The Restaurant

[eyeball]

Not sure why I am watching it....its like a train wreck...I gotta see it.

[penelope22]

I watched it too. Couldn't stop. So sad. Have none of those people worked in a restaurant before?

[Kittymld]

and Rocco's HOT!!

[penelope22]

How right you are....

[Ol-One-Eye]

I wanted so bad to chow down on those meatballs. The show makes me hungry. I like it so far!

[DogStarMan]

I worked in the resturaunt business for 12 years. I have absolutely no interest in this show. You know they're scraping the bottom of the barell when they base a reality show on this topic. I guess the next one will be "The Toll Booth". :rolleyes:

[Stine]

I've never worked in the food industry so I thought it was pretty interesting... It does seem to me [as penelope said] that if you were going to be a waiter/waitress in that type of restaurant, you should have *some* experience.

[monkey neck]

Originally posted by DogStarMan
I guess the next one will be "The Toll Booth". :rolleyes:

Sweet! A TV show with Tollbooth Willie!

"I'm coming outta the booth-ah!"

[Kittymld]

I don't know, I managed a fast food joint (Long John Silvers!!:)) for a couple years during high school and college and boy did some stuff go on. With shitty customers, with food, with coworkers...on the floor...in the freezer...on the ice machine. The pay was shitty but it was the most outrageous time of my life.

[postfeminist]

i too worked food service for a long time, and i love the show!!

the way i see it, if one person in america is a little bit nicer to their server after seeing what it can be like to work in a busy f'ing restaurant, the show is worth being on tv. :)

and yes, rocco is hot. :D i like that he's a little sexually ambiguous...i find that sexy in men.

[chicodaman]

I guess the next one will be "The Toll Booth". :rolleyes:

Actually it's called "The Attendant". It covers the hiring,training, and on-the-job time of the guy that hands out mints, spritzes you with cologne, polishes your balls, etc... in the mens restroom of finer (and sometimes not so fine) establishments.

[DogStarMan]

You're joking? Right? :rolleyes:

[chicodaman]

Fortunately I am. I just hope no FOX reality show exec's see that thread though.

[DogStarMan]

I wouldn't be suprised at anything they throw out now. TV has hit an historic low point in creativity with reality shows.

[c-lando]

HOLY SHIT.
Nice JOUST avatar, DSM.
That just made my day.

I watched the show for the first time last night and couldn't turn it off. Maybe because everyone was quitting. Not sure.

[eyeball]

I don't know if everyone else saw it but didn't it look like topher was shocked that rocco didn't offer him something extravagant to stay. I think he quit with that in the back of his mind and was hurt when rocco didn't try harder to keep him.

Rocco reminds me of bobby flay and that british oliver all mixed together.

[Murphy]

Oh, no - first Gideon and now Topher?:eek: ;) This is like Survivor! I did like Topher's character though...hopefully he makes a comeback?
I was kinda hoping the french guy would quit.

Also, everytime they mention the zucchini florets I just start drooling. Anyone know where I can get me some good fried zucchini?

[eyeball]

he tried...but rocco begged him to stay.

[Emperor Wog]

I think Topher quit because he wanted to be bribed back with a gift (like a new red Vespa). But when Rocco didn't offer him anything, ole' Topher was perplexed.

[Bronzetree]

Only watched one episode and that was last week's. Didn't see the latest one since I was out of town. Rocco's a dick and I'm afraid I agree with the bulk of his staff: he really has no idea what he wants the identity of his restaurant to be.

As for some of the patrons from the episode I saw, I'd have to say they were hamming it up for the camera. I worked in food service for years myself, both fast food and in classier places, and while I had my share of assholes, the people they were showing at Rocco's were above and beyond the call of shitty.

BTW, since I missed it, how'd the review from the bitchy bitch restaurant critic turn out?

[Kittymld]

Damn it, I knew there was something I watched on Sunday nights. Wahhhh:mad: !!

[chicodaman]

how about the "glamazon's"? what a great name. i want a red vespa!! and whats up with all the overly-italian mobster-like patrons?

[c-lando]

Originally posted by chicodaman
how about the "glamazon's"? what a great name. i want a red vespa!! and whats up with all the overly-italian mobster-like patrons? The Glamazons and Don Chicco were my favorites as well. "The meatball almost made him cry from tinkin' about his gradmudda."

[eyeball]

Originally posted by Emperor Wog
I think Topher quit because he wanted to be bribed back with a gift (like a new red Vespa). But when Rocco didn't offer him anything, ole' Topher was perplexed.

yea thats what I said more or less.

[donetrawk]

From The Smoking Gun:

***
Rocco, There's A Fly In My Zuppa
Star of "The Restaurant" hit with health violations

AUGUST 11--Already saddled with whiny employees, lousy reviews, and comparisons to the Olive Garden, the New York eatery featured in NBC's "The Restaurant" was slapped with six health code violations following an inspection last week, The Smoking Gun has learned.

Rocco's, chef Rocco DiSpirito's chaotic Italian-American joint, was cited on July 29 for the "evidence of live flies" in the kitchen prep area and for keeping two large metal spoons stored in a "container of greasy stagnant water." That's right, Rocco's was nailed for a greasy spoon violation. The restaurant was also cited for having three "moist wiping" cloths "soiled with old food particles and not stored in sanitizing solution." Another violation resulted from an "employee toilet facility" that was not equipped with the required "self-closing door."

