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Posted by: MONEYMAN Jul 27 2007, 11:50 AM

So much for the loopholes


QUOTE
Famed N.Y. Chef Sued for Skimpy Wages

French mega-chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten may dish up fanciful plates of porcini tarts and sauteed frogs' legs, but he allegedly skimps on wages for his workers.

Former employees at Vongerichten's eight New York restaurants filed a class-action lawsuit in federal court yesterday, charging he paid subminimum wages, cheated them out of overtime and forced them to share tips with their bosses.

Vongerichten's stable of successful restaurants consists of Jean-Georges, Nougatine, JoJo, 66, Vong, Mercer Kitchen, Spice Market and Perry Street...

Vongerichten, who could not be reached for comment, has twice been sued in federal court this year for alleged wage violations.

Earlier this month, ex-workers from the V Steakhouse in the Time Warner Center made similar claims against Vongerichten. The restaurant closed in December 2005.

Still pending is a suit seeking back wages filed by a gay waiter at Jean-Georges who says co-workers had a hooker perform a simulated sex act on him at a 2004 party.

Thomas Zambito, Daily News Specials

http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2007/07/27/2007-07-27_famed_ny_chef_sued_for_skimpy_wages.html

 

Posted by: PassionFoodie Jul 27 2007, 06:59 PM

Abbe, get ready to make that movie...start working on the screen play....based on true events....The Empire Comes Down.


I have questions:

1-How does the income of someone like JGV get from his business to his personal account?
2-Does he pay himself a salary?
3-I am under the assumption that the JG Management company will have to pay any found default of payments to employees. Is this right? (Not from the owner's personal monies.)
4- Does he really know what is going on being that far up? (Lois comes to mind here) I know she is hated, but rich people delegate so much that they don't always know...though THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.)

Moneyman...you know anything about this? You see very knowledgeable about this sort of thing.

I am posting this here, it's the public area...

Many thanks.

What a fucking, damn shame...so much talent yet so much greed. I wanted to believe so bad that JG knows nothing and Lois is to blame...but I am not that naive. Unless the courts prove otherwise...(sorry, true words and feelings here).

You know...a lot of talent open their own places that have worked for him...no wonder they don't partner with him...I always wondered about that. Now I know...

You would never guess this shit was going on...when you meet him.

Happy weekend everyone. Off for some good Italian eats..Babbo's perhaps...

 

Posted by: abbe Jul 30 2007, 12:49 PM

uhh yah. i have a few questions of my own. i mean
it's not like i'm COMPLETELY one hundred percent ignorant as to what was going down up in that "empire" but i am a bit clueless as to the exact laws and whatnot. so what i really want to know is:

- isn't lois-freedman essentially pretty much fucked now ?? as the Director or Operations, wouldn't she be the one directly responsible for all this ? wouldn't an army of knowledgeable sharkesque well-paid lawyers pretty much HAVE to recommend theEmpire distance itself from her as much as possible asap ??

-- does the Starwood contract come with some kind of an "image" clause ? wouldn't it kinda have to ??
call me crazy, but stealing from your own employees hardly constitutes a nice wholesome image, no ??

--- at what point does (or, does it ever?) "tip pilfering" become like, "embezzlement" or whatever ?? and/or like "grand larceny" maybe ?? totally confused on this one.

---- if we are talking EIGHT establishments here (not including the "pendings"), isn't this pretty much holding up a neon sign to the federal government LOOK AT ME LOOK AT ME I GOT CA$H BITCH COME AND GET IT
and uhh, if that's the case, wouldn't the IRS then come calling and crawling up your ass with a big tweezer and a mag lite ?? if so, i think that might hurt just a wee bit



and my last and final question

------- given the fact i have an actual pay stub that blatantly exhibits my salary decrease PLUS TIPS EARNED effective the week following my official PROMOTION from hostess to maitre d' at 66 (which is all documented as well, natch)
wouldn't that be
a> rather incriminating (??) and thus
b> totally fucking retarded ???



anyone ? anyone ? bueller ?
 

Posted by: Inkslinger Jul 30 2007, 01:24 PM

QUOTE (abbe @ Jul 30 2007, 12:49 PM)
------- given the fact i have an actual pay stub that blatantly exhibits my salary decrease PLUS TIPS EARNED effective the week following my official PROMOTION from hostess to maitre d' at 66 (which is all documented as well, natch)
wouldn't that be
a> rather incriminating (??) and thus
b> totally fucking retarded ???

anyone ? anyone ? bueller ?


a. One would think so.

b. We are talking about Lois Freedman here.
 

Posted by: Dick Johnson Jul 30 2007, 02:56 PM


It seems to me Jean-George is fucked on this one. He will have to settle this, because there is no way they can allow this to go to trial in front of a judge and jury, where they'll get hanged, for sure.

Eight restaurants?

It sounds like this is going to be a pretty big settlement.

 

Posted by: Ferret-n-Chicken! Jul 30 2007, 03:16 PM

I don't feel sorry for them at all!!! Even though JG is a nice guy, the buck has to stop somewhere!!!! He knew that Lois was fucking everything up and he didn't care, even though they lost alot of really good employees who quit because Lois was such a bitch. I know for a fact that a few people complained to JG and even sent letters, but nothing was ever done about her!!! OMG, all you have to do is read Abbe's book (Oh wait, am I being too ass-kissy now??? ) to see how much she screwed everything up. I've never said this about anyone before, but I hope she does finally get fired like she deserves, and if all of JG's businesses suffer now, then that's just too fuckin' bad because they all deserve it for letting go so far!!!
 

Posted by: Dick Johnson Jul 30 2007, 03:20 PM

QUOTE (abbe @ Jul 30 2007, 12:49 PM)
------- given the fact i have an actual pay stub that blatantly exhibits my salary decrease PLUS TIPS EARNED effective the week following my official PROMOTION from hostess to maitre d'


I'm pretty sure they can't use the "Floor Managers are Part of the Service Team" argument on this one. I could be wrong, but I would think Maitre D's are definitely not considered Floor staff, and therefore, work for the House.
 

Posted by: Inkslinger Jul 30 2007, 03:43 PM

QUOTE (Ferret-n-Chicken! @ Jul 30 2007, 03:16 PM)
I don't feel sorry for them at all!!!


Why would you? They constantly showed all their employees (except for the ones that kissed Lois's ass) how much the staff just didn't matter.

I'm not the type of person who wishes ill on other people, either. So, I'll just say I hope they finally get what they truly deserve.
 

Posted by: Dick Johnson Jul 30 2007, 03:48 PM

QUOTE (Inkslinger @ Jul 30 2007, 03:43 PM)
Why would you? They constantly showed all their employees (except for the ones that kissed Lois's ass) how much the staff just didn't matter.
I'm not the type of person who wishes ill on other people, either. So, I'll just say I hope they finally get what they truly deserve.


Well, it's not going to help matters that it's such a widely reviled company. In the end, it will probably all boil down to how 'down and dirty' the staffers (and lawyers) want to get. If they decide that they want JG to suffer, he probably will.
 

Posted by: MILFweed Jul 30 2007, 05:33 PM

Has anyone else noticed how any hint of this story is conspicuously absent from The Post? Jean Georges must have Page Six Protection.


