The Restaurant.

Sergeant

Abroad at the moment, and I decided I'd watch this on the RTE Player International. What a hilariously awful, and therefore unmissable show. I don't think I've cringed as much in quite some time.

It had everything, the extremely camp and annoyingly over the top gay man, the dreadful members of the public saying things like "It's definitely a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc" and "The salmon wasn't smoked in-house" in some throwback to the bullshít of the Celtic Tiger. The dramatic music when the likeable Paulo discovers that his Parma ham is rancid. And to top it all off, it has the insufferable Tom Doorley as a judge.

I'm now hooked. Anyone else in the same boat?

SEPT 23 1989

Sergeant wrote: »

Abroad at the moment, and I decided I'd watch this on the RTE Player International. What a hilariously awful, and therefore unmissable show. I don't think I've cringed as much in quite some time.

It had everything, the extremely camp and annoyingly over the top gay man, the dreadful members of the public saying things like "It's definitely a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc" and "The salmon wasn't smoked in-house" in some throwback to the bullshít of the Celtic Tiger. The dramatic music when the likeable Paulo discovers that his Parma ham is rancid. And to top it all off, it has the insufferable Tom Doorley as a judge.

I'm now hooked. Anyone else in the same boat?

Im addicted to the moronic comments from the rest of the diners:D

Basq

It's the food version of 'The View'.. bunch of pretentious windbags rattling on about that "chocolate sauce was positively ghastly"

It's addictive, but not for the right reasons.

And the diners who think they're fecking grade-A food critics.. "the white wine sauce is quite tart.. it could have been countered with some capers and a splash of honey".

:rolleyes:

Haruki

Good enough show. But yeah, the diners ! Where do they find them ? Pompous gits. Anyone know if they pay for the meals ?
Oh and Tom Doorley is a bit of a plank, but Paolo just about gets away with it.

Elmo

I have to say I quite like this show. But then I like food shows, even the pretentious gits on Masterchef.

Lady Chatterton

Sergeant wrote: »

Abroad at the moment, and I decided I'd watch this on the RTE Player International. What a hilariously awful, and therefore unmissable show. I don't think I've cringed as much in quite some time.

It had everything, the extremely camp and annoyingly over the top gay man, the dreadful members of the public saying things like "It's definitely a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc" and "The salmon wasn't smoked in-house" in some throwback to the bullshít of the Celtic Tiger. The dramatic music when the likeable Paulo discovers that his Parma ham is rancid. And to top it all off, it has the insufferable Tom Doorley as a judge.

I'm now hooked. Anyone else in the same boat?

I love this show but if you watch enough episodes, you will see that Tom Doorley waits for everyone to give their opinion and then he echoes exactly what they say. I also love that he is the wine expert that almost always gets the wine wrong. If he says it is a Pinot Noir, you can be sure that it is actually a Shiraz, it is entertaining all the same. Doorley and Tulio are to the restaurant what Waldorf and Statler are to the Muppet Show

Colmo52

I like when the diners are saying 'this wine is definately spanish,maybe portuguese'

Then Moncrieff says ' Its a South African Wine'


FAIL

Basq

And every time I see an episode - it seems to be either Amanda "42 Kids" Brunker, Ray "Laugh like a Tommy Gun" D'Arcy or Daithi "I'd Fecking Rattle Ya" O Se.

That or another broadsheet journalist who we quickly skip over when we see their columns in the paper (a la Fiona Looney).

JonathanAnon

Sergeant wrote: »

It had everything, the extremely camp and annoyingly over the top gay man,

First of all... LEAVE FRANCIS ALONE... he's a sound man...

the dreadful members of the public saying things like "It's definitely a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc" and "The salmon wasn't smoked in-house" in some throwback to the bullshít of the Celtic Tiger.

The public are like the characters from one of Ross O'Carroll Kelly's plays... like sooooooooo middle class... Trying to pretend they know what vineyard the wine came from :eek: .... would ye F********K off..

