Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay was inspired to launch a Scottish restaurant in his hometown of Glasgow on behalf of his protege David Dempsey, who became the first chef de cuisine in 2001. Dempsey had previously been sous chef under Ramsay at
Restaurant Gordon Ramsay in London.
Angela Hartnett helped to launch the restaurant. It took Ramsay two years to find an appropriate venue in Glasgow, and set up the restaurant in the
One Devonshire Gardens hotel towards the west of the city. Seven months after opening, it was awarded a
Michelin star. In April 2003, Dempsey moved on from the restaurant to become head chef at Restaurant Gordon Ramsay. On 3 May 2003, Dempsey fell to his death from a second floor flat window after apparently breaking into the property. Ramsay admitted he later felt relieved to close the restaurant following the death of Dempsey, stating, "I am just glad that I am not involved in the saga of David’s family any more and I can finally lock the door." The space was taken over by John Pallagi and Simon Wright, who opened their restaurant Room. Ramsay offered to help the pair as part of the second series of
Kitchen Nightmares, but they declined. Ramsay would later reference the closure of Amaryllis on the
Kitchen Nightmares season 1 episode, "The Olde Stone Mill."
Menu Scottish produce was highlighted in the menus and included signature dishes from Ramsay's range, such as lobster ravioli and
langoustine poached in a lobster
bisque with a purée of fennel. Scottish
spring lamb was also on the menu, served with aubergine caviar, tomatoes, and rosemary
jus. On launch, the restaurant offered two fixed-price menus at £25 for three courses or six courses for £40. Before closing, it offered a reduced-price menu to customers in the main dining room but kept a more expensive menu for customers in the adjoining drawing-room. ==Reception==