 Speaker 2: move them around or find a place for them something 372 00:21:23,400 --> 00:21:24,000 Speaker 2: else to do. 373 00:21:25,400 --> 00:21:29,200 Speaker 4: I'm alwaysome. I often gave it to people with second chances. 374 00:21:29,520 --> 00:21:34,440 Speaker 4: I believe believer in second chances. So I might find 375 00:21:34,560 --> 00:21:38,920 Speaker 4: somebody that Manda and the Monday and choose to beg 376 00:21:39,040 --> 00:21:40,120 Speaker 4: them to come back. 377 00:21:40,440 --> 00:21:42,840 Speaker 2: Do you think that me too? And all of that 378 00:21:42,920 --> 00:21:45,000 Speaker 2: has helped restaurants. 379 00:21:44,760 --> 00:21:45,280 Speaker 4: Because I do. 380 00:21:45,760 --> 00:21:46,560 Speaker 2: I think it's better. 381 00:21:47,480 --> 00:21:53,760 Speaker 4: Maybe I'm overall I agree with maybe, but when one 382 00:21:53,960 --> 00:21:58,400 Speaker 4: actually meant I was done alive about them summertime, one 383 00:21:58,480 --> 00:22:01,400 Speaker 4: to twenty people might be innocence. 384 00:22:02,480 --> 00:22:06,120 Speaker 2: I think it's getting better here because there's a process. 385 00:22:06,400 --> 00:22:10,040 Speaker 2: And I don't know about big people, but here in 386 00:22:10,080 --> 00:22:14,000 Speaker 2: the River Cafe now in Britain, I think if somebody 387 00:22:14,040 --> 00:22:17,439 Speaker 2: reports anything, you know, we used to sit down with 388 00:22:17,480 --> 00:22:19,320 Speaker 2: them and say, hey, God, you know you can't talk 389 00:22:19,359 --> 00:22:22,760 Speaker 2: that way, you shouldn't do this. Now there's a process 390 00:22:23,280 --> 00:22:26,960 Speaker 2: which is that everything stops. You bring somebody in and 391 00:22:27,000 --> 00:22:29,360 Speaker 2: there's a fair trial and kind of you know, they 392 00:22:29,359 --> 00:22:32,160 Speaker 2: bring witnesses, they do, and it's handled in a way 393 00:22:32,200 --> 00:22:34,280 Speaker 2: that it is not personal, it just is. And I 394 00:22:34,320 --> 00:22:37,240 Speaker 2: think young people now they say that when you talk 395 00:22:37,280 --> 00:22:39,720 Speaker 2: to the women or even the guys. They say, people 396 00:22:39,760 --> 00:22:42,480 Speaker 2: in their twenties, they know they know how to speak 397 00:22:42,520 --> 00:22:44,640 Speaker 2: to women, but they know how to deal with it. 398 00:22:45,160 --> 00:22:49,600 Speaker 4: Two of months ago I had a couple of to 399 00:22:50,720 --> 00:22:55,160 Speaker 4: caught having sex in the base bringe doing the service. 400 00:22:56,320 --> 00:23:00,840 Speaker 4: Those are angry and then twenty two Yeah, that's why 401 00:23:02,520 --> 00:23:08,280 Speaker 4: nothing at one went after chext. But as long as 402 00:23:08,680 --> 00:23:12,040 Speaker 4: and then I've didn't buy him. I just you said, 403 00:23:12,320 --> 00:23:17,120 Speaker 4: don't need doing again, doing again, something else, but not 404 00:23:17,359 --> 00:23:24,240 Speaker 4: with Yeah, I didn't mention it to a job because 405 00:23:24,480 --> 00:23:26,240 Speaker 4: my ah person would. 406 00:23:26,600 --> 00:23:31,040 Speaker 2: Like if he was a manager and she was a waiter. Yeah, yeah, yeah, no, 407 00:23:31,119 --> 00:23:33,239 Speaker 2: I think I mean that's kind of why we used 408 00:23:33,280 --> 00:23:33,760 Speaker 2: to go to work. 409 00:23:34,240 --> 00:23:38,200 Speaker 4: I'm by the way, and maybe we're gonna be sex, 410 00:23:39,119 --> 00:23:43,159 Speaker 4: but maybe my two wives of the professional exactly exactly. 