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... CONTINUED from Jean-Georges Enterprises [Part 1]
 

Posted by: MONEYMAN Aug 11 2008, 02:07 PM

The expansion continues..............no cusine is safe


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


JG hotdog vendors are already being interviewed!!



I LOVE THIS TOWN!!!
 

Posted by: ChefWife Aug 11 2008, 04:30 PM

"J's Papaya" serves two fois gras dogs and organic papaya juice infuzed with kafir lime for $20.08

 

Posted by: MONEYMAN Aug 11 2008, 04:54 PM

Good one!!

Matsugen (overpriced pasta)
JG pizza (overpriced pizza)
J-Burger (overpriced burger)

Translation= change overpriced to Gourmet and add value.

I think someone should tell him this country is headed toward a depression ..........Maybe J&G Soup kitchen

 

Posted by: Inkslinger Aug 12 2008, 11:36 AM

JG gyros!

JGyros

 

Posted by: Dishwasher Aug 12 2008, 02:20 PM

Honestly I'm not sure how this makes sense. I know Jim and he's a simple guy that doesn't seem like he would want to bank on the JG brand hype. It also doesn't seem to make sense for JG to dilute the brand any further. Pizza? So was it all about money?? Which one was hurting for cash more??

 

Posted by: ChefWife Aug 12 2008, 04:15 PM

I'm pretty sure J fucking G isn't hurting for money.
I like pizza, I like JG, and I like Sullivan St Bakery so it seems good to me.

 

Posted by: MONEYMAN Aug 12 2008, 06:08 PM

Now I have heard everything......................the power of the machine!!!!



http://eater.com/archives/2008/08/brunibbetting_matsugen.php#comment-164325


4 STARS, YOU CAN'T BE SERIOUS...............SOUNDS FISHY TO ME!!!

I have seen this ploy before.........be outragoius and say 4 stars so you get 3..............old trick Frank, don't fall for it.
 

Posted by: ChefWife Aug 12 2008, 09:55 PM

I'll comment here b/c I'm scared of the scoundrels on Eater now. ....Anyways, I think it deserves three...not compared to 4 but really, three.

 

Posted by: Dick Johnson Aug 13 2008, 05:35 AM

QUOTE (ChefWife @ Aug 12 2008, 09:55 PM)
I'll comment here b/c I'm scared of the scoundrels on Eater now. ....Anyways, I think it deserves three...not compared to 4 but really, three.


LOL.

Eater betting on what Bruni thinks about restaurants is about the equivalent of Beavis and Butthead betting on who Tara Reid thinks is going to win the World Cup.
 

Posted by: Dick Johnson Aug 13 2008, 05:46 AM

QUOTE (MONEYMAN @ Aug 11 2008, 02:07 PM)
The expansion continues..............no cusine is safe

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



OK, I never worked for that retarded company, so I don't know anything more about JG than what I read in Abbsterpiece's book, what I hear from industry friends that have worked for him and what I've surmised on my own from his asinine behavior, but I would think that it's obvious that whatever 'midtown hotel' the steakhouse is going in would either have to be a W or a Meridien or some other Starwood.

Otherwise, Starwood has got to be the dumbest contract-makers on the planet.

Am I wrong? MoneyGuy, help me out here.
 

Posted by: MONEYMAN Aug 13 2008, 11:23 AM

You are probably correct, it most likely would be a Starwood property.

But please take notice that you see the master involving himself with outside deals.
Word is he may not be enjoying his new partnership as much as he thought..........(he demands to be in control)...perfectionist are like that.
Unfortunatley I don't see Starwood running to do a project outside any of their own properties anytime soon.(or give up control)

So, you start hearing about deals in Vancouer, pizza deals, I told you so steakhouses, get out of the lease deals, etc
I would love to see a fresh new concept from him that makes a real statement. I never saw him as the cookie cutter type.

But the power of his PR machine is amazing.........just his name adds 1 star automaticly (Matsugen) even if he has nothing to do with the operational management.

Welcome to corporate America

I LOVE THIS TOWN!!!

 

Posted by: MONEYMAN Aug 14 2008, 12:03 PM

Congrats to the Master


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



Just goes to show how recession proof fine dining really is.....................Let's just hope those Japanese chefs stay in NYC

Word is they may go back?



I LOVE THIS TOWN!!!
 

Posted by: Dick Johnson Aug 15 2008, 02:52 AM

QUOTE (MONEYMAN @ Aug 13 2008, 11:23 AM)
But the power of his PR machine is amazing.........just his name adds 1 star automaticly (Matsugen) even if he has nothing to do with the operational management!


Amanda Hesser is such a trendsetter!

LOL.
 

Posted by: Dishwasher Aug 15 2008, 10:53 AM

QUOTE (ChefWife @ Aug 12 2008, 04:15 PM)
I'm pretty sure J fucking G isn't hurting for money.
I like pizza, I like JG, and I like Sullivan St Bakery so it seems good to me.


Hey hey there lady, calm down! I meant a little sarcasm there, Lahey isn't hurting for money either. But I don't mean that needing money is all about not having any, but sometimes it's about greed. This deal is weird since Sullivan closed it's retail space because it was too much to run both the retail and wholesale ops at the same time. And I'm surprised that Lahey would want to open a new one in this current market.

