128 replies to this topic

[Toliver]

Man, that Steve Ells is a busy guy.

From Nation's Restaurant News:

Can't be related to this show, can it?

The cynic in me would say "yes" except for the fact that if there were connection between the two , it certainly would have been trumpted from the rooftops since Day One of the show. Why else keep it quiet? Any publicity is good publicity.
Of course, having said that, watch it pop up in the next episode.

[Toliver]

Another team bites the dust.
The only surprise to me is how they lasted this long given how they didn't seem to have a consistent fare/menu until the investors forced them into it just a few episodes ago.
Which leads me to ask is how did these teams get this far having so many problems? You would think anyone lasting this long would have their stuff together, to put it politely, and that the investors would be splitting hairs at this point to find faults with the top teams. But these are some major team FUBARS. Who screened these teams?

The Brooklyn Meatball Company (?) guy scares me. He has been clueless from Day One and has made it this far with major help from others (new restaurant name and theme, menu focus, etc). What if he wins and he's on his own to launch his three locations? Who will be there helping him to make it a success?

[jsmeeker]

The funny thing is that the guy had his stuff the most thought out got booted a couple of episodes ago. (Grilled Cheese Guy). The Harvest Sol girl was equally clueless. Her concept really changed a great deal. Before, it was all about calories or fat grams or something like that. "What's the fla vor profile?" "Uh... 500 calores". "No, no.. what does it taste like?" "Uhh.. 4 grams of fat"


I actually like Joey Meatball. :) But one of the "investors" made a good comment. It's all the OTHER stuff that drags him down.

[Holly Moore]

I'm still rooting for the Indian restaurant, Spice Coast. Trouble is, after the investors finish Olive Gardening the concept, it will end up as mediocre as all the other pseudo-ethnic national chains.

[IndyRob]

I actually like Joey Meatball. :) But one of the "investors" made a good comment. It's all the OTHER stuff that drags him down.

He's a character, but perhaps too much of one. He seems to have the best culinary basis, but that came from Grandma. I think I agree with the Grillbilly negative assessment, but Joey is not far behind in terms of being potentially very difficult to work with. I think the Soul Daddy option is the most attractive on that score.

[Pierogi]

I was just very happy that Sudhir (sp???) with Spice Coast survived. That's probably the only one of any of the concepts I'd patronize. Joey Meatballs (LOVE that moniker, jsmeeker !) is a dolt, and I'd never go to a meatball sandwich place for a fast lunch during a work day, because I'd end up wearing it. So would my kids at dinner (that's, of course...if I had any. Kids, that is). Crunchy Granola Girl doesn't have a clue about what she wants to serve and why, and her food looks like every bad, cardboard, tasteless cliche of what "healthy" food is. I'd probably also go to Soul Daddy, frankly. He's a close second after Spice Coast, if Soul Man can get his food together. I'd do chicken and waffles in a heartbeat for a "fast casual" meal.

Yeah. Grill 'Billies. They just were a train wreck.

The advice the "investors" are giving the contestants, as has been noted, is all over the place. Is it a fast/quick/good/lunch place for office 'droids, or is it an after school/after soccer/quick cheap dinner place for harried parents and overstressed kids? That's never been made clear, and I think that's hurting the contestants. Of course Indian food isn't going to appeal to most kids. But up until yesterday, kids weren't the freakin' focus !

Steve Ells has got to be one of the singular most annoying people on the planet. And that's saying a LOT.

[baroness]

Pierogi, you've summed up my overall thoughts as well. I hope that Spice Coast doesn't get too far from its roots!

[Zeemanb]

Steve Ells has got to be one of the singular most annoying people on the planet. And that's saying a LOT.

By Steve Ells, are you talking about "And I'm Steve Ells, owner of Chipotle?". THAT Steve Ells? Because you don't want to get him confused with any other Steve Ells who is NOT the owner/creator/founder of Chipotle. I don't think he's annoying, just really, really considerate in identifying himself as THE Steve Ells who owns Chipotle every single damn time he ever has to say his name....

I watch the show as I'm doing other things, so if I'm wrong feel free to correct me, but does it seem like Steve Ells (owner of Chipotle) has this idea that his restaurant is the gold standard of "healthy", fast casual dining and not just a polished "BURRITOS AS BIG AS YOUR HEAD!!!" joint? I know, I know, you can have it all in a bowl and customize it however you want to make it healthier.....just like you can have a salad with no-fat dressing at McDonald's.

[Toliver]

Steve Ells has got to be one of the singular most annoying people on the planet. And that's saying a LOT.

By Steve Ells, are you talking about "And I'm Steve Ells, owner of Chipotle?". THAT Steve Ells? Because you don't want to get him confused with any other Steve Ells who is NOT the owner/creator/founder of Chipotle. I don't think he's annoying, just really, really considerate in identifying himself as THE Steve Ells who owns Chipotle every single damn time he ever has to say his name....

