"He’s always got his fat little fingers in the food. It grosses me out."

Grosses me out too - not because his fingers are fat, but because he's got all of those rings and bracelets getting in the food - no way hand washing gets all the grime under those rings.

Sorry, not because his fingers are fat, skinny fingers would bother me as much.

Yes, I am aware that most chefs probably touch the food with their fingers and I hope that they wash them often. There is no reason that Guy had to put his fingers midstream in some liquid shrimp stock the other day that the chef was pouring. The chef gave Guy a look and then it was was obviously edited. He seems like a real PITA to have in the kitchen but I'm sure it's worth it to the kitchens that have him in the long run.

I do end up watching him because he's a bit like my brother, he's a pain, but he's also fun and charming.

I like to watch Chopped and those chefs use spoons to taste. Of course one must put their hands on food and wash frequently.

I blame the Food Network for creating these faux chefs. They're TV presenters, no more, no less.

>

Okay Anthony Bourdain.

LSky,

having worked in several kitchens my advice is..do NOT ever go into one..EVER and I don't care which "celebrity" or any other "chef" is running the place. The floors alone which do everything but move in some establishments will make you swear off food forever.

Dukey, I don't often eat out that often and when I do, I really prefer eating at small places where I can watch people cook or at least see the kitchen.

I've watched Diners, Dives and Drive Ins and some of those kitchens made me cringe. I’d rather eat at a food truck.

That said, you'd think I was a real germaphobe but I'm really not, my house isn't sterile and our kitchen is reasonably clean but not as clean as I think a commercial kitchen should be.

What I hate about DDD is that everything is great. Everything gets some catchy compliment. Nothing is ever boring or greasy or unappealing or bad.

It's just one long commercial.

And he is reported to be crude and offensive around women.

The review was certainly entertaining. I can't imagine a 500 seat restuarant doing anythign well except possibly making money.

"If that is the case here, then the critic is a grade A a**h*le."

Exactly my point. In fact a few of his comments (cleverly written as questions for more dramatic effect) already seem to confirm that he is worthy of that title.

"And he is reported to be crude and offensive around women."

"reported" by what source?

Fieri responds:

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/...170703337.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/1...n_1020736.html


Of course, this doesn't even go into how he'd often have to have his shots with women edited because his eye-line was "always on breasts," or how he and Page battled over jokes about mobsters leaving bodies in phone booths or how much he liked to make poop jokes. Sounds like it's been quite the battle of wills over there.

Fieri response - that's it?

Another interesting, or not so interesting fact: The Fieri restaurant in question is under the helm of the Heartland Brewery chain.

Re: the homophobia. Did anyone read the comment underneath the NYT review by the guy who ran into Guy at one of his restaurants and saw him completely humiliate a gay waiter?

LOL StCirq inspired me to go back & read comments. This one is hilarious:

As entertaining as the review was half way through I felt as if I was reading a review as nasty as the food being reviewed. But some how it seems the review is less believable then Guys mediocre cooking. I found the review as over the top as guys hairdo and Dinners driver and dives,(the worst part of that show is the name triple D how cleverly stupid)
So I do have a few questions of my own.
That blue drink,does it really "glow like nuclear waste"? have you seen nuclear wast up close ? it tasted like radiator fluid and formaldehyde? Really? Did you have your stomach pumped after. I hope so that stuff is poison.
One thing you made clear, there is something going on between you ad guy... Bromance gone a-rye ????
I have been to one of guys restaurants. It an upscale sports bar... I would think that a self respecting food critic would pass on reviewing it I would. It was exactly as I would expect, I would have to give is a an "as expected" which is a hell of a long way from your review. After watching him on TV and going to his other restaurants... what did you expect?
When in New York Guys sports bar is the very last destination eatery I can think of. There was absolutely no danger in my falling into a trap, finding myself smothered in nachos. E gads you ordered the Nachos!
Have you ever reviewed papa johns maybe you should give it a shot! I think it would be a good use of your talent.

>>I’d rather eat at a food truck.

I'm not convinced. If the food had been awesome, the reviewer would have said so. If the food had been decent and the service professional, he would have said so. That he found nothing to praise tells me all I need to know about Fieri's MO.

While I did find the review amusing I do kind of agree with the comments I read at the bottom of the article questioning why this cristic reviewed this type of restaurant since it was clearly not going to be of his liking? Does he also do Applebees? Guy is not a chef, he is a show host and retaurantuer/businessman. Let's not be confused.

A good reviewer takes into consideration what a restaurant and chef are trying to achieve and does not impose artificial criteria. Pete Wells has reviewed places that have burgers and pizza and those which are the most expensive places in NYC. He understands the differences and judges them accordingly. And he is not cruel for cruelty sake. In fact I find him rather dull at times.

The Times has also spoken about the improved Theater District restaurants along 9th Ave, although I do not recall whether Wells addressed that particular situation. It is called the NY Times and oddly enough they are located in Times Square. Thus they probably know better than most what is going there.

I have no idea whether Wells has it in for Fieri. There are many bad restaurants in the Theater District and if people want to eat in them, I say wonderful, since it will leave open tables at the better places.