Keith McNally, the famed (and some would say ‘infamous’) restauranteur is renowned for his illustrious career in founding some of the most iconic and delicious eateries in the world.
From the famous Nell’s to Balthazaar, Mr. McNally’s innovative approach to the nightlife and dining experience has marveled goers for decades. But not without some loathing and controversy along the way. One will surely remember where they were and what they were doing when they first learned Mr. McNally launched a public shaming of James Corbin for his alleged behavior at his restaurant (he talks about it in the memoir).
So as Mr. McNally’s memoir ‘I Regret Almost Everything’, divulges into every corner of his life experiences, which include details and brutally honest of his most personal and contentious moments. He also throws in some classic zingers and embarrassing moments for celebs who crossed him during his life. Or at least made an impression—for better or worse.
Like at the opening of Nell’s, which has since shuttered. Mr. McNally sparred no one, not even Mick Jagger and Bob Dylan, a $5 cover fee. Mr. McNally writes, ‘This rule applied to everyone.’ Though, he claims Mr. Jagger and Mr. Dylan, as well as others, took it in ‘good humor’
However, there was one celebrity at that time who did not seem to find the humor in the $5 cover charge. In the memoir, Mr. McNally writes that ‘Madonna became so incensed to be asked to pay that she demanded I let her in for free.” After being denied a free entry, he claims that Madonna called him a ‘fucking bastard’ and left.
Read more in Keith McNally’s memoir here.