I've eaten at Le Gavroche and met Michel who I found to be absolutely delightful
He came to our table as my friend who we were with had just run the London Marathon. After chatting Michel came back to our table 10 minutes later and gave us a couple of his books and signed them for us
The service by all the staff was absolutely outstanding to the point of Balletic -we didn't have to fill a glass or even move a chair in and out arising to go to the lav
I've eaten in many top restaurants and we all said after that it was by the far most polished when it came to the staff and service
I don't have an issue at all paying a service charge and it being added to bill when the restaurants are excellent as I expect it and helps restaurants to survive to make service a decently paid profession
It doesn't have to go straight to the staff if the staff are paid a good salary
If they are poorly paid and are expected to make up their wage in tips, that is different but I don't think that's the business model of Michelin starred restaurants
I haven't heard about Le Gavroche paying staff less than the minimum wage but I would assume and hope that all the senior staff I encountered front of house were well paid for their professionalism
