MarlaCollins'Husband wrote:

Dmnkly wrote:I don't have enough experience with it to make a comparison to the big guns (NYC, LA, SF, Chi), but I got down there a bit while living in Baltimore and I was very surprised by both the breadth and depth of the DC scene. Do not dismiss it lightly.

I've lived in DC on two occasions for about a year each time, most recently in 2005, and don't mean to imply that it's a food dessert. But unless things have changed drastically in the last 5 years, it's just not in the top echelon of food cities. And while there is some breadth there, I disagree strongly on the depth, especially within city limits.

That said, these intercity pissing matches about largely unquantifiable issues are more than a little silly and I shouldn't have made the original comment.

little500, I'm glad you have such enthusiasm for the area's cuisine. I'd love to see you post some of your favorites in the Beyond Chicagoland section.

I think I took your comment to mean that the VARIETY of restaurants was not as great as the 4 cities you mentioned, and just wanted to point out that there is a huge number of food choices there. I did NOT mean that DC is in the very top tier of destinations for great restaurants.

Me, I like the more populist choices in town. I was there over the 4th of July weekend and ate at Red, Hot & Blues (BBQ) and the Quarterdeck (soft shell crab). I'll sift through my mental Rolodex for some of my DC favorites when I'm not at work. Like MiniBar.

MarlaCollins'Husband wrote:I've lived in DC on two occasions for about a year each time, most recently in 2005, and don't mean to imply that it's a food dessert.

I'm going to take this opportunity to use the completely innocent typo to go way off topic and post one of my favorite "food desert" soundbites:



Okay, back on topic - it's inevitable that this season feels like such a downer compared to last season's methamphetamine-like rush of excellent chefs making amazing food.

And re: whomever said the producers are running out of locations? They haven't gone abroad to destinations like Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong, etcetera. That's the next logical step.

whiskeybent wrote:And re: whomever said the producers are running out of locations? They haven't gone abroad to destinations like Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong, etcetera. That's the next logical step.

Eek. That'd really be something, but I doubt it's feasible from a budgetary standpoint.

putting it in the CIA headquarters was really stupid.

totally agree. it could've been any office building. seems like the only point of having it there was so that the cheftestants could wax moronic about how they'dve liked to have been spies.... at least they didn't have them scooping and serving out of chafers again...


and I also agree strongly with Dom about how the chefs missed the opportunity to be creative with this challenge, which, I think, was a kind of cool one. No one did anything vaguely interesting with it. there's no real creativity in this bunch.

And re: whomever said the producers are running out of locations? They haven't gone abroad to destinations like Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong, etcetera. That's the next logical step.

I had thought of this, but agree it would be too expensive.

My guess is that they might do New Orleans or Seattle next. Or else start repeating locations.

Ouch!

Today's NY Times has a scathing review of Ed Cotton's Plein Sud.

But in the full experience of real life, over a number of meals, whether at a crowded dinner or leisurely lunch, the cooking at Plein Sud reveals itself to be lacking in flavor, texture, temperature or interest: room-service fare that leads to increased loneliness, raiding of the minibar, sleepless hours staring at the television in blue light, thinking about home.

The restaurant got 0 stars.

That's going to leave a mark.....

tcdup wrote:Ouch!

Today's NY Times has a scathing review of Ed Cotton's Plein Sud.

But in the full experience of real life, over a number of meals, whether at a crowded dinner or leisurely lunch, the cooking at Plein Sud reveals itself to be lacking in flavor, texture, temperature or interest: room-service fare that leads to increased loneliness, raiding of the minibar, sleepless hours staring at the television in blue light, thinking about home.

The restaurant got 0 stars.

That's going to leave a mark.....

I stopped paying attention the NY Times a couple of years ago, but that article will get me back. Bravo, Sam Sifton, for being among a tiny set of reviewers with enough balls not to cloud negative opinions with fluff.

As soon as they started featuring Amanda so prominently in the talking head segments, I knew she was going. Sigh. The finale is destined to be anti-climactic. Kevin is too emotional, Ed is too moronic, Tiffany seems the most consistent lately, but Angelo might pull it together in the end. Hopefully he'll earn enough to grease the skids to import his Russian fiancee. Yawn.