Heroditas

MrsD007 wrote: »

I also love that he is the wine expert that almost always gets the wine wrong. If he says it is a Pinot Noir, you can be sure that it is actually a Shiraz, it is entertaining all the same.

He ain't the wine expert in the Irish Times anymore. He just reviews restaurants now I think.
I wonder if "madam" changed his role after he constantly got it wrong on TV.

IvySlayer

I quite like this show, but please stop putting on people from RTE.

Although my favourite quote is always 'I dunno, it taste a bit..Coronation Street..'

Aidric

JonathanAnon wrote: »

First of all... LEAVE FRANCIS ALONE... he's a sound man...

Ehh, this thread is about The Restaurant.

JonathanAnon

Aidric wrote: »

Ehh, this thread is about The Restaurant.

Eh, who exactly did you think the guest chef was ?

http://www.rte.ie/player/#v=1091081

Maybe just once before giving one of your now predictable, sarcastic, smart - arse responses to my posts... you might research what you are talking about?

Aidric

I assumed the OP was referring to the Maitre'D John Healy as opposed to guest chef Francis Brennan. If it was the other way round then I'll happily stand corrected.

neil_18_

MrsD007 wrote: »

I love this show but if you watch enough episodes, you will see that Tom Doorley waits for everyone to give their opinion and then he echoes exactly what they say. I also love that he is the wine expert that almost always gets the wine wrong. If he says it is a Pinot Noir, you can be sure that it is actually a Shiraz, it is entertaining all the same. Doorley and Tulio are to the restaurant what Waldorf and Statler are to the Muppet Show

I always notice this too! He waits to see what the special guest critic says and he just agrees with him/her!

lempsipmax

MrsD007 wrote: »

I love this show but if you watch enough episodes, you will see that Tom Doorley waits for everyone to give their opinion and then he echoes exactly what they say. I also love that he is the wine expert that almost always gets the wine wrong. If he says it is a Pinot Noir, you can be sure that it is actually a Shiraz, it is entertaining all the same. Doorley and Tulio are to the restaurant what Waldorf and Statler are to the Muppet Show

Me too, its hilarious, watching his sneaky little eyes, trying to get an early read on the other reactions before echoing the opinions.

Paulo is a genuinely unaffected and nice guy. His toddler physique and tendency to hold his spoon/fork like a child learning to use cutlery are endearing.

Sean Moncreiffs voiceover is great, pokes just the right amount of fun at proceedings.

From the first time I saw it I thought the format was excellent, it has it all. Celebrity, Food, a live service, hidden cameras, the pretentious diners, pretentious menu, guess the wine, guess the chef, the staff, the voice over, the reveal and the star rating. I am slightly baffled as to why it has not travelled to the UK/US. Its a fast moving format with no real slack.

JonathanAnon

I agree it's a good format for a show... I would change just a couple of things..

- the show needs to be longer, or else cut out the break... not a full hour maybe 30-40 full minutes..
- the whole "identify the wine" bit doesnt really work..

Elmo

The special get a full hour. 5 star V 5 star, 1 Star V 1 star etc.

It has travel to Italy.

D1976

Originally Posted by MrsD007
I love this show but if you watch enough episodes, you will see that Tom Doorley waits for everyone to give their opinion and then he echoes exactly what they say. I also love that he is the wine expert that almost always gets the wine wrong. If he says it is a Pinot Noir, you can be sure that it is actually a Shiraz, it is entertaining all the same. Doorley and Tulio are to the restaurant what Waldorf and Statler are to the Muppet Show

lempsipmax wrote: »

Me too, its hilarious, watching his sneaky little eyes, trying to get an early read on the other reactions before echoing the opinions.

Paulo is a genuinely unaffected and nice guy. His toddler physique and tendency to hold his spoon/fork like a child learning to use cutlery are endearing.

Sean Moncreiffs voiceover is great, pokes just the right amount of fun at proceedings.