As for JG, I get that your a big fan of his, but from a business standpoint, it's a fishy move. Dilution hasn't proven profitable yet, so why go deeper down the hole? Is it Just for money? As you pointed out, he doesn't need it. Why tarnish a good image? You may love it but not everyone feels the same way. Look what happened to Rocco. Overexposure

Like I said before, this isn't about JG, it's about branding.

 

QUOTE (MONEYMAN @ Aug 13 2008, 11:23 AM)
But please take notice that you see the master involving himself with outside deals.
Word is he may not be enjoying his new partnership as much as he thought..........(he demands to be in control)...perfectionist are like that.
Unfortunatley I don't see Starwood running to do a project outside any of their own properties anytime soon.(or give up control)

So, you start hereing about deals in Vancouer, pizza deals, I told you so steakhouses, get out of the lease deals, etc
I would love to see a fresh new concept from him that makes a real statement. I never saw him as the cookie cutter type.


Ah Thanks for the missing link. Good theory

 

Posted by: MONEYMAN Aug 15 2008, 02:58 PM

1 Comment: REGARDING LAHEAY PIZZA DEAL
QUOTE

This is so exciting. Jean Georges is my hero. Not only is his own cuisine incredible, he is an amazing restaurateur. He and his gang are like the Superfriends of food.




THAT'S IT................NOW I HAVE HEARD EVERYTHING!!!!
 

Posted by: mss Aug 15 2008, 05:58 PM

let's face it, pizza is a safe bet in this economic climate. plus, it just begs to be rolled out, no? you make a lot on mass market, volume, etc.

plus it's always more fun to do new concepts, open new places, etc. than stay in the kitchen and cook.
 

Posted by: ChefWife Aug 15 2008, 09:11 PM

QUOTE (Dishwasher @ Aug 15 2008, 10:53 AM)

Hey hey there lady, calm down! I meant a little sarcasm there, Lahey isn't hurting for mony either. But I don't mean that needing money is all about not having any, but sometimes it's about greed. This deal is wierd since Sullivan closed it's retail space because it was too much to run both the retail and wholesale ops at the same time. And I'm surprised that Lahey would want to open a new one in this current market.

As for JG, I get that your a big fan of his, but from a business standpoint, it's a fishy move. Dilution hasn't proven profitable yet, so why go deeper down the hole? Is it Just for money? As you pointed out, he doesn't need it. Why tarnish a good image? You may love it but not everyone feels the same way. Look what happened to Rocco. Overexposure

Like I said before, this isn't about JG, it's about branding.


I don't think JG is opening a pizza place with Lahey. It seems more of a loan type of deal than anything with the JG brand on it. JG won't go the way of Rocco. Rocco wasn't that good to begin with. But you are right about dilution, it's just not happening here-at least not now.
 

Posted by: whats anorexia? Aug 18 2008, 11:26 AM

QUOTE (MONEYMAN @ Aug 15 2008, 02:58 PM)

1 Comment: REGARDING LAHEAY PIZZA DEAL
This is so exciting. Jean Georges is my hero. Not only is his own cuisine incredible, he is an amazing restaurateur. He and his gang are like the Superfriends of food.

THAT'S IT................NOW I HAVE HEARD EVERYTHING!!!!


how come beater doesn't call this one a shill when it's so obvious, but when it's a good comment about a place they hate, they immediately say it's a shill?

i never worked in rest's, but even i can tell from abbe's book that jg's & his gang aren't like superheroes.

what was the name of the rival gang that the superfriends always fought again? that would be a more appropriate name & px is like the superfriends.
 

Posted by: Staff Meal Aug 20 2008, 04:06 PM

QUOTE (MONEYMAN @ Aug 14 2008, 12:03 PM)
Congrats to the Master

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


adam platt trashes matsugen. 1 star.

http://nymag.com/restaurants/reviews/49271/
 

Posted by: whats anorexia? Aug 20 2008, 04:14 PM

QUOTE (Staff Meal @ Aug 20 2008, 04:06 PM)
adam platt trashes matsugen. 1 star.



did any of you guys see this?

"BruniBetting: Matsugen
The first thing to notice this week is that Matsugen is a lock for at least three stars. Anyone betting below that level is a vendetta-toting ex-JGV employee or crazy or both"
http://eater.com/archives/2008/08/brunibbetting_matsugen.php

 

Posted by: Inkslinger Aug 20 2008, 06:13 PM

QUOTE (whats anorexia? @ Aug 20 2008, 04:14 PM)

did any of you guys see this?

"BruniBetting: Matsugen
The first thing to notice this week is that Matsugen is a lock for at least three stars. Anyone betting below that level is a vendetta-toting ex-JGV employee or crazy or both"

http://eater.com/archives/2008/08/brunibbetting_matsugen.php



Beater looking stupid - it never gets old!
 

Posted by: virgo Aug 21 2008, 11:53 AM


QUOTE (Inkslinger @ Aug 20 2008, 06:13 PM)
Beater looking stupid - it never gets old!


for a website that always tries to discredit the workers of the industry they're supposed to be reporting on, they sure have their noses all up in our business constantly.
 

