Spotted! Gordon Ramsay dining (and tipping decently) at the Black Hoof
If you’ve ever wondered just how devoted the Black Hoof is to its no-reservations policy, consider this: when chef-owner Grant van Gameren was tipped off that Gordon Ramsay was on his way over, van Gameren didn’t guarantee a table. Lucky for Ramsay, there was one available. “We let him order off the menu,” van Gameren tells us. “We didn’t do anything super-special for him. We like to treat everyone the same.”
The celeb chef apparently stayed a few hours, sipping local wines and dining on scallops and bone marrow, uni carbonara pasta, a tongue and brioche sandwich and, of course, charcuterie. “He said it was some of the best charcuterie he’s ever tasted,” van Gameren says.
True to his reputation, Ramsay took a look inside the kitchen and offered his advice: get it extended. Otherwise, van Gameren says the celebrity chef was charming, laid-back and, despite what you may have heard about his finances, a great tipper.
 at the Black Hoof&picture=https://torontolife.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/Ramsay-Black-Hoof.jpg&description=[caption id="attachment_47182" align="aligncenter" width="655" caption="Gordon Ramsay poses for a photo with Black Hoof staffers last night (Image: Grant van Gameren)"][/caption]
If you’ve ever wondered just how devoted the Black Hoof is to its no-reservations policy, consider this: when chef-owner Grant van Gameren was tipped off that Gordon Ramsay was on his way over, van Gameren didn’t guarantee a table. Lucky for Ramsay, there was one available. “We let him order off the menu,” van Gameren tells us. “We didn’t do anything super-special for him. We like to treat everyone the same.”
The celeb chef apparently stayed a few hours, sipping local wines and dining on scallops and bone marrow, uni carbonara pasta, a tongue and brioche sandwich and, of course, charcuterie. “He said it was some of the best charcuterie he’s ever tasted,” van Gameren says.
True to his reputation, Ramsay took a look inside the kitchen and offered his advice: get it extended. Otherwise, van Gameren says the celebrity chef was charming, laid-back and, despite what you may have heard about his finances, a great tipper.){kind=link}
Even tipping 100% wont break his piggy bank any more than its broken. Get over yourself HOOF! Remember there is a 50% upside to his pound.
Thats pretty pompus to say, well since we have no reservation policy…Like really! If I were to read something like this I would spit on the plate and go over to the Mitzy sisters otr something. Forget him being Gordon Ramsay remember he is also a Chef a respected Chef and as what I know as a brotherhood(sister also) of Chefs a chair should be made available.
While I worked in Europe I was always given something extra and I am just a Chef nothing special nobody out of this world, Every resturant I visited I was met by the Chef we would usually talk about food and how we are in Toronto…This is the arrogance that surrounds our city. Fuck Chef Gordon even gave you a compliment and you almost didn’t give him a seat………………
Culinerd, good of you to be insulted on Ramsay’s behalf. Judging by the collegial photo above, he seems to have forgotten to be aggrieved himself.
I am sure they didn’t state to him well Gordon you almost didn’t get a seat here. Its the whole of the words. I understand the order off the menu thing, why make special food when you have a great menu. Fantastic menu at that. Its more of a just saying kinda thing. I am sure in your Job(Andrew) that if someone who was respected in your field were to come by you would take care of them.
Wow. Toronto has a good restaurant called the Black Hoof. Congrats. You should be sooooooooooooooo proud of yourselves. Just so you know, no one else cares.
Wow Culinerd, who pissed in your bone marrow and fois gras infused cheerios this morning?
How would you like to bet that the staff of the black hoof fell over themselves for him and that the owner sat with him and chatted over the whole meal?
Now, flip the position, what do you think Gordon Ramsay would say to a owner about what he should say about Ramsay attending his restraun? I doubt Chef Ramsay could be more proud of a owner than he would be if he read the comments above. I’m not saying that he did tell them to say what they did (who ever the blogger spoke to at the hoof), just that they understood what should be said.
All of this aside, I know at least 2 well known chef’s in Toronto who regularly go there and have referred to it as a “chefs and foodies sort of place”, they have great, very original food.
BD I never once said the food wasn’t good, I wouldn’t even think twice of putting down what they create and serve. Shit, if they delivered my life would be that much more happy lol.
Maybe the staff did and I am sure the Chef sat with him also.