Boy was I pleased with the outcome of this episode - no longer will I have to be irritated by Amanda and her faux-cute shenanigans. Now I can just be bored to tears by the remaining yawn-inducing yahoos instead.

Khaopaat wrote:Boy was I pleased with the outcome of this episode - no longer will I have to be irritated by Amanda and her faux-cute shenanigans. Now I can just be bored to tears by the remaining yawn-inducing yahoos instead.

Agreed. Bon voyage, Amanda.

Among this boring group, who will actually shine? My guess is Kevin. Tiffany is being set up as the fan favorite who will fail.

What a coincidence that the season filmed in our nations capital the year we have the first black president just happens to have four black contestants instead of the usual one, and that only one is left, who is suddenly winning all the challenges. None of the food seems very distinctive this season, which I'm sure made it easier to cater the judges' comments to the storyline that was created before taping even began.

I think they wanted Kenny to go from the very start, and had fun building him up a little so they could then kick his ass out.

This show is such a sham, but I still watch every season.

Is it just me, or does Tom provide less advice and mentoring to the contestants? He used to come into the kitchen during prep all the time and offer some advice, ala Tim Gunn on Project Runway. I always enjoyed seeing him in that role but I think it's really been dialed back recently. Maybe it's just part of this whole conspiracy, though, to prevent the contestants from doing well. I shall don my tinfoil hat and reflect further.

danimalarkey wrote:Is it just me, or does Tom provide less advice and mentoring to the contestants? He used to come into the kitchen during prep all the time and offer some advice, ala Tim Gunn on Project Runway. I always enjoyed seeing him in that role but I think it's really been dialed back recently. Maybe it's just part of this whole conspiracy, though, to prevent the contestants from doing well. I shall don my tinfoil hat and reflect further.

I think you're right, although it's possible that this typically happens more as they pare down the number of players (with 10+ chefs in the kitchen, it's enough to get them screen time for the all important "character" development.) Maybe now that we're down to 5, we'll be seeing him interact with them more.

bnowell724 wrote:What a coincidence that the season filmed in our nations capital the year we have the first black president just happens to have four black contestants instead of the usual one, and that only one is left, who is suddenly winning all the challenges ... This show is such a sham, but I still watch every season.

I've seen a lot of conspiracy theories floated when it comes to the legitimacy of Top Chef judging, but this is the first one I'd characterize as downright ugly.

Dmnkly wrote:

bnowell724 wrote:What a coincidence that the season filmed in our nations capital the year we have the first black president just happens to have four black contestants instead of the usual one, and that only one is left, who is suddenly winning all the challenges ... This show is such a sham, but I still watch every season.

I've seen a lot of conspiracy theories floated when it comes to the legitimacy of Top Chef judging, but this is the first one I'd characterize as downright ugly.

Agreed. More than a little cynical. Plus, Kevin is half African-American as well as Tiffany, so that would make two left.

Can we now officially crown this season as worst ever? Tiffany gets knocked out and Kevin stays?? Ed and his 18 ingredients on a plate stays?? The whiny girl stays? (they're down to 5 chefs and I can't even remember her name...) Tiffany and Angelo are the only two chefs who could create anything approaching appetizing, original food...bizarre. Kevin did sirloin and onion rings and he stays?? wow.

Dmnkly wrote:

bnowell724 wrote:What a coincidence that the season filmed in our nations capital the year we have the first black president just happens to have four black contestants instead of the usual one, and that only one is left, who is suddenly winning all the challenges ... This show is such a sham, but I still watch every season.

I've seen a lot of conspiracy theories floated when it comes to the legitimacy of Top Chef judging, but this is the first one I'd characterize as downright ugly.

Nice use of an ellipses. And how is this theory ugly? Why isn't it ugly that they've never had such a racially diverse cast before, and probably never will again? My suggestion that Tiffany may not be winning on merit alone may offend you, but as an African American, the way this show is jumping on the bandwagon to exploit the popularity of our first black president for something as shallow as television ratings is extremely offensive. It should offend all of you, too.