Posted by: abbe Aug 21 2008, 12:09 PM

QUOTE (whats anorexia? @ Aug 18 2008, 11:26 AM)
what was the name of the rival gang that the superfriends always fought again? that would be a more appropriate name & px is like the superfriends.



LEGION OF DOOM



haahhahahahahahhahahahahahahahhaaa ahahahaHAHAHAHAHahahahaa

awesome.
 

Posted by: abbe Aug 25 2008, 03:10 PM

QUOTE (MONEYMAN @ Aug 13 2008, 11:23 AM)
So, you start hereing about deals in Vancouer, pizza deals, I told you so steakhouses, get out of the lease deals, etc
I would love to see a fresh new concept from him that makes a real statement. I never saw him as the cookie cutter type.

But the power of his PR machine is amazing.........just his name adds 1 star automaticly (Matsugen) even if he has nothing to do with the operational management.



by the way

apparently the word on the street about SpiceMarket in istanbul is

not good.

i'm JUST SAYIN.

 

Posted by: ChefWife Aug 25 2008, 10:53 PM


the word on what street? who's been to Istanbul lately?

 

Posted by: abbe Aug 26 2008, 10:23 AM

me!

oh okay technically i only had a layover in istanbul, but i did just spend about two weeks with two couples, both of whom have homes here in new york as well as in istanbul.

and at one point i was just sitting innocently at a dinner table with them and somebody remarked how strange it was i would not be spending at least a night or two in istanbul.

so i responded: "actually, maybe i will. i was sorta interested in seeing the new W hotel. the one in the renovated prison."

and he replied: "ah yes. but the food sucks though."

so i asked: "oh really? would that be SpiceMarket you mean?"

and he said: "yes yes. spice market. the food is TERRIBLE."

so i laughed. and then i added: "gee that's a shame."



but if it's any consolation--

then somebody explained: "i think she used to work for him. jean-georges."

so then he said: "oh really? i never went to Jean Georges."

and then someone else commented: "very good. the last time i went with [so and so] it was very good. but the first time, oh it was terrible."



again:

i'm JUST SAYIN.

 

Posted by: abbe Aug 26 2008, 10:27 AM

oh yah

and then i decided NOT to change my flight plans after all just to see the W hotel

cuz then i realized-- what for ?

so i will just go and spend my $$$ (i was told it's "expensive for what it is") and most likely not like it (since "it's terrible," yes ?) and then get back here and remark "hey i went to istanbul and guess what, spice market kinda sucked"

and then everybody will just discount my completely valid and true opinion despite NOT having been to istanbul THEMSELVES to try it

just because i am a "vendetta-toting ex-employee," right ?

so i figgered:
eh, fuck JG and starwood, i'm KEEPING my money.

and maybe i will just go back and recount the story of now how TWO very prominent turkish families have declared SpiceMarket in istanbul a total dud.

 

Posted by: Ferret-n-Chicken! Aug 26 2008, 05:34 PM

QUOTE (abbe @ Aug 26 2008, 10:27 AM)

and then everybody will just discount my completely valid and true opinion despite NOT having been to istanbul THEMSELVES to try it

just because i am a "vendetta-toting ex-employee," right ?

so i figgered:
eh, fuck JG and starwood, i'm KEEPING my money.

and maybe i will just go back and recount the story of now how TWO very prominent turkish families have declared SpiceMarket in istanbul a total dud.



Oh snap!!!!!!
 

Posted by: ChefWife Aug 26 2008, 10:05 PM

QUOTE (abbe @ Aug 26 2008, 10:23 AM)
me !



just checking...

 

Posted by: john.smith Aug 27 2008, 02:23 PM

hey there cutewife..........are you still sure there's no backlash for jg overexposure.........

http://www.nypost.com/seven/08272008/entertainment/food/ex_cuozzo_me__126247.htm?page=2

http://nymag.com/daily/food/2008/08/steve_cuozzo_is_mad_as_hell_an.html#comment-list

ok just checking................

 

Posted by: ChefWife Aug 27 2008, 08:54 PM

backlash for jg overexposure? yeah, there's always going to be bad press for overexposure or what people perceive as overexposure. I don't think overexposed the right word. David Chang=overexposed. Not JG, maybe you're thinking overworked or spread too thin? Anyways, those articles complained of a complicated (b/c its pretty much in Japanese) menu.
-cutewife, yeah I'm cute

 

Posted by: virgo Aug 28 2008, 01:00 PM

yea but chang would never have gotten to this point if jean georges didn't lead the way first. in the 90's jg was exactly where chang is now. so jg is so past overexposed that he is more like david hasslelhoff. here in the USA we don't care anymore, so it's the right time for foreign markets.

 

Posted by: Dishwasher Aug 28 2008, 02:42 PM

That's an interesting way of putting it.
 

Posted by: ChefWife Aug 28 2008, 10:45 PM

QUOTE (virgo @ Aug 28 2008, 01:00 PM)
yea but chang would never have gotten to this point if jean georges didn't lead the way first. in the 90's jg was exactly where chang is now. so jg is so past overexposed that he is more like david hasslelhoff. here in the USA we don't care anymore, so it's the right time for foreign markets.


i have to disagreee. in the 90s there was nothing like there is today as far as media saturation of the restaurant business. as popular as JG was way back when, no one ever freaked like they're freaking now for Chang.
 

