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Archive through April 27, 2004

The TVClubHouse: Other Reality Shows: Archives for 2004-1: The Restaurant II: ARCHIVES: Archive through April 27, 2004 users admin

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Lori
Member

04-18-2003

Monday, April 26, 2004 - 2:11 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I'm ready Gemma! I definitely am looking forward to tonight's episode...hope there is a lot of fireworks!

Gemma120in2002
Member

07-05-2003

Monday, April 26, 2004 - 2:30 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Me too! I really am enjoying this season, I think because I'm seeing the flip-side of the kind of business I saw being done last year. I kept wondering how he could turn a profit or keep happy employees with the way things were being done.

I know that this program doesn't show the whole story, but as a culinary arts student, I'm seeing some of what I'm studying in action. LOL! Unfortunately this is more of a cautionary tale rather than a model to emulate!

Hamsterlady
Member

07-03-2003

Monday, April 26, 2004 - 6:02 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Can't wait for tonight's show! Less than an hour to go!

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Monday, April 26, 2004 - 8:05 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I am stunned by the arrogance of that intern!!

Demeter
Member

08-05-2001

Monday, April 26, 2004 - 8:13 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Jeffrey was clear with him that his role was to "observe" and yet he still acted out. What a way to ruin an internship. Better now than later, I suppose.

I hate to say it, but I am enjoying this season so much more than last season. It's so intriguing, wondering what the outcome of the Jeffrey/Rocco tug-of-war will be. It must be awfully tough on the staff though.

Pamy
Member

01-02-2002

Monday, April 26, 2004 - 8:42 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
That intern reminds me of Soprano son

Woofy
Member

08-09-2001

Monday, April 26, 2004 - 11:06 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
What I like about these season more than last season? Negligible "product placement!"

Scorpiomoon
Member

06-06-2002

Monday, April 26, 2004 - 11:18 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Oh yeah. I'm with you guys. This show is so freakin' HORRIBLE that it is a zillion times better than last season!

I don't even know where to begin...the intern, the creepy corporate chef, the even creepier new bartender, the shot of Rocco in bed having an impassioned conversation about business with his blank-faced, airhead model girlfriend, Mama doing with Tony Soprano impression with the intern, Rocco's hair... I could go on and on.

I just laugh and laugh for the whole hour. This show ROCKS!

Dynair
Member

01-06-2004

Monday, April 26, 2004 - 11:44 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I agree about the intern, he appeared childish & unprofessional and wore a huge ego to cover his inexperience (you respect me , , , yadda yadda). The moment he made that d-bag comment I knew he should be fired.

I really liked the members of the staff that are trying to maintain a strictly professional approach. I also like the corporate chef (the bandana guy), who seems to be carefully observing while also trying to be as friendly as possible. And I like Tony the Chef -- I think he should be the real chef if Rocco's not around. "Taking the pork home" , , , LOL.

That waitress was a disaster! It's really not enough to be pretty and friendly, waitressing is hard and demands a level of acuity.

I know Momma's in a bad position, left alone as Rocco's alter-ego, and everyone loves her. I don't doubt that she's worked hard. Perhaps it's that I'm not from the east coast nor from an Italian family, but I do find her manner a bit unpleasant.

Dynair
Member

01-06-2004

Monday, April 26, 2004 - 11:49 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
LOL--just read the posts that came in while I was writing mine -- "negligable product placement", and Rocco in bed with his girlfriend--you guys rock! It is a great soap opera! But leave my corporate chef alone--I like the bandana!

Scorpiomoon
Member

06-06-2002

Tuesday, April 27, 2004 - 12:28 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Wasn't that gum-chewing bartender a piece of work?

Was the close-up shots of the gum practically coming out of his mouth necessary? I wanted to vomit.

Between the dead people on "Family Plots" and then this stomach-churning, bust a gut laughing hilarity it was an interesting Monday night of TV. :-)

Sunrvrose
Member

08-13-2001

Tuesday, April 27, 2004 - 12:34 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I, too, am loving this show this season. I kept watching the clock during the entire show tonight. It seemed like they were getting so much show in and it wasn't going fast at all.

Sun does not like Jeff one little bit. He always looks like a grubby transient to me.

From a purely business standpoint, doesn't everyone know that any business, especially a restaurant, is not expected to show a profit for the first year??
This guy is bitchin that it's been 5 MONTHS and they are still in the red. But what do I know...He has 20 other restaurants, I wonder how many of them were in the black in 5 mos?

That punk intern sat at the table early in the show and said he has "15 years" experience. I'm looking at him thinking he looks about 25, max, how does he get 15 years experience? Then we find out he is 20!!!! What'd he do, eat in McDonalds for 15 years and call it experience?

The one thing positive I will say about Jeff is that he didn't tolerate the disrespect and gutter language the intern displayed, Yea Jeff.

