While i am working on my "stuff", i am finding my self looking for places to eat out.
My standby for Mexican food i was familiar with was Tacos Guadalajara, but after 35 years in Stamford, they had to retire,
but turned it over to a new restaurant person -Victor Trujillo and so a new place was born.
When i go out, i look for simple, home style food,
from place not near here... That is why soul tasty was on my list and there is one more,
but i digress...
i wanted a taste of this style Mexican food (there are like 7 or more regions, each with its own style)
A customer recommended the Cuban Torta (a sandwich not so different than a Panini, but better)
Hold the presses!
This was probably the best "sandwich" i have ever had!
The taste was different than my "traditional" Mexican food,
I expected this and so i was even more pleasantly surprised and just how good it was!
I looked at the menu and saw a number of must tries...
and so...
to all my American friends, this is a must try and enjoy!
Expect it to be different than standard "Mexican" fare that we are used to...
Enjoy it, you do not want to pass this place up!
Showing posts with label Restaurants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Restaurants. Show all posts
Thursday, August 25, 2016
Friday, August 19, 2016
returning from the south, i needed a reminder of what i was missing -restaurant review
Soul Tasty
Just opened and i had to see if something authentic could open in Stamford, CT.
I am happy to report a resounding YES to that question.
when i was down south, i order a lot of fried chicken because I just do not find good southern fried chicken here....
I started with that, but i had to wait BECAUSE THERE WAS A LINE of people who obviously are looking for the same thing.
They gave me wings, which i was slightly surprised at cause they are the more expensive things to but, but i was not complaining and they met my expectations.
Then i went for two traditional sides - Collard Greens and black eye peas.
Often in the south i am disappointed cause there is either too much vinegar or none with no flavor either...This was perfect with just a hint of vinegar and a lot of flavor...sold
black-eyed peas were also perfect.
the meal comes with corn bread - which follows a tradition of being slightly sweet and is a great accompaniment.
Go, get ye to the soul food place, enjoy cause this is what it is all about
Just opened and i had to see if something authentic could open in Stamford, CT.
I am happy to report a resounding YES to that question.
when i was down south, i order a lot of fried chicken because I just do not find good southern fried chicken here....
I started with that, but i had to wait BECAUSE THERE WAS A LINE of people who obviously are looking for the same thing.
They gave me wings, which i was slightly surprised at cause they are the more expensive things to but, but i was not complaining and they met my expectations.
Then i went for two traditional sides - Collard Greens and black eye peas.
Often in the south i am disappointed cause there is either too much vinegar or none with no flavor either...This was perfect with just a hint of vinegar and a lot of flavor...sold
black-eyed peas were also perfect.
the meal comes with corn bread - which follows a tradition of being slightly sweet and is a great accompaniment.
Go, get ye to the soul food place, enjoy cause this is what it is all about
Sunday, August 26, 2012
a sunday walk through town
It was a beautiful day for a walk, so i took David with me.
There are so many things to discover, but i had purpose.
I had been looking for a Food Mill for sometime,
ever since my least favorite (because i actually dislike her) Food Network cheif, Anne Burrell,
used it and i was impressed.
The way i shop, is i look things up, find them on line and then go to the store.
I know the online price (which usually includes shipping) and i need to see an item before i buy.
Where ever it is cheaper, i buy and that is what i did today.
Additionally, David needed to just get out.
Additionlly, i get to walk downtown Stamford and pass by restaurants.
If OmNomCT wonders why i do not aften post about restaurants - here it goes:
mary ann's stamford has been cited numerous times for having the windows open with out sliding the screens into place.
The windows were open, with no screens - true Mexican experience, complete with flies!
Then there was Barcelona, which has expensive air blowers to keep the same vermin out of the restaurant and kitchen and they were not on.
It was a beautiful and warm day, so the insects were swarming - it bothers me and now you know wy i do not post about restaurants.
There are so many things to discover, but i had purpose.
I had been looking for a Food Mill for sometime,
ever since my least favorite (because i actually dislike her) Food Network cheif, Anne Burrell,
used it and i was impressed.
The way i shop, is i look things up, find them on line and then go to the store.
I know the online price (which usually includes shipping) and i need to see an item before i buy.
Where ever it is cheaper, i buy and that is what i did today.
Additionally, David needed to just get out.
Additionlly, i get to walk downtown Stamford and pass by restaurants.