Below you'll find the notice of violation issued to Rocco's stoic manager Laurent Saillard by inspectors with New York City's Department of Health. A hearing on the six violations has been scheduled for October 22. On the positive side, despite repeated complaints from diners seen on "The Restaurant," Rocco's was not written up for serving cold food (eateries are often nailed for not maintaining hot food at or above 140 degrees Farenheit).

According to State Liquor Authority records, DiSpirito owns 50 percent of Rocco's, which was launched with a $1.5 million investment and pays $36,499 monthly for its swanky Flatiron space. The restaurant's annual payroll approaches $2 million, according to the SLA documents. (4 pages)

***

[Murphy]

I was curious to find the NY Post review mentioned in last week's episode (since I missed most of the show this week,) so I came up with this: Linda Stasi column (http://www.ucdadvocate.com/main.cfm/include/smdetail/synid/88743.html)

but apparently, she's the entertainment critic, not really the food critic, but there was a recent food review by the Post:
Rocco Bottom (http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/2498.htm)

[aboutagrrl]

has anyone else noticed the blatant corporate sponsorship and laughed hysterically like me? "here let me pass you this case of COORS LIGHT," "i think i'll pay with my AMERICAN EXPRESS card," "look at me driving around in my MITSUBISHI."i just think the utter lack of attempt to even hide it is hilarious.

i was a server for awhile and i do really enjoy the show because i feel the servers pain. if it does make people who have never been servers realize just how horrible it is sometimes i think it was worth it.

and man is Rocco ever a DICK...i would never work for that man. he's so fake and schmoozy it makes me ill. from the beginning he reminded me of victor from the book 'glamorama,' very pretty but completely unaware of the real world that exists outside of his immediate influence.

is the season really already over (season finale next sunday)? i've never watched a reality show on a regular network so maybe they're always that short....

[Emperor Wog]

Dude, that guy last night was the worst comedian I've ever heard. How could you possibly think that a joke about terrorist bombings would go over well in NYC?

I think the joke started off like "you know what's cool about terrorist bombings?"

Then nothing but boos from there on out.

[Stine]

I agree. Bad, bad comedian. If you even want to call him that.

[Stine]

Originally posted by aboutagrrl
has anyone else noticed the blatant corporate sponsorship and laughed hysterically like me? "here let me pass you this case of COORS LIGHT," "i think i'll pay with my AMERICAN EXPRESS card," "look at me driving around in my MITSUBISHI."i just think the utter lack of attempt to even hide it is hilarious.


Yeah, I laugh every time b.c it's so blatant. And of course at commercial break it starts with the American Express commercial, then Mitsubishi and Coors. Funny stuff.

[Bronzetree]

Originally posted by aboutagrrl
has anyone else noticed the blatant corporate sponsorship and laughed hysterically like me? "here let me pass you this case of COORS LIGHT," "i think i'll pay with my AMERICAN EXPRESS card," "look at me driving around in my MITSUBISHI."i just think the utter lack of attempt to even hide it is hilarious.

It was hilarious because there were tons of cases of beer of different types, but the only ones that ever got air time were Coors Light. The King of Shitty Beers. Then there was a Coors Light clock on the wall in the kitchen. Then Rocco says something about charging something to his American Express blah, blah, blah Account and the secretary sits down at the computer and you see a screenshot of the website. Amusing, if nothing else.

The comedian was horrible.

I do have to say two things about the guy they gave a shot on the chef's line. First, they gave him a shot, it didn't work, then they belittled him for it. How lame. Maybe he wasn't ready. Pull him off the line and go about your business. Why berate him in front of everyone else, not to mention America? It's not like he asked for the shot, it was given to him. Yeesh. Second, the server who was inspired by the patron who proposed to his gf to make a play at Mr. Failed Chef's Line. It was kinda sweet and just like something you'd see on TV or in a movie. Tugged at the ole heartstrings.

Finally, yes, Rocco's a dick.

[eyeball]

this week felt different. I saw a lot of forced acting...instead of the natural progression from past shows. like the bit with the secretary chick about using the am ex card to pay everyone....that not only sounded rehearsed but looked that way as well.

if they continue to add bits that feel that rehearsed I will be compelled to stop watching.

and what is up with it being the last episode of the season? damn short season. ugh.

[c-lando]

Originally posted by Bronzetree
It was hilarious because there were tons of cases of beer of different types, but the only ones that ever got air time were Coors Light. The King of Shitty Beers. We prefer to call Coors Light, "Colorado Kool-Aid". :)

I did notice Blue Moon beer in the stack....and maybe some Rolling Rock.

Originally posted by Bronzetree
Second, the server who was inspired by the patron who proposed to his gf to make a play at Mr. Failed Chef's Line. It was kinda sweet and just like something you'd see on TV or in a movie. Tugged at the ole heartstrings.I thougth it was a little dorky, but it was cute. I was worried for her, thinking that he would blow up at her because he was having such a hard time downstairs. Luckily, he took it all in stride and decided that the day wasn't a complete wash. Good for him!

Originally posted by eyeballif they continue to add bits that feel that rehearsed I will be compelled to stop watching.
I agree. The part when the waitress told one of the captain's that Rocco gave her the night off early so that she could go see Tom's act was veeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeery stilted and rather annoying.

[eyeball]

oh yea....I forgot to mention that part. trying to make rocco look like a good boss I figure.

[postfeminist]

i think that the problem w/ the show is that i noticed gideon slide by in a shot last night, and topher in another shot, so i don't think we're seeing things chronologically at all, but rather they are grouping issues in a way that make it seem interesting... that bugged me.

there's corporate sponsorship for this show? i barely noticed...

*sarcasm dripping down my arms from the keyboard...*