Proving that, regardless of accolades and fame, no noted chef is safe, Michael Bauer nixed the Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton today from the esteemed four-star club. In fact, he downgraded it to 2.5 stars. Gulp. Bauer proclaims:
For a chef at this level, there is no coasting, no resting on his or her laurels, because the dining public is fickle and there’s always someone to challenge his or her ability. This is why, I’m sorry to say, the Dining Room at the Ritz-Carlton is no longer a four-star experience. The chef, Ron Siegel, is multitalented; otherwise he would not have earned four stars in the first place. But on a recent visit, the restaurant seemed to be on autopilot.I was so disappointed I returned and tried the eight-course tasting menu ($135), which I hoped would showcase the chef’s ability. It was better, but at a restaurant of this caliber, there should be little or no difference in the quality of the menus.
This seven remaining four-star gems in the Bay Area: Chez Panisse, Coi, Cyrus, French Laundry, La Folie, Manresa, and Meadowood.
If you recall, SFist reviewed Siegel's "Small Bottles / Small Bites" at the Ritz Bar to glowing reviews back in 2009. (Then again, we wouldn't mind an In-N-Out and Happy Donut hybrid on each city block, so: grain of salt.) However, Bauer's word, at least in this town, is the word.
Do you agree with his latest assessment of an Iron Chef champion's fare? Can you think of any other restaurants and/or chefs that also deserve a critical deflation? Discuss in the comments.