If OmNomCT wonders why i do not aften post about restaurants - here it goes:
mary ann's stamford has been cited numerous times for having the windows open with out sliding the screens into place.
The windows were open, with no screens - true Mexican experience, complete with flies!
Then there was Barcelona, which has expensive air blowers to keep the same vermin out of the restaurant and kitchen and they were not on.
It was a beautiful and warm day, so the insects were swarming - it bothers me and now you know wy i do not post about restaurants.
Friday, August 24, 2012
a little liteness
As i struggled today with work,
mistakes evident only to me,
but only because no one else knows or cares...
I had some light hearted face book discussion
with a blogger and food blogger (foodie if you must).
No i will not go there,
my reviews here maybe on the positive and negative of how people handle things,'but rarely a real restaurant review.
Why?
I cook and form those who taste and eat my food (not just the captive audience in my house),
i do a darn good job.
I have a strange background - grew up in Texas with the smoked beef and Tex-Mex food galore,
but it was also the South, so i was very familiar with things like collards and even gumbo.
Some how this adventure of mine awakened a sleeping giant deep down.
I grill and BBQ with the best of them.
Because it was Houston, seafood was plenty,
but then there is more to my heritage because my mom was Greek - and i can put together a mean Baklava at the very least
and mt dad was country French, growing up in Alsace - which has a German flair to it.
I can cook these
and as i said, if you take the word or others first,
I cook well.So if i go to a restaurant, i will compare to what i can do
and most times i am disappointed
because the restaurant must cook a high volume and things do get lost.
And then there is the issue of working at a Health Department for 33 years -
i know way too much.
I know the mistakes that are made and served.And i am an analyst - i can taste them.
So there will be no food/restaurant blog coming here,
instead go to OmNomCT for really good food / restaurant reviews.
mistakes evident only to me,
but only because no one else knows or cares...
I had some light hearted face book discussion
with a blogger and food blogger (foodie if you must).
No i will not go there,
my reviews here maybe on the positive and negative of how people handle things,'but rarely a real restaurant review.
Why?
I cook and form those who taste and eat my food (not just the captive audience in my house),
i do a darn good job.
I have a strange background - grew up in Texas with the smoked beef and Tex-Mex food galore,
but it was also the South, so i was very familiar with things like collards and even gumbo.
Some how this adventure of mine awakened a sleeping giant deep down.
I grill and BBQ with the best of them.
Because it was Houston, seafood was plenty,
but then there is more to my heritage because my mom was Greek - and i can put together a mean Baklava at the very least
and mt dad was country French, growing up in Alsace - which has a German flair to it.
I can cook these
and as i said, if you take the word or others first,
I cook well.So if i go to a restaurant, i will compare to what i can do
and most times i am disappointed
because the restaurant must cook a high volume and things do get lost.
And then there is the issue of working at a Health Department for 33 years -
i know way too much.
I know the mistakes that are made and served.And i am an analyst - i can taste them.
So there will be no food/restaurant blog coming here,
instead go to OmNomCT for really good food / restaurant reviews.
Friday, August 3, 2012
How not to deal with an unhappy customer
a while back i wrote on how someone took a disgruntled customer (me)
and made me do a retract and shout out to a restaurant.
Tonight is the opposite.
It was a simple issue, a pork Souvlaki came out and did not taste "right'.
It did not seem to be all the pieces, but after the first taste, my companion could eat no more.
Now this can happen and not be a restaurant's fault, but a good restaurant will not question an uneaten plate of food, the waiter, who may have been inexperienced did.
I was tired from a long drive and may have been short tempered, but i pulled - "do you want me to take it to my lab tomorrow to test it" on him.
He may have consulted with the manager on duty, but they did not show.
The bill came and there was an attempt to have us pay the entire bill, with the uneaten Souvlaki.
When we questioned this we were told the cook tried this and it was fine.
This is not how you win customers.
The manager never came and i nor anyone i speak to will ever go back to the Athens Pizza & Restaurant in Stamford.
and made me do a retract and shout out to a restaurant.
Tonight is the opposite.
It was a simple issue, a pork Souvlaki came out and did not taste "right'.
It did not seem to be all the pieces, but after the first taste, my companion could eat no more.
Now this can happen and not be a restaurant's fault, but a good restaurant will not question an uneaten plate of food, the waiter, who may have been inexperienced did.
I was tired from a long drive and may have been short tempered, but i pulled - "do you want me to take it to my lab tomorrow to test it" on him.
