From Putney To Hell's Kitchen And Back

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Frankie's Manager Diego supports his boss Marco-Pierre White to the ends of the earth and back

It is surprising how many people are not aware that Frankie's exists in Putney! A recent comment on the forum resulting from an article on Marco-Pierre White on the site led me to stride down Putney Bridge Road and find out what all the fuss  was about!

Diego Vargas manages the restaurant for owners Marco-Pierre White and Frankie Dettori - he is a charismatic character who obviously has a passion for the restaurant and has known M-PW for years. 

He is proud that the restaurant attracts customers from the rich and famous (with photos to prove it!) including celebrities on Hell's Kitchen (more on that later) and actors and Olympians to true Putney residents looking for a night out in a restaurant "offering great value for money - where else can you go out on a Friday night for £30.00 for a Marco-Pierre White meal...".

Diego has great loyalty and admiration for M-PW not only as a chef but as a man. He was greatly honoured to be invited to join the stars on ITV's set of Hells Kitchen.

He admitted to being nervous at the start but enjoyed the experience and joked it was also good for his CV - not that he as any intention of leaving Frankie's!

He was obviously a hit with the celebrities as the photos prove that many of the cast have now come south of the river to the Putney location. Loyalty certainly seems a theme as staffing at the SW15 restaurant is very steady in the kitchen and in front of house which Diego believes is very important with the often ignored role of Kitchen Porter being pivotal to a restaurants success.

So what does Frankie's have to offer a reader of PutneySW15.com - Discounts are something readers can get and in this time of recession who can turn that down - if you mention SW15.com when booking your table or print the voucher and take it with you, you will receive 20% off food and drink. 

In addition you will be given a Frankie's TLC (a loyalty card that can be used at all of the Frankie's outlets that offers you further 20% discounts on food and drink for up to eight guests - it even gets you special rates if you book the private party rooms - you need to speak to Diego).it is the smallest of all the Frankie's restaurants with 150 covers and two private dining rooms (one for 25 and one for 50 people).

The restaurant is open Tuesday - Friday evenings from 4pm and lunch and diner on Saturday & Sundays for lunch & dinner.  Putney is the only Frankie's that offers pizzas and they are a big hit says Diego - in fact he believes that 50% of orders are pizzas especially over the weekend when families come...and yes children are very welcome! 

Well I am tempted (by the menu and the discount!) so watch this space and I will give my feedback once I have eaten there.................

Sandi Bloomfield

 

June 18, 2009