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You can never go back. We say that all the time and it is so true.
This past Tuesday we went into the city to buy bras and panties and camisoles to fill up the new lingerie store. We made a useful contact with a sales rep who has a lot of good lines. We took our new girl who is going to be running the store since she is very knowledgeable and was a great help. Lisa needs someone to bounce things off of besides me because my comments are always the same. "How much does that cost?" It was an intensive four hours while Omar waited for us in the car.
Now I have Omar wait because we were supposed to hit a bunch of places and I can't around the way I used to. It is hard for me especially in the heat so I would rather pay for him to drive us then get sick. But we spent so much time there that we were done at around seven. So I decided to treat everyone to dinner. Of course we decided to go to one of our favorite joints that I have mentioned many times: Incognito.
So we get there and of course we are greeted by our friend the chef who brings us to our table. But something is off. It is very hot. The doors are closed but the a/c is not blasting like it usually is when we were there last year. The wait staff is completely different. The French girl and the Italian guy are gone and all the wait staff is Mexican dudes. This joint has an open kitchen where you can see them work behind a window. When I went up to go to the john I noticed that the sous chef wasn't there anymore and it was all Mexicans all the time.
I go outside where the chef is smoking and ask him to turn up the a/c. This after asking the waiter a couple of times. He comes in and makes a big production of turning it up. I say thank you and sit back down. Now we are ordering a lot of good stuff. It is Omar's first time in a big time Manhattan bistro. He has been thinking of opening his own joint and I am advising him. I told him it is important to go out and check out other places. Steal the good ideas. But notice the mistakes so you don't make them. The air conditioning is a case in point.
I order the appetizers for the table. A big pizza and meatballs all around. With garlic bread. Drinks of course. Well not for me and Omar. He is a Muslim and I am a heart patient. But Lisa and the new girl enjoyed some very nice cocktails. Then we ordered the main courses. Or at least I suggested what they should get and they were very happy.
That is when I saw that things were going downhill. Lisa and I ordered the filet mignon. This is what it looked like:
Omar and the new girl got steak pom frites which was also butterflied which is very weird for a rib eye steak. Not the way to do it. I didn't make a big deal out of it because I didn't want Omar to get the wrong idea. I just told him the proper way to do it if he had it in his joint. I don't think it will matter because the cuisine of his country is mostly fish so it will have that and a lot of curry.
When you put it all together this is the sign of trouble in a restaurant. No a/c because he is cutting costs. Changes in the staffing so it is only low talent staffers who are obviously illegals. The kitchen has only helpers and no real talent. The owner outside smoking cigarettes and looking worried.. The food being short changed and not prepared correctly. All in all it is time to stop going there. It's a shame. It was fun while it lasted. I don't think it will be around in August when are next in the city for the show at the Javits. We will have to find another place to go.
57 comments:
I have investigated many "Greek lightning" restaurant fires. I bet this place is on a COD w/ purveyors, arrears in rent and utilities, and low on stock. The waitresses always gave me the straight dope after restaurant arson fires. This place may be ablaze soon.
That guy looks like one of the actors from Sex in the City.
The show with Trooper's favorite actress.
Ha ha!
Definitely not the way to present filet mignons. The béarnaise doesn't look right either; too yellow.
One of my favorite dishes to present on special occasions is Tournedos Henri IV which is sautéed fillet steaks topped with artichoke bottoms filled with sauce béarnaise. I actually prefer the tournedos cut; it's a bit further up the beef fillet than the mignon, so it's a bit larger, between the filet mignon and the Chateaubriand.
Here's a photo that I took in my former life, when I was preparing sauce béarnaise.
I hope that someday I have the chance to cook this (or something) for you, Jim.
Have any of you seen the movie Chef. I recommend. Just make sure you've eaten plenty before you watch.
I hope you get the chance to cook someday for Jim too, Evan.
I was just reading at Lem's and the Spirit of Slap almost won out.
I ran over here instead.
(But rcommal...nevermind)
Hi chick. =)
I've watched quite a few restaurant/clubs slowly go under from the vantage point of a working musician.
Shortages of menu items are the first sign that things are going south.
The death of a restaurant/club is not a pretty thing.
Hey Darcy:
Let me make it perfectly clear: If, in fact, a commenter writes impertinent gibberish that is hard to fathom, I would say that's a demand to work harder to fathom it.
That should be perfectly clear.