Posted by: Dishwasher Aug 29 2008, 03:47 PM

Well sorry Mrs. Chefwife, I understand that you have a vested interest in this argument, but that is just plain not true and basically a little naive. I don't know your age but I would bet I am quite older and I was def around in the 1990's when JG was at his height of fame. The fact is it was even worse back then because the internet didn't exist, and the press was only one-sided. People were flat out dictated to what they should like and where they should go out to eat and the public didn't have any say at all the way they do now like on the blogs. On top of all that, add in that Chang is basically a lucky guy that got in good with the right press people, and even that can prob be traced back to his first catered dinner at Martha Stewart's. JG on the other hand invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in PR, and not to say that's a bad thing esp since it did pay off.

The idea that a public traded co. like Starwood would invest all that cash in just talent is ridic. If that was the case then every talented hardworking chef out there should also have such lucrative deals. Starwood paid upfront for all the PR and press, period end of story. That's not to say that JG isnt talented but money makes money, no more and no less. The same way that Chang is cashing in now on his fame, but do you think Vegas hotels would come calling if he was just another cook with a noodle shoppe?

 

Posted by: ChefWife Aug 29 2008, 04:52 PM


hmmm, how to answer?
well, all i said was that people freak for chang and I dont think anyone freaked out over JG in the same way BECAUSE there was no..forget im not being heard. but I won't hold it against you.
happy labor day
later!

 

Posted by: whats anorexia? Sep 2 2008, 01:35 PM

yes you are, chefwife! i love the back & forth between you guys. it's so interesting! & i love how all you guys can make opposing points & not get all nasty & disgusting like stupid eater. you all make sense & you are all so intelligent. someone like me would never know any of this valuable info without people like you guys!

hope your labor day weekend went well.

 

Posted by: ChefWife Sep 2 2008, 06:33 PM

yeah talking on eater is like talking to a drunk person/brink wall...no one is listening. its not like that stops me. in both situations.

 

Posted by: mss Sep 3 2008, 09:48 PM

QUOTE (ChefWife @ Aug 28 2008, 10:45 PM)
i have to disagreee. in the 90s there was nothing like there is today as far as media saturation of the restaurant business. as popular as JG was way back when, no one ever freaked like they're freaking now for Chang.


there were fewer outlets - but also fewer chefs to freak for. JG OWNED the media in the mid- to late 90s. he was the first chef profiled on 60 Minutes - Chang's Charlie Rose interview does not come close to how ground-breaking that was.
 

Posted by: Dishwasher Sep 3 2008, 01:02 PM

QUOTE (ChefWife @ Sep 2 2008, 06:33 PM)
yeah talking on eater is like talking to a drunk person/brink wall...no one is listening. its not like that stops me. in both situations.


I'm listening, Mrs. Chefwife! Would I be responding if I wasn't listening??
 

Posted by: ChefWife Sep 4 2008, 09:27 PM

maybe you were listening, but i didnt feel heard.

boo hoo...j/k

 

Posted by: PassionFoodie Sep 8 2008, 09:27 AM

QUOTE (mss @ Sep 3 2008, 09:48 PM)

there were fewer outlets - but also fewer chefs to freak for. JG OWNED the media in the mid- to late 90s. he was the first chef profiled on 60 Minutes - Chang's Charlie Rose interview does not come close to how ground-breaking that was.



A pioneer perhaps.

(Nice dialog here. Very interesting.)
 

Posted by: MONEYMAN Sep 10 2008, 11:40 AM

JG Invades Canada


http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/story.html?id=e19e7793-db12-47d2-998c-c5e15b0dbef5

They left out Mexico City, and my newest favorite....................DISNEY WORLD!!!!


Isn't time for some new blood here

 

Yes folks you heard it here first


The Wackey Bunch News:


JG does Disney!!!....................Spice Market the ride!!!.............Its a small world after all
 

Posted by: Captain Kangaroo Sep 4 2008, 03:14 PM

QUOTE (mss @ Sep 3 2008, 09:48 PM)

there were fewer outlets - but also fewer chefs to freak for. JG OWNED the media in the mid- to late 90s. he was the first chef profiled on 60 Minutes - Chang's Charlie Rose interview does not come close to how ground-breaking that was.


True. Damn I feel old!
 

Posted by: Inkslinger Sep 11 2008, 11:45 AM

QUOTE (MONEYMAN @ Sep 10 2008, 11:40 AM)
JG Invades Canada

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/story.html?id=e19e7793-db12-47d2-998c-c5e15b0dbef5



QUOTE
Jean-Georges Vongerichten will open a restaurant, Market, early next year in the Shangri-La Hotel, but with JGV spread so thin, at least one local critic is adopting a wait-and-see attitude: "The value added of a Culinary Concept restaurant in our city shouldn't necessarily be taken as a given."
http://www.cityfood.com/EN/daily_news/ via http://nymag.com/daily/food/2008/09/give_local_flour_a_chance_nyc.html.



Note the use of the company name, and not the name of JG in that quote. No disrespect to Mrs. Cutewife, but doesn't that help signify that JG's name and image is already being diluted?
 