He may have consulted with the manager on duty, but they did not show.
The bill came and there was an attempt to have us pay the entire bill, with the uneaten Souvlaki.
When we questioned this we were told the cook tried this and it was fine.
This is not how you win customers.
The manager never came and i nor anyone i speak to will ever go back to the Athens Pizza & Restaurant in Stamford.
Monday, January 2, 2012
The home cook advantage vs ethnic restaurants
So i escape the wonder of my recent cage
I am left to ponder
and remember
On my list of places to go was Fiesta in Stamford, a Peruvian restaurant.
In my life i am fortunate to have people who are from various countries share their food with me.
As i ate at Fiesta, fairly unimpressed, i thought about this.
The meal was not bad, but was not memorable, but the why is more important than the how.
I was immediately comparing it to food prepared by a neighbor, for her Peruvian boyfriend and shared with me.
The home cook won hands down.
Thinking of a similar restaurant, but of Italian flavor, Rizzutos, did not have that disappointment, it was comparable to Italian home cooks i have know. I went with some of those and they enjoyed it also.
I thought back at my disappointment of EOS in Stamford, because i compared it to my mom's cooking (and my own)
I thought of my excitement at TAWA, because for the first time, Indian food tasted like a close friend of mine and her husband had shared with me.
I would not even talk about Mexican cuisine in Stamford - mostly, i will eat my own as will i eat my own Texas barbecue.
There are other ethnic restaurants i have been to, but have little to compare them to such as little Buddha and Kits kitchen and i often wonder if i would be disappointed if i knew a Thia home cook.
I am left to ponder
and remember
On my list of places to go was Fiesta in Stamford, a Peruvian restaurant.
In my life i am fortunate to have people who are from various countries share their food with me.
As i ate at Fiesta, fairly unimpressed, i thought about this.
The meal was not bad, but was not memorable, but the why is more important than the how.
I was immediately comparing it to food prepared by a neighbor, for her Peruvian boyfriend and shared with me.
The home cook won hands down.
Thinking of a similar restaurant, but of Italian flavor, Rizzutos, did not have that disappointment, it was comparable to Italian home cooks i have know. I went with some of those and they enjoyed it also.
I thought back at my disappointment of EOS in Stamford, because i compared it to my mom's cooking (and my own)
I thought of my excitement at TAWA, because for the first time, Indian food tasted like a close friend of mine and her husband had shared with me.
I would not even talk about Mexican cuisine in Stamford - mostly, i will eat my own as will i eat my own Texas barbecue.
There are other ethnic restaurants i have been to, but have little to compare them to such as little Buddha and Kits kitchen and i often wonder if i would be disappointed if i knew a Thia home cook.
Friday, December 9, 2011
A little diversion or Curleys
Yea, I went there.
I had not, you know.
Never before,
That little dive called "Curleys".
I respect them,
they fought eminent domain and won,
And I went and it was good.
A typical diner type place -
with the owners speaking Greek to a customer
(after all what diners in this area are not owned by Greeks?)
And the Wait staff and bus people speaking Spanish.
I wanted a burger, a simple burger, nothing fancy.
There are many burger places coming soon to Stamford -
5 Guys, The Station eats, Plan B Burger to name a few.
There are many places here now - Tiernan's - a nice Irish style pub,
Napa & company - for the Koby beef burger, even g/r/a/n/d has gone for burgers.
But i wanted something simple.
I got it medium - i think you can guess why...
But the burger came out - perfect - crispy, medium with juice, full of flavor and it was wonderful.
I ordered the plate, but could not finish all that was there,
but the hanburger had to be done with!
Monday, November 7, 2011
inspiration, copyright, celebration
How do i begin this post?
For many are writing as of late...
Why we blog...
That is easy -
for what started as just a random thing
became very specific regarding my journey of recovery, My Adventure as i call it.
that journey has not ended
and even if my sight were to return to normal tomorrow,
i would still be on that adventure...
For life is a treasure
and that brings me to the next portion...
For each of you who visits,
outspoken,
anonymous
or just silent...
is a treasure to me.
And as i visit, sometimes speaking, i am inspired by many things.
I keep treasures,
mementos of the visit for only me to know.
For those who worry about copyrights, I will not take and use with out express permission, i will ask.
But sometimes i take to view on a cold and dreary day,
to lift my heart.
They are stored safely and none else knows or sees.
