147 replies to this topic

[TWoP Nikita]

From Zap2it:

Gordon tries to help a woman and her son, who are running their Islip, N.Y., restaurant into the ground.

[kittycat2002]

I'm disappointed he sold the restaurant though he didn't seem suited for that type of business.

[dreamy]

I have this image of Gordon stuck on the LIRR, traveling from small town to small town. My parents live on LI so I'm dying to see if he hits their town.

This was the most satisfying episode thus far for me; light on the 'free' redesign, and more about chef/organizational issues. A new chef the day before the reopen was crazy, though. And how much did I like GR's own maitre d' showing up?

The letdown was realizing that Peter sold the restaurant so shortly after the re-do. Poor Marilyn! After 40 years there, where is she now?

[OneLastRefrain]

What a shame ... Gordon restores the place and the family sells it. I hope Ramsey didnt give them all that decorating and cleaning for free ... because I would be really pissed lol.


Hated that Doug chef!! What a jerk. So glad Peter canned him.


Wonder if Marilyn was happy to retire...or if she's still working there! ha.

[Tresjolie9]

Tonight's episode was sad, any idea who bought the restaurant? Did they keep the decorations, or completely change it? What about the staff, some of whom had been there for 40 years?

I have this image of Gordon stuck on the LIRR, traveling from small town to small town. My parents live on LI so I'm dying to see if he hits their town.

LI doesn't have small towns, at least Nassau County, however I'm glad he finally strayed from the LIRR Babylon line and went out to Islip!

What is up with this show and Long Island? Three out of four of the restaurants featured so far, have been somewhere on LI. Can they go to some other places in the NY metro area? I'm sure New Jersey has some nice failing restaurants for Gordon to revive. What about Westchester?

Edited by Tresjolie9, Oct 10, 2007 @ 9:06 PM.

[HeadCase]

I was sad but not surprised that Peter sold the restaurant. In a way, it was the best way for him to really get out from under his father's shadow and stand on his own. I'm curious to know what he is doing now.

Peter asking Gordon for a hug was the highpoint of the entire series thus far.

[dreamy]

I'm sure New Jersey has some nice failing restaurants for Gordon to revive. What about Westchester?

Hey, Newark, New Jersey could be interesting!

And yes, what was up with rude chef number 1 - "I know what sea bass tastes like?" Who wouldn't want to taste Gordon Ramsay's food. Dipwad.

[BigE42984]

LI doesn't have small towns, at least Nassau County, however I'm glad he finally strayed from the LIRR Babylon line and went out to Islip!

I'm from the town next to Islip (Bay Shore), and the towns (we actually call them hamlets) are all small. The street that the Seascape is on is actually Main Street in many towns on the South Shore of the Island. Also, Islip is technically on the Montauk line, but it's really an extension of the Babylon branch.

I've been to Seascape before, the last time was probably 5 years ago after my brother's confirmation. I don't think it was anywhere near that bad. Growing up, the Seascape was always a quality restaurant and my parents would go there together for anniversaries and such. Even with the Ramsey touch, I'm a little hesitant to go there after tonight's episode.

As for the two chefs that got fired, there's a Taco Bell/Pizza Hut next door and a McDonald's across the way. I'm sure they could work there, lol.

[johnny larue]

What about Westchester?

Next week, it's Tuckahoe! Maybe they'll have time for a visit to Findlay's Friendly Appliances.

[AwNutz]

Who wouldn't want to taste Gordon Ramsay's food?

An arrogant, lazy ass who thinks he's God's gift to food. Just because you attended CIA doesn't mean you're a great chef, and the crap you barfed out masquerading as food proved you're not. To pre-cook and freeze food to just nuke later is just crap. I know my job very well, but can ALWAYS stand to learn something new from someone else. I don't know, nor do I think I know everything. He's going to have a hell of a time finding another job once this show airs. No one with half a working brain won't let them near another working kitchen. He's not even fit for McDonald's. They actually clean their kitchens there.

ETA: I was extrememly disappointed to see that Peter sold the restaurant shortly after the show aired. I found it rather disturbing that he kept talking about how he wanted to show his father that he could handle the job and that he was a man. He's been so brow-beaten by his mother for so many years, I doubt he will ever manage to come out from under her thumb. She was the kind of cold, controlling mother who creates a man who does bad, bad things.

Edited by AwNutz, Oct 10, 2007 @ 9:22 PM.

