Rocco DiSpirito and Jeffrey Chodorow in The Restaurant
Many of you may have watched The Restaurant, a television series a year ago, which followed the experiences of Rocco DiSpirito and Jeffrey Chodorow as they opened a restaurant. After bitter infighting, it eventually failed. Since then, Chodorow has opened two other restaurants in the spot, the latest featuring entrees up to $200, and a ceiling covered with 2,000 samurai swords dangling from the ceiling. It makes quite a picture.
Anyway, when the restaurant got a 0 star review from NY Times critic Frank Bruni, Chordorow went ballistic and took out a full page ad to tell the world what a terrible critic Bruni is, and started a blog where he follows the critic around, and rebuts his reviews. Unfortunately, Bruni has a lot more friends than he does, so the end result is quite entertaining.
Over on Pajamas Media, Nancy Rommelmann covered the whole thing, along with links to the ad, blog, etc. It’s quite interesting reading.
Rumor mill: Micah Camden
Micah Camden, owner and chef of Yakuza (reviewed today in Mercury), and also boyfriend of Naomi Pomeroy, will be opening a cafe next door to Yakuza, called Beast.
Whole Foods is buying the Wild Oats chain.
I’ve heard that Jack Bog blogged about it and a lively discussion followed, as well as the interesting fact that New Seasons owns the property that Wild Oats is located on at NE 15th and Freemont. The NY Times has done several stories on the free fall of Whole Foods stock, which have dropped 40% in last year. Many feel that they have strayed too far from their mission with the prepared foods, healthy junk foods, and buying from large organic agri-conglomerates from California rather than small local farms. This will effect us, since there are still Wild Oats stores in the area. Additionally, they are opening their big new store in the Hollywood area this year. Of course Trader Joe’s is opening a store in the old 24 hour fitness location in Hollywood too.
Thomas Keller Exposed!, or so says the person that sent me a link to an article in the NY Times, which talks about how he uses frozen French Fries at Bouchon.
From the article, “We use fries which are 100% potato, which do not contain additives. The consistency in these fries is often better than that of fresh potatoes.”, and another choice clip, “Bouchon would need to use over 200 pounds of potatoes a day to fulfill French Fry orders. In addition to space in the kitchen, it would require an exorbitant amount of manpower to process this large of an amount of potatoes into usable French Fries.” You can read the article here.
Giorgio Owner to Open New Restaurant?
Some food gossip from Alberta street, if you haven’t already heard. Giorgio (of the Pearl restaurant), bought the building on the corner of 30th & Alberta that houses Oyster Bar and Bella Faccia. We knew he bought a place down around 18th last year and there was word he was going to level the lot and build a building for a new restaurant. Apparently he was on the lookout for other options, bought this building last month, and is kicking out the two tenants on the corner (Frock and the bead shop). Word is he will put his restaurant in on the corner. But the real news is, it’s not going to be Italian, but Spanish!
Whatever happened to the Rogue Chef’s? Unsubstantiated rumor is, the mysterious Jake Nelson didn’t pay his bills, leaving merchants in the lurch. Has he left town? Do the dinners continue? There are a few people who would like to know.
Is Food Critic Karen Books Getting Desperate to Be on Top?
Which restaurant reviewer has taken to emailing restaurateurs to ask whether they’re still friends, seemingly desperate to get all the news first? We’ll give you a hint: the same one as gets absolutely apoplectic at the mere mention of anything having to do with PFD. Yup, it’s Karen Brooks at the Oregonian. Rumors have been flying that this is going on, and restaurateurs are starting to push back. Some of the emails are making their way to Food Dude. This seems to be a desperate scramble by her to remain the queen of Portland reviews, but um, Karen, your time in the Portland spotlight is growing dim.
Cuisine Bonne Femme says
Wild Oats needs to go away. Over the years since the New Seasons folks sold Natures and then it became WO, then it was bought by General Nutrition (who is owned by either Pepsi or Coke) – the whole chain has gone into decline. Not a happy place to shop these days.
I was there the other night around the usual “shopping for dinner rush hour” time and where New Seasons would be packed, WO was nearly empty. I do have to say they have some great sales going on right now, especially with wine. I imagine there will be some even bigger bargains coming up soon.
Also, the parking lot at the Freemont and 15th location blows. Horrible traffic flow, hard to see, unreal tight spaces (even for small compact cars). Road rage central.
It’s a great space though, especially with the giant demonstration kitchen in the back. I for one would look forward to a Whole Paycheck, err I mean Whole Foods, going in.
Chambolle says
“But the real news is, it’s not going to be Italian, but Spanish!”
Holy crap! Thank god! I can’t believe there will be a massive TWO Spanish restaurants in town. This is good news.
Katie says
The building that the Division W.O. was in is also owned by New Seasons, in fact, New Seasons opened their Division store right after signing a seven year lease there with W.O. Ohhh.
Sir Loins says
New Seasons’s arrival sounded Wild Oats’s death knell. NS seems to be pretty picky about what it carries — especially produce — and its staff is actually helpful and nice. Their prices are fair, especially compared to Whole Paycheck. That place is a thing of beauty to behold, but it’s earned its nickname.
FD, About that mysterious restaurant reviewer: Does this person get paid for reviews? I need aother hint.