QUOTE (Ferret-n-Chicken! @ Jul 30 2007, 03:16 PM)
OMG, all you have to do is read Abbe's book (Oh wait, am I being too ass-kissy now??? )

Apparently you are. Don't ever bring up Abbe's book again without a footnote specifying that there is a possibility it is not one of the decade's defining touchstones. Otherwise people might get offended that you liked it.

 

Posted by: MONEYMAN Jul 30 2007, 05:50 PM

This is what happens when you play the loopholes

I am sure their defense will include being within the law

Managers don't have hire and fire capabilities
Floor managers will be listed as captains etc
Service teams working on a shift pay basis

I think it's time to round up all the usual suspects


I love this town
 

Posted by: Inkslinger Jul 30 2007, 06:20 PM

QUOTE (MONEYMAN @ Jul 30 2007, 05:50 PM)
Managers don't have hire and fire capabilities
Floor managers will be listed as captains etc
Service teams working on a shift pay basis


This might work for floor managers, because they can be listed as part of the service team, but how would a Maitre D' (Abbe, e.g.) fall in with this? A Maitre D' works at the door, and does not take orders, bus tables or run food, etc.

It's one thing to have the staff of one place try to sue, but all of them? Will even someone like Jean Georges be able to just sweep this under the carpet?

 

QUOTE (MILFweed @ Jul 30 2007, 05:33 PM)
Has anyone else noticed how any hint of this story is conspicuously absent from The Post? Jean Georges must have Page Six Protection.


Then again, maybe he will.

I noticed that Grub Street mentioned the story, though. But maybe they're waiting for Jay McInerney to finish his next sycophantic 5-page Jean Georges article, which, of course, will just happen to be timed to coincide with any negative press.

 

Posted by: BX(Busboy Extraordinaire) Jul 30 2007, 06:34 PM

QUOTE (MONEYMAN @ Jul 30 2007, 05:50 PM)
This is what happens when you play the loopholes

I am sure their defense will include being within the law

Managers don't have hire and fire capabilities
Floor managers will be listed as captains etc
Service teams working on a shift pay basis

I think it's time to round up all the usual suspects
I love this town


When the staff from Mercer filed the same suit, didn't the company have to pay them???
 

Posted by: PassionFoodie Jul 30 2007, 08:17 PM

Is this Lois?

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb261/PassionFoodie/Lois.jpg



EDITED BY abbe:

aack !! i had to take out the img tags-- sorry! i just cannot be looking at that every day. NEXT TIME TRY WARNING ME PLEASE i think i felt my heart palpitate
 

Posted by: PassionFoodie Jul 30 2007, 08:25 PM

QUOTE (Inkslinger @ Jul 30 2007, 06:25 PM)
Then again, maybe he will.
I noticed that Grub Street mentioned the story, though. But maybe they're waiting for Jay McInerney
to finish his next sycophantic 5-page Jean Georges article, which, of course, will just happen to be timed to coincide with any negative press.


U say negative press?


http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion/ny-nysher305313444jul30,0,4524268.column
 

Posted by: abbe Jul 31 2007, 11:30 AM

QUOTE (abbe @ Jul 31 2007, 11:28 AM)
i could be wrong, but yes i thought i heard something about them settling a class action at MercerKitchen.

if the waitress from V had her suit approved, then i am pretty sure this one will be approved too, no ? in which case, yes, i think this could get pretty ugly for jean-georges, army of lawyers or not. correct me if i'm wrong, but if jean-georges does NOT settle, it could go all the way to court. if it goes before the court -- wooo HOOOOO BOY

i mean really. think about it
if i was a plaintiff and alls i had to do is sit back and watch the company i DETEST and ABHOR squirm all day long -- i'm thinking the settlement had better make me really happy. otherwise i'd certainly be thinking to myself:

SQUIRM BITCH. SQUIRM


eehee heee ohmygoodness listen to me. i'm CRAZY.

do i have a "mental anguish" suit in here somewheres ? what's the statute of limitations on this mutherfukker ?

ahhahahhhahhahhhahahaaa
 

Posted by: previousmaitred Jul 31 2007, 05:04 PM

Abbe - you expressed my sentiments exactly about Lois hopefully being held accountable for this mess as she was the one managing the staff. Though I do feel sorta bad for JG - he was always gracious towards me and I have no complaints about the way I was treated by him personally. Lois is a whole different story. When I was there, she pulled some arbitrarily discriminatory shit with me that I could have sued over - but I didn't want to expend the time or energy to do so. I never even sent him a letter about her, but thinking back, I wish I did.
 

Posted by: MONEYMAN Jul 31 2007, 05:12 PM

Here you go Abbe................One for your collection

Her weight in duck fat!!!!!!!!!

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2005/11/03/style/tmagazine/20051103_ORIG_SLIDESHOW_2.html
 

Posted by: PassionFoodie Jul 31 2007, 07:27 PM

QUOTE (PassionFoodie @ Jul 30 2007, 08:17 PM)
aack !! i had to take out the img tags-- sorry !! i just cannot be looking at that every day. NEXT TIME TRY WARNING ME PLEASE i think i felt my heart palpitate


U kill me!!!

I guess that picture is Lois Friedman...now it's her turn to have heart palpitations.

Why should Jean-Georges Vongerichten get all the attention?!!! That's not fair....LOL

 

Posted by: funfunfun Jul 31 2007, 08:51 PM

http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/fbh/386397892.html

Jean-Georges Restaurant Seeks a Floor Manager! (Midtown West)
Reply to: cclarke@jean-georges.com
Date: 2007-07-31, 7:22PM EDT


World Renowned, 4 Star Chef, Jean-Georges Vongerichten, seeks talented, experienced, passionate floor managers for Jean-Georges Restaurant. The perfect candidate will have a strong background in the restaurant industry and strong service skills. Candidates must possess 2-3 years restaurant experience in a floor maitre'd capacity or floor manager position with a passion for hospitality.

General Summary:
The Floor Manager carries the responsibility for overall organization of the dining room, insuring the standards of service are being met by all Front of the House staff. Being able to assist, and in some cases, substitute for all levels of the FOH hierarchy, this position is responsible for assisting guests throughout their experience within Jean Georges Restaurants. The Floor Manager is responsible for providing the highest quality of customer service.

Requirements:
Proficient in all aspects of fine dining service
Knowledge of food and beverage as well as a passion to cultivate this skill
Minimal experience with cost control systems to include food, beverage and labor percentages
Effective style of management promoting a team atmosphere
Ability to inspire staff to achieve their potential
Basic understanding of food handling and sanitation requirements of the New York State Department of Health
May be required to lift up to 30 lbs. occasionally
Possess a proven track record for guest satisfaction

Education and Experience:

High School diploma, College degree preferred
Three years prior front of the house experience in a high volume establishment
Previous supervisory experience in a New York City fine dining establishment preferred
Experience in various capacities of restaurant staff (ie: waiter, host, bartender, runner, etc.) strongly preferred
Participation in wine/beverage related program within the past five years

Our Management Team receives excellent benefits including:
Competitive wages
Paid Vacations
Health insurance
Vision insurance
Voluntary Dental insurance
Weekly paychecks
Discounted meals while not working at Jean-Georges Restaurant Group the opportunities for advancement are excellent! You will be encouraged to develop the skills and knowledge necessary for success.