Posted by: Dick Johnson Sep 11 2008, 12:12 PM

Jean-Georges Vongerichten will open a restaurant, Market, early next year in the Shangri-La Hotel, but with JGV spread so thin, at least one local critic is adopting a wait-and-see attitude: "The value added of a Culinary Concept restaurant in our city shouldn't necessarily be taken as a given." (City Food via Grub St..)


Ouch.

You can almost hear the sneer in that quote. She might as well have been saying, "The value added of a BR Guest restaurant in our city shouldn't necessarily be taken as a given."

LOL.

 

Posted by: ChefWife Sep 14 2008, 10:30 AM

QUOTE (Inkslinger @ Sep 11 2008, 11:45 AM)

Note the use of the company name, and not the name of JG in that quote. No disrespect to Mrs. Cutewife, but doesn't that help signify that JG's name and image is already being diluted?



I have no idea, Slinger. Saying "Culinary Concepts" is a lot different than saying "JG is opening new Resto X". I mean Culinary Concepts refers specifically to a certain kind of resto by JG. At least I'm pretty sure.

But yeah, there's not doubt that quoted person is not looking forward to it.


How how would that be disrepecting me? Look, I heart JGV but I'm not losing sleep over his press/PR/drama/money/success/whatever.
 

Posted by: PassionFoodie Sep 17 2008, 09:15 PM

http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSN1731439420080917
Chef settles New York suit over tips for $1.75 million
Wed Sep 17, 2008 7:22pm EDT By Christine Kearney

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Celebrity French chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten has agreed to settle a lawsuit over tips filed by waiters at his swank New York restaurants for $1.75 million, court papers say...

The waiters claimed the restaurants deprived them of tips by sharing them with managers and not paying them for all hours worked. The lawsuit is one of the highest-profile cases in a spate of similar suits filed against New York restaurants in past years for cheating employees out of tips.

... Plaintiffs' lawyers said they could not comment on the settlement, and a lawyer for Vongerichten also declined comment.

The settlement papers said all the restaurants denied wrongdoing and that they had complied with labor laws, but settled for a variety of reasons including the risk of the outcome of ligation...

(Editing by Michelle Nichols and Eric Walsh)
 

Posted by: MONEYMAN Sep 18 2008, 12:02 PM


And yet the empire continues to thin

The review on this new Las Vegas deal says it all...............WHEN WILL THIS END!!!



http://www.eatinglv.com/2008/09/aria-announces-celebrity-chef-lineup/


http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/prnewswire/200809180900PR_NEWS_USPR_____LATH016.htm

 

Posted by: PassionFoodie Sep 18 2008, 12:34 PM

Is anyone here getting money back from this settlement????

And who was the CFO or finance boss during those years involved????
 

Posted by: MONEYMAN Sep 18 2008, 12:54 PM

I heard the CFO would continually tell management the illegal nature of the tipping policy and was countermanded by the "THAT'S THE WAY WE DO IT AND WE CANNOT CHANGE IT"

Sounds like they rather listen to their well paid loophole lawyers than a finance professional.

Maybe the lawyers insurance will pay back the 1.75m.............where is the justice? (Hope they don't have AIG)

Remember there is only one boss at JGM...........everyone else had no say!!


I LOVE THIS TOWN!!!

 

Posted by: PassionFoodie Sep 18 2008, 01:29 PM

That comment in caps sounds like it's coming from someone who doesn't want to bother the one boss with the illegal nature of the tipping policies...

I think I who THAT is....which brings me back to that age old question....why does the boss keep her after all this???? She has become VERY costly. The VSH verdict is still outstanding.

$$$Man, I pose this question to you....Do you think that the boss intentionally stole or just intrusted his deputies to "deal with the tipping problem"

 

Posted by: MONEYMAN Sep 18 2008, 02:04 PM

Passion,

I would tell you that instead of finding a way to compensate their middle managers, without it coming out of their own pockets, most restaurantuers start looking for tricks and loopholes that solve their problem. (Check with the attornies)

No...I don't think that the boss intentionally stole.

But I do think that his refusal to listen to good council or surround himself with competant executive management that is willing to buck the powers that be, tell the truth and not just what they want to hear is a dangerous premise.(Old favors outweight good judgement)

Unfortunately, my still favorite chef is still responsible for the final decision.

I have posted many times the need for a new financial model for the restaurant industry.
We are in the 21st century and the industrry is still using models from the 1920's
Add to that, the standard ego driven control freaks that own these establishments and these are the results.

Nobody wins.............expect the attornies

The irony that we call ourselves the hospitality industry is almost comical. Being a great chef is not the same as being a great businessman. Both are artfull in there approach, but not really mutually exclusive.

That is why good leadership surrounds itself with the best talent available.
Not just a yes man that only tells you what you want to hear. Organizations are only as good as their people, especially in the restaurant industry.

I will telll you that there is a new group being formed that is about to present to the industry a new formula for success that will change the way things are done. And the winners will not include the attornies.

STAY TUNNED!!!

Lead. follow, or get out of the way!
:LEE IACOCCA

 

Posted by: PassionFoodie Sep 18 2008, 02:50 PM

Step up or step aside! Christopher Titus... I always liked that one...

Thanks $$$Man.

