lscanlon's Profile
Next Iron chef [spoiler]
Why do we need another "Next Iron Chef" competition? They hardly ever use the latest new chef, Jose Garces.
Smart money on who gets kicked off Next Food Network Star tonight (July 18)? [Spoilers]
A few seasons ago, at about the same point as we are here, Bobby Flay said to the other judges, "Can't we just send them all home and start over with a new group?" That would apply here, I think. I can't imagine tuning in to a show starring any one of these people.
No "Next Food Network Star" this past weekend
I record the episodes and watch on Monday, but I had no recording this week. Whassup?
TNFNS: Season 6, Episode 4 (Spoiler Alert!)
It seems like every season there's someone who says they think maybe they shouldn't be there. It was Herb this season.
I think this season will come down to Aria or Aarti, with Aarti winning it. The judges love Aria, but (like some other posters) I'm getting tired of her schtick.
I can't get rid of this duplication!!!
Next Food Network Star - 6-20 episode - with spoilers
I'm pulling for Aarti, too, because I can actually imagine myself tuning in to watch a show with her. Very glad to see Daffy Dzintra leave; she just creeped me out.
Julie and Julia
I enjoyed the movie quite a lot. I'm now reading the book, but after 130 pages, I'm about to put it down. Julie is writing more about herself than her Julia project. Yawn.
Cook's Illustrated 'Editor's Choice'
I got one of their "America's Test Kitchen -- Recipes That Work" emails yesterday, and one of the videos wouldn't play. The website said it was available with the "TV on Demand" option. These people are getting waaaay too money-hungry to suit me.
Leo
What is your favorite Food TV show?
Iron Chef America and Diners, Drive-Ins, & Dives.
On PBS, any of Jacques Pepin's series. I learn something from him with almost every show I watch.
With Gourmet discontinued by Conde Nast, what's your favorite cooking mag?
Cook's Illustrated, no two ways about it.
Next Iron Chef Finale - Spoilers
I suspect that Garces was chosen over Mehta for his more gregarious personality. Chef Mehta comes across as more reserved. All of the current Iron Chefs ( Morimoto is a possible exception) are very outgoing, and FN feels this makes for better television, I expect.
Kenny Mayne: Worst Iron Chef America judge ever?
If you have one or two judges who don't really know food, are the results of the competition meaningful? I don't think so.
Kenny Mayne: Worst Iron Chef America judge ever?
I resent the fact that Food Network has been regularly using non-food people (semi-celebrities and other "personalities") as judges on Iron Chef America. It seems that in recent shows, two of the three judges are non-food people. Most of these people don't have much to say, which is just as well, but on this week's episode -- Battle Berries with Flay vs. Daisley Gordon -- one of the judges was ESPN's Kenny Mayne, who proved to be a bigger idiot than I've ever seen in Kitchen Stadium. Mr. Mayne had no idea what he was talking about, even though the ingredients were nothing exotic. At one point, he even refused to taste a poached egg that was part of a dish. He was simply awful.
Leo
Parish Cafe
My wife and I were in Boston over the weekend and had a great lunch at the Parish Cafe. I had Sean's Meatloaf Club ($12.75), which was accompanied by mashed potatoes with gravy. My wife had Sean's Simple Chicken ($14.50), which is a version of chicken picatta; it's served over garlic mashed potatoes and baby spinach. Both dishes were wonderful. We ate at the bar and were well served by the bartenders. Parish Cafe will be a must on our next trip to Boston.
Hey Amazon, lay offa me! Purchase-driven ad annoyance
They ARE master marketers. I don't mind their suggestions. Sometime they suggest something I actually want.
Most Reliable Restaurant Review Site Outside of Chowhound?
I live in the Washington, DC, area and rely on the reader reviews from donrockwell.com. They also have an "Intrepid Traveler" section containing reviews of restaurants elsewhere. It's an excellent site.
$10 meals - did I miss anything?
I wasn't overly impressed with any particular contestant on this season of NFNS, so for me, Melissa was as good as any. I was quite impressed with her show. She was at ease, articulate, entertaining, and interesting. I'll watch again.
TNFNS final spoilers
I don't think the Ingredient Smuggler concept is "solid" at all. Maybe for PBS, but not for Food Network. FN doesn't air shows for foodies who might hunt down harissa; its shows are mostly intended for people who have a casual interest in cooking, but mainly want to be entertained.
Recipes You've Never Heard of Outside Your Family
When I was 11 or 12 years old, by best friend and I used to bicycle to his grandma's place, which took us a good 45 minutes, She always served us bologna and ketchup sandwiches, which she called "brownie" sandwiches. I never understood the name, but I still whip up a brownie sandwich occasionally.
TNFNS #8 (spoiler)
Two comments:
If this group that the contestants were cooking for was so "elite," what were the Neelys doing there?