So for so much inspiration, thank all of you.
And to the last portion -
last night i was taken to a favorite restaurant in Byram/Greenwich a Mexican inspired Tequilla bar (i had 2 margaritas and they were good), Lollitas.
Much food was had at our table - a Red Snapper delight (which i wish i had ordered),
a carne Assada to die for, steak quesadillas and a lime chicken. a smoked poblamo pepper soup was brought to the table and a marvelous pork taco.
I had a bitr of every ones food cause i forgot it was not Texas and ordered a brisket taco - which was good, but not the Texas brisket flavor i wanted.
It is a pricey place to eat and drink, but if you have the money, worth it.
For many are writing as of late...
Why we blog...
That is easy -
for what started as just a random thing
became very specific regarding my journey of recovery, My Adventure as i call it.
that journey has not ended
and even if my sight were to return to normal tomorrow,
i would still be on that adventure...
For life is a treasure
and that brings me to the next portion...
For each of you who visits,
outspoken,
anonymous
or just silent...
is a treasure to me.
And as i visit, sometimes speaking, i am inspired by many things.
I keep treasures,
mementos of the visit for only me to know.
For those who worry about copyrights, I will not take and use with out express permission, i will ask.
But sometimes i take to view on a cold and dreary day,
to lift my heart.
They are stored safely and none else knows or sees.
So for so much inspiration, thank all of you.
And to the last portion -
last night i was taken to a favorite restaurant in Byram/Greenwich a Mexican inspired Tequilla bar (i had 2 margaritas and they were good), Lollitas.
Much food was had at our table - a Red Snapper delight (which i wish i had ordered),
a carne Assada to die for, steak quesadillas and a lime chicken. a smoked poblamo pepper soup was brought to the table and a marvelous pork taco.
I had a bitr of every ones food cause i forgot it was not Texas and ordered a brisket taco - which was good, but not the Texas brisket flavor i wanted.
It is a pricey place to eat and drink, but if you have the money, worth it.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Out on Staurday night
It was a good Saturday to go out and so off to Fin II we went, where i have never been disappointed. My friend ordered a "cooked" Special (as opposed to the sushie/sashimi i love) of Red Snapper and gave it a 2 tumbs up.
Then did a little recon around and was surprised to see a number of people at Riviera Maya. Although when i was there, it was not bad, just not outstanding, others , who i trust, went there and found it to be very disappointing. So i went in and had an drink and an appitizer. it was not bad, but i think a bit pricey for taquitos. My especial margarita was very good (jalepeno), but the person with me was disappoint in the Margarita they had (no liquor, to speak of).
It was chilly, but there is a night life in Stamford
Then did a little recon around and was surprised to see a number of people at Riviera Maya. Although when i was there, it was not bad, just not outstanding, others , who i trust, went there and found it to be very disappointing. So i went in and had an drink and an appitizer. it was not bad, but i think a bit pricey for taquitos. My especial margarita was very good (jalepeno), but the person with me was disappoint in the Margarita they had (no liquor, to speak of).
It was chilly, but there is a night life in Stamford
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Stamford Restaurants - the proliferation of "Mexican"
The word Mexican is in parenthesis for a reason...
I cook at little Mexican, but is more Tex-Mex than anything - iNever needed anything else because growing up there was just so much very, very good Mexican food around me (in Houston).
Then i came to Stamford and there was nothing...I mean nothing.
A few years later i found two that could pass and they are still in buisness, nothing fancy, just simple everyday Mexican and in a style that i was familiar with.
Now suddenly there are 6 new "Mexican" restaurants - I can not stand any of them.
Maryann's - Good place to get drunk - margaritas are okay - i found the food to be tasteless.
Riviera Maya - a step up from Maryann's, but still issues with taste - one other friend called it horrible - i did not find it horrible, but not great
Bar Rosa - I have not been there and do not know anyone who has.
Lolas - I also have not been there, but again i noticed it is absent from OmNomCT .
Now we get a new player - Picante - They opened last week and gave out samples of Chips and salsa during the Bedford Street Festival. Based on that taste, i won't be back. Perhaps i am unfair.
And soon to open, Bar Taco on lower Summer St.
If i am in Stamford, I think i will stick to the following - The Taco Truck near Yerwood center - very, very good, simple California style Mexican
Ole Mole - very good Moles - well put together and taste!
Tacos Guadalajara - simplicity at its best for a Mexican taste.