From the first time I saw it I thought the format was excellent, it has it all. Celebrity, Food, a live service, hidden cameras, the pretentious diners, pretentious menu, guess the wine, guess the chef, the staff, the voice over, the reveal and the star rating. I am slightly baffled as to why it has not travelled to the UK/US. Its a fast moving format with no real slack.

This is absolutely amazing, I thought I was on my own on this one. You can see his beady eyes waiting on Paolo and the guest judge to comment. And why do the goons getting their free meal cheer each other on when they get it right that it's a man or a woman in fairness there's a 50-50 chance it's one or the other

Poor Craythur

I know this thread is old, mods, but it's relevant!

Been watching this on RTÉ Player.

Gotta agree with everyone that the diner comments are the best part!

But another thing: I can't believe how patronising many of the "celebs" are to the kitchen staff! Watching the one with some magazine publisher now - what a twunt!

I like Paolo though, he's sound.

Mr E

Speaking of Paulo, his food segment on Moncrief's radio show on Newstalk is really good (3pm today)

Callan57

Why don't they get Paulo or Tom to cook ... I'd love to see how they would do especially if Helen Lucy was the critic (skin & hair would fly)

Agree though the diners comments are often the best part especially the night the couple were clearly having a right row ... talk about a frigid atmosphere.

Poor Craythur

I've been reading Paolo's reviews for years. I think it's interesting to contrast his demeanour with that of Irish (and British) food critics. In Italy, good food is a way of life across all socio-economic groups. Here, it's seen as a way to display your bourgeoisie credentials.

Callan57 wrote: »

Why don't they get Paulo or Tom to cook ... I'd love to see how they would do especially if Helen Lucy was the critic (skin & hair would fly)

I think Paolo actually is an ex-chef and restaurant owner. No idea about Tom Doorley though.

Elmo

Poor Craythur wrote: »

I think Paolo actually is an ex-chef and restaurant owner. No idea about Tom Doorley though.

What was that 1990's food show with Clare McKeon, surely that is enough credentials.

cafecreme

D1976 wrote: »

Originally Posted by MrsD007
I love this show but if you watch enough episodes, you will see that Tom Doorley waits for everyone to give their opinion and then he echoes exactly what they say. I also love that he is the wine expert that almost always gets the wine wrong. If he says it is a Pinot Noir, you can be sure that it is actually a Shiraz, it is entertaining all the same. Doorley and Tulio are to the restaurant what Waldorf and Statler are to the Muppet Show






This is absolutely amazing, I thought I was on my own on this one. You can see his beady eyes waiting on Paolo and the guest judge to comment. And why do the goons getting their free meal cheer each other on when they get it right that it's a man or a woman in fairness there's a 50-50 chance it's one or the other

I'm watching the 5 star cook-off with A Brunker and Fintan O Toole, but had to echo these opinions on Doorley-he knows nothing about food or wine, a total blagger who wants to be AA Gill. The show would be so much better without him and his stainless steel palate. I'd much prefer Amanda's menu although Fintans tobelrone cheesecake looks very tempting, Doorley cant even tell that its baked and doesnt appear to know what a millefeuille should taste like He must be related to somebody in RTE.

steelcityblues

A show that has Celtic Tiger syndrome all over it, and should no longer be on prime time television, but what do RTE know 95% of the time?

Wertz

D4 food snobs, Z list celebrities and RTÉ production values... a perfect recipe for scrumptiously atrocious viewing. I'd prefer to watch my own feet being fricaseed.

Elmo

steelcityblues wrote: »

A show that has Celtic Tiger syndrome all over it, and should no longer be on prime time television, but what do RTE know 95% of the time?

Sure all reality TV has Celtic Tiger syndrome, I would call it Reality TV Syndrome or shallow people thinking they might be it ..... someday

Wertz wrote: »

D4 food snobs, Z list celebrities and RTÉ production values... a perfect recipe for scrumptiously atrocious viewing. I'd prefer to watch my own feet being fricaseed.

I disagree I am the first to criticize production values and I will agree they need more mics on the tables, otherwise its quite a good show.

