American restaurant in UK

Oh, god, Jello salad. Blergh. Also, Cool Whip on everything.

That's just gooood eatin'!  

There was one sort of like what we called 'Ambrosia' salad - only this version had strawberry jello & canned fruit cocktail mixed together with Cool Whip. 

Mrs. R, I am guessing someone had a subscription to Good House Keeping.

Mrs. R, I am guessing someone had a subscription to Good House Keeping.

I don't think we did! Seriously, this is what people ate! 

Can't find the website I'm looking for, but here is one that has something from everyone's nightmares:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/emofly/39-things-that-should-never-be-cooked-in-clear-jel

Now some of that is just plain weird, ok?!

More: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/18/jello-salad_n_1878210.html

I hated ambrosia!! It would always turn up whenever there was a potluck of any sort. BLEUUURGGH!

I've just heard about an American style diner that's opened up in Cornwall, near Bude. It's about an hour and a half drive from us, but I'd like to try it sometime. Apparently, it's a genuine proper diner that used to be in Jersey City!

They don't have a website so I can't check out their prices or their full menu, but apparently they have big stacks of pancakes!

I've just heard about an American style diner that's opened up in Cornwall, near Bude. It's about an hour and a half drive from us, but I'd like to try it sometime. Apparently, it's a genuine proper diner that used to be in Jersey City!

Do you know the name? I'm intrigued!

Do you know the name? I'm intrigued!

Mimi's Vintage Diner. It got so-so reviews on Trip Advisor, but I heard about it through a Cornwall blog I follow and the writer of the blog (whom I usually trust) loved it.

There was one sort of like what we called 'Ambrosia' salad - only this version had strawberry jello & canned fruit cocktail mixed together with Cool Whip.  

When I first moved to the UK - My friends had a "Tropical Fancy Dress Party" - and I said I would bring 5 Cup Salad (1 cup marshmellows, 1 cup pineapple, 1 cup marachino cherries, 1 cup shredded cocount, 1 cup cool whip- I used 'sweetened whipped cream for the UK version) -  thinking in my head, that's a perfectly appropriate side dish from my up-bringing (Dad's side of family all Southern born and bred).  
Anyways, my friend was appalled -'I thought you were bringing a salad, not a pudding - I would have made a 'proper' salad, to have with our food,  had I known." Luckily I am so good natured and not offended-  I laughed and tried to explain that this was a 'salad' from where I came from.   She wasn't buying it!!      

When I first moved to the UK - My friends had a "Tropical Fancy Dress Party" - and I said I would bring 5 Cup Salad (1 cup marshmellows, 1 cup pineapple, 1 cup marachino cherries, 1 cup shredded cocount, 1 cup cool whip- I used 'sweetened whipped cream for the UK version) -  thinking in my head, that's a perfectly appropriate side dish from my up-bringing (Dad's side of family all Southern born and bred).  

 

Anyways, my friend was appalled...  

DH is very appalled whenever I regale him with stories of the jello salads, the weird mixtures of fruity jello flavours & vegetables & Cool Whip etc - and horror of horrors(!!), that they are eaten on the same plate with the savouries!    Because you know that's just not done... 

He is also appalled at the idea of the Thanksgiving candied sweet potatoes/yams - with the butter, brown sugar & marshmallows...    (I never really liked them so I don't force them on him.)

And no pancakes with bacon & syrup poured all over either. No fun, I say, no fun! 

No fun, I say, no fun! 

Here here! 

http://www.buzzfeed.com/emofly/39-things-that-should-never-be-cooked-in-clear-jel

Now, some of that stuff looked OK, and some... well...

That tuna on what was essentially mayonnaise Jell-O?  Really?  I mean, I like tuna salad but, no. 

I actually love Jell-O and fruit with cream.  I mean, that's basically trifle, right?  Trifle is yum. 

Looking over that again, I am fairly certain I've had the one with lime jello & cottage cheese in it before (minus the onions & seafood salad though).

Oh, this thread has really made me giggle.  An expat friend of mine brings a version of Ambrosia (he calls it gobbledygook salad lol) to my 4th of July BBQ and it's always a huge hit with the natives, which surprised me.  My DH is befuddled by the idea of a hot dish though.  He even thought green been casserole was weird.  I loved Tater Tot hot dish when I was a kid.  And, I heard from friends back home that the MN State Fair has been serving it on a stick for a number of years now, and I'm a bit intrigued by the thought of it LOL.

I loved Tater Tot hot dish when I was a kid.  And, I heard from friends back home that the MN State Fair has been serving it on a stick for a number of years now, and I'm a bit intrigued by the thought of it LOL.

Tater Tot casserole on a stick?! Wow! Anything is possible in America!  

I would totally eat Ambrosia anytime, and also PB's 5 Cup Salad. Yum! 

Oh my!! This thread has been so interesting and made me laugh.  lol. I love Tater Tot Casserole/Hot Dish and make my own from scratch but it is still a work in progress tho. lol. 

UKFoodie> I think it would be a good idea of making your restaurant into one of a kind that serves a different theme each night.  Be it Mexican, BBQ, etc...  Even have some of your waiters and waiteresses dress up for that theme each night. Make it a fun place to work and be at for customers.  What would be a plus if they can sing in that theme's language.  lol. 

Also, if you can, try to find world-renown chef Gordon Ramsay and ask him for advice.  He is tough but fair.  He really cares about you and your business and will go out of his way to help.  He has about 15 restaurants all over the world and like about 3 in London.  If you have never seen him on tv or heard of him, here is his link:

http://www.gordonramsay.com/chef-gordon/

I never cared for Gordon but then I saw this of him telling a guy off about a steak ordered "well done":

Gordon Ramsay gets angry over a steak

Many chefs consider "well done" an insult.