Hungry Detective Premieres!

[Chris Cognac]

That was so good...I ate the whole thing and they had to make another to shoot for the camera!

[Kim Shook]

Chris, we watched the show tonight with a special interest. I am that rarest of creatures - a District native. I was born in DC and raised in Northern VA. My mom was here visiting from NC. We all loved the show. I remember eating at Ben's during high school - just around the corner from there is the Florida Ave. Grill - great breakfasts - you can even get the half smokes instead of sausage/bacon! When we go up next (we now live in Richmond), we plan on stopping by Julia's and the Cantina - Mr. Kim wants one of those drinks! My mom noticed something that I hadn't before - you are a lefty! All three of us watching (momma, Mr. Kim and I) are lefties, too! My mom said that next time you are in the area, you have to venture into Arlington and go to Mario's on Wilson Blvd. for a ham, steak and cheese sub - the best sub in the area (don't try the pizza, though - you have to be fed it in utero, like I was, to appreciate it).

The crab cake looked good, although you seemed to have given it short shrift next to that lobster roll ! Loved the look on your face when you bit into the roll!

[moosnsqrl]

Loved the look on your face when you bit into the roll!

←

We both laughed out loud at that eyes-rolling-back-into-head look as well.

The chili sans beans reminds me of NuWay and/or the chili at the [in]famous Fred & Red's in Joplin, MO (which eG-ers have been known to have shipped to distant places). I'm going to have to track down some of the brick variety today to satisfy my craving.

Glad the ratings are bearing out our opinions. It's just fun TV.

[srhcb]

My mom noticed something that I hadn't before - you are a lefty!  All three of us watching (momma, Mr. Kim and I) are lefties, too! 

←

I'd half suspected Chris was "south-pawed" too, but hadn't seen any solid evidence yet. Like most of us left-handers, I figured he would have developed an ambidextrous style of eating so as not to interfere with adjacent diners.

Rather than run through the usual litany of complaints about discrimination against lefties, I'll just cite on other food related example. Did you know that knives, unless special ordered, are sharpened right-handed?

SB (Champion of the Sinistral)

PS: The old Irish word for left-hander is "clotog", which also means "strange person".

[Chris Cognac]

I am not a lefty, but do some things left handed...like eat, play hockey (but not golf)....

The Lobster roll was great, one of the best I have had....much better than the legal seafood one I had this weekend in Boston...I really really liked DC, which is cool because I had only heard bad things about it and really didnt want to go there....I had such a great experience doing this show and learned about so many great new places and people....it was a lot of work but an amazing experience....

I have to admit, I do eat a lot of lobster in the show....but hey, who can blame me, wouldnt you eat it too!

[C_Ruark]

Chris C,

I missed the DC episode. Where did ya eat?

~C

[Toliver]

Chris C,

I missed the DC episode. Where did ya eat?

~C

←

Here's a recap of the episode from the FoodTV web site:

The Hungry Detective in Washington, D.C.

[C_Ruark]

Here's a recap of the episode from the FoodTV web site:

The Hungry Detective in Washington, D.C.

←

Thanks!

Colorado Kitchen, eh? :shrugs: I might eat the ham napoleon. Does it come with Gillian's tartar sauce?

Edited November 15, 2006 by C_Ruark (log)

[srhcb]

ATTENTION CHRIS COGNAC FANS!

Don't forget to visit The Food Network's Hungry Detective Site and let them knowm how much you enjoy the show.

SB (be sure to read Chris' bio too!)

And, how about some Hungry Detective appurtenances?

PS: I just noticed this was my eGullet post #2000! And what a great thread to celebrate on!

Edited November 16, 2006 by srhcb (log)

[Chris Cognac]

Just so you folks know....they read EVERY e mail that comes into the network....so if you like it, and even if you dont, go ahead and e mail cause they really do listen to what people have to say...

[moosnsqrl]

Just so you  folks know....they read EVERY e mail that comes into the network....so if you like it, and even if you dont, go ahead and e mail cause they really do listen to what  people have to say...

←

Dang, Chris, I've done everything I can think of to kill it but they just keep airing you. Are you quite SURE they read the emails?

[OnigiriFB]

*grumble mutter* well I just tried to send an email and it keeps giving me an invalid email given notice and all three emails I used where valid ones! Hrmph!

[franktex]

Hey Chris,

Did you mention a while back that you might be hitting Houston or Austin? By all means, keep me posted!

Frank M

[Chris Cognac]

We hit Houston, I think it airs in 2 weeks...Chicago is next, then either Houston or Charleston and then my home town of L.A. (which we hit all my fav spots).

[srhcb]

We hit Houston, I think it airs in 2 weeks...Chicago is next, then either Houston or Charleston and then my home town of L.A. (which we hit all my fav spots).

←

I'm really looking forward to the L.A. episode! (Shades of your debut on Alton Brown's special) Do you think the "locals" will be treating you any differently now that you're a big television star, or are you the prophet without honor ....?