[ladypandora]

Gordon should've instructed Peter in telling his mother to STFU too. She had so much to say about him stepping up and "being a man". She could've used that bossy energy to take control of the staff her damn self. She seemed like the old school type who thinks it's the man's job. Peter was so not made to be in the restaurant biz. Poor guy with his daddy demons and overbearing mother he didn't stand a chance. I hope ole Marilyn was well taken care of. Seasoned, career waitstaff bring something very lovely to the dining experience and I always feel better after being served by one. I only hope that magical feeling isn't from rancid pesto!

[Tresjolie9]

I've been to Seascape before, the last time was probably 5 years ago after my brother's confirmation. I don't think it was anywhere near that bad. Growing up, the Seascape was always a quality restaurant and my parents would go there together for anniversaries and such. Even with the Ramsey touch, I'm a little hesitant to go there after tonight's episode.

Do you know if it is still open? Or did the new owners change the name of the restaurant? Tear it down? Or just buy the redecorated version and stick on an "under new management" sign?

I'm from the town next to Islip (Bay Shore), and the towns (we actually call them hamlets) are all small. The street that the Seascape is on is actually Main Street in many towns on the South Shore of the Island. Also, Islip is technically on the Montauk line, but it's really an extension of the Babylon branch.

Lol, need to consult the map again, I knew that the last place he was is on the Babylon branch, forgot that Islip is an extension.

The towns are "small," but not quite the same as "small towns," in the Midwest, each town has its own boarders, and the line between them could be through someone's backyard.

Edited by Tresjolie9, Oct 10, 2007 @ 9:22 PM.

[tominboston]

Good lord, that kitchen was disgusting, with the layers of greasy crud covering every surface and the decomposing food in the fridge. Did the local health department really give that place a 95 out of 100 score? If so, I fear for the digestive tracts of diners in Islip.

This episode really did seem to show a kinder, gentler Gordon Ramsay. Except for his well-justified conflict with the original chef, who seemed hopeless or at least got that edit, he seemed to be pretty supportive, especially of Peter, and in spite of all the usual F-words he really seemed to be offering constructive criticism rather than just raging.

[sweetenuf2melt]

Is that 3 or 4 weeks of bad crab cakes in a row? It's turned me off crab cakes entirely.

[Zarah]

Having seen how Gordon talks to the men involved in the restaurants, I guess there must be some ingrained upbringing that won't let him be mean to someone's Mum, because one of the top three things that place needed was for someone to say "Hey, Irene, shut yer bitch mouth."

[dreamy]

I know my job very well, but can ALWAYS stand to learn something new from someone else.

To add to this, I've known a few chefs here in NY and generally, they really like food and enjoy trying other people's cuisine, professional or otherwise. Not only lazy, to use your word, but I have to wonder how much he really likes food, which you would think should be the number 1 key quality in a chef.

Edited by dreamy, Oct 10, 2007 @ 9:48 PM.

[kanona29]

LI doesn't have small towns, at least Nassau County, however I'm glad he finally strayed from the LIRR Babylon line and went out to Islip!

lol...wait, that was sarcasm right?? When I first moved to Long Island I was amazed by all the small towns. It was amazing how many towns I would pass through just to go a couple of miles to get something to eat from Panera Bread!!

I must say, alot of chefs are losing their jobs because of Chef Ramsey. The head chef and the sous chef were just dreadful to watch with all their negativity and rudeness!! I was thrilled to see them get packing...

This show really makes me think twice about eating out....

[Jete Saute]

Having seen how Gordon talks to the men involved in the restaurants, I guess there must be some ingrained upbringing that won't let him be mean to someone's Mum, because one of the top three things that place needed was for someone to say "Hey, Irene, shut yer bitch mouth."

no no no no.....you do not talk to yaya like that. Ever hear of what Medea did to her young uns? Little Petey would have been souvlaki.

[Fiddler1]

Wow -- that "Chef Doug." I can understand how having GR called in would put his nose out of joint a bit, but still..... He was lazy, arrogant, and childish. I mean, really --- look around, chef. The restaurant is obviously in trouble. You don't have the class to accept help, to even taste GR's food and admit you might benefit from his expertise?

The owner really didn't seem right for his job. I thought it was rather touching the way GR was able to inspire him to step up, but you could tell it was such a struggle for him to keep it up. (I kept waiting for Gordon to say, "Find your bollocks, man!") He just doesn't have the type of personality to crack the whip and keep things going, which is probably why the two chefs were so lazy. I don't think they really thought they'd be fired.