411 00:23:43,480 --> 00:23:45,800 Speaker 2: But I think I think for us now it's kind 412 00:23:45,800 --> 00:23:48,760 Speaker 2: of like but also you can do all that and still, 413 00:23:49,240 --> 00:23:51,080 Speaker 2: well we've always had you. I'm sure you too. It's 414 00:23:51,119 --> 00:23:54,159 Speaker 2: just the same thing you never had, bullying or you know, 415 00:23:54,480 --> 00:23:57,240 Speaker 2: kind of bad bad stuff, you know, But now I 416 00:23:57,240 --> 00:24:00,679 Speaker 2: think it's everybody is just more conscious, everybody's more clear, 417 00:24:01,320 --> 00:24:03,439 Speaker 2: and you know, women have had a rough time in 418 00:24:03,520 --> 00:24:06,320 Speaker 2: restaurants for a long time. I was just expected of, 419 00:24:06,440 --> 00:24:07,840 Speaker 2: you know, So I think. 420 00:24:10,040 --> 00:24:13,600 Speaker 4: A couple of allowed to date with working them. 421 00:24:13,720 --> 00:24:15,800 Speaker 2: Yeah, I mean, I think. I think there's a rule 422 00:24:15,800 --> 00:24:18,639 Speaker 2: of the handbook that if you're in a having a 423 00:24:18,960 --> 00:24:23,240 Speaker 2: deep relationship, you need to report it to HR or something. 424 00:24:23,359 --> 00:24:26,400 Speaker 2: Just saying so we know, I would What I wouldn't 425 00:24:26,440 --> 00:24:29,840 Speaker 2: tolerate is people like tolerate. I'd be much more upset 426 00:24:29,880 --> 00:24:33,439 Speaker 2: if they were drinking. You know. I think alcohol and 427 00:24:33,520 --> 00:24:35,520 Speaker 2: work is not a great thing. You know, we work 428 00:24:35,640 --> 00:24:40,520 Speaker 2: in an environment where there's alcohol everywhere, and so that 429 00:24:40,800 --> 00:24:41,720 Speaker 2: I kind of have. 430 00:24:41,760 --> 00:24:45,800 Speaker 4: A bullets somebody I wasn't bullet Yeah. 431 00:24:49,280 --> 00:24:54,920 Speaker 2: I've had your sexes, Well we'll go for sex. An 432 00:24:54,920 --> 00:24:57,719 Speaker 2: open kitchen in the River Cafe means we as chefs 433 00:24:57,760 --> 00:25:00,640 Speaker 2: are able to talk to our guests dining in the restaurant, 434 00:25:01,040 --> 00:25:04,000 Speaker 2: and now we're bringing that same ethos to our podcast, 435 00:25:04,480 --> 00:25:07,200 Speaker 2: a question and answer episode with me and our two 436 00:25:07,280 --> 00:25:10,800 Speaker 2: executive chefs. Send a voice note with your question to 437 00:25:11,040 --> 00:25:15,560 Speaker 2: Questions at Rivercafe dot co dot uk and you might 438 00:25:15,680 --> 00:25:19,119 Speaker 2: just be our next great guest on Ruthie's Table four. 439 00:25:26,440 --> 00:25:29,520 Speaker 2: One of the few people that has one restaurant. Nobody 440 00:25:29,520 --> 00:25:29,800 Speaker 2: has one. 441 00:25:30,320 --> 00:25:32,600 Speaker 4: I'm thinking there was a great thing I wish I 442 00:25:32,680 --> 00:25:36,920 Speaker 4: did the same. I have one more restaurant forever, much 443 00:25:36,920 --> 00:25:38,000 Speaker 4: about much about. 444 00:25:37,800 --> 00:25:39,960 Speaker 2: It, But you've just opened one in Washington. 445 00:25:40,200 --> 00:25:42,960 Speaker 4: Because I have to have But no, I do because 446 00:25:43,000 --> 00:25:45,879 Speaker 4: I need the money, because it might do horses and 447 00:25:46,000 --> 00:25:49,639 Speaker 4: my health. I need money. But also I wanted to 448 00:25:49,960 --> 00:25:55,440 Speaker 4: make the chef Mandesa and partner, and I also the 449 00:25:55,720 --> 00:26:03,560 Speaker 4: gentleman reminded som in DC is actually owned by me 450 00:26:03,720 --> 00:26:08,480 Speaker 4: and the chepherd and the Yeah, but if it was, well. 451 00:26:08,440 --> 00:26:11,000 Speaker 2: I think that's the thing that you do feel. If 452 00:26:11,040 --> 00:26:14,359 Speaker 2: you grow, you can move people, you