The Salt and Sugar of the SD Restaurant Scene

And more Top Chef coverage

A WHOLE LOT OF MALARKEY

 Hope everyone had a great holiday! Now let’s dive into the happenings around town. The dining scene is about to get some big infusions with the Setai Hotel group ready to unveil all of its new venues on Fifth Avenue in the Gaslamp. Some of their lovely ladies have been enjoying martinis at the Oceanaire Oyster Bar after hard days of training, and they have only the best things to say about the management and direction of our newest upscale establishment.

The new Hilton just opened with a big “bang” yesterday at the south end of the convention center. For months they have been hiring a lot of our local workforce in the food and beverage industry. With the economy misbehaving the way it has, its great to know that there’s ample opportunity for employment in the “biz” locally.

On the downside of this growth is Italian restaurant Bice on Fourth Avenue in the Gaslamp, which seems to have run into some problems. Just last month the kitchen equipment was moving in and an opening seemed just on the horizon. Now the workers have left and the dust is settling.

Our San Diego hopeful on Top Chef has made an early departure from season five in New York; it appears the Foo Fighters were not impressed with his s’mores. Read all about it in my Top Chef coverage.

Episode 4: Malarkey’s Take on TC 5 NYC

Four shows down and Top Chef New York has all the making of being the most exciting season ever. The challenges are unique, fresh and star-studded, making for some dynamic television.

I was traveling last week with my family on the Oregon coast and didn’t get a chance to give my thoughts on the Thanksgiving Foo Fighter feast. Well, the popularity contest was on full display, with Leah taking the Top Chef Cookbook Quick Fire Challenge, with Hung’s white asparagus dish translated into a great soup that Grant and Padma loved. It’s always tough when the contestants have to pick who they like and want to work with — it’s also very telling of who has the respect in the house. I think I would have swapped out Melissa for Jeff in a New York minute and I have always enjoyed the “aloha” vibe of Eugene over the casual vibe of Radhika. All in all, my boy Richard from San Diego got spit on by the Foos and was sent home with his marshmallows intact, kind of. I do believe we have the second-best crying exit to Joey “Pickles’” breakdown on my season. Tom’s got to be feeling a little more comfortable with Richard out of the picture, who was getting all worked up every time Tom entered the room. Daniel dodged an al dente potato bomb with those spuds. (What are party underwear?) On the upswing: Ariane is no longer the turkey, Eugene kills it with his homemade grill, the Italian stallion kicks it with a pumpkin tiramisu and Jeff crashes with his cuisine but again shows great leadership skills.

Thoughts on the Today show episode with guest chef Rocco DiSpirito:

This episode is one of those that really has nothing to do with what it takes to be “Top Chef” even with the ever-changing criteria Tom and the guest chefs seem to make up on the fly. This episode had so little to do with the food and so much more on showmanship (which of course I LOVED!)

Ranking:

1. Fabio: I like him more with every episode. He is hilarious, has mad chops in the kitchen and he is not scared to ask to butcher his own tuna. I loved the fact that he stayed away from the “bulls--t eggs” and made something very familiar to his country, unfortunately Rocco, “not a real Italian,” didn’t get it. Fabio understood the challenge and knew the importance of making something “my mom” could and want to make at home. Line of the week also goes to Fabio, with “fresh out of the boat.”

2. Stefan: What is that egg thingy called? I don’t know, you don’t know and Rocco doesn’t know, does anyone know?

3. Leah: I was wrong, we do have a couple great girls on this season and she is the frontrunner. Two quick fire wins in a row! “Chef of Family” keeps it real with the one-bite quail egg. I can’t believe more chefs didn’t go for the quail egg.

4. Hosea: Not much this week but great energy and streaks of ability, plus Leah likes him and she seems to know how to pick winners.

5. Jeff: The amuse was confused but the babaganush-ish dish was well-liked by everyone but Kathy Lee, and lets face it, who likes Kathy Lee?

6. Jamie: The solo Rainbow survivor cracked with duck egg and obviously hates the camera but has the tats to compete with the best of them.

7. Eugene: Great grill! Hanging in there but blew the answer to the sushi question.

8. Daniel: Loud and proud. Tom didn’t like your shtick but the ladies did and I thought it was hilarious. Cornflake catastrophe and soy ablaze! Better get cooking ...

9. Radhika: Very consistent and very quiet, could easily stick around a lot longer than some of these guys who go for it and bomb.

10. Ariane: Huge comeback and she did a great job in front of the camera but I don’t think she has the “cougar” strength to survive much longer with this crew.

11/12. Melissa and Carla: I foresee major meltdowns on the New York horizon.

Farewell to Alex and all my best to you and your wife.

Cheers!

Give me some feedback on what’s going on in San Diego’s dining scene: Any places we have to try? Any places we have to stay away from? Who’s hot? Who needs a face lift? What’s the best dish you’ve had recently and where?

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