I wonder if the new model is going to be similiar to Thomas Keller's model of salary versus hourly?

 

http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN1842430020080919?pageNumber=3&virtualBrandChannel=0

New York's top restaurants plagued by tip trouble

 

Posted by: MONEYMAN Sep 18 2008, 03:29 PM

Better................Full healthcare (non-contribution), Profit Sharing, 401k, (matching), 13 week paid training, doulble digit hourly wage or competitive salary with paid vacation ............you know, like a real company!!!

It's time to make hospitality a real career choice instead of a temporary solution. (Welcome to the 21st century)

 

Posted by: Dishwasher Sep 18 2008, 04:43 PM

That would be a healthy change, but is the industry ready for it is the question. Too many people profit alot from the way it is..

 

Posted by: Inkslinger Sep 18 2008, 04:51 PM

QUOTE (ihatebunnies @ Aug 4 2008, 11:17 PM)

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


So 'ihatebunnies' was right!

We rule!

http://nymag.com/daily/food/2008/09/jean-georges_vongerichten_leav.html

 

Posted by: jo Sep 19 2008, 10:48 AM

Now wouldn't it be nice if Joshua David Stein ate crow right now? He spends all his time denigrating the Cipriani's and Sacco's of the world, and complaining about "Top Chef," but couldn't care less about the plight of the employees.

Yeah, I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for an apology or a retraction, or anything like that.
 

Posted by: jo Sep 19 2008, 11:39 AM

QUOTE (Inkslinger @ Sep 18 2008, 05:01 PM)
http://nymag.com/daily/food/2008/09/jean-georges_vongerichten_leav.html

That's pretty funny, that a whole day has gone by and there's no comment under that item, from within "Cuilinary Concepts"? I would have thought for sure they would want to say something about Abbe holding her "tired basket of sour grapes" and brag about how they don't care about the settlement, because they have $100M.

 

Posted by: Ferret-n-Chicken! Sep 19 2008, 02:57 PM

Maybe the company finally got smart and unplugged Lois' computer from the internet!!!!
 

Posted by: froggio Sep 22 2008, 11:15 AM

Question: To be included in the JG lawsuit settlement, one must have worked between certain dates. Does anyone know what these dates are? I worked at JG from 1997 to 2003 in the foh as waiter and captain and I believe I'd qualify as far as the position is concerned, but are these dates that would qualify me to be part of the settlement? I got in touch with the law firm but it's going to take a while to get a response as we all know the wheels of justice turn at a glacial pace...
Any more info on specific details to be included in this settlement is welcome. Please no hearsay or rumours.
 

Posted by: Inkslinger Sep 22 2008, 11:54 AM

Hi Froggio,
Sorry that I can't help you with the exact dates of this last lawsuit, but I did get an email a long time ago -

QUOTE
Any one who worked for Mercer Kitchen between 2002 to the present
are entitled to compensation for the misappropriation of tips and
wages. I am getting a settlement at the end of 2006. The way it
was explained to me was that they owe so much that they are on a
payment plan from which the funds will not be dispersed until
December 2006. Be aware, if you work for JG restaurants,
especially Mercer Kitchen, you have been stolen from and can be
compensated with a formal complait that should be filed at the
NYState Dept of Labor's office on Hudson St.



I'm pretty sure this is for a different suit, but I could be wrong. But my point is that you should probably also try to contact the Dept of Labor, because they also will have the information you're looking for, and you won't have to worry about rumors or wrong dates. Good luck!

 

Posted by: Dishwasher Sep 23 2008, 11:07 AM

The complaint would have to be filed with DOL to get any due compensation anyway.

 

Posted by: MONEYMAN Sep 23 2008, 09:05 PM

http://news.luxuryta.com/index.php/2008/08/05/oneonly-palmilla-chef-trotter-out-chef-vongerichten-in/ .............Mexico

http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2008/9/18/225258/009/hotels/CityCenter_s_Aria_Resort_Reveals_Hefty_Roster_of_Celeb_Chefs ...............Time Warner West!!!


Attn: Wacky Bunch

All new concepts should include rent-a-chef



The Empire strikes back........................where is Disney?
 

Posted by: Dick Johnson Sep 24 2008, 12:03 PM

OK, seriously, I don't give a shit about JG, but even I am getting sick of hearing about him. You shot your load, guy! Your image is past tarnished and is fast becoming rust. No one wants to hear about a greedy, living-large multi-millioniare who steals money from busboys.

Get over yourself! Go away. Take all your stolen money and go buy an island and retire. You're getting old, anyway.
 

Posted by: whats anorexia? Sep 24 2008, 12:19 PM

"Mediahohoho
1:09 PM on 09/23/08
Worse than the Europeans who come and pretend ignorance to tipping customs are celebrity chefs who come from countries where restaurant workers make a living wage without tips and shit all over back- and front-of-house employees. I'm looking specifically at Jean George and Daniel Bolud."

http://gawker.com/5053662/we-will-train-these-foreigners-to-tip-if-it-kills-us#c7917662

looks like you're not the only one, dj!