know in a 453 00:26:14,400 --> 00:26:17,399 Speaker 2: way that there they don't move here, and so it 454 00:26:17,440 --> 00:26:20,760 Speaker 2: gives people an opportunity to do more, gives you know, 455 00:26:20,840 --> 00:26:23,840 Speaker 2: people an opportunity to enjoy something more. 456 00:26:24,000 --> 00:26:30,359 Speaker 4: So there is that long when and to the firehouse. Yes, 457 00:26:30,440 --> 00:26:34,399 Speaker 4: ten years ago he told me that he asked you 458 00:26:34,600 --> 00:26:37,560 Speaker 4: to Yes, why didn't you do it? 459 00:26:37,720 --> 00:26:41,280 Speaker 2: I think there was just a point then that Rosa 460 00:26:41,400 --> 00:26:45,800 Speaker 2: just died and we love the site, Richard absolutely, you know, 461 00:26:46,160 --> 00:26:49,040 Speaker 2: he was ready to move in there, and I like Andrea. 462 00:26:49,320 --> 00:26:51,760 Speaker 2: And then I think what happened was that I realized 463 00:26:52,359 --> 00:26:56,680 Speaker 2: that it wouldn't be mine. It would be it would 464 00:26:56,720 --> 00:26:58,879 Speaker 2: it would be a step is. Andrea is such a force, 465 00:26:58,920 --> 00:27:02,080 Speaker 2: and he did it. Would you know you say you 466 00:27:02,200 --> 00:27:04,639 Speaker 2: regret now that I really regret not having gone to 467 00:27:04,680 --> 00:27:07,600 Speaker 2: the children, because it's such a beautiful place and it's 468 00:27:07,600 --> 00:27:10,320 Speaker 2: a great spirit, and he's great. But I think it 469 00:27:10,440 --> 00:27:12,080 Speaker 2: was just when he you know, I think there was 470 00:27:12,160 --> 00:27:15,439 Speaker 2: an idea that I couldn't control what the plates look like, 471 00:27:15,880 --> 00:27:18,919 Speaker 2: what the furniture would be. But it just there is 472 00:27:18,960 --> 00:27:22,679 Speaker 2: something having worked on my own that I wrote Andre, 473 00:27:24,119 --> 00:27:27,719 Speaker 2: a dear Andre letter. But we've remained great friends, and 474 00:27:27,760 --> 00:27:30,159 Speaker 2: then maybe we'll work together. I think he's done. He 475 00:27:30,320 --> 00:27:32,720 Speaker 2: knows how. I don't know how to start a restaurant. 476 00:27:33,000 --> 00:27:35,040 Speaker 2: I literally don't know how to. But that's why I 477 00:27:35,400 --> 00:27:41,680 Speaker 2: don't have you do no, no, don't you do? You do? Well? 478 00:27:41,680 --> 00:27:43,359 Speaker 2: Then how do you start a restaurant? 479 00:27:43,640 --> 00:27:43,879 Speaker 4: I know. 480 00:27:46,640 --> 00:27:50,000 Speaker 2: An argument? We won't those. 481 00:27:53,720 --> 00:27:58,400 Speaker 4: I can't say. That's when I always tried to sign 482 00:27:58,480 --> 00:28:03,040 Speaker 4: the lease quickly. I can don't have time to think 483 00:28:04,320 --> 00:28:04,960 Speaker 4: much about it. 484 00:28:06,200 --> 00:28:08,960 Speaker 2: I never Yeah, I got I got into that thing 485 00:28:09,040 --> 00:28:11,919 Speaker 2: because that my son said, just sign the lease and 486 00:28:11,960 --> 00:28:15,199 Speaker 2: you'll sort it out. I'll go, hell, you know, the money, 487 00:28:15,320 --> 00:28:18,439 Speaker 2: the architect, the investors. That's the other thing. Do you 488 00:28:18,480 --> 00:28:19,280 Speaker 2: have investors? 489 00:28:19,720 --> 00:28:24,199 Speaker 4: Yes, but nobody exactly would actually an investor in the 490 00:28:24,320 --> 00:28:30,120 Speaker 4: DC with me? It's okay, ever fun. I hate people from. 491 00:28:29,960 --> 00:28:36,960 Speaker 2: Marble horrible ideas because the way I talked and the 492 00:28:37,000 --> 00:28:41,120 Speaker 2: way I looved it's not exactly. If you look a 493 00:28:41,160 --> 00:28:43,880 Speaker 2: million dollars, yes you do, and I would give you 494 00:28:43,880 --> 00:28:46,680 Speaker 2: a million dollars, Yes you do. You probably asked this 495 00:28:46,760 --> 00:28:48,760 Speaker 2: question a lot. But do you give people advice when 496 00:28:48,760 --> 00:28:49,840 Speaker 2: they come to say. 497 00:28:50,520 --> 00:28:55,400 Speaker 4: No the advice? Never take advice from somebody. 