Please fax or email resume with salary history to:
Attn: Cleo Clarke, Corporate Human Resources Director, 212-358-0685 or e-mail cclarke@jean-georges.com.
Jean-Georges is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

* Compensation: TBD

http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/fbh/386397892.html

 

Posted by: PassionFoodie Jul 31 2007, 09:59 PM

I thought JG's brother was the manager there?
 

Posted by: MONEYMAN Jul 31 2007, 10:11 PM

Phillipe (his brother) is the GM

This ad is for a floor mgr.............I mean captain..........i mean service team member..........oh whatever
 

Posted by: abbe Aug 1 2007, 10:55 AM

QUOTE (previousmaitred @ Jul 31 2007, 05:04 PM)
Abbe - you expressed my sentiments exactly about Lois hopefully being held accountable for this mess as she was the one managing the staff. Though I do feel sorta bad for JG - he was always gracious towards me and I have no complaints about the way I was treated by him personally. Lois is a whole different story. When I was there, she pulled some arbitrarily discriminatory shit with me that I could have sued over - but I didn't want to expend the time or energy to do so. I never even sent him a letter about her, but thinking back, I wish I did.


look don't get me wrong, i really like jean-georges too. i think we all do

but the simple fact of the matter is he DID condone her behavior. and sorrrrrry but that's just PUSSY

i mean really now. if you have two parents and mom beats the shit out of you and dad sits back and watches and just lets it happen

do you then say "wow dad is such a great guy. he's never been mean to me" ??

i don't think so.


[it's not like he was never warned. there's a fucking BOOK about it all, for fuck's sake]

 

QUOTE (MONEYMAN @ Jul 31 2007, 05:12 PM)
Here you go Abbe................One for your collection


i already have it, thanks

i had to keep it-- to prove that Lois is a "celebrity"

libel laws, you see

 

QUOTE (funfunfun @ Jul 31 2007, 08:51 PM)
http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/fbh/386397892.html
Jean-Georges Restaurant Seeks a Floor Manager! (Midtown West)...
* Compensation: TBD


ha ha ha ha ha ha ha hahahahahahahaa

TO BE DETERMINED is fucking right
 

Posted by: CathyL Aug 1 2007, 02:26 PM

Jeez. Does the ad-placer not know it's Jean Georges restaurant, without the hyphen?
 

Posted by: PassionFoodie Aug 1 2007, 07:42 PM

QUOTE (abbe @ Jul 31 2007, 11:30 AM)
eehee heee ohmygoodness listen to me. i'm CRAZY.
do i have a "mental anguish" suit in here somewheres ? what's the statute of limitations on this mutherfukker ?
ahhahahhhahhahhhahahaaa


I believe the statute is 3 years....(not for sure)
 

Posted by: Dick Johnson Aug 2 2007, 12:37 PM

QUOTE (abbe @ Jul 31 2007, 11:30 AM)
eehee heee ohmygoodness listen to me. i'm CRAZY.
do i have a "mental anguish" suit in here somewheres ? what's the statute of limitations on this mutherfukker ?
ahhahahhhahhahhhahahaaa


Didn't you turn down the opening Maitre D' position at Matsuri? Was it due to the trauma you experienced at your last position, which, therefore, affected your livelihood?

Sounds like a pretty good case to me.
 

Posted by: PassionFoodie Aug 2 2007, 09:51 PM

QUOTE (abbe @ Aug 1 2007, 10:55 AM)
look don't get me wrong, i really like jean-georges too. i think we all do
but the simple fact of the matter is he DID condone her behavior. and sorrrrrry but that's just PUSSY


Why would he be all pussy about this after having to shell out 186K (Mercer) in a settlement last year? This woman must have something on JG. No one in their right mind would put at risk a business that he worked/works so hard to build. It don't make any sense. JG isn't seeing any of this money...the managers are. (Lois included?)

Shit if he IS getting any of this tip money...that's jail time.

Time for him to ditch the bitch!
 

Posted by: BX(Busboy Extraordinaire) Aug 3 2007, 01:16 PM

Everyone is always wondering the same thing, what does she have on him??? There have been a lot of rumors that I've heard over the years. They were together for 8 years but that JG always cheated on her???? She helped him with his green card???? They are legally married with no prenup??? She skims cash for him???? He does not want to be the tough guy???? There are sp many stories but no one ever knows for sure what;s going on because it doesn't make sense that even is all this is true, why would JG keep risking losing all his businesses like 66 and V which happened right after she became the DO. Even Spice is only doing well because of the location, they lost all the chefs and the floor staff turn over is high, and even Gray Kunz left right away.

 

Posted by: MONEYMAN Aug 3 2007, 10:07 AM

More Lawsuit UPDATES.................Let no stone be unturned...........NOW ITS DREW!!!


http://www.reuters.com/article/peopleNews/idUSN0242707120070803?CFID=4020349&CFTOKEN=29103591
 

Posted by: abbe Aug 3 2007, 02:09 PM

QUOTE (PassionFoodie @ Aug 2 2007, 09:51 PM)
Why would he be all pussy about this... ?


jean-georges is a Pisces you know

i'm just sayin.
 

Posted by: PassionFoodie Aug 3 2007, 07:34 PM

NO dis respect to BX...good rumours....but this one ^ explains alot with very little...too layed back (or laid back) or both?

 

Posted by: abbe Aug 6 2007, 12:38 PM

as somebody whom, for some reason, is constantly surrounded by fucking Pisceseses (Piscii ?? -- moms, best friend, former boss, ex-fiancee, etc etc etc)

i can totally say for sure:

"laid back" is a REALLY NICE EUPHEMISM.

 

Posted by: john.smith Aug 6 2007, 02:43 PM

QUOTE (abbe @ Aug 6 2007, 12:38 PM)
Piscii ??


piscoose?????????????

 

QUOTE (BX(Busboy Extraordinaire) @ Aug 3 2007, 01:16 PM)
Everyone is always wondering the same thing, what does she have on him??? There have been a lot of rumors that I've heard over the years. They were together for 8 years but that JG always cheated on her???? She helped him with his green card???? They are legally married with no prenup??? She skims cash for him???? He does not want to be the tough guy????


classic dominatrix/submissive relationship??????????????
 

Posted by: PassionFoodie Aug 8 2007, 08:07 PM

QUOTE (BX(Busboy Extraordinaire) @ Aug 3 2007, 01:16 PM)
Everyone is always wondering the same thing, what does she have on him??? There have been a lot of rumors that I've heard over the years. They were together for 8 years but that JG always cheated on her???? She helped him with his green card???? They are legally married with no prenup??? She skims cash for him???? He does not want to be the tough guy???? There are sp many stories but no one ever knows for sure what;s going on because it doesn't make sense that even is all this is true, why would JG keep risking losing all his businesses like 66 and V which happened right after she became the DO. Even Spice is only doing well because of the location, they lost all the chefs and the floor staff turn over is high, and even Gray Kunz left right away.


JG is with Marja Allen (PX this reference) her mother is with the government in some capacity. The President nominated her mom for something...and Marja was listed in the paper as Marja Vongerichten. So this I believe is legal.

V Steakhouse..just sucked..period. Creatively, decor- oh just everything. Porterhouse is paying half the rent V paid. So they were getting screwed as well.
I guess you can call this the culinary version of 69. Both screwing each other(ha ha).

Well the truth has to pop up one day.
 

Posted by: Bartender Aug 9 2007, 12:12 PM

QUOTE (PassionFoodie @ Aug 8 2007, 08:07 PM)
Well the truth has to pop up one day.