And I call bullshit on anyone who says there are paragraphs in Bruce Hayden's post. No one gives a fig about what I might or might not have said about that subject at the time when I said it.
I cut people loose all the time who disappoint me.
So it goes.
ST, Anthony Bourdain writes well about restaurants he worked that were doomed from day one. My family was in the biz for over 50 years. My uncle Dom would say, "Any asshole who has ever eaten in a restaurant thinks he knows how to run one." Windbag can attest to that.
If you have any experience like youse guys you can see it coming from a mile away.
@TT
HA!
I have chosen not to attempt to fathom some comments for a long time. However, I have a hard time looking away from the unwarranted scolding of friends. Which is what got me in trouble re the "twitter thing" if anyone recalls.
So it goes. :)
Some people are just nuts and best ignored at all cost.
I've come to that sad conclusion, too, Trooper. Trouble is, I've known said commenter for 10 years, and we used to be good online buds. In the past couple of years Something Has Happened, and I have no idea what, although I have theories. They are probably completely wrong.
Causa latet, res est notissima.
The whole thing is weird and sad, but I am now doing my best to look away. I feel rotten doing so, but I sense there is nothing for anyone to gain from interacting with her. Damn.
On the money Tim.
I don't even have to look, but then all my theories involve alcohol.
Not for me, mind you. I don't drink. (Yet.)
But I've never cared for the "I'm inscrutable/deep/enigmatic, so you must work hard to understand me" thing.
Shame about the restaurant, though. It's always seemed like a sad thing, to me, to see people's dreams go up in smoke, even when they were kind of dumb dreams to actually act on.
Also, I hope Palladian gets to cook for Troop, too!
I've said it before but I liked and still like her too. The going round the bend thing is sad and why I bite my tongue.
I believe we had a misunderstanding that I've offered to clear up in private. She disagrees and is not interested. Except for continually alluding to it.
Grr. *angelic look*
Here's the thing. It is the home schooling. That is why Freeman Hunt went around the bend.
Becoming a teacher just fucks you up.
Being a professor? About as bad as it can get.
They treat everyone like a recalcitrant schoolboy.
Ok. I know. That's what I am. But still!
Well, there's the problem, Darce: We didn't have a misunderstanding, she did. You can't clear it up because you had no part in it.
There's no small paranoia there, to say nothing of narcissism and jealousy.
And I like her, too! But: It is what it is.
Troop--
You have cause-and-effect screwed up: Know-it-alls gravitate toward homeschooling (*kaff) but homeschooling is actually pretty humbling if you're doing it right.
You learn how much you don't know.
O.K. I'm risking here. I saw Lori and her family last month at DisneyWorld. She made a fabulous dinner for my family and several friends. She is absolutely fine. Prior to that, we [her whole family and me and the kids] shared a condo for a few days in Williamsburg. She was fine there, too.
As a homeschooling mom, I'm hoping not to be perceived as a tiresome scold, but y'all might want to consider that the forum [blog comments sections or twitter] might not be the best showcase for a person's whole argument.
Who've I met in person? Lots of folks now. I like you all. I'm even hoping to meet some of you eventually when I find myself in your neck of the woods. I really don't like it when these snide side conversations emerge. 'Cuz I like you all and it distresses me.
I trust you implicitly, RAA, and some people clearly aren't cut out for online life. I hope that's true and all it is.
There is, nonetheless, an observable pattern there, which I cannot believe you have not observed.
If she were just a troll or a jerk or random internet person, none of us would care.
Understand that, Ruth Ann. Glad she is okay. I hope you'll forgive us for thinking otherwise when you read her comments, especially toward Bruce, at Lems. He's been very kind to her in my opinion despite her treatment of him. I don't like reading it. Not one bit.
But I do appreciate your take very much.
That is very good to hear, Ruth Anne. It's just, as everyone seems to have noticed, her online presence has deteriorated in strange ways. Ah, well, she may well have better things to concentrate on.
Blake, Darcy, TT,
Thank you all.
We homeschooled. Lots of motivations for doing so and lots of ways to approach it. I've seen several. blake is spot on when he puts the know-it-all mentality in front of the activity.
As far as people thinking themselves experts on restaurants, it's true. It's also true regardless of your industry. There are always know-it-alls ready to nit pick your operation. As far as I have seen in my career, business is business. Whether you're moving (or trying to move) financial products, professional services, software, hardware, food, lodging, or cocaine, the formula is the same. Move what you're selling at the highest price, lowest cost, and keeping the most people happy while you're doing it, and keeping the government off your back as much as possible.