Steve Ellis is like Toby in that episode of "The West Wing" where he lost a bet with Josh and had to introduce himself to everyone he met with "I'm Toby Ziegler...I work at the White House."

The advice the "investors" are giving the contestants, as has been noted, is all over the place. Is it a fast/quick/good/lunch place for office 'droids, or is it an after school/after soccer/quick cheap dinner place for harried parents and overstressed kids? That's never been made clear, and I think that's hurting the contestants.

Exactly this.
So, Bobby Flay, if the winning restaurant is supposed to be one of those "take it and go and eat it on the run" type place (the judges keep telling the contestants to "make it hand held, like a taco or like Steve Ellis' Chipotle burritos"), just how am I supposed to carry and use those dipping sauces you keep harping on the contestants to start making in every episode?
So yes, the judges seem to be sending out mixed signals to the contestants.

[jsmeeker]

Down to the three finalists. Harvest Sol finally got the boot. I don't think she really ever understood what she was doing.

We finally got more details on where exactly the restaurants would be. Looking at it, they mostly are all in locations that cater to tourists. Do local New Yorkers really go to South Street Seaport to have a meal? Maybe just office workers in the financial district? Hollywood and Highland is very tourisity. Mall of America is a big tourist draw, but it still draws plenty of local people. But it's STILL in a giant shopping mall. I wonder if it will be in a food court, or more of a "free standing" place with it's own seating and decor and everything.

[weinoo]

Do local New Yorkers really go to South Street Seaport to have a meal?

Not really. But there is the New Amsterdam Market on Sundays, a huge draw for locals as well.

[Toliver]

Down to the three finalists. Harvest Sol finally got the boot. I don't think she really ever understood what she was doing.

I don't think she did either. At one point she confused veal and lamb. She didn't know if her beef was antibiotic free. And she's serving healthy food? Really?
The indian food is a long shot at this point.

[mathewr]

I live in Manhattan. My friends and I are going to the winners concept regardless a week from today. As long as meatballs doesnt win ill be happy. south street seaport is a trek for me to get to. i really thought the location for ny would be times sq or near rockefella plaza, both touristy but also good for people who live in nyc.

i read these recaps every monday. here is todays:
http://newyork.grubs...staurant_6.html

[IndyRob]

I think the editors would've had to have committed outrght fraud to avoid this episode's result being telegraphed. I had absolutely no doubt who would be eliminated. She was just not ready.

I live in Manhattan. My friends and I are going to the winners concept regardless a week from today. As long as meatballs doesnt win ill be happy. south street seaport is a trek for me to get to. i really thought the location for ny would be times sq or near rockefella plaza, both touristy but also good for people who live in nyc.

I was wondering about this as I saw their countdown tick down to 7 days. I presume the three locations are hidden behind a big show logo and they'll put up signs overnight after the finale?

[ETA]Would you says that the neighborhood selected is representative of a typical location for, say, Chipotle (which BTW, I've heard that Steve Ells founded)?

Edited by IndyRob, 25 April 2011 - 02:22 PM.

[jsmeeker]

I get the impression that no matter who wins, the concept will be hijacked by the "investors" and transformed dramatically from what was originally presented. If Spice Coast wins, I suspect it will turn into some riff on a taco joint. Probably with plenty of beef on the menu.

[Pierogi]

Down to the three finalists. Harvest Sol finally got the boot. I don't think she really ever understood what she was doing.

She knew buzzwords, that's all. Her explanations were just circular....."It's healthy". "What does that mean?" "It's good for you !" "In what way?" "Well, it's *HEALTHY* !"

I seriously have no idea how she made it as long as she did. She should've been gone somewhere in the middle of the pack.

[IndyRob]

I get the impression that no matter who wins, the concept will be hijacked by the "investors" and transformed dramatically from what was originally presented. If Spice Coast wins, I suspect it will turn into some riff on a taco joint. Probably with plenty of beef on the menu.

You might be right, but it could be a risk if people didn't see the winner's vision. Another possibility is a Hell's Kitchen prize where the "Head Chef at !!!!" becomes Skeptically-viewed-sous-chef at Meh.

But I suspect they'll install some general managers and get as far away as possible. If the concept fails they can avoid blame. If it succeeds, they can rush in to claim credit.

I suspect their investment is actually, at least in part, their pay for doing the show.

Edited by IndyRob, 25 April 2011 - 02:36 PM.

[TheTInCook]

Have you guys seen this tv blogging of the show? Too funny

http://nymag.com/tag...reat restaurant

[weinoo]

As reported on chaininfo.com, the winner appears to be opening this coming Monday. That they've been able to keep the winner a secret is the highlight of the show, in my eyes...