If PX ever becomes series on TV, this can be the mystery that needs to be solved. Like Lost.
 

Posted by: abbe Aug 10 2007, 01:46 PM

yes
nobody has even touched on the OBVIOUS

jean-georges is a refugee alien from another planet and lois-freedman has come to Earth to recapture him and take him back because they need his special touch of french/asian fusion to survive. she stays here to hold him captive and torture all the hateful earthlings who surround him while their spaceship is being refueled and prepped for the long journey home to their bizarre upside-down alternate universe.

 

Posted by: MONEYMAN Aug 10 2007, 02:38 PM


Sounds like a 3 picture trilogy deal

Count me in for a million

 

Posted by: abbe Aug 13 2007, 02:53 PM

ha ha haa yah we can even include last night's real-life "ripped from reality" scene in the screenplay !!

see, the "wrap-king" and i decided to have a late dinner at BlueRibbon

and as we were walking down sullivan, i spotted jean-georges's fancy posheroo mercedes jeep thingie parked in the street in front of Mezzogiorno, which made me look over and realize jean-georges was there, dining at a sidewalk table with his lovely wife

and so (of course) i totally pretended not to see him.

but then just as we were entering BlueRibbon, wrap-king abruptly paused right in the doorway to stop and admire(?? pay homage?? -the fuck?) the fancy posheroo mercedes jeep thingie in the street-- which just happens to be the exact same automobile the wrap-king drives (it's the same fucking color and everything)

and so, mere feet from jean-georges, i banged my face smack into wrap-king's backside, just as i was trying to play it cool.

as soon as we walked inside and sat down at the bar, i annoyingly inquired as to WHY wrap-king had to stop so suddenly in the doorway (making me look like a total dipshit), i was all: "what the hells ? you and jean-georges making googlie eyes at each other or sumpn?"
wrap-king responded by explaining it was the CAR that had him so enraptured, he didn't even see jean-georges sitting RIGHT THERE in front of his face.





two things:

- i had dinner at Mezzogiorno kinda recently (this past memorial day, actually) and it was NOT GOOD at all, so i don't know what the fuck jean-georges was doing dining there. but whatever.

- i'm a little irritated too, that wrap-king was so preoccupied staring at the stupid car, he forgot to open the restaurant's door for me.
i cannot be having peoples all around town thinking that i am perfectly capable of holding the door for myself (when i'm accompanied by a gentleman) because i am SO fucking NOT.
oh but then again, seeing as i was right behind him up his ass, i guess if he had stepped aside as he was pulling the door open, he might have accidentally bashed me in the face with it.



what was my point again ?
i have no idea

 

Posted by: Dick Johnson Aug 13 2007, 03:03 PM

QUOTE (abbe @ Aug 13 2007, 02:53 PM)
what was my point again ?


That if Jean-George's wife reads this, you can explain to her how your Mercedes owner is (usually, when he's not 'preoccupied') just as good as her Mercedes owner? And, why it is you looked so stupid last night, smashing your face into his backside?
 

Posted by: abbe Aug 13 2007, 03:05 PM


yah
something like that.

 

Posted by: Ferret-n-Chicken! Aug 13 2007, 03:30 PM

QUOTE (abbe @ Aug 13 2007, 02:53 PM)

ha ha haa yah we can even include last night's real-life "ripped from reality" scene in the screenplay !!

see, the wrap-king and i decided to have a late dinner at BlueRibbon

and as we were walking down sullivan, i spotted jean-georges's fancy posheroo mercedes jeep thingie parked in the street in front of Mezzogiorno, which made me look over and realize jean-georges was there, dining at a sidewalk table with his lovely wife

and so (of course) i totally pretended not to see him.

but then just as we were entering BlueRibbon, wrap-king abruptly paused right in the doorway to stop and admire(?? pay homage?? -the fuck?) the fancy posheroo mercedes jeep thingie in the street-- which just happens to be the exact same automobile the wrap-king drives (it's the same fucking color and everything)

and so, mere feet from jean-georges, i banged my face smack into wrap-king's backside, just as i was trying to play it cool.

as soon as we walked inside and sat down at the bar, i annoyingly inquired as to WHY wrap-king had to stop so suddenly in the doorway (making me look like a total dipshit), i was all: "what the hells ? you and jean-georges making googlie eyes at each other or sumpn?"
wrap-king responded by explaining it was the CAR that had him so enraptured, he didn't even see jean-georges sitting RIGHT THERE in front of his face.



two things:

- i had dinner at Mezzogiorno kinda recently (this past memorial day, actually) and it was NOT GOOD at all, so i don't know what the fuck jean-georges was doing dining there. but whatever.

- i'm a little irritated too, that wrap-king was so preoccupied staring at the stupid car, he forgot to open the restaurant's door for me.
i cannot be having peoples all around town thinking that i am perfectly capable of holding the door for myself (when i'm accompanied by a gentleman) because i am SO fucking NOT.
oh but then again, seeing as i was right behind him up his ass, i guess if he had stepped aside as he was pulling the door open, he might have accidentally bashed me in the face with it.


what was my point again ?
i have no idea

 


You didn't say hello to him???? Why didn't you invite him to Centro or Gusto for better Italian food?????
 

Posted by: ihatebunnies Aug 28 2007, 01:37 PM

does anybody have any updated info about these jg suits? a former coworker of mine from perry st texted me this morning about meeting with a lawyer involved in one of these cases. depending on the outcome of their meeting, i may go talk to him myself. i worked there and at spice market and it made me sick every time i looked at our tip out sheets.
 

Posted by: Inkslinger Aug 28 2007, 02:22 PM

No real updates, other than it's ongoing, but that's not surprising, since these cases usually are drawn out and take a very long time.

If you do see the lawyer, you might want to remind him that Abbe (the 66 ex-Maitre D') has pay stubs that show she was paid in tips.

 

Posted by: abbe Aug 29 2007, 11:58 AM


oh NICE

yah cuz that's just what i want to do--- spend a gorgeous summer day in some law office, depositioning.

 

Posted by: MONEYMAN Oct 8 2007, 05:52 PM

Jean-Georges's $40,000 Light Makes You Look Like a Million Bucks
No, thats not the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
Photo: Melissa Hom
When Jean-Georges Vongerichten retooled his namesake restaurant, his lighting designer Herve Descottes wanted, in his words, to bring a little bit of attention to the center of the room and boy did he! The Frenchman spent six months and over $40,000 working with Seattle firm Neidhart Lighting to create a steel fixture that looks like a shitake mushroom and is also a little bit sensual. Each lamp is trimmed with reflective gold leaf. Three 35-watt halogen bulbs are controlled by a computer, with different settings for lunch, early dinner, and post8 p.m., when the light is softest because theres no competing sunlight. Installing the arms wasnt exactly a breeze: They were dancing a little bit, says Descottes. It looks like they still are but then maybe thats just the Mouton buzz.
http://nymag.com/images/2/daily/food/07/09/20_chandeliers_lg.jpg


40k for Lighting, 65k for bathrooms, 30k fish care.....................when does it end?

That's 5k per fixture..................are you kidding!!

 

Posted by: PassionFoodie Oct 8 2007, 08:28 PM

QUOTE (MONEYMAN @ Oct 8 2007, 08:33 PM)
http://nymag.com/images/2/daily/food/07/09/20_chandeliers_lg.jpg



Oh shit the aliens have landed!