 

Posted by: MILFweed Sep 25 2008, 11:52 AM

QUOTE (Inkslinger @ Sep 22 2008, 11:54 AM)

Hi Froggio,
Sorry that I can't help you with the exact dates of this last lawsuit, but I did get an email a long time ago -


I'm pretty sure this is for a different suit,


So let me get this straight. JG was already sued for the same thing at Mercer and had to settle. But instead of then changing the pay policy he still kept skimming tips after he had already lost money in that case. And now that he has been busted again he still claims that the company did nothing wrong but had to settle again. Well if he's really that stupid that he would keep 'not doing anything wrong' after the State told him otherwise then I can't wait to see what the next class action lawsuit is like.

 

Posted by: PassionFoodie Sep 25 2008, 07:43 PM

QUOTE (Dick Johnson @ Sep 24 2008, 12:03 PM)

OK, seriously, I don't give a shit about JG, but even I am getting sick of hearing about him. You shot your load, guy! Your image is past tarnished and is fast becoming rust. No one wants to hear about a greedy, living-large multi-millioniare who steals money from busboys.

Get over yourself! Go away. Take all your stolen money and go buy an island and retire. You're getting old, anyway.



Oh Really????

http://www.nypost.com/seven/09242008/gossip/pagesix/4_course_frenzy_130431.htm
 

Posted by: MONEYMAN Sep 25 2008, 08:51 PM

Ahh.................I knew it was a matter of time!!

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/food/orl-heather2408sep24,0,4677324.column

Posted by: Dick Johnson Sep 26 2008, 11:41 AM

QUOTE (PassionFoodie @ Sep 25 2008, 07:43 PM)

Oh Really????

http://www.nypost.com/seven/09242008/gossip/pagesix/4_course_frenzy_130431.htm


Woooh, big fucking deal. The French president comes to the USA, and he wants a French chef cooking for him. (And yeah, I already heard about it, that's my point.)

Hey, President Froggo, with the favorite Froggo chef. Here's a little newsflash for you - the big rumor all over the resto industry is that your boy is such a frog patriot, he married an American wackjob, just to get a green card. And that wackjob has pretty much done everything under the sun to run his great froggo empire into the ground. Too bad he's fucking stuck with her!

How do you like them apples?

Go ahead, JG fans - keep rubbing him all in our faces! You've made your points loud and clear, just like he has, over and over again. Well, now it's my turn. No more Mr. Nice Johnson. Keep it up, I'm not kidding.

Yeah, zey both vunt to be zo prowwwd, oui oui, zo Francais! Stay in fucking France.
 

Posted by: Dick Johnson Sep 26 2008, 11:48 AM

QUOTE (MONEYMAN @ Sep 25 2008, 08:51 PM)
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/food/orl-heather2408sep24,0,4677324.column


Perfect! Running around with Mickey Mouse, Goofy and the Wicked Witch of the West. Just where he belongs.
 

Posted by: Inkslinger Sep 26 2008, 12:00 PM

QUOTE (Dick Johnson @ Sep 26 2008, 11:41 AM)

Woooh, big fucking deal. The French president comes to the USA, and he wants a French chef cooking for him. (And yeah, I already heard about it, that's my point.)

Hey, President Froggo, with the favorite Froggo chef. Here's a little newsflash for you - the big rumor all over the resto industry is that your boy is such a frog patriot, he married an American wackjob, just to get a green card. And that wackjob has pretty much done everything under the sun to run his great froggo empire into the ground. Too bad he's fucking stuck with her!

How do you like them apples?

Go ahead, JG fans - keep rubbing him all in our faces! You've made your points loud and clear, just like he has, over and over again. Well, now it's my turn. No more Mr. Nice Johnson. Keep it up, I'm not kidding.

Yeah, zey both vant to be zo prowwwd, oui oui, zo Francais! Stay in fucking France.

 



I'm with you, DJ! Unfortunately, Abbester might want that taken down, so I hope everyone enjoys it while it lasts!

 

Posted by: Dick Johnson Sep 26 2008, 12:10 PM


Fine, whatever, but that's another point. Everyone shits all over us, because we happen to be the only ones who know what the fuck we're talking about, but we're the ones that have to play nice?

It's getting annoying.

 

Posted by: abbe Sep 26 2008, 12:37 PM

QUOTE (Dick Johnson @ Sep 26 2008, 11:41 AM)
Hey, President Froggo, with the favorite Froggo chef. Here's a little newsflash for you - the big rumor all over the resto industry is that your boy is such a frog patriot, he married an American wackjob, just to get a green card. And that wackjob has pretty much done everything under the sun to run his great froggo empire into the ground. Too bad he's fucking stuck with her!


hahhahahahahhaaa godd damn! mmmreeeeeooOOOWWwwrrr

uhhh yah -- key words, everybody: "BIG RUMOR"

as in-- nobody here at pxthis is implying dick-johnson actually knows what the hells he is babbling about. he could be straight up batshit crazy posting from bellevue or whatever, for alls we know.

i'm just sayin.
 

Posted by: abbe Sep 26 2008, 12:46 PM

QUOTE (Inkslinger @ Sep 26 2008, 12:00 PM)
I'm with you, DJ! Unfortunately, Abbester might want that taken down, so I hope everyone enjoys it while it lasts!


eehee ahhahahaa well we could always wait til the cease and desist letter comes, and then just post that up there instead. that could be fun.

oh wait. who am i kidding ?

we're certainly not big or important enough to warrant any such thing. after all, we are NOTHING. NOBODY READS US. WE'RE JUST A BUNCH OF SMALL LIFE LOSERS HOLDING OUR BASKET OF GRIPES while the mighty "jg" marches his way to his hundredth million (earned off the backs of peasants).