I enjoy food shows and as a "celebrity" driven show I never got the impression oh! here are the celebrities aren't they amazing, rather here are a few familiar faces becoming chefs for the day.

I think they should do a non-celebrity version of the show. Builder V Builder, Farmer V Farmer etc.

RadioRetro

cafecreme wrote: »

Doorley-he knows nothing about food or wine, a total blagger who wants to be AA Gill.

Agree. I and a mate (who's a bit of wine snob) were at a wine tasting he held at a food fair during the Wexford Opera Festival a few years ago. Part of the session went like this, everyone's sampling a red of some sort;

Doorley; So, what springs to mind on tasting this nice variety?

Mate; Mushy peas!

Doorley; EXACTLY! (waffles for a bit about mushy peas and why they're present on the palate).

I got no hint of peas, mushy or otherwise. I did get a strong taste of bullcrap though.

HamsterFace

Dunno why no one posts on this thread, I really like the show!

Anyway, I just searched for this thread as I notice that Paulo Tulio really isn't looking great, anyone know if he has been ill?

The Black Oil

iirc, he was on the Miriam O' Callaghan TV show a while back about organ donation. From personal experience, I think.

My name is URL

The guest judge comes across as a proper dickhead

HamsterFace

My name is URL wrote: »

The guest judge comes across as a proper dickhead

Totally

honeybear

Was hoping she'd get a 5. She seemed to get on great with the kitchen and her food went down very well.

liam7831

I would give her 1

My name is URL

HamsterFace wrote: »

Anyway, I just searched for this thread as I notice that Paulo Tulio really isn't looking great, anyone know if he has been ill?

The Black Oil wrote: »

iirc, he was on the Miriam O' Callaghan TV show a while back about organ donation. From personal experience, I think.

That's John Healy, the Maitre'D. He had a heart transplant a couple of years ago.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/healthandlife/yourhealth/gift-of-life-for-tv-star-on-the-brink-209025.html

The Black Oil

Kidney trouble for Paolo, by the sounds of it.

http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/books/paolo-the-new-chapters-in-my-life-after-i-cheated-death-29364107.html

Thargor

HamsterFace wrote: »

Dunno why no one posts on this thread, I really like the show!

Anyway, I just searched for this thread as I notice that Paulo Tulio really isn't looking great, anyone know if he has been ill?

I wonder that aswell, its one of the best home produced shows, pure cringe.

Marco Pierre White last week was one of the most pretentious d1ckheads they've ever had on as guest judge.

Ireland must be the only country in the world that would have the woman who does the autopsies on murder victims on as a "celebrity"

My name is URL

Kidney trouble for Paolo, by the sounds of it.

http://www.independent.ie/entertainm...-29364107.html

jaysus.. never knew that about Tulio. Healy was definitely on the radio recently talking about his heart transplant but it could have been another show rather than Miriam's.

I listen to Moncrieff all the time and Paulo does be on every Thursday.. I don't recall it ever been mentioned there. All he ever talks about is indulging himself and heady trips to Italy so it's not entirely surprising either.

earlytobed

It's a slightly different format this time, with Aldi and their products featuring heavily (the reality of commercial TV). The "Mutton dressed as lamb" diners are given enough rope to hang themselves which is funny and goes well with Moncrieff's commentary.
Occasionally I will be inspired to look up a recipe

somesoldiers

My name is URL wrote: »

jaysus.. never knew that about Tulio. Healy was definitely on the radio recently talking about his heart transplant but it could have been another show rather than Miriam's.

I listen to Moncrieff all the time and Paulo does be on every Thursday.. I don't recall it ever been mentioned there. All he ever talks about is indulging himself and heady trips to Italy so it's not entirely surprising either.

Yeah john had a show last year on RTE that followed him while he was waiting for his transplant- came across as a very nice man.

I agreed it is a bit over-Aldied but I suppose it's better than not having it. A bit like the bake off where we would have Sophise Morris giving baking tips, she's quite easy on the eye so didn't mind that too much.