 

Posted by: abbe Oct 9 2007, 10:56 AM

this herve-whatsisname is the same guy who did the lighting fixtures at Centro too. ya know-- the ones adam-platt called the "chandeliers from a 60's photo shoot"

i'm just sayin.

 

Posted by: Dishwasher Oct 9 2007, 11:10 AM

QUOTE (MONEYMAN @ Oct 8 2007, 08:33 PM)
That's 5k per fixture..................are you kidding!!


I could be wrong, but I think it's $20K just for the computer that controls the time settings.
 

Posted by: abbe Oct 9 2007, 11:14 AM


uhhh yah

what's wrong with a dimmer switch that's marked with time lines ??

i'll sell any joint in town a fucking ruler and a Sharpie. only $10,000.00

IT'S A BARGAIN !

 

Posted by: Dishwasher Oct 9 2007, 11:15 AM

Yeh, but it's another $80K to hire someone who's smart enough to remember to use the dimmer switch at the right times.

 

Posted by: MONEYMAN Oct 9 2007, 11:51 AM

And who pays for all this insane shit in the long run?

 

Posted by: Dick Johnson Oct 9 2007, 01:35 PM

Don't worry about it! If the customers can afford to put Jean George in a $6M condo, they can afford a piddly $40K on lights.

And if they can't afford it... hell, steal it from the employees!

LOL.

 

 

Posted by: Jason Has-Binn Oct 9 2007, 02:00 PM

QUOTE (Dick Johnson @ Oct 9 2007, 01:35 PM)
Don't worry about it! If the customers can afford to put Jean George in a $6M condo, they can afford a piddly $40K on lights.


don't forget the country house
 

Posted by: PassionFoodie Oct 10 2007, 11:15 AM

QUOTE (MONEYMAN @ Oct 9 2007, 11:51 AM)
And who pays for all this insane shit in the long run?


Actually, JG (the person) is vested (gets a percentage of total earnings) in the hotels he has restaurants in and also the Perry St condos (including 166 that is going up now). I don't believe for a second that the restaurants made him wealthy. He has places in many hotels/resorts. JG Management is benefiting from this and he can give himself quite the salary.

The patrons will be paying the same for the food irregardless of what "insane shit" he puts in his eateries.

So JGM with the kickbacks from the hotels would be paying for the lights, switches, fishtanks and any other funky things he has in mind.

Now that JGM is under the Culinary Concepts of Jean-Georges umbrella, they should lose the front end responsibilities to Catterton Partners (another partner in CCOJG). This will ensure no more funny business with the paychecks allegedly by LF. This would be how CCOJG is going to influence JGM. JGM now should be back end operations only. That is one way to rid of Lois. (This shit on CCOJG is speculation on my part)

By the way...New York City is always been about being different and funky. Why stop now? As long as the food meets the JGV standard I have grown to enjoy, I have no problems with his expensive accessories.
 

Posted by: abbe Oct 22 2007, 02:18 PM

QUOTE (PassionFoodie @ Oct 8 2007, 08:28 PM)
Oh shit the aliens have landed!


QUOTE (abbe @ Oct 9 2007, 11:14 AM)
uhhh yah
what's wrong with a dimmer switch that's marked with time lines ??
i'll sell any joint in town a fucking ruler and a Sharpie. only $10,000.00
IT'S A BARGAIN !



check this out !

QUOTE
The Back Bar at Smith and Mills Used to Hold Plain Ol' Water
Smith and Mills
You never know what you'll find in a Dumpster.
Not every piece of restaurant bling has to cost $40,000, as did the light at Jean Georges. The two circles that make up the back bar at Smith and Mills cost nada. Designer John McCormick, whose firm Parts and Labor also worked on Tailor and his own restaurant Moto, salvaged all of the wood forms you see in that restaurant from two Dumpsters outside of Abbe Engineering...

http://nymag.com/daily/food/2007/10/the_backbar_at_smith_and_mills_1.html






IS THAT FUCKING FREAKY OR WHAT
 

Posted by: PassionFoodie Oct 22 2007, 09:00 PM


Yes, very freaky!!

Spice Market was built from rubble from an earthquake in India...I guess not all materials can be free. But it's a 2 star joint..it is what it is...we are gonna pay the same price no matter what the shit costs. Besides...I don't believe everything I read..40K for lights at Jean Georges?....nah....1K for lights. 39K to the designer who suggested them...

That is more New York..

Love me some Manhattan.
 

Posted by: abbe Oct 23 2007, 02:23 PM

QUOTE (PassionFoodie @ Oct 22 2007, 09:00 PM)
Spice Market was built from rubble from an earthquake in India...I guess not all materials can be free. But it's a 2 star joint..


excuse me miss thing but SpiceMarket is a THREE star restaurant. don't you remember ?

ha ha ha ha ahaa
 

Posted by: PassionFoodie Oct 23 2007, 07:10 PM

How absentminded I am...I apologize


http://www.villagevoice.com/2004-03-30/news/asian-logroll/

 

Posted by: MONEYMAN Oct 23 2007, 08:55 PM


Ah, the good old days when the JGM machine could control it's own media.

And now comes the real test!!

It was annonced today that the CCbJG will reproduce the Spice Market concept in of all places........ Atlanta...W Hotel

I was always wondering why after 1.5 years since the new deal was announced, the only deal they let JG do was a tiny 45 seat cafe in nowhere Bora Bora. (if it failed who cares)

I now realize it took Starwood that long to analyze the management team at JGM and replace the functions over at CCbJG.
This also includes the replacement of the insane buying trends, custom this and one of a kind that, and replace it with polices and structures that make for the true value hidden in their concept development.

Hopefully they have come to realize that the Spice Market concept will not translate as a brand, outside it's present demographic.
At best they will do about 1/3 of what the NY location generates...........except this time it will cost considerably less to reproduce.

Now add the union factor associated with the hotel labor and the shine will definitely be off the apple.
If they run it as a club more than a restaurant it may work well in Atlanta.........but time will tell

JGM history shows they never run the locations that are in hotels. (Management deals)
Count on Starwood to exercise the control of this new venture (Sorry Lois)

 

Posted by: Inkslinger Oct 24 2007, 12:06 PM

QUOTE (MONEYMAN @ Oct 23 2007, 08:55 PM)
It was annonced today that the CCbJG will reproduce the Spice Market concept in of all places........ Atlanta...W Hotel


Not that I know anything about Atlanta, but that sounds... weird.

QUOTE (MONEYMAN @ Oct 23 2007, 08:55 PM)
Ah, the good old days when the JGM machine could control it's own media.


It seems like they still do a good job of controlling it. In the midst of all of the lawsuits, Frank Bruni calls Lois on the phone, and all he can ask her about are the fishtanks?
 

