Grumpy Glutton: Recent Comments

Comment on Livin' Life by the Slice

Michael Procopio — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 09:00:08 GMT

VIllage Pizzeria? Really? I'll have to rethink that one now.

I haven't set foot in there since I vomited up a slice of their pizza oh around the corner from their establishment, like, 12 years ago. To be fair, I had been drinking a few martinis at Martuni's, so I am never certain who to blame.

Oh, yes. Myself. I suppose I should blame myself.

Comment on Pollan Watch

Michael Procopio — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 08:54:05 GMT

One major sore spot for me regarding The Omnivore's Dilemma was that I could find no referencing or acknowledgment of Margaret Visser's Much Depends on Dinner-- a book that is technical in all the right places, but also more concise and frightfully amusing. And written nearly twenty years before Pollan's book.

If you want good Pollan, read The Botany of Desire. It's not preachy, just clever and thought-provoking in a good way.

Comment on The Dreaded Three-Visit Rule

Kate — Wed, 28 May 2008 19:04:31 GMT

I absolutely agree, particularly with the point that a special occasion restaurant must always be on point. I think it can be distilled to this: the blogger who reviews restaurants because it is a passion represents what the average person might expect when they choose to dine at an establishment, whereas the newspaper or magazine reviewer is there to provide a diner with a complete picture of what eating there might be like when everything is at peak.

Comment on The Dreaded Three-Visit Rule

Grumpy — Wed, 28 May 2008 16:51:30 GMT

"If I had the financial means (or had a newspaper pay for my meals like Mr. Bauer) to visit a place three times, or were a professional food critic, that would be a different scenario."

I'm coming to believe that, despite all of the crap he takes, Michael Bauer might just have the best job in the world.

Comment on The Dreaded Three-Visit Rule

Erik — Wed, 28 May 2008 16:48:29 GMT

I agree with your "one and done" rule when it comes to a bad restaurant. If it's clear that it was a bad night (these do happen, although rarely) then I will give it a second chance just in case. However, it's been my experience that if it's bad your first visit, it isn't worth coming back. Period.

If I had the financial means (or had a newspaper pay for my meals like Mr. Bauer) to visit a place three times, or were a professional food critic, that would be a different scenario.

Comment on Left Bank, Gauche Service

Grumpy — Tue, 27 May 2008 16:57:20 GMT

I didn't *assume* that the person who came to our table was a host. I *know* that she was a host. She greeted us and seated us when we arrived. That's the definition of a host, someone who greets and seats. I neither stated nor implied that being a host was her only role.

To the contrary, I *assumed* that she *was* a manager. I stated that in my post saying, "the hostess, who I assume was also the shift manager...." However, I don't *know* that she was the shift manager because she did not identify herself as such. Further, as can be seen from the stricken text in the post, I originally wrote that she was the location's GM. I crossed out that text when Mackie did not agree with me that the person pictured as the GM on Left Bank's web site was the person who came to our table.

I have no doubt that, in your role as a restaurant manager, you've been subjected to and witnessed gender-based stereotyping. However, that's not what I did in my post. To the contrary, I clearly stated that I assumed that the woman who came to our table was a manager. With your comment, you subjected me to exactly the same of gender-based stereotyping that you're protesting. You assumed that a male writer looks at a female restaurant employee and assumes that they aren't a manager.

Comment on Left Bank, Gauche Service

Violette — Tue, 27 May 2008 14:36:45 GMT

Just wanted to voice my grumpiness about your assumption that the woman who came to your table to help was a host. As a woman restaurant manager, I can't tell you how many times customers have assumed that I was a host, they never assume that a man that approaches their table is a host. It's 2008 people and women are managing restaurants all over the world.

Comment on Q is not Q

Grumpy — Mon, 26 May 2008 22:27:14 GMT

I love Hard Knox. IMO, they have the best ribs in the City. But that's damning with faint praise. My favorite thing at Hard Knox is the fried chicken -- the best I've ever had. See http://grumpyglutton.com/2008/02/21/hard-knox-caf%C3%A9.aspx for my review.

I remember seeing your review of Olivia's. You inspired me to put it on my must-try (during the daylight hours) list. I'll let you know when I get there.

Comment on Q is not Q

GrubGirl — Mon, 26 May 2008 22:05:17 GMT

Check out Olivia's (but it's not sit-down, nor would I recommend going there in the evening) - http://www.grubgirl.com/cuisine/usa/olivias-soul-food-san-francisco-sole-lip-smackin-good/

I've heard more positive reviews than the one I gave, for Hard Knox Cafe.

There's got to be something in Dogpatch, Bayview/Hunter's Point, or Visitacion Valley.

Comment on Q is not Q

Grumpy — Mon, 26 May 2008 18:21:11 GMT

I have yet to find BBQ that excites me anywhere in the City. It's totally lame when Boston, of all places, has more, better BBQ joints that San Francisco. I keep hearing how great Brother-In-Law's used to be. Why can't we have a place that's awesome now, not a decade ago?

Anyone have suggestions on where to go for some smokin' ribs, pulled pork and brisket???