Turns out the scuttlebutt is true. Monteverde’s British celeb chef, Neil Ferguson, has decamped for southern climes—well, Manhattan, anyway. This erstwhile chef of stellar Allen and Delancey (which he ran concurrently with Monteverde) has made the move to brit-centric Soho House, where he’ll no doubt make the faded club a dining, rather than drinking, destination. We’re sorry to see you go, Neil—but we hope your bosses are more appreciative of your talents. Rumor runs that Monteverde was a tough gig, with irregular business (and payment) practices coming down from on high. Reportedly, there were back-of-the-house fits, some screaming, a lot of ugliness – so we certainly empathize with Neil’s move. Plus, you all remember: this was the chef who was unfairly canned by Gordon Ramsay after that teevee blowhard’s restaurant was received with a collective shrug of the shoulders.
Rumors ran rampant for months about Ferguson’s plans to leave, with disgruntled Monteverde employees both current and ex speculating on this talented chef’s intentions. To be honest, we sensed a real lack of commitment in Monteverde’s dining room, with a meal that left us wishing we’d stopped into Allen and Delancey instead. Monteverde aside, Chef Neil Ferguson is a hugely talented guy, and actually just a sweetheart—just good folks, a pleasant bloke to chat with. He lives in Westchester with his family, and we wish him all the best in his newest endeavor. This poor guy could use a cushier gig.