I would be proud to have had Gordon in my own restaurant and believe me I am sure Black Hoof has organized kitchen and a clean fridge(smart ass remark to kitchen nightmares) But to start what the blogger wrote in this was wrong of them to do. My words maybe mistaken. I speak of no reservations and no seating. Not the food…Lets leave the food out of this. I know plenty of Chefs who frequent there also, It is a place were someone who enjoys food at a different can go and enjoy things differently not found on other menus, I also bow my hat to all the love they put in.
Culinerd is right. The Black Hoof has OK food but they need to loose the attiude.
I agree with Culinerd’s comments, The Black Hoof creates amazing dishes, the food is fantastic, but they certainly have an attitude problem. Gordon Ramsay is one of the best chef’s in the world and of all the restaurants opted to dine at theirs, you’re damn right you’re going to make a table available! Lose the attitude Black Hoof.
Went to the Hoof last night, Jamie Oliver was dinning there, look likes British celeb chefs must love this place.
so they are willing to maybe not seat the legend but theyre happy to get pictures with him, let them be posted and take all his compliments and helpful advice?
Love seeing people this full of sh*t
I don’t think they were being cocky… they were sticking to their policy of not taking reservations. If they had reserved a table especially for Chef Ramsey, then all the complaints on this post would be that he has a no reservations policy unless it’s for a VIP.. Kudos and congratulations to The Black Hoof for being a successful restaurant on their own terms!
Ya, they read about Black Hoof in Enroute magazine on the flight over and wanted to see what the buzz was about.
Who cares about Gordon Ramsay, any way? There are far more interesting chefs working in the U.K. than him, he’s a corporate chef, with way too many restaurants now…
Exactly!….. Who gives a shit about Ramsay! What a GREEDY PONCE. Cheers to Black Hoof if they serve good food. However, if I were a restaurant owner, I definitely would not want to associate my name with Ramsay’s. FUCK OFF AND GO HOME RAMSAY!!!
TL you could have at least fixed the red eye in the photo before publishing.
Understand one simple thing! No reservations is their policy. Dont like it? dont eat there. Why should it they change it for Gordon or anyone else. You think he really would have cared if he showed up and had to wait? No because he publicist who called to make a reservation in the first place would have told Gordon and if he felt so offended he wouldnt have shown up in the first place. Black Hoof doesnt need an attitude adjustment, I think its the people who are commenting about “their better be a table for him, its Gordon Ramsay!, they should feel honoured”. Of course they felt honoured and so did he. If its one thing Gordon respects its standards and being unique to the market. Cheers to both.
Agreed – who gives a S*&^ about Gordon Ramsey – and I wish he’d stop trying to sell his low class to Toronto…
Y’all seem to care about him the way you’re all ranting. Great seeing all the ranting! Keep up the good drama!
sure the black hoof is great, but i’ve been there plenty and i have a feeling
that a table WAS set aside for him, but the ultra cool hipsters at BH just don’t want to say so. call it attitude, but i doubt they’d turn him away. just saying.
Wow, seems pretty obvious that some people here have a problem with the Hoof’s policy. Gordon *did* get seated, and *did* eat off the menu, tweeted positively about it, and then, when he had a radio interview on 980, talked about how wonderful it was.
Jeebus, some people have their noses out of joint for no reason.
I’ve always had a great time at the Hoof.
To set the record straight I sent Gordon to The Black Hoof. Gordon and I were involved with a private event, after wards Gordon indicated he wanted to go to The Hoof but couldn’t get through on the phone; I phoned & luckily got Grant; I let him know Gordon wanted to come for dinner. Grant was thrilled. Gordon “hoofed” it over there and had a fine time.
For those who have met Ramsay you will know he is completely different than the TV personality.
Kudos to him for going to The Black Hoof, he could have stayed in his hotel room.
what does this set straight?
Setting the record straight that Gordon went to The Black Hoof without a reservation but as a courtesy to Grant I gave him the heads up that Gordon was coming.
What a buzz I created I was at the hoof the other evening mmmmmmm is all I must say. CookBook Store btw I really enjoy shopping there.
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Wow. Toronto has a good restaurant called the Black Hoof. Congrats. You should be sooooooooooooooo proud of yourselves. Just so you know, no one else cares.
November 17, 2010 at 9:51 am | by mattagascar ”
You obviously do care.
Oh, get over yourself already commenters! GR WANTS to order from the menu and without fanfare. He WANTS to test the joint out. It’s like your mother inlaw showing up at the front door and you don’t want her to come in ’cause you’ve dirty dishes in the whatever. Gordon Ramsay is one of the top minds in the business. I’d love to share a meal with him but not in Toronto.