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ronnie_suburban

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Posts posted by ronnie_suburban

    Favorite/Least Favorite Food "Celebrities"

    in Food Media & Arts

    Posted

    Indeed: I got a very nice communication from Alton--via an interested and trusted third party--and my pique over an imagined snub quickly evaporated. For the record: I always thought the show was pretty decent--and filled with useful and even enlightening information.

    Thanks for the update Tony...I can now abdicate my title of rumor-monger (and maybe even watch Good Eats again)... :unsure:

    =R=

    "The Restaurant" Reality Show Season 1

    in Food Media & Arts

    Posted

    I'll point out again . . .

    It's not about Rocco's the Restaurant or even any of Rocco's restaurants.

    The guy realized he wanted to make money.  The money isn't in the restaurants.  The money is in book contracts, appearances, endorsements, etc.

    Grimes has had it right all along:  it's about Rocco's career.

    And the guy is going to have a fine career--at least for awhile & at least economically.

    Absolutely. There was a quote from a marketing person in an article linked a ways back in this thread...something like 'it's all about brand Rocco.'

    That pretty much sums it up...at least as I'd speculate on Rocco's perspective.

    =R=

    "The Restaurant" Reality Show Season 1

    in Food Media & Arts

    Posted

    Why do we assume that 'the average people' didn't pick up on the fact that Rocco and Rocco's both came off very badly in the show and would still be interested in going there?

    Just basing this (admitted assumption) on the fact that people/tourists, even while on vacation in a great city like NYC, will go to TGIFridays and Bennigan's. Also, there are reports that Rocco's is still full on a constant basis. Just thinking too about the tv medium in general, and how many look at the very appearance or mention of a place on tv as an 'endorsement'. Of course, many are more discerning but IMO there are enough folks out there who are not, to keep the place full in perpetuity. I really hope that I'm wrong about this.

    =R=

    Friends/Relatives' imposed food conditions

    in Food Traditions & Culture

    Posted

    But seriously, when I am on the 'guest end' of this equation, I'd never give any instructions to my hosts.  That's why I have the same expectation when I am the host.  I do accomodate and I'm often happy to do it (*whispers* we have vegetarians in my family) but I'd never make any special requests of a person who is inviting me over and doing a lot of work already to make it happen.

    =R=

    ron, what kind of utopian world do you live in? the fact that you don't make any demands will not stop others...

    :biggrin: Well...a boy can dream, can't he?

    Seriously though, I really don't have problems with guests...guests are voluntary and are easily dispatched (in the future) if they are problematic. I have problems with family dining at my house. They will keep coming back even if they experience eternal disappointment in what you cook for them. It's this kind of 'repeat business' that feels thankless and beyond Sisyphean.

    And in my family, if I don't host, the others will invariably try to 'host' at a restauant. I'm sorry, I love restaurants, but not for family gatherings and/or important holidays. What's that line...? the only thing my mother knows how to make for dinner is reservations. That pretty much sums it up.

    =R=

    "The Restaurant" Reality Show Season 1

    in Food Media & Arts

    Posted

    Was Rocco's reputation sullied? Probably. Will people remember? Yes, for about fifteen minutes. We he do it again? Yes, you heard him at the end of the show. Will we watch? Without question -if nothing more than to bash him and the restaurant again. I guess he'll be crying all the way to the bank. Will any other chef consider doing this type of show? Only the ones that wish to be independently wealthy so they can run their own small place and don't need to answer to investors.

    Does anyone believe the other reality programs show "real" occurrences? Nothing on TV that's taped is real. If you want reality TV, only watch live broadcasts. The networks can't script live TV to the same extent.

    Great points....IMO, there will now be a group of hard-core food people who will forever exile/shun Rocco but there will be many more folks (who are not close to the world of food) who will now fill his restaurants and watch every minute of every one of his tv appearances. On balance, I'd bet that Rocco comes away from this wealthier and more widely-known than he ever would have been if he'd skipped it and just continued to toil away in 3-Star kitchens. That said, he did come off as a pompous and insensitive ass at times. Frankly, I get the feeling that he considered that eventuality before getting into this and decided that it didn't matter to him. He was ready to get out of the kitchen and this would be his vehicle.

    I never expect 'true' reality--especially from a major network tv show. Does such a thing even exist? One way or another, there is always editorial bias to consider, even if it doesn't come up and beat you over the head. In this case, the bias is decidedly commercial, but even in a gritty documentary, the filmmaker is starting with a premise that he or she wants to 'sell' to the viewer.

    =R=

    Friends/Relatives' imposed food conditions

    in Food Traditions & Culture

    Posted

    I know you're just venting here and all.....

