-
The Chowhound Team
Nov 15, 2012 07:36 AM
Since there's already an active thread on this topic, we are going to close this thread and refer you to the other thread: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/877562 Thank you!
-
Read this earlier today on the SF board & just saw it on NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams...
-
TrishUntrapped
Nov 14, 2012 05:57 PM
A hyperbole filled review of a hyperbole filled celeb's restaurant and a hyperbole filled menu.
I say kudos to Mr. Wells.
›1 Reply -
I saw him in person at a food event. I will give him this: the guy is 110% entertaining and really knows how to hold a crowd, even if not a diner. I had newfound respect for him after seeing him live even though he is far from my usual fare. Too bad he hasn't surrounded himself with a good crew to help him dish out better food.
›2 Replies-
-
re: Tripeler
huiray
Nov 14, 2012 11:59 PM
-
-
-
So, just why are you reporting on a review of a N.Y. restaurant in the S.F. topic?
I get the feeling Fieri has replaced RR for the Chowhounders venom. His crime? Being popular with the masses whom many here look down on.›6 Replies-
re: poser
Robert Lauriston
Nov 14, 2012 04:21 PM
He's a local boy and most of his restaurants are in the Bay Area.
-
-
re: poser
Robert Lauriston
Nov 14, 2012 04:37 PM
"... Pete Wells pointed out what we’ve known for years and felt uncomfortable saying too loudly about our native son: Your food is really kind of awful, bro."
-
-
-
re: poser
Ruth Lafler
Nov 14, 2012 04:27 PM
No, his crime is using his celebrity to take advantage of "the masses" by pawning off bad food at high prices. Don't you think it's patronizing to "the masses" to think they don't deserve better?
-
re: Ruth Lafler
I guess "the masses" will decide if they like it or not. The fact that people here who historically put little faith in reviews are slobbering all over themselves about this one. I would be willing to wager not one person who has commented on multiple topics has even stepped in this place much less ate there.
-
re: poser
Robert Lauriston
Nov 14, 2012 04:39 PM
I don't need to eat Fieri's food to get a laugh out of the review.
-
-
-
-
Ruth Lafler
Nov 14, 2012 04:14 PM
Pete Wells isn't the only one: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11...
-
A good takedown? Sure. The best ever? Not even close.
For your consideration: http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/fea...›3 Replies-
re: adk
GroovinGourmet
Nov 14, 2012 04:35 PM
The bit about the snails arriving under their own steam is priceless!
-
-
-
-
The sad thing is, how many people are going to Guy Fieri's dude-theme-park-of-swill and assessing the food critically? They're going for the spiky-haired aura, and no bad reviews, artfully-constructed or otherwise, will dissuade them.
It's actually reassuring to know that the fare at his nominal "flagship" restaurant sucks as badly as I figured it would. Judging a book by its cover and all that aside, his public persona gives me hives.
›3 Replies-
re: Spatlese
BernalKC
Nov 14, 2012 03:06 PM
Not so sad. He may be able to get a sizable chunk of clueless business based on his brand. At least for a while. But if its all based on celebrity, the house will fall quick enough.
There was a high budget, celebrity tinged place whose name escapes me on Stockton that Bauer demolished mercilessly. As I recall, he noted that he doesn't wield his sledge hammer against most striving, unknown restaurateurs, he saves his harshest treatment for cases where celebrity might unduly influence diners' choices. Seems to me that one didn't last long at all.
If Wayfare Tavern was not at least competent, the Tyler Florence brand would not be enough to keep it afloat -- and if it hurt that brand it would endanger a lot more than just that one restaurant.
Seems to me that Fieri is now squarely on a hot seat and needs to react quickly and visibly here or he stands to lose a lot more than the money invested in this one showcase venue.
-
re: BernalKC
Was the place on Stockton Planet Hollywood? Bauer wasn't kind to it
http://www.sfgate.com/restaurants/din...
and it had a Zagat food rating of 7 in the 2000 Guide.
-
-
re: Spatlese
Robert Lauriston
Nov 14, 2012 04:07 PM
It's Times Square, Hard Rock, Bubba Gump, and Planet Hollywood all have branches right around there. Presumably not many people who look to the NY Times for advice will be eating in that neighborhood.
-
-
Robert Lauriston
Nov 14, 2012 01:24 PM
The upside of reviewing a terrible restaurant is that the critic gets to be funny. The downside is that he had to eat at the place enough times to know for sure that it's not just inconsistent.
-
