Jamie Oliver restaurant snubs Clinton

Yahoo News ^ | Friday September 19

[Dave Elias]

Friday September 19, 05:49 AM

Jamie Oliver restaurant snubs Clinton 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 reportedly turned away from the television chef's restaurant because it was full and staff refused to bump other patrons with a booking.

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."

[Prodigal Son]

That was a very shrewd business move actually (for a few reasons). One, it only increases the fervor other people have to get in the place- "The former President can't even get in that place"- and two, Clinton is notorious for not paying his eating/drinking bills. (I guess he figures his presence should be payment enough)

[Flyer]

I hope the insurance is up to date.

[Izzy Dunne]

Notice the "journalism" at work here, folks...
If you or I were to call on a popular restaurant, and it was booked solid, we wouldn't consider it a "snub".
Heck, even Clinton himself didn't consider it a "snub":
his attitude was c'est la vie,"

But the press has to turn it into a "snub".

[aruanan]

Heck, even Clinton himself didn't consider it a "snub": his attitude was c'est la vie,"

From everything we know about Clinton, the "journalism at work" was responsible for characterizing his reaction as "c'est la vie". Even this, though, describes his M.O. well. He'll try to do whatever he wants to no matter how gauche, no matter how much it puts others out, even asking (in some cases, demanding) that others be bumped or hitting on someone's fiance at a restaurant, because there's a chance he'll get away with it.

[SouthernFreebird]

I thought that was Jamies attitude...?

[kipj]

Yes, I believe the "c'est la vie" is meant to represent the attitude of Mr. Oliver.

[camle]

probably didn't want him stealing the silverware

[FrdmLvr]

I always liked that kid. You go, Jamie.

[Ed_in_NJ]

...or groping other customers.

[pops88]

Considering he's The Naked Chef maybe Bill made him nervous with his past history.

[jaykay]

If it wasn't, I'm sure the manager was on the phone with the insurace agent quickly, before news of the incident became public knowledge and insurance rates for that location went through the stratosphere.

[MadelineZapeezda]

Here's hoping Jamie's restaurant is even more successful.

[Unknown Freeper]

Isn't Bubba supposed to be on a diet?

Love that Naked Chef.

[camle]

yeah! drooling onto his plate over some dish...

[aruanan]

I thought that was Jamies attitude...?

Sure, the quote was attributed to a representative of the restaurant. My point was that, rather than a journalist using the word "snub" in an attempt to spin something a certain way (Clinton felt snubbed--but we know this is how he most likely felt based on his history), a journalist chose the quote he would use (the one above) to spin it another (Clinton's just a fun-loving guy who isn't bothered by not getting his own way--we know that's not so).

[willyboyishere]

No, I think the implication was that JAMIE's attitude towards it was "c'est la vie", not Clinton's.

[aruanan]

Right.

[Hank Rearden]

He'd never get the smell out anyway. Not worth it.