"Georgetown Cupcakes Take Over 33rd Street"

"I can't take zee cahpcakes anymorah. C'ya!"

Neither can we, sir. Neither can we.

Shouldn't There Be A Background Check?

I've never thought of this before, but recent news about yet another failure has me wondering if, perhaps, nationally-televised shows should do a bit more research on their contestants first.

Don't get me wrong, I do understand that the restaurant business is a difficult business. An Ohio State University study in 2003 found that roughly 60% of restaurants fail within the first three years, and that number might even be a bit high. So four failed restaurants within a ten year period seems a bit above the average.

Or maybe that's just me.

Still, I think that these reality shows should have some level of responsibility when it comes to vetting potential contestants. They should field the best of the best of whoever is auditioning. And they should look at the whole picture.

Or maybe that's just me, as well.

Get Your Grub On!

Restaurant Week is coming!

The summer-time version is slated for August 16-22, 2010. Here are some very helpful suggestions for you:

• Pick a highly rated, expensive place where you would not otherwise eat. This is the whole point of Restaurant Week. Well, that and helping out local charities.
• Make your reservations now! The best places book quickly.
  
• Take your favorite peeps along. Seriously. Restaurant Week is one of those times you want to share with other people. When else will you all get to be all gussied up and enjoy fine food prepared by the best of the best? Exactly.
  
• Don't rush yourself. You're going to be in a restaurant you otherwise couldn't afford. Enjoy your time there. Relish it. Soak it all in.
  

But You Can Only Order Them In Pairs

Mmm mmm mmm ... yes, please!

It's just a shame that Issac Hayes is no longer with us. I can think of no one better to headline such an event. But he will live on in our hearts, in our minds, and on the Internet.

Sing it, Chef!

An American Prayer