Each industry...each business...has its nuances. You either learn them and survive (hopefully thrive) or you don't.
I think you're all talking about rcommal and something over at Lem's. I decided not to interact with her long ago, and up until now haven't joined in on any conversations where she is the subject (I think that's accurate). Breaking that silence, all I have to offer is two things. One, she seemed to take offense easily, which is why I stopped trying to interact. I had no beef with her, so why push the issue and end up having one with her?
Second, we're complex beings, and we don't always come across the same in this one-dimensional realm as we do in person. Written interaction isn't the same as face-to-face. Given that reality, I've tried to simply dismiss the broken attempts at communication with rcommal as a result of this being the wrong setting for any meaningful dialogue.
We might get along fabulously in person. Ruth Ann mentioned spending time in Williamsburg, a place we vacationed probably a dozen times over the years. I'd wager rcommal and I could find some common ground there. Again, Ruth Ann vouches for her pleasantness and sanity, and that's good enough for me (like it matters what I think anyway).
I don't want to get into too much of a conversation about rccoomal here since she doesn't participate anymore as she was one of two people who got their panties twisted and wanted to be deleted. People are people and sometimes we rub each other the wrong way. I know I do that all the time.
If you are going to be such a pussy and take offense then Trooper York is the wrong place for you. Just sayn'
She is absolutely fine.
I don't know how to reconcile that statement with the multitude of confusing and indirect comments made by rcommal here prior to her departure and now at Lem's for most of the year.
From a religious perspective, God is not the author of confusion. When confusion is the repeated result of unclear communication, something more than "absolutely fine" is involved.
What does rcommal need or want? It appears as though some hurt or some sense of betrayal is behind the poking, provoking and obscure comments being made, yet she did not respond when I directly asked her what she wanted from me (when she was here at TY's making similarly snide remarks).
Perhaps someone who loves and knows her could ask. Otherwise what she publicly says is open to observation and comment. Other than Trooper's blather about homeschool, I didn't see much in the way of snideness. What I heard was frustration and confusion along with an ability to reconcile past with present behavior.
There are, to my awareness, at least 4 commenters here who've homeschooled their children. That's a fairly high number, given the nature of this blog. Perhaps they're irresistibly drawn to finding value in recalcitrant schoolboys.
Mama M,
I don't usually read stuff at Lem's unless there's a lot here that directs me there. So I cannot speak to Lori's comments over there except for the post that is the subject of this thread here.
When I say, "She is absolutely fine" I mean that she is pleasant and lucid and helpful and interesting and lively and kind.
As I said, I don't read the comments over there and so I haven't formed an opinion as to those.
"She is absolutely fine" I mean that she is pleasant and lucid and helpful and interesting and lively and kind.
That I believe. I am too, except when I'm not.
I know that it hurts me when I read unkind comments about my friends, so again I do appreciate where Ruth Anne is coming from and I intend to refrain from posting comments about her.
Darcy,
I'm not trying to silence anyone but adding my opinion to the mix. No one is required to take my word on it. I'm just another commenter in the cacophony.
...adding my opinion to the mix.
Opinion and experience, having met with her in person. That experience adds weight to your opinion. Larry Bird and I can both write about the superiority of the Boston Celtics over all other NBA franchises, but who are you going to assign more credibility?
her online presence has deteriorated in strange ways
Friends don't ignore unusual, out of character, or strange behavior, especially not when deterioration is observed. To do so in the name of kindness or not wanting to hurt another, can be a form of enabling, which is not beneficial to either person. An urge to slap is an urge to slap, not worth following through on, but definitely worth wondering about, as it's usually based in reaction of frustration or anger over something upsetting or unsettling that is taking place. I don't hear the distress being expressed as "unkind". To me it fits with this statement: If she were just a troll or a jerk or random internet person, none of us would care.
When unusual and confusing comments, such as the kind being noted here, are repeatedly made, I have to either dismiss the comments as a form of insincere, disingenuous "art" or regard the commenter who made them as genuine and wonder what they're attempting to communicate.
Once again I would like to avoid talking about someone who can not respond in their own defense since I don't think that is fair.
Except of course for the Lawnboy and the Evil Blogger Lady. Them you can slap around all you want because they censor their blog so tit for saggy tat so to speak.
Add Sixty Grit to the list then too, and quit the talk about him as if he were anymore of a fool than anyone else here.