Posted by: abbe Oct 24 2007, 01:40 PM

QUOTE (MONEYMAN @ Oct 23 2007, 08:55 PM)
Hopefully they have come to realize that the Spice Market concept will not translate as a brand, outside it's present demographic.
At best they will do about 1/3 of what the NY location generates...........except this time it will cost considerably less to reproduce.
Now add the union factor associated with the hotel labor and the shine will definitely be off the apple.
If they run it as a club more than a restaurant it may work well in Atlanta.........but time will tell


on the one hand i do find it hard to believe a SpiceMarket will be successful in a W Hotel-- especially one in atlanta no less

on the other hand, there's really no accounting for peoples' taste and/or perception.

you know that when i was in korea i had a discussion with somebody about a potential juan-jorge deal for a big hotel in seoul. and i distinctly recall the guy with whom i was speaking said "koreans really like http://pxthis.invisionzone.com/index.php?s=&showtopic=107&view=findpost&p=1073..." (above all the ducasses and kellers and robuchons and whatnot, he meant)

and so i asked "oh yah? and why is that exactly?"

his response was: "i have no idea."

i swear to gawd that was his answer

and on THIS they are seriously considering a multimillion dollar venture ??

go figure.
 

Posted by: PassionFoodie Oct 24 2007, 02:48 PM

QUOTE (MONEYMAN @ Oct 23 2007, 08:55 PM)

Ah, the good old days when the JGM machine could control it's own media.

And now comes the real test!!

It was annonced today that the CCbJG will reproduce the Spice Market concept in of all places........ Atlanta...W Hotel



http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/stories/2007/10/22/story3.html

Catterton Partners is one of the companies in the CCOJG company...they would be the odds on fav to run the front end operations.

 

Posted by: MONEYMAN Oct 25 2007, 02:28 AM

Wrong again Passion breath!!!!!!!!!

Catteron Partners is a private equity firm............the money guys (they have biilions)
Starwood will run the front end............the hotel/real estate/labor union/public company guys
JG will provide the concept, menu creation, training, management consultant... etc

This is the biggest management deal of all time!!...........if you don't count Steve Hanson & Starwood Capital

Welcome to the world of big public money/real estate/wall street/partnership

Hopefully this will give JG the ability to come up with some new and exiciting concepts and product.............the product is what he does best

Let's all hope the "brand" stigma won't overshadow the concept development
Don't immediately believe that one successful location equals a brand (or does it?)

Ever wonder why it has taken over a year and a half since the new partnership annoncement to come up with "Hey let's do a Spice Market in Atlanta"

Catteron doesn't care, they are fully hedged.............if things go south........they will stop funding and dump their Starwood stock to recaptue any losses, done deal.

 

Posted by: ChefWife Oct 25 2007, 07:27 AM

Moneyman, you so smart.

 

Posted by: PassionFoodie Oct 25 2007, 02:06 PM

QUOTE (ChefWife @ Oct 25 2007, 07:27 AM)
Moneyman, you so smart.



I wanna have your babies....

Why is this the deal of a lifetime???? How much is it worth then????????? I would like a figure please Moneyman.

 

QUOTE (MONEYMAN @ Oct 25 2007, 02:28 AM)

Wrong again Passion breath!!!!!!!!!

Catteron Partners is a private equity firm............the money guys (they have biilions)
Starwood will run the front end............the hotel/real estate/labor union/public company guys
JG will provide the concept, menu creation, training, management consultant... etc

This is the biggest management deal of all time!!...........if you don't count Steve Hanson & Starwood Capital



Shit! I will never get this crap straight! I wonder if Daniel Boulud's operation is easier to understand...(Dynex?)

Thanks $$$ (No, I don't wan't to have your babies anymore) You sound like an attorney...ARE YOU?
 

Posted by: Dick Johnson Oct 25 2007, 02:18 PM

QUOTE (PassionFoodie @ Oct 25 2007, 02:06 PM)
I wanna have your babies....


I knew it. It's always about the Money!
 

Posted by: MONEYMAN Oct 29 2007, 10:00 PM

QUOTE (PassionFoodie @ Oct 25 2007, 01:19 PM)

Shit! I will never get this crap straight! I wonder if Daniel Boulud's operation is easier to understand...(Dynex?)

Thanks $$$ (No, I don't wan't to have your babies anymore) You sound like an attorney...ARE YOU?



That would be telling..................but you are wrong again Passion breath!!!

The reason this is the biggest management deal of all time because most management deals are done one location at a time.
This one was set up as a seperate concept development company forecasting some 50 proposed locations.

The problem with this deal and the Hanson deal is neither of these restaurant groups have ever had to deal with public money and the demands of a private equity firm.

Catterone Partners and Starwood Capital don't care about ego driven bullshit............only returns.

A recent interview with Steve Hanson quotes him as saying how little he knew about big money firms like Starwood and that there was no doubt about Barry Stienlicht running the show.

If these ego driven organizations think they can get away with tip skimming and employee abuse they are in for a shock.
Public money can't afford scandals. (they fired the CEO of Starwood Hotels for harrasement)

Time will tell if JG & BRG can make the transition into real "Branding" and big public money...........I wish them luck
 

Posted by: PassionFoodie Oct 29 2007, 10:57 PM

Okay, how much would a restaurant have to pull in after expenses to satisfy the likes of big money firms like Starwood and equity firms like Catterone? Just use one place as an example...Spice Market in Atlanta...how much would that one have to pull in for it not to be deemed a failure and close. The SM in NYC pulled in 15 million last year BEFORE expenses. ( I don't remember wear I read that and I don't know how much it costs to run SM in NYC).

You sound like you know what you are talking about so I am hitting you up with these questions...(I hope you don't mind).

This deal sounds like it involves more than just a Spice Market type of restaurant, it may well just succeed. Someone had to try it eh?

 

Posted by: Dishwasher Oct 30 2007, 03:37 PM

QUOTE (MONEYMAN @ Oct 29 2007, 10:00 PM)
Time will tell if JG & BRG can make the transition into real "Branding" and big public money...........I wish them luck


It'll be easier for BRG since their 'brand' was never quality-based anyway. BRG has always been about pleasing the masses, but one step up from The Reese Group. JG is a different story altogether, it'll be interesting to see whether or how much the quality of the product will be diluted.
 

Posted by: MONEYMAN Oct 30 2007, 08:47 PM

QUOTE (PassionFoodie @ Oct 29 2007, 09:57 PM)

Okay, how much would a restaurant have to pull in after expenses to satisfy the likes of big money firms like Starwood and equity firms like Catterone? Just use one place as an example...Spice Market in Atlanta...how much would that one have to pull in for it not to be deemed a failure and close. The SM in NYC pulled in 15 million last year BEFORE expenses. ( I don't remember wear I read that and I don't know how much it costs to run SM in NYC).

You sound like you know what you are talking about so I am hitting you up with these questions...(I hope you don't mind).

This deal sounds like it involves more than just a Spice Market type of restaurant, it may well just succeed. Someone had to try it eh?



It's a matter of what expectations the equity firms have.

Historiclly hotels use F&B as a lose leader.............they are about heads in beds or gambling if your in Vegas
But recently they have involved themselves in these management deals with celebrity chefs and professional restaurant operators in order to turn these into income centers that produce a larger return for their real estae backers.
The assumption being that the culinary name will attract more volume to the hotel.
In addition the association with allow the restaurantuer to expand his brand.

According to RI magazine's Top 100 Independents 2006, Spice Market is generating 13 million at the NYC location...it did 15 million when it first opened and has now leveled off due to the surrounding competition.

