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I did notice that and I think Padma does too. Hopefully he won't be invited back next season. Bring back Gail!

As I recall the episode, every time Ariane suggested a cooking method Leah and Hosea nixed it and Ariane didn't stand up to them.

You and me both!!!!!

I agree that I think this is the weakest season so far and judge Toby tries far to hard to be like Tony Bourdain, who just has a really quick wit. It doesn't even feel like Toby really thinks about how the food is, just a funny (not so much) comment he can make about it.

Jeff is Dr. Chase from House

Ok, so by your admission of "pretty much anyone one on the food network", your even likes list should be under the worst: Ina Garten, Mario, Chiarello....all of them have or had shows on Food network. ← Tony Bourdain Mario Lydia Ina Garten The Worst: Bobby Flay Sandra Lee Rachel Ray Giada Pretty much anyone ELSE on food network!!

Ok, so by your admission of "pretty much anyone one on the food network", your even likes list should be under the worst: Ina Garten, Mario, Chiarello....all of them have or had shows on Food network. ← Yes, Ina is on food network now but Michael only has reruns now. I guess I should have been more specific - I'm new!

I had a similar experience on Saturday. We had a 6:30 reservation for 6 people that the restaurant called to confirm at 3 on Saturday afternoon. We arrived on time for our reservation and waited 1/2 hour to be seated while the hostess and the person who would show us to our table debated about where they could fit a table for 6. They had confirmed our reservation and knew we would be there, so that should have been decided and set up before we arrived. And, a party of four showed up that the hostess knew, so his group of 4 was seated immediately. That table could have seated 6 nicely as I saw it when we were finally seated at the top of the stairs on the second level. I will say, that room was a bit less noisy than the others. Our server didn't show up for a good 15 minutes or more. He was very professional, just slow. Our food was good, especially the pastas. I had the bolognese and it was delicious. We did not get up from the table until 9:30 (some because we were talking, but mostly because of the slow service) and then proceeded to wait 1/2 and hour for our car and my coat, which had been separated from the bunch and sent to the upstairs overflow area. Also, one of the bathroom doors did not lock properly and my husband ran into a woman he works with............ when she was able to get into the bathroom while he was in it!!! In all, I like the food but maybe I'll opt to go on a weeknight. They have some serious kinks to work out!!!

I do taste a difference between cans and glass and much prefer glass. I also taste a different from small bottles to large - small are better IMO. :

Lays Kettle Cooked Mesquite BBQ - great flavor and crunch!

I kive in Northern Westchester and I am looking for a good steak. I've been to the new Croton Creek, and the steak is totally tasteless - but people love it. I don't get it. I've heard BLT is not that great, and a new place opened, Marc Charles Steakhouse, that someone in the group we are going out with wants to try, but I haven't heard anything about it. Anyone have any ideas?

I once was on the set of Gale Gand's cooking show, "Sweet Dreams". I was introduced to her and we were talking about the show, props, etc. She said there was a lot of viewer reaction to the fact that she was using a professional mixer (it might have been a Kitchen-Aid pro?). Reaction was so strong that they subbed it out with a retro-styled MixMaster, complete with glass bowl and double beaters. My point is, according to FN execs, there are alot of people out there intimidated by restaurant chefs, so taking Anne out of the restaurant kitchen, and putting her in a home kitchen setting might "play better in Peoria". Oh, and BTW, the exec producer of Gale's show is the same producer of Anne's show. And, in fact, he's exec producer of FN's Rachel Ray show. I'm thrilled to see a real person using real food and cooking it. We need to see more shows like this. Cutting the on-air hours of Sandra Lee, for example, and give some of them to Anne, and people like her. At least when Anne cooks, she won't use a powdered "vinegar-ette" pack, whipped topping, canned fruit, etc. Sorry for going off on a rant tangent. Couldn't help myself. ← YES, lets cut down on Sandra Lee and get more Anne!! Great idea. We could also cut some Bobby too!!

I so agree about this season. I love Top Chef, but this year's cheftestants just are not doing anything exciting. Last season we had Richard and Stephanie. This year, Stefan seems to put out decent food as does Jamie but there is nothing where you think - that's a winner. Its usually just the best of the lot. Last week, Stefan almost went home after a cook off against Andrea, of all people!!! That all being said, I do love Fabio just to hear his comments (this is Top Chef, not Top Scallops!) and he is charming, but......... how about some food chops somewhere - someone!

Favorite: Julia and Jacques Michael Chiarello Tony Bourdain Mario Lydia Ina Garten The Worst: Bobby Flay Sandra Lee Rachel Ray Giada Pretty much anyone on food network!!