Huh?

bnowell724 wrote:

Dmnkly wrote:

bnowell724 wrote:What a coincidence that the season filmed in our nations capital the year we have the first black president just happens to have four black contestants instead of the usual one, and that only one is left, who is suddenly winning all the challenges ... This show is such a sham, but I still watch every season.

I've seen a lot of conspiracy theories floated when it comes to the legitimacy of Top Chef judging, but this is the first one I'd characterize as downright ugly.

Nice use of an ellipses. And how is this theory ugly? Why isn't it ugly that they've never had such a racially diverse cast before, and probably never will again? My suggestion that Tiffany may not be winning on merit alone may offend you, but as an African American, the way this show is jumping on the bandwagon to exploit the popularity of our first black president for something as shallow as television ratings is extremely offensive. It should offend all of you, too.

The show is so biased that Tiffany failed to make the final four.

bnowell724 wrote:
Nice use of an ellipses. And how is this theory ugly? Why isn't it ugly that they've never had such a racially diverse cast before, and probably never will again? My suggestion that Tiffany may not be winning on merit alone may offend you, but as an African American, the way this show is jumping on the bandwagon to exploit the popularity of our first black president for something as shallow as television ratings is extremely offensive. It should offend all of you, too.

jesteinf wrote:The show is so biased that Tiffany failed to make the final four.

Your only response to my entire statement is that Tiffany got kicked off so obviously everything is on the up and up? *Shrug*, I feel like if it's not clear as day to someone, there is no point in arguing about it.

By it, I don't mean that the show is racist, just that it is a contrived, at least partially scripted drama dressed up as a reality show, that will stoop to any level to scrape up as many ratings as it can get.

Bourdain and Ripert after six gin and tonics decided to judge this time on which of the two girls had the better weed (both women always seemed half stoned to me but then again they might just be stupid like all the cheftestants). Collichio was too bored to care and Padma prefers pills. Tiffany had the worse stuff, she doesn't get to go. That's my conspiracy theory and I'm sticking to it.

Honestly though this season is a casting nightmare. I could care less about any of the contestants or their supposed "talent". Maybe that is why I'm enjoying Top Chef Hipster (Food Truck Race) and Top Chef White Trash (BBQ Pitmasters) more then Top Chef.

bnowell724 wrote:Your only response to my entire statement is that Tiffany got kicked off so obviously everything is on the up and up? *Shrug*, I feel like if it's not clear as day to someone, there is no point in arguing about it.

What's "clear as day" is that you suggested the judging was a sham and that Tiffany was being handed wins because of her race to drive a predetermined narrative, and just one week later the very judges you just accused of being frauds and favoring her because of her race kicked her off and killed the very narrative you suggested was driving the season.

So I'd say that was actually a pretty good response.

But since you seem to expect a more detailed response:

bnowell724 wrote:Nice use of an ellipses.

Do you feel it misrepresented what you were trying to say? Because I don't, and that certainly wasn't my intention. You said it plenty clearly. I was just trying to edit down to the points I cared to respond to.

bnowell724 wrote:And how is this theory ugly?

You mean the suggestion that Tiffany was winning challenges because she's black? You don't see anything ugly in that? And I particularly love how it's now "clear as day," because obviously she couldn't possibly be winning those challenges on merit. Yup... nothing ugly about that.

bnowell724 wrote:Why isn't it ugly that they've never had such a racially diverse cast before, and probably never will again?

Obviously, there are more African Americans on this pass, but overall the cast doesn't strike me as significantly more or less diverse than it usually is. Sometimes there are more contestants of Asian descent, sometimes more Latinos, but the minority representation has been pretty consistent from season to season. It isn't like there's suddenly been a stampede of minorities after six seasons of whitewash.

bnowell724 wrote:My suggestion that Tiffany may not be winning on merit alone may offend you...