What do the people "at the station" think of your celebrity. I'd have to think the regular cops love it, and even the administrative and political powers that be appreciate the good will you generate?

SB (still waiting for the C.C./H.D. T-shirts etc)

[srhcb]

*grumble mutter* well I just tried to send an email and it keeps giving me an invalid email given notice and all three emails I used where valid ones! Hrmph!

←

Food Networks web site was one of the first I visited when I got on line back in .....?

Through all it's modifications and incarnations its always been poorly designed, quirky, and s...l...o..........w.

Just this morning I tried to find the Alton Brown episode on chocolate chip cookies to link to for a question on another eGullett thread, and I notice they've added more video features, rendering the site more poorly designed, quirkier, and even s........l........o................wer!

I got tired of hunting and waiting and, as a final insult, had to re-boot my computer to escape from the site.

SB (Maybe "someone" could mention this to them? )

[Chris Cognac]

I do know that the geeks who do the site are locted in a cave in New Jersey somewhere (FN HQ is in NYC) I think they are trying to update it w new features etc....I suggested doing some internet stuff like a "blog" while filming....but it went nowhere....I know we did film many segments for the internet but dont know what will come of them....I think itts a matter of finding a format and then introducing it to the public...

On another note, I actually dont have much of a problem (except some videos) on FN.com but I use a Mac and that might be it...

On another note, Chicago is Tuesday...I have not seen it but my producer Sean thinks its one of the top 2 shows...so should be fun to watch....plus there is a cool "real story" in the show....

Oh yea, Shirts etc....we dont have or get any shirts etc from FN, there is virtually no product to purchase....that said, I was thinking of getting some cool baseball jerseys and t shirts made up on cafepress....coomplete w secret meanings etc....our show is like the masons...tons of hidden stuff!

The guys at work are digging the show.....we usually watch it Weds morning in the Det conference room....everyone gets really hungry and then pissed off at me!

I get lots of requests for "special dinners etc" from the guys who want to propose, celebrate etc....so I make calls for them which is neat....alot of the Vegas and L.A. chefs take good care of my friends...its funny as many of my fellow cops have not done the fine dining thing....its different to say the least...

I took the young Vegas Officer and his wife along w Martha and I for a tasting menu over 3 restaurants in Vegas....they hung w us for 17 courses...it was so funny to watch Eric (Vegas cop) try and figure out what stuff was and how to eat it....

Edited November 19, 2006 by Chris Cognac (log)

[Bombdog]

...coomplete w secret meanings etc....our show is like the masons...tons of hidden stuff!

←

Something like "Do the pickle?" or "Oysters RULE"?

[Chris Cognac]

that or the number 8....or 16....

[agbaber]

ill be right back man...

what'd he say?

ocho.

[srhcb]

I recognized the Geno's pizza pie.

The place I worked in St Paul in the 70's sent a guy down to Chicago to learn how to make pizzas. It must have been Geno's! Later they swept the first annual Twin Cities pizza contest run by a local paper.

As far as I know, there's one place in Minneapolis still using the original recipe.

SB (I even remember those the old ovens)

PS: Loved them guys at the ribs joint!

PSS: Did I miss something? No Chicago cops in the show?

Edited November 22, 2006 by srhcb (log)

[Chris Cognac]

The guy in the pizza segment was a cop...he had a badge and gun on...I actually worked cases w him....we put a kiddy porn guy in jail a few years ago....he did a bunch of stakeouts in the freezing cold based on information I had....ended up working out great...so I had to put him in the show....

Chi town is a pretty city that is for sure!

[srhcb]

The guy in the pizza segment was a cop...he had a badge and gun on...I actually worked cases w him....we put a kiddy porn guy in jail a few years ago....he did a bunch of stakeouts in the freezing cold based on information I had....ended up working out great...so I had to put him in the show....

←

Damn you're right. I was so busy waxing ecstatic about pan pizzas and concentrating on my typing, (and distracted by my dogs!) I completely forgot! And a good police story besides!

SB (I owe you one. )

Edited November 22, 2006 by srhcb (log)

[Darin Smith]

Chris: My wife and I watched the Chicago episode last night and we really enjoyed it. She had never seen the show before and really like your presence on screen. She said unlike most shows of this type it didn't feel like you were "presenting" the food to us. It was more like the feeling you'd get if a friend in a new city dragged you out to some of their favorite places. I can't imagine a better reaction for a first time viewer. Well Done!

[Kim Shook]

Chris, I loved this episode. My parents lived in Chicago for a few years in the early 80's and absolutely loved the city. I spent summers there (I was in college) and did a LOT of eating. Greektown was probably our favorite place to just wander into a restaurant and take a chance. We always got a great meal. Saganaki is probably my favorite food on the planet. I must have missed something, though. No lobster this show???