Clinton turned away from Oliver

The Age ^ | September 19, 2003

[demlosers]

Even being a former president of the United States isn't enough to guarantee a table at Jamie Oliver's landmark London restaurant Fifteen, it appears.

Bill Clinton was turned away from the television chef's restaurant because it was full and staff refused to bump other patrons with a booking, it was reported.

Fifteen, which is staffed by rookie chefs recruited and trained by Oliver in the television program Jamie's Kitchen, is so popular diners have to book three months in advance.

The former US president wanted to visit the restaurant during a recent visit to London and a staff member rang Fifteen on a Thursday, seeking a booking for the following Saturday night.

"It was impossible because that's the restaurant's busiest night," an unnamed staff member told British newspaper The Daily Mirror.

"It would have meant cancelling a booking of other guests who made reservations weeks ago and that just wouldn't be fair.

"If we're full we're full, and there's nothing that can be done about it - even if it is for the former president of the United States."

Fifteen is booked out at night until 2004.

A spokesman for Oliver confirmed that Clinton had been turned away.

"Jamie was sorry the restaurant was unable to accommodate Mr Clinton, but his attitude was c'est la vie," he said.

"Mr Clinton is of course more than welcome to come back at any time but he will have to give the restaurant a bit more notice."

[demlosers]

The Mirror - UK
9-18-3



Most restaurateurs would fall over themselves to get a former US President at one of their tables - but not down-to-earth Jamie Oliver.

The mockney geezer proved that the words, "Don't you know who I am?" will never cut any ice at his restaurant, Fifteen, by turning away none other than Bill Clinton.

Clinton, 57, visited London earlier this year and decided he wanted to try some top quality contemporary British grub.

And what place better to do so than at 28-year-old Jamie's Old Street restaurant which is staffed by rookie chefs trained by the pukka chap himself?

With prices of around £60 a head for three courses and wine, it was well within the ex-Pres's budget, so his people got on to Jamie's people to book a table for 12.

But there was a slight hitch - the millionaire kitchen wizard's eaterie is proving so popular that punters have to reserve a table three months in advance.

An insider at the restaurant reveals: "Everyone was grinning from ear to ear when we took the call." And they were equally chuffed when the management stuck to their guns and decided not bounce another booking to make room for Bill and his pals.

"Clinton's people called on a Thursday wanting a booking for the following Saturday," explains one of Jamie's staff.

"It was impossible because that's the restaurant's busiest night. He also wanted a booking for 12 people and we can only accommodate parties of eight."

Clinton was adamant he wanted to try out the East London diner and begged them to squeeze his party in somehow - but all to no avail.

"It would have meant cancelling a booking of other guests who made reservations weeks ago and that just wouldn't be fair," our insider explains.

"He was told that if he wanted to come back in future he should remember to book a table well in advance.

"If we're full, we're full, and there's nothing that can be done about it - even if it is for the former President of the United States."

Staff at the restaurant say Clinton isn't the first A-list celeb to have been turned away. "We've had others call up and trot out the 'do you know who I am?' line when we explain that you can't just expect to get a table here because you may be well-known," our source reveals.

"We're not here to bend to famous people's whims. We're here to serve good food to people who like good food - nothing more, nothing less."

A spokesman for Jamie confirmed that Clinton had been turned away by the restaurant.

He said last night: "Jamie was sorry the restaurant was unable to accommodate Bill Clinton, but his attitude was c'est la vie.

"Mr Clinton is, of course, more than welcome to come back at any time but he will have to give the restaurant a bit more notice."

But if Bill still wants to sample some of Jamie's pukka tucker, he'd better get in quick.

There's not one evening reservation to be had until 2004.

We can only hope Billy kicked back and lit up a cigar in commiseration...

[Steve Eisenberg]

No decent politician is going to want to inconvenience patrons at booked restaurants. I remember that the first President Bush, in office, used to like to go to a suburban Virginia Chinese restaurant in part because it was never crowded so he and his entourage could pop in without bothering anyone.

[OldFriend]

There's class, as in the Bush family, and then there's CRASS, as in the grifters and their sycophants.

[Humidston]

I love watching Jamie (Naked Chef) Oliver on the Food Channel and I'm DELIGHTED to know he told Boy Bill to pound sand. Now I love him more!

[Eric in the Ozarks]

"...top quality British grub..."

[DoughtyOne]

Heh, heh, heh... life is so tough for Bill. Waaaaaaaa...

[dagnabbit]

Actually the owner didn't think he had time enough to get plastic "sink-liners" for the men's room.

[shaggy eel]

,,, was Billy-Jeff actually going to eat there? I bet he only wanted to luridly crawl under the tables.

[Lancey Howard]

Surely the President who could sit on a tarmac in LA and hold up air traffic for an hour because he needed his hair done would expect a couple of tables of "little people" to get bounced to make room for him and his entourage.

[LibertarianInExile]

What, to ogle British women? Even Bill Clinton has higher standards than that. I mean, Lewinsky was a porker but she's got a pretty face and sucks a mean...I mean...er...she has a great personality.

[shaggy eel]

,,, I'd have to agree, Moncica had a pretty face. I haven't seen any recent photos of her though. As for her taste in men...

[Ann Archy]

I always think of dirty fingernails when I surf thru his show, but maybe Ishould give him a few minutes!

[cmsgop]

Thats Soooo Cool!!!!! LOL!! FU Clinton, Stand inline Beatch!

[kayak]

:-)

[piasa]

*snicker*

[mombonn]

If a Republican former president had been turned away, it would have led the news for a month.

Of course, a Republican former president would never have behaved in such boorish fashion.

[Mr. Mulliner]

What's the big deal? I wouldn't have served the guy if the place was empty and the bill-collector was at the door.

[shhrubbery!]

I remember than in NYC, when Clinton was still president, the Secret Service would actually kick people out of restaurants so Bill could pop in on a whim.

Not only that, but they'd tow cars away from the front of the restaurant, with NO notice to the owners -- for 'security' reasons, of course.