On the positive side, you might note Sir Archy has left a full, Sir Archy-style comment on Lem's. First time the old gentleman has done that in a while. I think he's trying to relive his past glory back in 1724 when he first took up with that Irish "widow." Ah, there's a story to tell you tales.
Anyway, he seems to have gone all pro-immigration on us, but I think it's from his Whiggish principles. He does argue both sides, however, not being too attached to much in this world. A fine instance of the advantages of death, if I say so.
Well, Sixty is ready to hand at Lem's for those who wish to contend with him. As I recall, he didn't like Sir Archy, but I think the old gentleman (I mean Sir Archy for the gentleman part) would hold his own in debate with Mr. Grit.
Can't we all just group hug, and then go to the shooting range?
And then stop for margaritas.
The title of this post is a good one, as is the topic of change.
Remembrance of things past involves acknowledgement of loss. One of the more difficult aspects of homeschool for me was the process letting go of something I loved to do when the time was right for me to do so. Graduation for us involved seeing the boys pick up their own lives to become productive, functioning,autonomous adults. While there's a loss involved with that, there's also a tremendous gain as the goal of homeschooling is realized through a lit fire that burns on its own, providing warmth, light and energy.
Loss of community and connection can be another source of grief, especially when a community keeps on going without the persons or group that first enlivened it for good being present anymore. While some of the anger directed at Althouse and Co appears to be over boneheadedness and lack of awareness, integrity and leadership in otherwise intelligent people, I continue to believe the the loss of community over there contributed to a sense of grief that to this day manifests in a variety of behaviors.
People who've exhibited a genuine desire to connect in the past, generally don't go rogue without a reason.
TT, that the old cockroach would crawl out for another round is a good sign indeed!
Can we stop for margaritas first? There never was a problem but couldn't be solved by a good margarita.
I agree that we will not talk about Sixty Grit anymore.
He is dead to me.
Margaritas before the shooting range? Could be trouble. I'm in.
Nerf guns, then.
Maybe.
If the girls are involved I say feather pillows.
I am a traditionalist after all.
I've got a paintball gun I use on the turkeys. They won't move when I open the door anymore so I've had to add some incentive.
Lem seemed as happy as I was to see the Concrete Dog marking his territory.
Hopefully, he'll feel the same about an old but still kicking cockroach.
I get lost when you old timers talk about old timers. I don't know rcommal.
Forget it, nick.
It's Althousetown.
We need some happy thoughts.
Happy...dogs and cat at the beach version
Cripple Creek
I Like the Things about Me Mavis Staples
Okay, one love song.
Thanks, windbag! That was some selection. By the time I got to Mavis I was singing along. It was as good as, if not better than a Margarita for a light drinker.
I shoulda been a DJ. Got the face for it anyway.
I'm just another commenter in the cacophony.
Hardly. You are the original punster and blog historian.
"Cacophony" is an interesting word, having Titus-like connotations at its root.
Regarding that OED link...can any prefix (or word for that matter) be "hard working"? Aren't words "worked hard" (passive voice) by people rather than the other way around? To say and think otherwise to breathe life into words and to make people their agents.
Interesting from a religious POV.
Lem seemed as happy as I was to see the Concrete Dog marking his territory.
I missed that. Which thread?
What you described is stage 4, even if it survives to next year, why would you go back?
In the cattle industry if a cow does not birth successfully once, she is immediately off to the auction/slaughterhouse. The same in the restaurant trade, one bad meal (or in this case just a disappointing meal) and you are very unlikely to go back.
I missed that. Which thread?
He's been there twice, but this was the first appearance at 3:50pm on the Business Insider-Women looking for millionaires thread, followed by Lem's response:
Lem said...
Ha!
I remember the concrete dog.
June 18, 2014 at 3:58 PM
Me too! There are three new poems at the dog site:
The Concrete Dog. The one on farming with Dynamite might be up your chemical alley, chickelit, but the Hidden History of the Korean War contain it's own charge. They're all good. Last week, I drove past a house with a concrete dog sitting next to the sidewalk. I almost turned around to take a picture. Then thought, "What would I do with it"? So I savored the sight in my heart.
I think that dog ought to be a blog contributor, but I'd hate to scare him away. He may not want to be tied up.
chickelit, if you come back for a drive-by, cacophony is an interesting word and word choice. Hopefully the user didn't intend to be snide. Did you see the musical definition? It fits with more comfort:
Cacophony, in Music frequent use of discords of a harshness and relationship difficult to understand.
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