KCWilkinson

My life might finally be complete.

Anyone here been to Recess in Indianapolis? It is the same Chef who was at the great Elements. Any reports? Moving back to the area and wanting to know if it's a good option to apply at.

Last night was better, but IIRC, last season didn't get really interesting until the first elimination round was already finished. Although judging from the previews, it looks like the episode where they bring back last year's losers is going to be a fun one to watch. The quickfire was nice, but man did they overthink it in my opinion. I mean, to me, a grilled cheese is a simple sandwich. Please do not put an insane amount of weirdness into it or change it up very much. Just give me something that will remind me of what I had growing up while simultaneously reminding me that I'm now completely grown up. What a bad day for Carmen though. I can't believe she won. I felt bad for her that she lost all that time, but I wasn't upset that Marcus didn't help her out, and I was surprised the others did. I could see if there was something that went wrong that she couldn't control, sure, help her out a little bit. But come on, she made a stupid mistake that was absolutely 100% her own fault. She didn't really deserve to be helped. And I know, I know, chefs are supposed to be helpful to each other like in the one episode where they picked ingredient baskets for the other chefs last season. But the reality is that its a competition. It was nice to see Marcus' competitive force. I'm really, REALLY happy that he is moving on and not the Texan chef.

I would do a cheese, or possibly some fruit. I have some foie sitting in my fridge right now, as a buddy swears by a certain Canadian icewine paired with seared foie. I guess we will see tomorrow.

The first episode was truly disappointing. It was just boring. I have all the respect and adulation in the world for Tony Mantuano, but I never in my LIFE thought I'd watch an episode of anything and say "wow, he was the most entertaining guy there." And so many of those quickfires just annoy me. I don't get the gas station or one-aisle quickfires, or most of them for that matter. They have nothing to do with a chef's abilities or talents, and they aren't even entertaining. It's so unrealistic to ask a chef to cook out of a gas station with only $20. I would MUCH rather watch one of the knife/prep skills challenges 50 times in a row before watching a single challenge where they try to make haute cuisine out of cheetos. It's annoying, boring, and unrealistic. UGH. Anyway, I think this season will turn out pretty good, even though the first episode was major suckage. I'm looking for Graham Elliot Bowles to do some awesome stuff. I think he'll go far this year. I hope, at least.

I agree entirely, it definitely wasn't directed at us. But I still think overall it was not a good show. There was very little new information in there, that people who watch food shows haven't seen a hundred times before. I mean, I've seen 10s of 10s of examples of people showing others how to dice an onion, and they've all been more succint and informative than the one on the episode. The only difference was that Tony explained the truth--- when you cut your thumb, the pain of feeling like a dumbass hurts more than the pain of the cut. But even the Pepin omelette was subpar. Pepin's own technique shows are much better. The Keller part was great, in my opinion. Especially when you consider that technique, attention to detail, and the striving for perfection is what makes Keller "Keller" rather than "that chef from that restaurant we really like."

Last night's technique episode was a bigtime loser. I was expecting something great, and was really let down.

I moved out to Healdsburg last August to begin working at Cyrus. Since then, I have been meticulously saving every penny I could on a very meager cook's salary. Finally, after 7 months, I've saved up enough that I can start trying to book a reservation at The French Laundry. I honestly cannot remember a time where I have been so excited about something!!!

The sous-chef has a very good blog called linecook415. I very much want to eat there. I'm sorry to hear you didn't love your meal, though. Everyone I know who has been there had a much better experience.

I'll be in Ft. Myers for the week before July 4th. Looking for any good recommendations for restaurants, but also interesting eGullet like places, meat markets, produce markets, interesting places, etc. Restaurants, I'm not looking to go all out, but if there is something in Ft. Myers that is amazing amazing amazing then I'd be more than willing to go. But for the most part, just a decent place to grab a quick bite while on vacation. Thanks in advance!

I don't have a lot of experience, but I've been doing an extended stage at one of the nicer restaurants in Chicago for about a month and a half now. I was told to bring my knife kit, but they provided chef's jacket. I think for that, you're best to ask the chef or the sous chef or whomever is helping you out. The best advice I can give you from my small amount of experience is this: Keep your mouth shut and your head down. You are there to work, but also to learn. Do not miss any opportunity to soak up every bit of knowledge available in that kitchen, and believe me, there will be a lot of it.

That's really great. Congrats to Chef Achatz and the entire Alinea team.

"Butter Emergency!"

As far as his reasoning for putting the dish on the menu, he commented on that in his Atlantic piece last week. http://food.theatlantic.com/back-of-the-ho...-old-modern.php Sad to hear that the dish missed the mark.

Yep, it seems like your best option. Considering you're having 230 + a flip on good nights and running a low food cost, I would imagine that the owner might have a little bit of cash floating around, but that's just a guess.

Classic. "You had to eat it before it got big enough to fight back."

Hmmm... Not a ton of options in Indy. There's the usual business dinner places like McCormick & Schmick or Cap Grille. Then there's the Oceanaire Seafood Room. If you're looking for something a little more relaxed and not so.... boring (to be frank) you could always hit up the Rathskeller. Great German food but also a variety for people who don't like German. Beer list is one of the best in the city. Another good place is Cafe Nora up on 86th. It's a bit of a sleeper. In a very ugly building with an unassuming sign, if I hadn't been starving my girlfriend and I would have driven straight by it without trying it. It's nice. The food was really good, some Mediterranean with a little French twist. The wine list was pretty good too, for Indy. If you're looking for super casual, Shapiro's Deli is a good place to go in and grab a quick sandwich or dinner.

Has anyone been to mk recently and can report on it?

Kent-- from the Zimmern show that people are referencing, he mentioned they were about the same relative size as salmon roe.

Whoa!! That is a serious meal at The Bristol. That sounds awesome, I'm definitely going to look into that option for us. That sounds like a great deal, especially at $200 including tax and tip--- and Alex, I did need it to include tax, wine, and tip, although I could go a little more if need be. Terragusto also sounds great. Thanks for the tips guys, I really appreciate it. Edit: The Bristol sounds really familiar to me. I think they were at the Chicago Gourmet event where I worked the booth for my school. Did they just recently open in the last 6 months?

Hey guys. I'm looking for a restaurant to take myself and 3 of my culinary school buddies in the next couple of weeks. I would love to go somewhere like Alinea, Tru, or Trotter's, but my budget doesn't allow that kind of freedom. Any good recommendations for a meal for 4 under $200? Much appreciated, thank you. I may spend a bit more and go to Alinea by my lonesome, but I feel a bit weird dining out alone, even though this feeling is probably misguided.

Great videos, thanks. Cross-posted into another forum, and I think they'll appreciate the links too.

I'm in culinary school now (CHIC), and I feel it was one of the best decisions I ever made. However, it's easy to say that when I am living in a great city, spending all day learning how to become better at doing what I love. Once I'm out of school for 6 months and the student loans start to pile in and the rigors of real "adult" life close in on me, I do not know that I will feel the same way. I certainly hope I'm as excited in 2 years as I am today. Anyway, whatever it is you choose to do, best of luck to you. If you end up going to Purdue, PM me. I'm from 20 minutes north of Lafayette and can tell you anything you'd want to know about the area.

Sorry for the necropost, but I just saw this thread. I worked the Gourmet event for CHIC, where I go to school. It was a very cool, very fun event to work and also just to be at. During breaks we walked around and got to sample some of the drink and food offerings. A lot of wine booths! They made it quite easy to enjoy our short breaks. Anyway, I'd recommend this to anyone who was thinking about going this year but didn't pull the trigger. It was great fun.