Loved having J-B pop in, and GR blowing parsley off everything.

[IBinHypmotized]

Okay, am I the only one who got tired of watching the big white logo patch on Gordon's shirt flip from one side to the other as the editing team clearly flipped shots for some bizarre reason?

And seriously, if that "chef" was actually eating any of that disgusting and rancid food he was claiming to eat, he should have been fired on the spot because clearly his palete is suspect!

Anybody besides me keep thinking of Mother-Boy competitions (ala Arrested Development) while watching that tonight?

[taocpa]

Gordon - if you want good crab cakes, please come to MARYland.

Better episode overall. More focus on food for a change. Also, we didn't get one bad guy, but three, Peter, Doug and the sous chef. Although, I did have some sympathy for Peter after the boxing bit.

Doug the Arrogant Chef - dude, you graduated from the CIA? Does that mean you are a Crappy, Insecure, A##hole graduate?

After seeing another disgusting kitchen, Mrs. taocpa and I no longer wish to eat out.

[IBinHypmotized]

Gordon - if you want good crab cakes, please come to MARYland.

Amen! In my opinion, if you have to smother the crabcake in some heavy sauce, question the freshness and quality of the crab. So far every example we've seen is soaking up something gross.

[MissFancy]

It may be different in Nassau and Suffolk counties, but in the NYC boroughs, points are handed out for violations of, not adherence to, the health code. So a score of 95 here would not be a good thing. I tried to find a Department of Health web site for Suffolk County, to no avail.

I wonder what Gordon did about that sewage. And how he found a chef and kitchen staff on such short notice (right).

[IBinHypmotized]

It may be different in Nassau and Suffolk counties, but in the NYC boroughs, points are handed out for violations of, not adherence to, the health code. So a score of 95 here would not be a good thing. I tried to find a Department of Health web site for Suffolk County, to no avail.

I wondered about that. The mom also conveniently left out WHEN they were inspected...because I seriously doubt they would have been allowed to remain open in that condition if it had been recently.

[sansho1]

So far, I've enjoyed each of the last two episodes, but I don't remember this much blatant fudging of chronology in the British version. Last week, the floor manager plainly was in an empty restaurant when he flipped his lid "during service". This week, we're shown chaos in the dining room at 8:30 PM during the reopening. In the following scene, the owner is given a pep talk by Gordon. After asking for (and receiving) a hug, he walks by a clock that plainly reads 6:05! And yet this pep talk is presented as the turning point in the evening. Anyone else catch that?

Edited by sansho1, Oct 10, 2007 @ 10:31 PM.

[LTG]

And the chowder cook-off they showed at the end was happening before the re-design. I just trust this show less and less -- Fox really does ruin everything.

However, it was great to see Gordon getting back to trying to help an owner or chef find his/her inner strength and backbone -- the boxing ring was great. Unfortunately, that owner was the most pathetic sad-sack who ever lived. He couldn't stand up to his mother and couldn't stand up to his employees. Just a passive little shit.

[Second Drink]

I actually live in Islip, and the restaurant is closed. There is a sign across the Seascape sign that says "Coming Soon...The Coast" and they are hiring for all positions. I noticed it the other day when I was driving by, and was so curious to see what happened, and why it was closed. OT, it was very exciting to see my middle school in the background (Go Bucs!).

BigE42984 Hey neighbor!

Edited by Second Drink, Oct 10, 2007 @ 11:00 PM.

[dreamy]

Thanks, Second Drink. I hope Marilyn gets a job.

Watching tonight's show, I was wondering if part of Gordon's sympathy for Peter had to do with his own issues with his father.

Does NOBODY clean their kitchen before Ramsay shows up?

[beartrash]

I couldn't get past Peter's red shiny nose when he first appeared.

Additionally, did one of the waitresses pantomime a drinking motion when Gordon Ramsey asked, "Is he always like this?"

I was hoping it would turn into an episode of Intervention or How clean is Your House?

[rebl rn]

It may be different in Nassau and Suffolk counties, but in the NYC boroughs, points are handed out for violations of, not adherence to, the health code. So a score of 95 here would not be a good thing. I tried to find a Department of Health web site for Suffolk County, to no avail.

According to The Suffolk Health Department Website the restaurant was last inspected 9/26/06 and no posted critical violations were found. And at this page it gives more definition of their inspection process. According to their website, "it's one of the best in New York state and the nation".