    Bingo! :smile:

    But seriously, when I am on the 'guest end' of this equation, I'd never give any instructions to my hosts. That's why I have the same expectation when I am the host. I do accomodate and I'm often happy to do it (*whispers* we have vegetarians in my family) but I'd never make any special requests of a person who is inviting me over and doing a lot of work already to make it happen.

    =R=

    "The Restaurant" Reality Show Season 1

    in Food Media & Arts

    Posted

    Pete, whose obvious desperation to be on camera is unparalleled, finally puts in a hard days work, but still can’t seem to follow orders. Didn’t someone (John?) tell him to dress like the other guys (i.e. not in a t-shirt) so he doesn’t sweat all over the clean dishes?

    This episode really disgusted me and it's pretty much all been said...the feeble attempts to apply a coherent storyline at the very end of the series (the ONLY reason for the Hamptons trip IMO), the meaningless marriage proposal by Mr. Fame Whore, the idiotic and self-indulgent machinations of the tragically good-looking. Hmmm, I wondered where all those hot morons from high school ended up...apparently, they're all working for Rocco now. This show should have been called Wannabe Junction.

    But Pete was possibly the worst of all of them. The guy is simply not funny. Everytime he spoke he tried to be funny and he never, ever was. Someone upthread referred to him as Shecky :laugh: and I'd agree except that Shecky Green was actually funny every once in a while. I'd suggest that Pete not quit his day job, but that's not exactly his strong suit either...

    After watching this series, I need more than a shower, I need a full on haz-mat team.

    =R=

    Evanston, IL Restaurants: Reviews & Recommendation

    in The Heartland: Dining

    Posted

    There are 2 Japanese resturants south of downtown, New Japan and Kuni's. Stay away from the horrible tapas place.

    Love New Japan...had a very bad experience a few years ago at Kuni's and have not been back since.

    Also on Main Street (near Kuni's) are Oceanique for fine-dining with a seafood bent (duh :wacko:) and Lucky Platter (across the street from Kuni's), 2 places that have a lot to offer. Another 'cheap eat' near there is Cross-Rhodes on Chicago Avenue just north of Main St.

    And...back on the Central Avenue roster, no one mentioned 'upscale grocery' Foodstuffs. It's a bit hoity toity, but they have some decent sandwiches and their dips and breads are top-notch. And...a few doors west of there is Great Harvest Bread Co., not my fave types of breads, but highly regarded by many.

    =R=

    The Atkins Diet Topic

    in Food Traditions & Culture

    Posted

    Thanks Mags...I love to hear about what others' Atkins routines are like. You've clearly investigated the 'low carb products' side of things more than I have.

    And while I did use the term prison, one must vent from time to time. :smile: and I do get frustrated with what I still feel are somewhat limited choices. Perhaps my tone (a little flippant) belied my serious love and respect for Dr. Atkins and the work he did. There is no question that I feel great when I'm Atkins--way better than when I'm not.

    It's wonderful to hear about your successes too. Okay, okay...I will refrain from turning this thread into an herbalife informercial. :wink:

    =R=

    The Atkins Diet Topic

    in Food Traditions & Culture

    Posted

    My understanding is that Atkins works because when your body runs out of carbs, it turns to fat for energy.  If that's the case, I wouldn't expect that SS's theory would work.  Frankly, I don't know if Atkins's theory is any good, but what the hell.  I will say that after four days, it's no way to live.

    I've been on Atkins for the better part of this year (with some much-needed breaks built in)...

    I've lost 30-35 pounds, lowered my bp considerably (went from 140/100 to 120/80) and chopped 70 points off my cholesterol.

    That's the good part....now, here's the bad part....

    For a foodie, Atkins is essentially prison. Yes, yes and yes I feel a lot better when I'm on Atkins, but the variety of choices is so narrow (especially over time) that it gets to be a major drag. When you're thinking to yourself 'steak again?' you know you're in trouble.

    Atkins does work and the science behind it is sound (witness the miracles of Benign Dietary Ketosis--burning fat for fuel), but applying it on an everyday, practical basis is tough. If you're at all interested, I highly recommend reading the book and by the same token, I wouldn't venture down 'Atkins Avenue' without having done so.

    That said, even if the diet doesn't work for you, there are still a few (somewhat untold) truths about nutrition and food revealed within. You will never look at food the same way again after reading or trying Atkins. After a while on Atkins, you will come to understand that, nutritionally speaking, a bagel and a donut are essentially the same. You will be more aware than ever of the extreme dangers of nutritionally devoid carbohydrates.

    =R=

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