Hi Sam. Be gentle with me because im a little scared of you. It's my husband's bday tonight and I have a reservation at Milos but my husband always wanted to go to Nobu. Not only do they not have an opening, the line is so busy, I can't even call tonight to see if there are cancellations. Can you help me, please?

Hi Sally, Good for you I'm reading the boards. I just saw your query flash. What time do you want to go tonight? Next time you should reach me at my email adrs, but not enough time now. What time?

Sorry. next time ill try the private email but i was scared of bothering you. it seems like a lot of people ask you for favors. we would really like to eat at around 8, but 7 or even as late as 9 is okay. Anything actually is okay. Thanks for typing back.

You are one lucky girl!! You have a reservation at 7:45 tonight. When you go in, ask for Laura (pretty brunette)and she will take care of you. I told them you were my cousin and to treat you like they treat me. But if you hate it, don't blame me. I tried. You have to have the black cod with miso and spicy crab. The Sushi is good but you can get that anywhere. Be adventurous. Try for dessert the watermelon soup. Enjoy. Tell me how you like it tmrw

Note to Sally Rice: Aren't you a bit embarrassed saying Sam frightens you? He sounds like a bully who is frightened of women and any real social contact. Hence, his aggresive notes over Internet. So, Sally, ease up and relax. There's no real reason to tense up. It's a birthday - it's supposed to be FUN! If you cannot get into Nobu this evening (it's not as good as a few years ago, anyway), then go somewhere else - after all it is Manhattan. Sam is just someone who hangs around Fodor's - sort of like Joan last year. Ignore him - and for goodness sake don't ask him to aid you (he cannot in all likelihood do for you what you cannot do for yourself). He's just a sad case. Instead, try to have fun tonight, and don't let a restaurant or a bozo like Sam ruin it for you. Good luck, Fred.

Jesus, Sally, I do hope you're putting Sam on. You actually asked him to help you and he did it, and now you're saying thanks, and now he's telling you what to eat? On me or my. I do hope it's a put-on. He is an amazing a-----e. Can you spell, Sam?

You people need a life and a sense of humor!

Hey lighten up guys! I'm getting a kick out of Sam, how refreshing!

I don't understand it. Okay, hes a little scary. You're telling me you would have no fear of him ripping you if you bothered him? please. Also I'm desperate. I would ask Attila the Hun for help bc its my husband's B-day. Wouldn't you do the same for yours? Don't judge me bc I asked for help. How many of you offered? Sam, Im reading your reply. Please don't play with me bc if you are I'm going to kill you. Are you serious? Am I really in tonight? Please Sam, remember this is my hubby's B-day so you are going to disappoint us both if you are. If you are just joking just tell me now.

Hey, I get it: Sally is Sam, and Sam is Sally, and this whole thing is a hoax. What fun .... but very strange, my friends. I just hope you stay in this sandbox and don't foul the other sites where serious travel business and advice are going on. Ciao.

Would somebody fill me in? I don't understand what this thread is all about. It does not sound like it is related to travel.

YES!!!!! Sally, you are done. Just show up on time, you have a 7:45 tonight for 2. Just follow instructions I wrote above. I can't promise they will hold it for you if you show up after 8:10 bc they are squeezing you in, but they do have it for you now. Good luck, enjoy, and relax. I'm not as mean as you think.

Bob - it's not about travel, that's for sure. It's about a guy named Sam who advises folks on what to do and see in NYC - because he's says he has an ego and knows what's what. Some who tune in are entertained. Others, like me, realize we're actually wasting our time and helping to ruin a perfectly good travel advice site. So, with that I am signing off and will leave Sam to his audience (I bet it's growing thin). Fred

Sally please type to me from now on my hotmail.com adrs. I don't want to talk any more on this site. This one moron thinks we are the same person!! Ha, the ultimate compliment!! Anyway just type to me on hotmail. Im through with these people.

I obviously need to get some semblance of a life because I've been reading this stupid board all day and I must say that everyone here is a loser. First, Sam you are a loser for actually taking your time out and telling people where to go. You hate these people so much, you want them to eat at the same place as you? That's very clever.

And you other morons who bash him. Who the hell cares if he wants to think he's the best, he was writing to help you. At least he was funny about it. You bashers are dumb and boring. It's the man's opinion. That's it. I don't think anybody was going to mistake it for the new testament.

Next time he writes a review you dont like, disagree but everyone stop with the personal insults as this gets no one anywhere.

Sam, cool down dude. Your insights are good and your posts are the funniest things Ive ever read on Fodors (esp the ones about the sight seeing) but I think you may have some anger issues. Seriously. Look into it.

Thanks Fred for telling me what was up.
I have no need for such services[sic] for several reasons.

Earth to Sally: If you want advice from Sam, there's a nifty device called e-mail. You didn't need to post here.

Who gives a rat's rear about Sam Hempell or for that matter NYC.Take them both out to sea on one of their famous scows and dump em with the rest of the garbage damn it !!!!!!

Sally, I sent you an email on your web adrs but you never responded. Sorry to others if this is annoying but did Sam help you out last night or was he screwing with you?

Sam asked me not to post here. I never received your email. Yes, he did get us in at 7:45 and they were very courteous (almost solicitous). His suggestions were UNREAL esp the cod with miso. I am making a personal appeal to you people to leave him alone. He didn't start out humbly on this post, but he has done me the ultimate service of getting me a reservation and it seems like others and really helping people. I, for one, like his being opinionated. Sorry for the private messaging here but it needed to be said