So Jeffrey spent $317 for his ingredients. What did the other two spend? Unless the contestants had to supply the wine (not mentioned), I can't see how you'd spent $1,000 in what appeared to be an ordinary market. Bobby Flay said Jeffrey should have buried his risotto in lobsters. Okay, that would have upped the checkout total, but neither Debbie nor Melissa did that.
P,S., My money is on Melissa.
Cooks Illustrated
I've subscribed to Cook's Illustrated for several years, and I think it's the best cooking magazine on the market. (I also subscribe to Cook's Country, which I consider almost as good as CI.)
Earlier this year, I took out a subscription to their website, Cooksillustrated.com, not knowing quite what to expect from it. (Cook's Country has a separate website.) As it turns out, I love it! The website contains all the recipes, taste tests, and equipment tests ever printed in the magazine, and their search engine is very efficient. When the time comes, I plan to let the CI subscription lapse and just go with the website.
Leo
TNFNS week 7 (spoiler)
I agree with you completely, Patti. I'll be very surprised if Debbie doesn't win this whole thing. And that might not be all that bad. I can imagine myself watching her show a lot easier than I can watching Mrs. Home Cook and Dull Jeffrey. When you get right down to it, none of the contestants in this season's TNFNS have/had star quality.
TNFNS Week 6? (spoilers)
Like some others on this board, I think Debbie has been pre-picked to win this thing. Personally, I don't think any of this season's contestants have/had what it takes to put on a popular food show. But Debbie, is most unlike any of the hosts that FN already has, and I think that's why she'll win.
Was anyone surprised that Michael got bounced? He's very entertaining, and I'll miss him in that respect, but the guy told the judges TWICE that he doesn't like to be on camera. Hello!
Next Food Network Star..ep 4 "spoilers"
Melly wrote: "The perky blonde will probably win...she seems like the typical food network star."
I agree. But if you consider each of them in turn, I can't imagine watching any of the others in a weekly show of their own. Certainly not "the bug-eyed, big-mouthed vegetarian." We already saw how (un)succesful that kind of person would be when the "gourmet next door" won. How long did her show last, three episodes.
And how about the big gay guy with the hat? FN already has Guy Fieri. How 'bout Kamika? No way, Sunny Anderson already has that gig. The Korean girl? I don't know -- she's a nice enough person but she seems to have a limited repretoire. She also has a few extra pounds, but that didn't stop Paula Deen, Alex Guarnaschelli, or Ina Garten. Finally, Jeffrey. He's a good cook, but doesn't seem to have any charisma.
So, like Melly, I think Mama Melissa will win.
Next FN Star Week 2
I don't understand why that "health-conscious" woman with the huge eyes is still there. Her food hasn't gone over well and I can't imagine people tuning in to watch any show she's hosting. In this respect, she reminds me of that "Gourmet Next Door" chick of a couple seasons ago. How long did *her* show last? Three, four episodes?
"Reverse Throwdown" -- Name the Challenge
I've got an ideal throwdown: Justin Wilson vs. Paula Deen. Yeah, I know he's dead, but still...
Throwdown with Bobby Flay staged?
What gets me is that a lot of the competitors in BF's throwdowns have apparently been told they're doing a pilot for a possible Food Network series. If I had been told that and then found out that I'm simply a victim for Flay, I'd be more than a little ticked off.
ISO American Food: Reston, Herndon, or West
My wife and I had dinner at Artie's in Fairfax on Saturday evening. We got there around 6:00 PM and got seated immediately. The reservation-taker said we just beat the rush; indeed we had, judging by the crowd when we left and hour later.
We really liked the cozy decor of the place, with the knotty-pine walls, the ship models, and the amber chandeliers. We were waited on almost immediately, and given a basket with delicious breads, especially the rolls. I started with a martini and had the seared tuna. My wife had the filet mignon and crabcake combo. Both entrees were delicious, and reasonably priced, but I'll go for the filet on our next visit. For dessert we shared the flourless chocolate cake with homemade ice cream -- super yummy.
In summary, we loved Artie's decor, food, and service. We'll definitely return the next time we're in Fairfax.
One caution about Artie's: There is lots of cigarette smoke wafting from the bar. If this bothers you, as it does me, ask for a seat far from the front door.
I'm giving up on Barefoot Contessa!
Her cooking is fine, but there's something about her personality that I find off-putting. She reminds me of a desperate single woman who has a forced "aren't we having fun?" air about her. I'd rather read one of her books than watch her on TV.
Ultimate Recipe Showdown-mercial Redo
I didn't see it last season, but I've enjoyed the shows I've seen this season. Some of the recipes look to be worth having, particularly that Mac & Cheese that won a few weeks ago.
top 10 food shows of 2009?
I like Ace of Cakes; Iron Chef America; Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives; Ultimate Recipe Showdown; and The Next Food Network Star.
