the london

Gordon Ramsay's Los Angeles restaurant, the London, opened last night with a star-studded dinner service. However, the cheftestants from Hell's Kitchen were nowhere in to be found. This makes me wonder if the HK prize — to be chef of the London — is a little exaggerated. Perhaps they merely get to be a line cook there? Items from the menu are far more sophisticated than the dishes made on the reality show. The menu includes:

• Baked foie-gras custard, crispy duck tongue, micro greens
• Monkfish with crispy chicken skin, lemon-thyme consommé
• Smoked pork belly with roasted Scottish langoustine, celeriac, and apple

For some reason I can't imagine Bobby, Jen, or Corey making any of these dishes. What do you think? Does one of the HK contestants really work at the London?

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I don't know if there's ever been a rivalry between "Hell's Kitchen" bad boy Gordon Ramsay and "Top Chef" judge Tom Colicchio, but there might be reason for one now.

The just published 2008 New York Michelin Guide struck a star off of Colicchio's Craft restaurant — bringing it to one star — and gave Ramsay's The London — his first U.S. venture — two stars.

Michelin Guide director Jean-Luc Naret recently told Reuters about the ratings. Here's more:

• On The London: "Gordon Ramsay deserved two stars, not because of his name and TV fame, but because of the consistency of the multiple visits by inspectors throughout the year."
• On Craft: "It doesn't mean that the chef has less talent. It's just that the consistency was not there."
• About the star ratings:One star means "a very good restaurant in its category." Two stars signify "excellent cuisine, worth a detour" and three stars tout "exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey."

So there you have it. Ramsay's The London, despite lukewarm reviews from critics, is worthy of a detour, while Colicchio's Craft is just "very good."

What do you guys think? Do you even care about star ratings? Which restaurant would you go to?

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