If the proposed Allanta location has an expectation of the same revenue volume as in NY.........they will be disappointed
IMHO I don't think this concept will translate in GA. Don't get me wrong I hope it does well. (It should do about 5-6 million)
There is also the issue of culinary talent available to reproduce the consistancy needed at a Spice Market........this might be a real issue

This is a management deal, JG's management team is already strained and the last 1.5 years has probably been spent training Starwood's management team in running a Spice Market

As far as the partnership goes...............Great idea.............glad I thought of it
 

Posted by: PassionFoodie Oct 31 2007, 12:00 AM

Okay, I am going out on a limb here... I think his business with all partnerships, consultations, etc, etc=worth about 68 million- this is based on just the places he has open now= 17 at an average of 4 million a piece.

Now with the CCbJG 54- places at 5 million= 270 million. It could go to 70+ restaurants. I am thinking he will lose about 1 place every 7 he opens.

$$$Man- your thoughts?


(Place your bets.... )
 

Posted by: MONEYMAN Oct 31 2007, 12:18 AM

It will never get that high if the concepts he creates for the partnership don't meet the return on investment expected by the investors.

Thats why he must be very clear in their execution, training, staff selection, and financial models.
Your in the big time now.............you are only as good as your last deal

That means coming up with some original shit...............go back to Asia for 4 weeks
Remember what happened at Time Warner (That can't happen again)

 

Posted by: PassionFoodie Oct 31 2007, 10:46 AM

Return on investment? Is that the stock worth of Starwood? Another words if the stock is worth 60.00 a share now, it better be worth 100.00 or a percentage higher after some places open? Am I getting warm here?

I really want to understand how this thing works...

He may have original cuisine to offer, we won't know until he opens the places. I did read that some of them will not be Spice Markets and will be OUTSIDE the Starwood Hotel chains. So God only knows what this guy is doing.

Besides, JGV cuisine is going to be new to a lot of people who don't/can't travel no? I mean, if I didn't live in NY I wouldn't know who this guy was in the first place. I would have never walked into Vong and never would have discovered for myself this style (concept) of seasonings. I think his style is as individual as a designer. Most who buy designer clothes- don't they have their favorite that looks the best on them? This whole sweet and spicy thing...I just love the way he does it. (Boulud doesn't have anything on this man.but that is another story)

 

Posted by: MONEYMAN Oct 31 2007, 08:31 PM

Passion..........you are absolutley right

The best part of this new partnership will be that Starwood & Catteone will surround JG with a higher level professional support staff (eliminate typical NY restaurant drama)

The original idea was to form a partnership with an equity partner first.
Then establish a new management team formed from the best in the industry (the NY team would eventualy report to them)
Work on creating a lifestyles company to promote the JG brand.....food, products, travel, hotels........ etc

All the new concepts created within Starwood would have to meet the partnerships expectations, raising the revenue volume for the hotel brand and the restauarnts indiviual profitability. (This is how everybody gets paid)

In consideration for this, they will also finance projects outside Starwood properties.

If you look at all the public restaurant companies currently on the exchange, you won't find ANY that are 4 star
The reason for this is simple...........Shareholder pressure
This usually means sacraficing quality for profit margins........thus dilutung the product.

Hopefully that won't happen to our favorite chef.....(reach compromise between quality and return)
If these expectations are reasonable, then everybody wins.

Hope this helps you understand...........best of luck guys, time will tell

 

Posted by: PassionFoodie Nov 1 2007, 07:00 AM

So eventually, Lois will report to someone else instead of JG? (Okay you poor abuse staff, your help is on the way )

Is Starwood's stock symbol HOT? No joke, real question here!!

Working under shareholder pressure=pretty ballsy to me. But if he just keeps doing (back end) what he has been doing, he should be fine. The product shouldn't be diluted too much. I mean, he doesn't go to the NYC places much and I don't have a problem with them. If I did, I wouldn't be a fan. All he has to do is train his better talented chefs as he has been doing. I know some here don't like Vong, but Pierre Shutz (sp?) has kept me happily returning to that 90's shrine to Asian fusion cuisine and I don't think Mr. V cares about Vong as much as Spice Market and Perry St. Be it I have seen Pierre there forever. I believe he would have to provide the quality of food he has been serving or he will fail...automatically. There is a lot of talent out there and he can't afford to really sit back.

I wish him and his staff the best. Just maybe the JGV "brand" will be successful enough that he can pay more to his employees, thus attracting and keeping the better of them. They work so hard and they do make you feel special when you are in any of his places (front end).

 

 

$$$Man. How about this one:

I believe KERZNER INTERNATIONAL LIMITED owns the Atlantis Resort propertie(s) in the Bahamas and JGV's restaurant Dune is there. So this actually may be his first "public-stockowned" venture. 2004 was the opening year for for Dune.

Can you provide some insight?

 

Posted by: Dick Johnson Nov 2 2007, 11:13 AM

QUOTE (PassionFoodie @ Nov 2 2007, 03:39 AM)

$$$Man. How about this one:

I believe KERZNER INTERNATIONAL LIMITED owns the Atlantis Resort propertie(s) in the Bahamas and JGV's restaurant Dune is there.


Dune is not at The Atlantis; it's at Ocean Club.
 

Posted by: PassionFoodie Nov 2 2007, 11:48 AM

Yeah, if I read right, KERZNER INTERNATIONAL LIMITED owns that one too. (U can tell where I haven't been yet) <sigh>

 

Posted by: abbe Nov 9 2007, 12:12 PM

yah so here's the skinny from istanbul

apparently a SpiceMarket is opening in the new W in construction now. don't know when proposed opening is, since the building is evidently "landmark" so they cannot tear it down and rebuild, but have to reinforce and facelift etc etc

speculation seems to be W is going to have to "step it up" (like the one in seoul,korea-- BEAUTIFUL) because a brand new FourSeasons is opening soon too. there is already a smaller FourSeasons in istanbool, in an old prison that was converted. the current one is small but has the advantage of being close to (and overlooking) ayasofya ("Hagia Sofia"). the new one will be close by.

i gather too the SpiceMarket might do well because "all the people who dine there will have already visited the one in new york... so they will have smelled the hype" that's an exact quote.

also there is a new ordinance stating no area WITHIN THE SIGHTLINE (!! ? !!) of the Bosphorus will be issued any building licenses whatsoever !! so anything that already exists near the waterway will be slammin.

there ya have it
 

Posted by: abbe Nov 9 2007, 12:23 PM

oh and it seems istanbool is really embracing "foreign" cuisines these days by the way. i visited a newish pasta/salad/pizza/american joint (about 100 items on the menu) called Masa (how funny is that) and the place was packed. granted it's located at the center of the big new shiny high end mall (gucci and fendi and louis. oh my) but still. it didn't seem there was whole lot of shopping going on but they sure were stuffing their faces all right.
 

Posted by: Dishwasher Nov 9 2007, 01:19 PM

Istanbul is definitely ripe for this type development. I visited the city several years back, and back then it seemed like the progression was slow but steady. Now I understand they have Starbucks on every corner....
 

Posted by: john.smith Nov 12 2007, 12:45 PM

QUOTE (abbe @ Nov 9 2007, 11:12 AM)
i gather too the SpiceMarket might do well because "all the people who dine there will have already visited the one in new york... so they will have smelled the hype" that's an exact quote.


hype is the number one key ingredient.................................
 

Posted by: abbe Nov 12 2007, 01:40 PM

QUOTE (PassionFoodie @ Nov 2 2007, 02:39 AM)
2004 was the opening year for for Dune.


was it really ??? i visited Dune in 2004 and i was under the distinct impression it had ben open for a while already.

i remember too in 2000 juan-jorge said to me personally one night at Mercer he'd just returned from "seeing the place in the bahamas" he was telling me how beautiful it is.

or hmm maybe that was mid-construction ?? did Dune take four years to build ?? i find that hard to believe.
 

