WARREN (WWJ) -- After rumors social media spread that Gordon Ramsay paid a visit to Southeast Michigan in recent days, WWJ Newsradio 950's Charlie Langton says he's confirmed it.
According to Langton, changes are in store for two popular restaurants in
Metro Detroit after the celebrate chef knows for an array of dining-focused TV shows, including "Kitchen Nightmares" and the new "Secret Service", stopped by.
Langton reports Ramsay first stopped by Firenze Restaurant & Pizzeria, on 10 Mile Rd. east of Van Dyke in Warren.
"And our sources are telling us that he ordered a lot of things on the menu, and he wasn't too pleased," Langton said.
Firenze server Tracey Benoit told Langton that Ramsay was, in fact, in the restaurant last week.
What was he doing there?
"He was inspecting the restaurant and trying to make it a better place because it's kind of gone downhill for the last couple of years. So, he's coming in and trying to revamp everything and make it a better place for everybody in Warren," Benoit said.
Benoit said Ramsey ordered some of the restaurant's most popular items, including a pizza, chicken ala Firenze, chicken noodle soup, ribs and gnocchi, "And he ate quite a bit."
Benoit said Ramsay had a lot of suggestions as to how Firenze could improve, so patrons should expect to see updates to both the menu and the interior of the restaurant.
Firenze teased "lots of exciting changes" in a social media post, adding, "Don't worry we will still have our OLD SCHOOL favorites on special daily, but you are gonna be WOWWED! by our new menu items."
Ramsay's next stop was Boodles, another mainstay in the WWJ listening area since 1985.
Langton himself is somewhat of a regular at Boodles — located on 11 Mile Rd. near I-75 in Madison Heights — and he's hoping they don't mess with his favorites, including the spicy salmon.
The restaurant has been closed for the past week.
"Yes, Gordon Ramsey was there as well," Langton said. "But Boodles doesn't open until tomorrow, so expect some changes there. We don't know what they are."
As for when Metro Detroiters can hope to see these two restaurants on "Secret Service," they'll have to wait a bit. Word is that these episodes are not expected to air until sometime next year.