Pork Cop says
Nobody likes Bruni very much .The consensus is that he’s a good writer who knows nothing about food beyond the average guy on the street. Jefferey Chodorow is almost universally despised as a person. Slippery,dishonest, etc…I have no doubt that he gets bad reviews based on his personality. Bourdain said.. that after meeting Chodorow.. he felt like he should go home and boil himself.
Well Seasoned says
Wow – so many goodies I feel like I’ve just eaten a pound of chocolate truffles! Delicous but too much to digest all at once. I’ll respond just to the restaurant reviewer nugget: betcha I know who it is, betcha we all do. There’s really only one reviewer in Portland who cares that much about scooping everyone on food news. I do look forward to having FD share some of the emails from the restaurateurs who are resisting pressure from this person. My read is that this is a classic case of someone who is used to ruling a narrow fiefdom and who is increasingly terrified of losing both territory and power. (Enough hints, Sir Loins?)
Dave J. says
Also, the parking lot at the Freemont and 15th location blows. Horrible traffic flow, hard to see, unreal tight spaces (even for small compact cars). Road rage central.
Agreed. Second worst grocery store parking lot in Portland, second only to the ultra-horrible Hollywood Trader Joe’s. (That lot is a total nightmare.)
There was an interview in the Oregonian today w/ the Whole Foods CEO; he described Portland as a “tricky sticky wicket” in terms of what will happen with the Wild Oats stores, because some of them are too close together. I’m certain that the 28th/Broadway one is done, soon to be replaced by a massive condo-plex. I hope the 15th/Fremont one becomes a Whole Foods, but, yeah, the parking lot is truly horrible.
And now I have to go buy “Imbibe,” because the PK gin and tonics are truly legendary.
Cuisine Bonne Femme says
A good recipe for tonic water? Holy Quinine. Can’t wait to try it. BTW – New Seasons and People’s Coop will special order spices and just about anything else for you that they can get from their distributors, so you can probably get it there but it will take a couple of weeks. If anyone else knows where to get cinchona bark in town, please let me know.
This has been a damn crazy week for food news and comments and such. Do you think it’s the horrible weather that is making people so, err, passioniate, cranky, or whatever?…where is the love people, although I have to say it has been pretty amusing.
Dave J – I think you meant 28th and Burnside not Broadway, and unless there are two giant condo projects planned for that intersection (its portland so entirely possible), the only project I know of is where the hungry tiger is across the street from Wild Oats.
CBF
Anne says
I believe the chronology was that Natures owner Stan Amy sold out. That buyer sold to GNC, who then sold to Wild Oats. New Seasons was started by Brian Rhoter, a former Natures manager, financed by Mr. Amy.
WO has taken a “we know your market best” approach, and forces products on stores, even when store managers want to carry a better, local product. NS promotes a mix of products, from Western Family to high end natural/organic, and they don’t make you feel like a moron for buying a 5-lb bag of white sugar for baking cookies, like WO does.
I shopped at the original WF during a visit to Austin, in 1991 or thereabouts. When they came to Portland, I didn’t recognize their glitzy new store model. Talk about being true (or not) to your roots.
BTW, the properties at 15th/Fremont and 31st/Division are owned by Mr. Amy, not NS.
Dave J. says
Oh, yeah, CBF, Burnside. That’s just a huge lot is all, and once W.O. is gone, it makes tons of sense for a big condo project right there. Good location, they can get 4 stories at least because it’s on an artery, and close to lots of stuff.
Cuisine Bonne Femme says
So funny, when I first moved to Portland in mid 90’s, I lived on Ankeny and 26th. My how that neighborhood has changed. Starbucks was there, Pizzacato had just opened, Wild Oats was a raggety ass Gus Van Santesque Food Value, and Esparzas was just in front of the Plasma Center. Holmans of course was still there but without the addition and outdoor patio, and there was no crema or noble rot building. No Navarre or Tabla either. Of course the rent on my apartment was also only 350 dollars a month and I could get greasy chinese food from one of three places within walking distance.
Rocco Dispirto or whatever the hell his name is, is the epitome of everything I hate in celebrity chefs and their restaurants. Did anyone see his reality show? I was stuck on crutches that summer without cable tv, so yeah I watched it with fascination and horror – so very very annoying. Yuck. When Portland starts getting those kind of places, I’ll start to get a little worried. Nice write up Nancy.
Pork Cop says
Byron Beck?
siobhan says
I am feeling guilty Doris’ closed. I meant to get there, but never did. No, I’ll suffer. : (
siobhan says
I mean, “Now”
atlas says
Pork Cop, I think the reviewer in question is Karen Brooks… she writes for the Oregonian. I wish she didn’t.
iheartchocolate says
More curiosity about the Wild Oats/Whole Foods locations: anyone know what is going to happen out in Lake O. where the brand new Whole Foods just went up across the street from a brand new Wild Oats in Bridgeport?
cookforhire says
C’mon, FD, give up the goods!
*Praying your not above sharing those emails
Then again, not going to learn anything. Just going to have previous impressions confirmed. Why shame the feeble?
!%*$ it; let’s see!
Marshall Manning says
Paul Romain is a paid lobbyist, and will take up whatever cause his employers find important at the moment. I wonder if the man has any scruples at all or if they are just for sale to the highest bidder?