286454 Fri Jul 21 06:32:57 -0700 2000 19 33 Food Media and News 0 1536018 Who is or was "Bigfoot"? The author says he's a well known Village chef and gives other hints. I'm sure someone knows. Please tell. cz Fri Jul 21 06:32:57 -0700 2000 0 christina z 1 1536019 With some trepedation I can safely say he is one Andrew Menschel, a legend in NYC's West Village. While I never worked for him, I'm 100% on this. Fri Jul 21 07:22:13 -0700 2000 1536018 0 Chef72 2 1536021 I searched for previous threads re: Le Halles and only found a few. Will anyone who has eaten there speak up on the quality of his cooking? Is he the enfant terrible he makes himself out to be? Fri Jul 21 07:47:29 -0700 2000 1536019 0 bryan 3 1536023 Chef Bourdain makes superb Bistro cuisine at Les Halles. The place is quite noisy, smoky, and crowded; i.e. just the way a bistro oughta be and a great energy level. Be prepared to ear BIG portions. As far as the "enfant teribe" thing, my guess is that Bourdain runs his kitchen with just enough fear and screaming to keep things running smoothly. (See chapter on "Bigfoot.") Fri Jul 21 07:54:16 -0700 2000 1536021 0 Chef72 3 1536028 I gave it a very enthusiastic write-up in my dining diary (see my 5/10 entry at the link below). At least I thought it was enthusiastic...Bourdain stopped returning my emailed attempts to interview him right when it came out! Link: http://www.chowhound.com/dinner/5-and-6-00.html Fri Jul 21 12:31:40 -0700 2000 1536021 0 Jim Leff 4 1536033 Jim, has no one told you that he listed chowhound.com as one of his two favorite websites in the USA Today Sunday Supplement? Fri Jul 21 16:00:16 -0700 2000 1536028 0 e.d. 5 1536043 I found this site from the USA Weekend article--7/14-7/16. "My Web: Anthony Bourdain. Movers, Shakers and Their Bookmarks." Fri Jul 21 18:54:09 -0700 2000 1536033 0 Nancy Ives 4 1536050 [Re: Jim's review of Les Halles] I read it at the time and, for what it's worth, I also thought your review was very enthusiastic. I guess perhaps he wanted a different image from the one you gave of his place, or something - who knows. Artists can be temperamental, as you know, and great cooking is certainly an art that requires talent and pride. [shrug]Anyway, I'm sorry he apparently took offense. Sat Jul 22 02:34:50 -0700 2000 1536028 0 Michael 5 1536056 No offense taken. I was very pleased with an entirely fair review...Simply crazy busy travelling around like an intinerant Borscht Belt comedian flogging the book. Sat Jul 22 06:22:51 -0700 2000 1536050 0 Anthony Bourdain 6 1536058 Yeah, the book's doing great, and you are everywhere (my MOM has heard of you!). I mean, I consider mjyself to write strictly for readers, not chefs, editors, so I can't let myself care whether my opinions piss anybody off. But it's always weird when restaurants get mad at me for rave reviews (I've got some stories you wouldn't believe...I was once served fetid, rotton meat by a restaurateur who figured out who I was after I'd given him the hugest rave that--as he himself admitted--actually saved his restaurant from imminent demise). So I'm glad to know this wasn't the case... ciao Sat Jul 22 10:47:10 -0700 2000 1536056 0 Jim Leff 3 2796174 I ate at Les Halles this past December and had a wonderful meal. Bourdain is no longer in the kitchen...and no one pretends that he is. But I thought the quality was excellent. I sat by myself and didn't feel rushed or out of place. The place is noisy...and lighting can be a little dark in some areas (as in couldn't read the book I brought with until I added a few more candles to the table) but the food was spot on french bistro. I can't remember everything I had (appetizer or dessert) but I know I had a nice spicy glass of red wine and the hanger steak and pomme frites and was a very, very happy girl. The table sitting next to me had what looked to be a wonderful meal...all different dishes. I kind of wish I had went with a group of 4 like them so I could sample all the different things on the menu. Is it the best French cuisine in NYC? Probably not. But its damn fine French bistro cuisine and that's all that matters. Mon Jul 30 09:43:22 -0700 2007 1536021 76776 Elyssa 2 1536030 Which places does/did he own? Fri Jul 21 14:46:47 -0700 2000 1536019 0 David Jacobson 2 1537040 Chef72, Thanks for the scoop on Bigfoot. I too was very interested to know who the legendary character was. Drew Nieporent came immediately to mind. Are Drew Nieporent and Andrew Menschel one and the same? I had to ask, as Drew is a common handle for Andrew. Maybe Nieporent is Menshel's surname alias with French panache? Any more info would be appreciated. Take care and all the best, Phil <---< Sat Sep 16 03:55:13 -0700 2000 1536019 0 Phil Sgueglia 3 1537049 Hi, Andy Menschel and Drew Nieporent are two different people. I hope you were kidding. Andy Menschel, as I remember him, was/is a legend in his own mind - and a legend to anyone who was in the restaurant business in the Village in the 80's. I worked in the restaurant business in the early 80's. Cooked and lived in the West Village and knew Andy Menschel. He frequented the restaurant I cooked at, and we would go to his places after work, and I recognized him immediately by the description in "Kitchen Confidential". Trust me, please. There is only one Andy Menschel. They threw away the mold after him. It was so much fun to read the book and know instantly who "Bigfoot" was. Mon Sep 18 14:48:01 -0700 2000 1537040 0 Sharon Flory 4 1537359 so now, years later, IS it Andy Menschel? Wed Jun 07 21:02:23 -0700 2006 1537049 0 joan marie davidson 4 2792164 Is Bigfoot definitely Andy Menschel? What restaurant was it that they worked at in the village? Thanks Sat Jul 28 14:12:11 -0700 2007 1537049 82426 jdream 5 3524372 May I say that I went to college with Drew Nierpont and know Andy Menschel personally. They are 100% not the same person. Andy is 100% bigfoot. Mon Mar 24 20:15:06 -0700 2008 2792164 177664 natasha boris 3 1537267 they are not the same person if you would like to see bigfoot go to the dakata roadhouse on park place. its his newest project. rr Sat May 01 15:23:06 -0700 2004 1537040 0 rob ruiz 1 1536204 i had it pegged to be drew nierepont. anyone agree? Wed Aug 02 18:11:37 -0700 2000 1536018 0 neil 2 1536212 I never thought of Drew Nieporant. I didn't think he was ever a chef - only a restaurant owner/guru and pal of Bobby DeNiro. Thu Aug 03 06:54:13 -0700 2000 1536204 0 christina z