It doesn't offend me. I just think it's ugly. And sad. Every single episode, there are people who will go through all kinds of contortions to explain how this demonstrates that the judging is a sham and the producers picked that person to win because it makes for better television (it never occurs to them that the editors, being professionals and all, probably have a narrative sketched out for every contestant so they're covered no matter who wins). I just find this particular explanation uglier than all of the countless others.

bnowell724 wrote:...but as an African American, the way this show is jumping on the bandwagon to exploit the popularity of our first black president for something as shallow as television ratings is extremely offensive. It should offend all of you, too.

Could I trouble you to point out where all of the Obama bandwaggoning has been this season? Because since Tiffany's two-second opening episode scream and the episode two school lunch challenge, which couldn't have been a more relevant tie-in and is exactly the type of thing they've done every season, I've actually been shocked by how little he's come up. I can't even think of any other examples off the top of my head. Hell, Art Smith made more Obama references all by himself in one episode of Masters than we've seen in this entire season of Top Chef. And while I'm not certain, I think there's actually a pretty good chance that's not an exaggeration.

Bottom line is maybe casting decided they wanted a couple more African Americans this season. I don't know. Neither do you. But that's a long, long way from suggesting that one of the contestants is being handed wins because of her race.

Finale in Singapore. Nice. I liked the story angle where Angelo's ex-wife's family didn't think his profession was respectable enough to be with their daughter. Expect to see more of this in the Finale. "Look at me now! Your Grandchild has a Top Chef for a daddy!"

So, I have kind of a technical question (though I think I know the answer). Way back when, I think in the first season, someone got kicked out of the kitchen for improperly tasting something. I can't remember if they stuck a finger in the sauce, or if they double-dipped (put the spoon in their mouth then back in the sauce), but they got the boot from the kitchen.

Last night, Angelo repeatedly tasted his food and stuck the spoon back in whatever he was cooking. I know it was hot enough that it was inconsequential, and I am guessing this happens in restaurants all the time (and is probably one of the more benign things to happen in a restaurant, I don't actually believe those "employees must wash hands" signs actually work, for example), but I'm curious- is it more common to get kicked out of a kitchen for doing this, or is it more commonly accepted?

The squeamish part of me was totally grossed out, but like I said, the realistic part of me knows it's the most benign thing to happen in a kitchen.

sweetsalty wrote:So, I have kind of a technical question (though I think I know the answer). Way back when, I think in the first season, someone got kicked out of the kitchen for improperly tasting something. I can't remember if they stuck a finger in the sauce, or if they double-dipped (put the spoon in their mouth then back in the sauce), but they got the boot from the kitchen.

The very first challenge, in fact. Keller (Hubert) kicked Crazy Ken off the line at Fleur de Lys for sticking his finger in a sauce to taste it.

I noticed Angelo double dipping multiple times also- yuck

They clearly went looking for more black contestants this time, because it was set in... D.C.

They also clearly have no problem with sending the strongest black contestants home when warranted.

So, casting angle, yes and what's wrong with that? It's TV. Manipulation, no, as it should be. Offensive-- I have a feeling that n=offensive to somebody when n is any integer representing the quantity of some ethnicity on the show. Somehow, I can't get worked up about it...

that's how I thought I remembered it Dom- so who's right? Keller or Angelo?

More than double-dipping, it's watching the sweat pouring from the contestant's heads right into the food that grosses me out. Where a hat! Or a bandana... Please, just something.

I was glad to see Tom make the rounds through the kitchen even if his comments (by editing, maybe) were next to useless. I'm not sure that a soft grunt or anything is particularly useful to chefs working so much under the gun. But, since he is a judge, unlike Tim Gunn on Runway, I guess he can't say too much at all.

As far as contestant choices, let's remember that Alex's family, at least on his mother's side (according to the Bravo bio) is from Russia... probably during the Soviet era. And Magical Elves Productions (emphasis mine)? Between Santa's workshop and the the Keebler elves, it's clear that elves are little communists working day and night in factories. That they're even suggesting one chef could be a 'top chef', as opposed to everyone being equal*, is shocking given the obvious celebration of communism here.

* In some seriousness, you could argue that everyone has been equally boring.