Rocco, whew, Rocco....what can you say about him. I don't like him much either.

Wolfgang Puck is the kind of Chef/Owner who can show up once a week or even less in his restaurants, because he is an accomplished and established figurehead. Rocco is neither. I'm pretty sure that when Wolfgang opened his first restaurant in LA he was there every day for a very long time. Rocco seems to just want to be a star.

The interaction between Jeff and Rocco, the involvement of the employees, the reactions of the customers, and the questionable loyalty of Chef Tony, all make this a very exciting show.

The fact that Rocco and Jeff are currently sueing one another in real time, real life also makes me wonder how far the season will go, or when the shows we are seeing were taped.

Mygetaway
Member

08-23-2000

Tuesday, April 27, 2004 - 1:18 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
You guys said it all, but no one seems to have mentioned this..

I can't believe that they just stuck their fingers in people's food to see if it is hot, or to taste it. YUCK!! I think I'd be afraid to go there and eat after some of the things we've seen..LOL

Scorpiomoon
Member

06-06-2002

Tuesday, April 27, 2004 - 4:08 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Mygetaway: And let's hope that towel Rocco used to wipe the sweat from his face (while down in the kitchen) didn't get used for anything food related.

Pamy
Member

01-02-2002

Tuesday, April 27, 2004 - 5:20 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
I'd like to hear from any restaurant workers....are all kitchens like this one? I agree about the fingers and that towel?? eeewww!

Prisonerno6
Member

08-31-2002

Tuesday, April 27, 2004 - 6:57 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    

quote:

The fact that Rocco and Jeff are currently sueing one another in real time, real life also makes me wonder how far the season will go, or when the shows we are seeing were taped.




I believe it's six episodes, and it picks up six months from where the last one ends. The cynic in me wonders if the lawsuits will be mysteriously settled after the show is over and they can't garner publicity...

Anyone else feel sorry for Laurents? He looks like he's just trying to keep his head done and out of the line of fire.

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Tuesday, April 27, 2004 - 7:17 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Laurent is great! He would make a great witness in a trial too. He answers the questions truthfully without embellishment or emotion!
Jeffrey really went up in my opinion when he told that intern that his behaviour would not be tolerated.
I like the corporat chef too. Was anyone else surprised that the kitchen manager didn't know what the workers were paid?
Also, doesn't Rocco have other restaraunts? How are they doing?

Prisonerno6
Member

08-31-2002

Tuesday, April 27, 2004 - 7:38 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Rocco said he ran one other restaurant and was a consultant for a third. I don't know anything about those -- guess it's tome to go a-googling!

Prisonerno6
Member

08-31-2002

Tuesday, April 27, 2004 - 7:42 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Just found an article published on November 17, 2003 that says Restaurant II was scheduled to start filming that day:

Ny Daily News

Prisonerno6
Member

08-31-2002

Tuesday, April 27, 2004 - 7:46 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Here's his other restaurant:

Union Pacific Restaurant

Prisonerno6
Member

08-31-2002

Tuesday, April 27, 2004 - 7:51 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Here's a good article summarizing the situation. The show was filmed in November and December, and Chodorow filed his suit in February. Rocco filed his countersuit in early April.

NY Metro

(Can you tell I have too much time on my hands?)

Pcakes2
Member

08-29-2001

Tuesday, April 27, 2004 - 8:39 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
What amazed me was that Rocco claimed he has never seem the monthly financials!

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Tuesday, April 27, 2004 - 8:43 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
That blew me away too Pcakes!

Beachcomber
Member

08-26-2003

Tuesday, April 27, 2004 - 9:05 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Mygetaway, I was soooo grossed out at the waiters sticking their fingers in food to see if it was hot!!!

Then for Rocco to walk in off the street, not wash his hands and then start eating pasta off of a plate was enough to make me puke It makes you want to stay home and never eat out again.

A question for those who work in restaurants, is this normal practice?

Rslover
Member

11-19-2002

Tuesday, April 27, 2004 - 11:12 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post    
Here's the (condensed) health inspection reports for his restaurants.

ROCCO'S
12 EAST 22 STREET, NY 10010
Inspection Date: 11/10/2003
Passed inspection. Follow-up inspection not required.
Violations were cited in the following significant area(s) and those requiring immediate action were addressed.

1. Food contact surface not properly maintained or not washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred

UNION PACIFIC
111 EAST 22 STREET, NY 10010
Inspection Date: 01/07/2004
Passed inspection. Follow-up inspection not required.
Violations were cited in the following significant area(s) and those requiring immediate action were addressed.

1. Canned food product observed swollen, leaking, rusted, severely dented.
2. Hand washing facility not provided in or near food preparation area and toilet room. Hot and cold running water at adequate pressure not provided at facility. Soap and an acceptable hand-drying device not provided.

Yummy - don't you just want to run and eat there?