Outside of Stamford there are many good ones and there are a few smaller places i have not gone, but the new set is the pits!
I cook at little Mexican, but is more Tex-Mex than anything - iNever needed anything else because growing up there was just so much very, very good Mexican food around me (in Houston).
Then i came to Stamford and there was nothing...I mean nothing.
A few years later i found two that could pass and they are still in buisness, nothing fancy, just simple everyday Mexican and in a style that i was familiar with.
Now suddenly there are 6 new "Mexican" restaurants - I can not stand any of them.
Maryann's - Good place to get drunk - margaritas are okay - i found the food to be tasteless.
Riviera Maya - a step up from Maryann's, but still issues with taste - one other friend called it horrible - i did not find it horrible, but not great
Bar Rosa - I have not been there and do not know anyone who has.
Lolas - I also have not been there, but again i noticed it is absent from OmNomCT .
Now we get a new player - Picante - They opened last week and gave out samples of Chips and salsa during the Bedford Street Festival. Based on that taste, i won't be back. Perhaps i am unfair.
And soon to open, Bar Taco on lower Summer St.
If i am in Stamford, I think i will stick to the following - The Taco Truck near Yerwood center - very, very good, simple California style Mexican
Ole Mole - very good Moles - well put together and taste!
Tacos Guadalajara - simplicity at its best for a Mexican taste.
Outside of Stamford there are many good ones and there are a few smaller places i have not gone, but the new set is the pits!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
And a good time was had by all...
Should have taken pictures,
I did not and so I can only describe that the time we had in Byram, CT (Think Greenwich before Port chester, NY) was fun.
It had been some time since I had been to Lolita Cosina in Greenwich, i was not sure what to expect after some of my more recent restaurant experiences.
Quickly - it was really good before and it improved and lately, that has not been the case with other restaurants i have been to.
The cuisine is Mexican inspired and really, really flavorful.
The tequila did not hurt a thing.
My only negative is, for some one with eyes like mine, you need a flash light to read the menu, but i need extra light almost anywhere I go.
We wanted for nothing and were everyone of us (5) extremely satisfied.
I did not and so I can only describe that the time we had in Byram, CT (Think Greenwich before Port chester, NY) was fun.
It had been some time since I had been to Lolita Cosina in Greenwich, i was not sure what to expect after some of my more recent restaurant experiences.
Quickly - it was really good before and it improved and lately, that has not been the case with other restaurants i have been to.
The cuisine is Mexican inspired and really, really flavorful.
The tequila did not hurt a thing.
My only negative is, for some one with eyes like mine, you need a flash light to read the menu, but i need extra light almost anywhere I go.
We wanted for nothing and were everyone of us (5) extremely satisfied.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Saturday Night out -Tawa Indian
New location at 211 Summer St.
I had their menu, but when I walked in they said they had a "Bread Bar" downstairs and full dining upstairs. I like new and different. This was and I was NOT disappointed.
First the atmosphere was really nice - it was small, but great for a "bar".
I tried a on tap Indian Beer, which was just fine!
Then came the crisp bread with 3 dipping sauces - one a green chili chutney -was hot and well made (I make that as well, but I use what I have most of, mint, most Indians use cilantro and this was the case). A mango chutney and a vinegar red pepper (sweet). Perfect for dipping. One of us ordered a Sizzling Kebab platter with lamb and chicken. and a stuffed Nan with lamb I ordered a chicken kabob and Paratha.
Each came with its own dipping sauces and all were wonderful. The main meals can get spicy hot, but they are well marked on the menu. What we had a a wonderful blend of spices that were sweet, but not spicy hot.
Definitely a place to go to again!
The server was new, but did well and was chatty and that helped - no issue with service.
Everyone was very warm and friendly.
I had their menu, but when I walked in they said they had a "Bread Bar" downstairs and full dining upstairs. I like new and different. This was and I was NOT disappointed.
First the atmosphere was really nice - it was small, but great for a "bar".
I tried a on tap Indian Beer, which was just fine!
Then came the crisp bread with 3 dipping sauces - one a green chili chutney -was hot and well made (I make that as well, but I use what I have most of, mint, most Indians use cilantro and this was the case). A mango chutney and a vinegar red pepper (sweet). Perfect for dipping. One of us ordered a Sizzling Kebab platter with lamb and chicken. and a stuffed Nan with lamb I ordered a chicken kabob and Paratha.
