A great tribute to the man and the place he created .... and thank you for using the ‘d.....’ word. I am getting increasingly infuriated by this ubiquitous use of ‘passing.’ Passing beyond the veil is a curious notion and abbreviated to ‘passing’ it makes even less sense. My husband died. My son died too. We need to be able to talk about the way death affects us all and not try to avoid the issue with weasel words.
I think you possibly have to have 'lost' (there's another word) somebody close to you to get to that stage. People tiptoe around death in a terrified way.
I’m disabled, based in Oxfordshire; hence travelling to London is now a problem. When you are recommending places in, or near my area, I shall definitely take note. Anyway, I do enjoy your comments, and as a member of The Wine Society and as a recipient of Decanter magazine, I follow your views with great interest. Thank you! John Howden Richards
I'm sorry about that - I know not everyone can get to London so I do normally try and incorporate a 'takeaway' of some kind of a dish or idea that people can replicate at home. (I love the idea of serving the affogato in little glasses like they do at Brutto for a start). Thank you for your kind comments too!
The first time we ate at Brutto, Russell Norman was working the room like the pro he was & everyone got some of his attention. Especially the dogs! Also went to recent Brutto book signing at Toppings bookshop in Bath. I asked him when the fennel parmigiana - my favourite - would be back on the menu & he said "it's on now, come in & try it". We should have booked straight away. 9 days later he was dead. Terrible shock.
Oh yes, we will certainly go again but it won't be the same without hoping to get a glimpse of RN as his personality was a huge part of the place. The food was good but it wasn't really about the food was it?
beautiful piece, made me cry. you are right he did touch people lives. I met him just once for about 3 minutes , when my mother knocked all his books off the table at a book signing by leaning on the stack of books and sending them (and herself) listing sideways in an only fools and horses style slide. in between leaping out from behind the table to help us pick them all up he joked " oh mother what have you done!" and then proceeded to have a quick chat with her about whether her porchetta was better than the one the daffodil had served that night (I wanted to find a hole to crawl in ). so he touched the lives of ordinary mundane bods like me and my mum too! lovely kind stylish man.
loved this piece, made me cry - had a supper with my youngest there perching at the bar a couple of months ago sharing negroni and martini, pasta and tiramisu - we were very happy. Didn't know the back story, will go there again soon
What a moving and beautiful piece, Fiona. So many people speak so highly of him as a person as well as a chef. Brutto is definitely on my list for next year x
Thank you Fiona, I plan to treat myself to it and a couple of the others from your recommendation list when I'm back in the UK over Christmas and New Year.
A great tribute to the man and the place he created .... and thank you for using the ‘d.....’ word. I am getting increasingly infuriated by this ubiquitous use of ‘passing.’ Passing beyond the veil is a curious notion and abbreviated to ‘passing’ it makes even less sense. My husband died. My son died too. We need to be able to talk about the way death affects us all and not try to avoid the issue with weasel words.
I think you possibly have to have 'lost' (there's another word) somebody close to you to get to that stage. People tiptoe around death in a terrified way.
I’m disabled, based in Oxfordshire; hence travelling to London is now a problem. When you are recommending places in, or near my area, I shall definitely take note. Anyway, I do enjoy your comments, and as a member of The Wine Society and as a recipient of Decanter magazine, I follow your views with great interest. Thank you! John Howden Richards
I'm sorry about that - I know not everyone can get to London so I do normally try and incorporate a 'takeaway' of some kind of a dish or idea that people can replicate at home. (I love the idea of serving the affogato in little glasses like they do at Brutto for a start). Thank you for your kind comments too!
The first time we ate at Brutto, Russell Norman was working the room like the pro he was & everyone got some of his attention. Especially the dogs! Also went to recent Brutto book signing at Toppings bookshop in Bath. I asked him when the fennel parmigiana - my favourite - would be back on the menu & he said "it's on now, come in & try it". We should have booked straight away. 9 days later he was dead. Terrible shock.
Really is but do still go in and have it - or any of the other lovely things they have on their menu.
Oh yes, we will certainly go again but it won't be the same without hoping to get a glimpse of RN as his personality was a huge part of the place. The food was good but it wasn't really about the food was it?
Very sad: but interesting to read about him, and the restaurant, which I do not know, unfortunately.
Well, do go if you get the chance.
beautiful piece, made me cry. you are right he did touch people lives. I met him just once for about 3 minutes , when my mother knocked all his books off the table at a book signing by leaning on the stack of books and sending them (and herself) listing sideways in an only fools and horses style slide. in between leaping out from behind the table to help us pick them all up he joked " oh mother what have you done!" and then proceeded to have a quick chat with her about whether her porchetta was better than the one the daffodil had served that night (I wanted to find a hole to crawl in ). so he touched the lives of ordinary mundane bods like me and my mum too! lovely kind stylish man.
Absolutely. That sounds just like him!
A lovely tribute
Just the perfect piece. X
Thanks, Nicky x
loved this piece, made me cry - had a supper with my youngest there perching at the bar a couple of months ago sharing negroni and martini, pasta and tiramisu - we were very happy. Didn't know the back story, will go there again soon
Lovely memory! It's such a warm, convivial place.
What a moving and beautiful piece, Fiona. So many people speak so highly of him as a person as well as a chef. Brutto is definitely on my list for next year x
Oh, do go!
Lovely piece Fi - well done. We aim to get down there for a meal in 2024...
You definitely should!
This is a really beautiful piece, Fiona and a wonderful tribute to Russell Norman. I haven’t been to Brutto but now would very much like to go.
I do hope you will!
It's on my list now!
A really touching tribute. I never had an opportunity to meet Russell, but he clearly touched so many people. Thank you.
Thanks, Lucy. Do get the book - it's really special.
Thank you Fiona, I plan to treat myself to it and a couple of the others from your recommendation list when I'm back in the UK over Christmas and New Year.
Beautiful words. What a sad thing he left everyone so early x
I know. There was always an eager sense of anticipation about What Would Russell Do Next.
Beautiful words Fiona. I never went to Brutto but you have inspired me to go soon
Oh, good! I'm sure you'll love it!
Lovely. Brutto is one of my favourite London restaurants too, Fiona. You capture its essence beautifully.
Thankyou. They really get everything right.