The eatery, opening Monday at 189 Front Street, may serve meatballs, soul food, or modern Indian cuisine — but no one will know until Sunday, when the season finale of "America's Next Great Restaurant" airs on NBC.

[IndyRob]

One little detail that I've come to appreciate in this show is that they break with the Top Chef model of saving the final elimination until after a final commercial break and then showing maybe 60 seconds worth of television. ANGR seems to save a contestant to critique after the break and then you have fewer dramatic pauses prior to the announcement. As a viewer I feel a bit less exploited this way (although I like Top Chef more overall).

[Carlton]

I'm actually going to be at Hollywood and Highland on Monday for an event, I will have to swing by and check the winner out.

[TheTInCook]

I was thinking of checking it out too. E Gullet meet up?

[jsmeeker]

And the winner is Soul Daddy! I had good feelings about the concept from early on and always liked Jamawn.


Felt kinda bad for Sudhir and "Spice Coast". He was basically told "make it a Mexican place like Chipotle". He does and the investors say it went in the wrong direction.

[PopsicleToze]

I get the impression that no matter who wins, the concept will be hijacked by the "investors" and transformed dramatically from what was originally presented. If Spice Coast wins, I suspect it will turn into some riff on a taco joint. Probably with plenty of beef on the menu.

You totally nailed that one on the head. Spice Coast menu looked like a Chipotle menu with tacos and carnitas.

Glad Soul Daddy won, but the Spice Coast concept was one that I would be most likely to frequent.

[weinoo]

I get the impression that no matter who wins, the concept will be hijacked by the "investors" and transformed dramatically from what was originally presented. If Spice Coast wins, I suspect it will turn into some riff on a taco joint. Probably with plenty of beef on the menu.

You totally nailed that one on the head. Spice Coast menu looked like a Chipotle menu with tacos and carnitas.

Glad Soul Daddy won, but the Spice Coast concept was one that I would be most likely to frequent.

But I think Spice Coast ended up losing because its menu ended up looking like, and evidently tasting too much like, a taqueria.

Jamawn, in addition to his food, showed himself to be a good manager, able to direct as well as be able to listen to the pros.

[mathewr]

99 percent sure ill be going to the one in ny today. i preferred sudhir to win but as long as joey didnt win i was happy. i would have lost all respect for the show if joey won. that would have said to the viewers all of the challenges meant nothing cause he was the worst in most of them.

[weinoo]

99 percent sure ill be going to the one in ny today. i preferred sudhir to win but as long as joey didnt win i was happy. i would have lost all respect for the show if joey won. that would have said to the viewers all of the challenges meant nothing cause he was the worst in most of them.

As well as him being a total ripoff of a fairly new and existing concept, The Meatball Shop. Except at The Meatball Shop, they know what they're doing.

[mathewr]

99 percent sure ill be going to the one in ny today. i preferred sudhir to win but as long as joey didnt win i was happy. i would have lost all respect for the show if joey won. that would have said to the viewers all of the challenges meant nothing cause he was the worst in most of them.

As well as him being a total ripoff of a fairly new and existing concept, The Meatball Shop. Except at The Meatball Shop, they know what they're doing.

based on his intelligence i highly doubt he knew meatball shop existed.

for the record i am a huge fan of the meatball shop. if u havent been u must go

[weinoo]

based on his intelligence i highly doubt he knew meatball shop existed.

He may not have, but I'm not as convinced about Bobby.

[jsmeeker]

I get the impression that no matter who wins, the concept will be hijacked by the "investors" and transformed dramatically from what was originally presented. If Spice Coast wins, I suspect it will turn into some riff on a taco joint. Probably with plenty of beef on the menu.

You totally nailed that one on the head. Spice Coast menu looked like a Chipotle menu with tacos and carnitas.

Glad Soul Daddy won, but the Spice Coast concept was one that I would be most likely to frequent.

But I think Spice Coast ended up losing because its menu ended up looking like, and evidently tasting too much like, a taqueria.

Jamawn, in addition to his food, showed himself to be a good manager, able to direct as well as be able to listen to the pros.

Sudhir listened to the pros, too. They told him "make it a taco". And he did. And then they say "oh.. but that is too much like a taco"


I'm not hating on Joey like most of the others. I STILL liked the guy overall. But he really ran into a HUGE issue with his order taking system. They had NO set way to write up the orders? That's just asking for so much trouble. In general, I actually think the "get a number and we'll run the order to you" concept is fine. It's done in LOTS of fast casual places. But even setting the order writing issue aside, the way they prepared the food seemed to be out of whack. Was there ONE person doing it all? Seemed like everyones order had to be prepped in a small saute pan. I really didn't get that. But somethig like that could be corrected, I would think.