Each came with its own dipping sauces and all were wonderful. The main meals can get spicy hot, but they are well marked on the menu. What we had a a wonderful blend of spices that were sweet, but not spicy hot.
Definitely a place to go to again!
The server was new, but did well and was chatty and that helped - no issue with service.
Everyone was very warm and friendly.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
A quick restraunt critic
I decided to go out for dinner and walked downtown with a friend. He wanted Mexican and so we tried Maryann's.
It is a no go on many levels
The food, not colorful or flavorful.
The guacamole was poorly mashes avocado with little else.
Very little heat (spice), no cilantro, no chili pepper, no salt.
The service was fine.
The restaurant was hot with no fans and little air.
All the doors and windows were open with no screens.
I will not go back.
It is a no go on many levels
The food, not colorful or flavorful.
The guacamole was poorly mashes avocado with little else.
Very little heat (spice), no cilantro, no chili pepper, no salt.
The service was fine.
The restaurant was hot with no fans and little air.
All the doors and windows were open with no screens.
I will not go back.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Lolita
We take a break from our usually drab an unusually unexciting posts to introduce a new restaurant that I have become some what involved in. Lolita cosina and Tequila bar is a beautiful break from most of the things we have available here. I just came from the grand opening cocktail party and it was incredible (2 tequilas helped) and the appetizers went from the very great (the plain corn tamale, which was better than all the homemade I have had) to the innovative (a scallop torta) to one boring item out of 20 (the quesadillas). Those in the area, go and enjoy!
A quick addendum, the chef in the place has been train by Bobby Flay. lots of great flavor!
A quick addendum, the chef in the place has been train by Bobby Flay. lots of great flavor!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Okay, there's no label for this one
So my Mom is still in the hospital in VA Beach. I got a good report from my cousin and says mostly they are keeping her for a UTI and observation. Somewhere, someone realized the pain from the bone marrow sample was too much and that is the big deal. SO she will be released to a short term rehab unit until she is back to her normal. Then we find out the results of the bone marrow test some 2 weeks from now.
This really did get me upset, my own BP has been higher than it should be and I have been agitated. On top of that, I popped the lens out of my glasses and was basically blind for half the day. John, the engineer of the house (yes, really a building engineer) put the glasses together and I can see again.
There will be a new upscale Mexican restaurant/tequila bar in Port Chester in June - not in Stamford. I actually encourage first time restaurant's to go to other towns because it is a bit difficult to go through the plan review in Stamford (As Wild Buffalo Wings and Mary Anns' are finding out). I actually approve of the concept (you get it started the best as possible, read as close to CT code here, and then it takes a while for it to go down hill). This in turn retards the occurrence of food borne illnesses due to faulty equipment. It does work cause the number of super investigations have been down since that policy was instituted a while back. Of course the Pellichi's incident happened first.
This really did get me upset, my own BP has been higher than it should be and I have been agitated. On top of that, I popped the lens out of my glasses and was basically blind for half the day. John, the engineer of the house (yes, really a building engineer) put the glasses together and I can see again.
There will be a new upscale Mexican restaurant/tequila bar in Port Chester in June - not in Stamford. I actually encourage first time restaurant's to go to other towns because it is a bit difficult to go through the plan review in Stamford (As Wild Buffalo Wings and Mary Anns' are finding out). I actually approve of the concept (you get it started the best as possible, read as close to CT code here, and then it takes a while for it to go down hill). This in turn retards the occurrence of food borne illnesses due to faulty equipment. It does work cause the number of super investigations have been down since that policy was instituted a while back. Of course the Pellichi's incident happened first.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Twenty, the inside story
Everyone knows I have the inside story to some of the local government workings and some have an idea of my loose connection to the place now call Twenty of Stamford. This is the inside story, which is not to different than many restaurants and bars, but this is Twenty's story.
The place known now as Twenty, was for 6 years a very unsuccessful diner in the middle of town called Park Place Diner. These are the same people who own Bull's Head Diner and Court Square and the now gone, Stamford Diner. They also own a couple of diners in Westchester. About this time last year (3 or 4 months previous), the diner people approached a friend of mine, Scott Marz , to try to help them create something different and successful. This was their second approach and he had refused the first one because of their reputation of callous behavior toward loyal employees (example, they cut off the manager from employment at Stamford Diner when it closed after he had worked for them for 20 years) and basically treating most employees like cattle or slaves, but he accepted this time because he felt that with his reputation and a clear contract, he could create something in Stamford (this had been one of his dreams), that was part his and was an eclectic place, being a restaurant and a club and a place to have fun for adults. He wanted to have good food, not diner food, so he managed to get Frankie Whitaker to be the chef and spent about 100,000 of his own money to change the place from what was a rats' nest, into something attractive and comfortable.