498 00:28:57,080 --> 00:28:59,920 Speaker 2: I say, I do give one piece of advice, which 499 00:28:59,920 --> 00:29:01,000 Speaker 2: I think maybe is it? 500 00:29:01,240 --> 00:29:01,440 Speaker 4: Maybe? 501 00:29:02,080 --> 00:29:02,240 Speaker 2: Is it? 502 00:29:02,360 --> 00:29:02,560 Speaker 4: Yeah? 503 00:29:02,640 --> 00:29:06,120 Speaker 2: Like don't take advice? But also maybe start small? Maybe 504 00:29:07,000 --> 00:29:10,360 Speaker 2: maybe Do you think starting small it's not a bad idea, 505 00:29:11,240 --> 00:29:13,520 Speaker 2: but if you go to open some huge thing, it's 506 00:29:13,560 --> 00:29:17,959 Speaker 2: such a I've always kind of grown talk about food, 507 00:29:18,040 --> 00:29:21,120 Speaker 2: as you know, having fun the way you and I do, 508 00:29:21,240 --> 00:29:24,080 Speaker 2: and getting people to cook and getting people to eat 509 00:29:24,160 --> 00:29:26,280 Speaker 2: and giving people meals and not. 510 00:29:26,480 --> 00:29:28,680 Speaker 4: Charging loved it, loved it. 511 00:29:28,680 --> 00:29:31,520 Speaker 2: What's nicer in life? You know? I Richard had that though. 512 00:29:31,800 --> 00:29:34,360 Speaker 2: I used to have a phrase like if in doubt 513 00:29:35,000 --> 00:29:37,240 Speaker 2: do it? You know, because sometimes a way to who 514 00:29:37,240 --> 00:29:40,520 Speaker 2: should eat this person is here? Yes, you know, do it? 515 00:29:40,600 --> 00:29:40,920 Speaker 2: Do it? 516 00:29:41,120 --> 00:29:41,840 Speaker 4: Nothing to lose? 517 00:29:41,960 --> 00:29:42,560 Speaker 2: Why why not? 518 00:29:42,880 --> 00:29:43,120 Speaker 4: Yeah? 519 00:29:43,280 --> 00:29:46,360 Speaker 2: Know, we're the same. And so I think that if 520 00:29:46,400 --> 00:29:49,479 Speaker 2: all that is giving joy and making people happy and 521 00:29:49,520 --> 00:29:51,880 Speaker 2: cooking great food and serving it in a way that 522 00:29:52,000 --> 00:29:55,280 Speaker 2: makes them want to eat and stay, we also sometimes 523 00:29:55,320 --> 00:29:58,320 Speaker 2: need food for comfort. And I'm sure over the last 524 00:29:58,400 --> 00:30:01,800 Speaker 2: year since you had your jokes that you want food 525 00:30:02,200 --> 00:30:04,200 Speaker 2: as comfort. Is there a food that you would go 526 00:30:04,320 --> 00:30:08,880 Speaker 2: to for comform And this is our last question. Is 527 00:30:08,880 --> 00:30:11,080 Speaker 2: there something you love from your childhood or that you 528 00:30:11,160 --> 00:30:14,160 Speaker 2: remembers Prie Mash? Is it? 529 00:30:14,680 --> 00:30:14,880 Speaker 4: Yeah? 530 00:30:16,000 --> 00:30:17,640 Speaker 2: Do you have it when you come back to London? 531 00:30:18,480 --> 00:30:19,440 Speaker 2: What do you like about it? 532 00:30:19,480 --> 00:30:25,040 Speaker 4: A little liquor that greens to her sauce. It's called liquor. 533 00:30:26,520 --> 00:30:27,160 Speaker 2: And what is it? 534 00:30:27,800 --> 00:30:33,480 Speaker 4: Partially I don't know about partly based source. 535 00:30:34,360 --> 00:30:36,440 Speaker 2: Well, thank you, Keith, this has been a great time. 536 00:30:36,880 --> 00:30:44,640 Speaker 1: Love you, Thank you for listening to Ruthie's Table four 537 00:30:45,120 --> 00:30:46,560 Speaker 1: in partnership with Montclair