Celebrity Pathologists was a bit eerie alright, surely her standing in society should put her above shows like this and I heard on the radio that TV3 were gettng some stick for advertising her episode as "makes grave decisions in the kitchen" or something. Where next, The Jungle or The Big Brother House?

Whatever about Marco Pierre at least he is a legend in the cookery world and gave proper credit where it was due, as for that other lad last night I'd never heard of him and thought he was a fool, was he actually a bit drunk by the end of it, seemed to be skulling the wine?

One thing I don't get is why they have turned the arrival of the guests into some sort of red carpet event, seems a bit OTT

next week Sharon Shannon does vegan, can't see that going down well

Go Harvey Go

Have there been any other home-grown programmes that have started on RTE and then moved to TV3, or vice versa (not counting sports coverage)?

If so, then it's more than likely that they can be counted on the fingers of one hand...

somesoldiers

Go Harvey Go wrote: »

Have there been any other programmes that have started on RTE and then moved to TV3, or vice versa?

If so, then it's more than likely that they can be counted on the fingers of one hand...

Good question, damn can't think of any off hand hopefully someone will be able to. I'd imagine the traffic would be all one way though RTE -> TV3

Elmo

somesoldiers wrote: »

Good question, damn can't think of any off hand hopefully someone will be able to. I'd imagine the traffic would be all one way though RTE -> TV3

Only one I can think of is The Zoo which started on TV3 and moved to RTÉ

paulbok

Go Harvey Go wrote: »

Have there been any other programmes that have started on RTE and then moved to TV3, or vice versa?

If so, then it's more than likely that they can be counted on the fingers of one hand...

Certain sports coverage, but thats a bt of a cheat.

Coronation St

GBXI

Have to say it's a great programme. Nice format, interesting to see what meals the celebs come up with and what they're like in the kitchen. And the diners, as someone said above, like they were taken straight out of a Ross O'Carroll Kelly novel!

drugstore cowboy

The punters that fill the room are some bluffers!!

Go Harvey Go

Elmo wrote: »

Only one I can think of is The Zoo which started on TV3 and moved to RTÉ

*does some Googling*

TV3 aired the first series of The Zoo in 2010, before RTE picked the show up without many people noticing.

Since then, of course, it's had some success abroad.

Missed opportunity for the folks at Ballymount, perhaps?

paulbok wrote: »

Certain sports coverage, but thats a bt of a cheat.

Coronation St

I should have asked, "Have there been any other home-grown programmes?" and added at the end, "not counting sports coverage"...

So I'll edit my original question accordingly.

Sunny Dayz

Kinda like that the are posting up some of the recipes for the show.


I made the bread & butter pudding 2 weeks ago and it went down that well that my son asked for it to be made again last weekend and my mum looked for the recipe.


Where on earth do they find these diners from?! They come across as such idiots! They really like the sound of their own voices. And what's with the whole red carpet, pose for photos with them?! Have to admit, there was one guy on last night and I was convinced he was an old boss of mine but the woman he was with was not his wife. Even my husband said is that *him*, before I even said it. But when I inspected closer and heard his voice, it wasn't him. :P

Elmo

Go Harvey Go wrote: »

*does some Googling*

TV3 aired the first series of The Zoo in 2010, before RTE picked the show up without many people noticing.

Find don't beleive me Clearly the only person who noticed

Go Harvey Go

Elmo wrote: »

Find don't beleive me Clearly the only person who noticed

What makes you think I didn't believe you?

I just wanted to do some Googling to see how long The Zoo aired on TV3 before it moved to RTE.

And it is true that not many people noticed when it made the move (besides of course the broadcasters, the production team, the Dublin Zoo staff and the folks at sponsor EBS).

Whatever about presenters moving from the commercial broadcaster to the state-owned one (and vice versa), I don't think there's ever been a case where a programme has made such a move amid a blaze of publicity.

Indeed, there wasn't much publicity surrounding The Restaurant's move...