DeVeaux

I assume that the cooks on the Food Channel wash their hands. I watch for their cooking and recipes. If I wanted to watch some one washing their hands, I could probably find The Handwashing Channel somewhere on cable.

The only time Samantha Brown is worth watching is when she goes somewhere cold.

I loved Steven's rant at the end about how he was going to be the best restauranteur in the universe and raise the bar to a new level. Let's look in on Steven next year at this time: "Good evening. My name is Steven, and I'll be your sodaollier this evening. For the lady, I would definitley suggest something in a Sprite to go with that McFish sandwich, especially since you're also having a McSalad. For you Sir, a nice Dr. Pepper to accompany that Doubler Quarter Pounder. The syrup was just changed, and it will have a piquant aftertaste of prunes to set off the grease. You'll notice that your tray was given to you in a Continental "sweeping" manner. You there, garçon - you're not properly placing the pommes frites in the boxes - do it comme ça."

We ate at Bouchon when we were in Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago - it was excellent.

I was at Einstein Brothers' Bagels in Crown Center in Kansas City this summer for breakfast, and the WASPrincess in front of me ordered her bagel with a "smeer". Gotta love the Midwest.

Garduno's in Scottsdale is very good for Mexican food - it's down the street from the Hyatt Gainey Ranch.

Anything sugar-free. But NOT vanilla, butter pecan and chocolate. As far as I can tell, Haagen Dasz makes exactly zero sugar free varities, and B&J's makes almost none. Apparently, they feel that diabetics only want crappy cheap vanilla or butter pecan ice cream, certainly not premium ice cream in a variety of interesting flavors.

Thanks, Neil. How is the Robuchon's Mansion?

We're going to see Ka on 3/31, and were thinking about dinner at L'Atelier or Smith & Wollensky - L'Alteler's on line menu at the MGM site is really sketchy - does Robuchon have a web site with the menu so we can take a look to make a decision?

I miss Grandma Brown's Beans, which we ate while growing up in Western New York - I've never seen them in the Midwest. I'll have to see if they have a web site.

Coquus- I'm from the Falls, and the Italian Restaurant where the Godfathers were said to have met was the Como on Pine Avenue, and it's still open and the food was still good the last time I ate there. Don Stefano Maggadino's favorite restaurant was Donna Felicia's in Lewiston, which I hear has sadly closed.

Canned corn beef hash slathered in ketchup Grilled Peanut butter samwiches Fried balony & cheese samwiches (cut a slit in the side of the balony and it won't turn into a cup shape) Mock chicken legs - some sort of mystery meat breaded and on a stick that Mom used to get at the butcher shop.

So, where else can we look forward to Tony visiting? I see Malaysia is coming up next week. I hope they re-run these, cuz I missed the Iceland episode, since the Marriott in Tampa's cable selections did not include the travel channel (or much else). I bet you could sell Tony's Deep-Fried Squeezel on a Stick at state fairs.

We walked over and ate at Tina Tapas one night, and took the Trolley to Ybor and had paella at the Columbia another night. It was very good, and I want to go back with my Wife for a winter vacation to Tampa or Miami.

Loved the Jersey show, but driving a Mustang around Jersey?? Shoulda been a Camero, then Tony & Mario could have pretended to be I.R.O.C.'s (Italian Retards Out Crusing). BTW, Tony - don't feel bad that people from da City look down on Jerseyites - they don't much care for Upstate natives like me, either.

I do hope they can find a sponsor for the IFOCE vomitorium for after the competition. I saw the Nathan's contest - fat guys with food dripping down their chests doesn't quite make it as a sport, IMHO.

They need to get Gordo Ramsey on the show to actually cook, rather than throw hissy fits and swear at people. Though I guess he could abuse the judges if they don't like his food - "WHAT DO MEAN YOU DON'T LIKE IT, YOU STUPID C--T? ARE YOUR TASTE BUDS UP YOUT ARSE? OH, F--K OFF!"

My Daughter, who loves Rachael's show, asked me why I don't deep-fry fish & chips in EVOO, since it's all Rachael seems to use. Sigh.

Maybe Michael will take a bath if he wins. I have never seen such a greasy looking chef. He looks like a walking health violation.

I truly doubt that anyone with me will want to pay the difference between Bern's or Sidebern's prices and a State per diem. They do look good, though.

Thanks, Scherb - I really like Indian, so I might try Shalimar. You're not too late - we're not leaving until Sunday, 7/31.

Ted's Hot Dogs in Buffalo. The REAL New York hot dog champ. Grilled over charcoal, poked and prodded so it splits open, looking like the cook burned the dog, washed down with "bug juice" aka loganberry juice. Heaven.

He gets paid to be an abusive, bullying twat.

Haven't been to Macri's for a long time, but I never liked the Como, so they've got my vote.

OK, here's a variation for next season: Gordon is the grill cook at an inner city McDonald's. His supervisor is a very large Black woman with an attitude against "chefs" who hate fat people and do not have even one Black person on their show. Gordon's mouth is duct taped shut, and he's attached to the grill by a leg chain for 15 hour shifts. He is called a "stupid twat" by the entire staff and all of his Quarter Pounders are returned and thrown at him to be cooked again, while customers come back and insult him. Once a day, Gordon is released from the grill and has to dress up as Ronald McDonald and stand outside and dance while holding a sign that says "I wasn't good enough to play for Rangers, so I became a fry cook". He is also only allowed to eat McDonald's food.