Despite the contract, the diner people fought with him with every change, even tho he was spending his own money, but for the most part he prevailed.
When Scott presented items on the contract that talked about money, the response he got was that everything was "Buuulllshittt" with a Greek accent.
The attitude that everyone who worked for them was nothing and could be easily replaced was a tougher situation. This was not Scott's attitude and he tended to respect people because of his background.
When the place was finished and opened, it became a successful club rapidly, but the first casualty of the diner mentality was the chef and the food program became a difficult issue.
Scott worked more hours than the "manager", who was the owner's son and received very little in compensation...the books were being 'cooked'. Mean time the Manager was getting ~ $3,000.00 per month on the books and maybe another $3,000 under the table because he decided to bartend in addition to "managing". Additionally maybe $25,000 seemed to be missing in income based on purchases, price of purchase and sales.
A veiled threat of getting an audit, netted Scott a quick sum of money, but nothing to what he put in.
In the mean time the diner people were not paying the bus people - who were required to do a lot of work and so that staff kept changing and the place is beginning to look dirty.
Same thing happen with the next set of cooks. Scott would step in, but would not know the people were not being paid because the cash out was being recorded.
Alive at 5 came and the place made 5 times the amount it had ever done in it past life as a diner, but again people were not being paid - including Scott.
So what do we call this? Common business practice? A den of thieves? Mismanagement? Or a Sucker is born every minute?
The funny thing is that I like the concept and the initial presentation of Twenty, I still think the Food has manage to stay okay to good despite everything. And I like the music.
The place known now as Twenty, was for 6 years a very unsuccessful diner in the middle of town called Park Place Diner. These are the same people who own Bull's Head Diner and Court Square and the now gone, Stamford Diner. They also own a couple of diners in Westchester. About this time last year (3 or 4 months previous), the diner people approached a friend of mine, Scott Marz , to try to help them create something different and successful. This was their second approach and he had refused the first one because of their reputation of callous behavior toward loyal employees (example, they cut off the manager from employment at Stamford Diner when it closed after he had worked for them for 20 years) and basically treating most employees like cattle or slaves, but he accepted this time because he felt that with his reputation and a clear contract, he could create something in Stamford (this had been one of his dreams), that was part his and was an eclectic place, being a restaurant and a club and a place to have fun for adults. He wanted to have good food, not diner food, so he managed to get Frankie Whitaker to be the chef and spent about 100,000 of his own money to change the place from what was a rats' nest, into something attractive and comfortable.
Despite the contract, the diner people fought with him with every change, even tho he was spending his own money, but for the most part he prevailed.
When Scott presented items on the contract that talked about money, the response he got was that everything was "Buuulllshittt" with a Greek accent.
The attitude that everyone who worked for them was nothing and could be easily replaced was a tougher situation. This was not Scott's attitude and he tended to respect people because of his background.
When the place was finished and opened, it became a successful club rapidly, but the first casualty of the diner mentality was the chef and the food program became a difficult issue.
Scott worked more hours than the "manager", who was the owner's son and received very little in compensation...the books were being 'cooked'. Mean time the Manager was getting ~ $3,000.00 per month on the books and maybe another $3,000 under the table because he decided to bartend in addition to "managing". Additionally maybe $25,000 seemed to be missing in income based on purchases, price of purchase and sales.
A veiled threat of getting an audit, netted Scott a quick sum of money, but nothing to what he put in.
In the mean time the diner people were not paying the bus people - who were required to do a lot of work and so that staff kept changing and the place is beginning to look dirty.
Same thing happen with the next set of cooks. Scott would step in, but would not know the people were not being paid because the cash out was being recorded.
Alive at 5 came and the place made 5 times the amount it had ever done in it past life as a diner, but again people were not being paid - including Scott.
So what do we call this? Common business practice? A den of thieves? Mismanagement? Or a Sucker is born every minute?
The funny thing is that I like the concept and the initial presentation of Twenty, I still think the Food has manage to stay okay to good despite everything. And I like the music.
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