Posted by: Dick Johnson Nov 12 2007, 02:22 PM

QUOTE (john.smith @ Nov 12 2007, 11:45 AM)
hype is the number one key ingredient.................................


It works here in NY! I bet enough time has passed that the putrid stench of the V Steakhouse and 66 deaths have passed; JG could probably open another place here in NY and it would still pack them in. For the first 3 months, anyway.
 

Posted by: MONEYMAN Nov 12 2007, 11:58 PM

Sorry I was away so long................investor meeting in Asia

So, First of all the property in Atlantis is Cafe Martinique....the original cafe in James Bond "Thunderball"......before they changed it.

Dune is at the Ocean Club.........the new Bond flick "Casino Royale" and it didn't take 4 years to build. (Josh Eden was the chef)

The funny thing is Spice Market is now everywhere!!!
Check out the Sheraton hotel listings........Starwood is using the name all over the place (Sydney, Bangkok, New York)
In Vegas they now have a Spice Market Buffet.......(Planet Hollywood)

Trouble is their competitors are cashing in as well........4 Seasons in Bangkok has a Spice Market(been there 17 years!!).....Meritus in Malaysia has a Spice Market........ The Manderan Oriental in Hong Kong has a Spice Market. Here a Spice there a Spice......will the real Spice Market please stand up.

The W in Atlanta has postings for positions thru Culinary Concepts by JG............there going to build as many as the public can stand, in every city in the world that Starwood has a property

It appears that the W brand has been selected to piggyback JG concepts (hipper lifestyle clients)
And Passion, both properties in the Bahamas are management deals........no public stock.

 

I LOVE THIS TOWN!!!................So glad to be back!

 

Posted by: Dishwasher Nov 13 2007, 02:15 PM

I guess the problem is that 'Spice Market' isn't a trademarkable name because all spice markets around the world (Marrakesh fro example are called.... well.... 'spice markets'. And who's to say which one is the real Spice Market??

 

Posted by: PassionFoodie Nov 14 2007, 12:17 AM

QUOTE (MONEYMAN @ Nov 12 2007, 10:58 PM)

Sorry I was away so long................investor meeting in Asia

Me - a long awaited short vacation to Bermuda.

The funny thing is Spice Market is now everywhere!!!
Check out the Sheraton hotel listings........Starwood is using the name all over the place (Sydney, Bangkok, New York)
In Vegas they now have a Spice Market Buffet.......(Planet Hollywood)


This doesn't suprise me...I read the contract called for 56 to 70 something places in the next 5 years. Poor Mrs. V. She ain't never gonna see him.

It appears that the W brand has been selected to piggyback JG concepts (hipper lifestyle clients) Richer too.

You mean Starwood is opening hotels around CCBJG???!!! HOLY SHIT-IF that is the case..how does JG sleep at night. Sheesh that is a lot of pressure.

And Passion, both properties in the Bahamas are management deals........no public stock.

Thank you $$$ man.

I LOVE THIS TOWN!!!................So glad to be back


Me too. Lovin me some NYC...
 

Posted by: Inkslinger Nov 14 2007, 11:52 AM

QUOTE
This doesn't suprise me...I read the contract called for 56 to 70 something places in the next 5 years. Poor Mrs. V. She ain't never gonna see him.


No, I think what Moneyman is trying to say is that there are "Spice Market"s all over the place, but not all of them are JG's. Sheraton is not a JG company and neither is Planet Hollywod. Just because there's a Spice Market in NY doesn't mean that someone else can't open a Spice somewhere else. I don't know how trademarks work, because I'm sure there aren't other Benihanas around the world e.g. but maybe Dishwasher is right, and the words "spice market" can't be trademarked????
 

Posted by: ChefWife Nov 14 2007, 09:43 PM

"I read the contract called for 56 to 70 something places in the next 5 years. Poor Mrs. V. She ain't never gonna see him."

Yes, some sympathy for the wives. We put up with a lot. Not that I've got all the same issues as Mrs. V, but still a lonely night is a lonely night. (with or without the moo-la)
 

Posted by: BX(Busboy Extraordinaire) Nov 15 2007, 12:29 PM

I would think that she would have figured that out before she married him

 

Posted by: ChefWife Nov 16 2007, 07:17 PM

true. she may have known-but no one REALLY knows until they're too deep to get out.
aw, that sounded depressing.

 

Posted by: BX(Busboy Extraordinaire) Nov 17 2007, 03:53 PM

But like passion said they lived together for 3 years.

 

Posted by: ChefWife Nov 17 2007, 08:28 PM

fine. she knew.

 

Posted by: PassionFoodie Nov 18 2007, 01:29 PM

Under the circumstances, I would believe that as hard it may be to live with a chef and his/her hours, etc...it would seem to me that the millionaire version of chef wives would have more options available to them, like nannies, babysitters, and can travel with their chef spouses from time to time and not be under the same confinements as most others. In my opinion, I think these are volunteer choices more than forced ones. Also, Mr. V can take his nice vacations with his family more often, more exotic places...etc. The less gainfully employed may not have those options.

Some folks can live in a relationship with a lot of space, some can't. It can be a sacrifice.

 

Posted by: ChefWife Nov 18 2007, 04:50 PM

Passion you hit it. Smart lady.
For instance, if my chef made half as much as the big leaguers then I'd be able to go 'back home'to see the folks whenever I wanted via my private jet...well that's a little much but you get the idea.

 

Posted by: ihatebunnies Aug 4 2008, 11:17 PM

i heard the class action lawsuit was settled recently. can anyone confirm that?

EDITED by ADMIN

 

Posted by: MILFweed Aug 5 2008, 11:46 AM

QUOTE (ihatebunnies @ Aug 4 2008, 11:17 PM)
i heard the class action lawsuit was settled recently for [**redacted**]. can anyone confirm that?


I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure that almost all settlements require that the plaintiffs keep quiet about the deals of the seeltement. So if there are indeed any people here that benefitted from the lawsuit they wouldn't be able to discuss it. If someone here were to spill the details of the settlement then the defendants would have the right to subpoena the IP addresses from this website.
 

Posted by: Inkslinger Aug 5 2008, 12:16 PM

Everyone, sshhhh!

 

Posted by: ihatebunnies Aug 5 2008, 02:45 PM

yeah. for real. i don't wanna get anyone in trouble.

 

Posted by: whats anorexia? Aug 5 2008, 12:29 PM

Lawsuits Brought Against Bouley, BondSt, and BLT Empire

Maimon Kirschenbaum, the lawyer who previously brought wage-law cases against Heartland Brewery, Balthazar, Jean Georges, and B.B. King Blues Club, tells us that in recent weeks he has brought others against Bouley, BondSt, Abigail Kirsch, One Little W 12, and the BLT empire. (Someones having a busy summer!) Kirschenbaum tells us the BLT case which so far involves four waiters at BLT Steak, two at BLT Prime, and one at BLT Fish is one of the most egregious examples of wage skimming hes seen, with waiters working up to 60 hours a week without receiving overtime...

http://nymag.com/daily/food/2008/08/lawsuits_brought_against_boule.html
 
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