111668 Mon Oct 28 02:27:37 -0800 2002 4 7 Chicago Area 0 605152 i've been moaning about the dated, cookie-cutter reviews in the trib and the sun-times for years. how many times can bruno review rosebud in one year? the review that mike g just turned in on fortunato and bella domani cinch it. when you read good food critics, asimov and grimes of the new york times for instance, they put you there. the authenticity and the knowledge of food are in the writing, but more importantly, they give you a story about a meal, a night, an experience. i've stopped reading mainstream chicago reviews because one more "shrimp cocktail with a spicy tomato sauce for $9.95" will probably put me over the edge. does the chicago audience really need to be beaten about the head with every price on the menu and the formulaic musings of apps, entrees, desserts, service delivered the same way every time? these guys have zero imagination. the only thing worse than reading a bruno review would be having to sit at the table listening to his conversation all night. they might very well be nice guys, but they are horrible writers. put a chowhound behind the wheel. let's make newspapers worth the change again. i'm tired of avoiding the friday editions like the plague. mike g for trib food critic. let the interesting articles begin. Mon Oct 28 02:27:37 -0800 2002 0 johnny 1 605155 Gee, thanks, and here I thought I was just serving as David Hammond's muse... Mon Oct 28 09:43:28 -0800 2002 605152 0 Mike G 2 605161 Ok, let's not get MikeG's head too bloated now ;). We've all been working real hard ganging up on him and pooh-poohing and saying "been there, done that (yawn)" everytime he thinks he's discovered an unknown place. Let's not undo all that work cutting him down to size ;). (Seriously, MikeG: enjoyed the essay.) Richard (who nearly died when he thought he lost the whole essay on "catholicity" he just posted below when this board started acting up again) Mon Oct 28 11:49:13 -0800 2002 605155 0 RST 3 605185 When I have Vettel's job I'll commission you for the in-depth pieces, RST. Mon Oct 28 15:06:48 -0800 2002 605161 0 Mike G 1 605204 Johnny, Well, OK, Mike G can be second after Monica Eng. Actually, I have been suggesting that P Vettel and M Eng switch jobs for years. Speaking of P Vettel and Monica Eng, why the hell is every word PV has ever uttered in print (uttered in print {smile}) in a searchable archive while M Eng’s, with the exception of a few recent reviews, inaccessible. By the way, great review Mike. Enjoy, Gary Mon Oct 28 22:07:54 -0800 2002 605152 0 G Wiv