CLEARLY, we are wholly unworthy of anything as monumental as 'legal action' or anything ridiculous like that.

so, i guess i won't sweat trying to be nice and taking the high road or whatever.

and if/when a cease and desist arrives, then maybe i will FRAME IT AS EVIDENCE OF OUR VALIDATION
 

Posted by: abbe Sep 26 2008, 12:51 PM

and then send that shit straight to Rush&Molloy.

hahahahahahahahaaa
 

Posted by: Inkslinger Sep 26 2008, 01:00 PM

QUOTE (abbe @ Sep 26 2008, 12:37 PM)
as in-- nobody here at pxthis is implyimg dick-johnson actually knows what the hells he is babbling about. he could be straight up batshit crazy posting from bellevue or whatever, for alls we know.


He probably doesn't even exist! He's just one of our 9 aliases.

 

Posted by: Dick Johnson Sep 26 2008, 01:06 PM

Yeah, I got a big fat Dick Johnson alias for them, right here in my pants.

 

Posted by: Staff Meal Sep 26 2008, 04:29 PM

yea seriously, what's the deal? if jg is so happy with all his money and doesn't want to admit he did anything wrong, why is he such a press whore??? obvs he needs all that attention to cover over his guilt.
 

Posted by: swee Sep 26 2008, 05:28 PM

Maybe Jean-Georges went to the Julia Allison School of PR.

"The best way to handle bad press is to overwhelm it with other press. If you try to refute, and think that's an effective way for that to go away, it's not. All it will do is increase that particular angle in your Google search. The only way to deal with is to keep on going and take in other press for good things."


Unfortunately, just like Allison, he hasn't yet figured out that strategy only serves to make more people aware of how arrogant, desperate and pathetic you are.

I must be living proof. Before now, I never once gave Jean-Georges a second thought.

 

Posted by: swee Sep 26 2008, 05:33 PM

QUOTE (abbe @ Sep 26 2008, 12:46 PM)

CLEARLY, we are wholly unworthy of anything as monumental as 'legal action' or anything ridiculous like that.

so, i guess i won't sweat trying to be nice and taking the high road or whatever.

and if/when a cease and desist arrives, then maybe i will FRAME IT AS EVIDENCE OF OUR VALIDATION.


Abbe, whatever it is you're doing, it's working. Last week I finally caved and bought your book, and I just finished it.

Excellent. Surprisingly refreshing and unexpectedly excellent. Job well done. Congratulations, another fan is born.
 

Posted by: MILFweed Sep 26 2008, 06:49 PM

QUOTE (Dick Johnson @ Sep 26 2008, 11:41 AM)

Woooh, big fucking deal. The French president comes to the USA, and he wants a French chef cooking for him. (And yeah, I already heard about it, that's my point.)

Hey, President Froggo, with the favorite Froggo chef. Here's a little newsflash for you - the big rumor all over the resto industry is that your boy is such a frog patriot, he married an American wackjob, just to get a green card. And that wackjob has pretty much done everything under the sun to run his great froggo empire into the ground. Too bad he's fucking stuck with her!

How do you like them apples?

Go ahead, JG fans - keep rubbing him all in our faces! You've made your points loud and clear, just like he has, over and over again. Well, now it's my turn. No more Mr. Nice Johnson. Keep it up, I'm not kidding.

Yeah, zey both vunt to be zo prowwwd, oui oui, zo Francais! Stay in fucking France.


The most annoying part is that if Obama went to France and asked for an American chef because the only thing he wanted was a good ol' American cheeseburger? The press would probably crucify him for it and call him ignorant and tacky.
 

Posted by: PassionFoodie Sep 26 2008, 08:09 PM

Oh I'm not rubbing it in....justice was due....I am very pleased to see everyone get their money back.

I am laughing at the editor of page six putting it in the NYPost.

Lets face it....the reason JG gets publicity is due the the papers running stories/clips about him. No clips-no PR. So if you are sick of him, don't put him in your section of the paper...

That was easy...
 

Posted by: abbe Sep 27 2008, 02:15 PM

QUOTE (PassionFoodie @ Sep 26 2008, 08:09 PM)
Lets face it....the reason JG gets publicity is due the the papers running stories/clips about him. No clips-no PR. So if you are sick of him, don't put him in your section of the paper...



yah but i think maybe that's kinda missing the point--

i don't think the issue is that people are sick of hearing about JG entirely. i think what is irking people is the amount of FAWNING, OBSEQUIOUS press. i mean like for example, JG is forever being represented in the press-- how fabulous he is, how stylish, how awesome etc etc

but then in contrast, so little press is dedicated to what the company's done wrong. one article here, a tiny blurb there, a very teensy tiny obscure mention someplace else...

and yes, it's QUITE obvious all the excessive "good" press is merely a ploy to counteract the "bad" press. which in turn only propagates the "factor," if you catch my drift.
SENDING that sarkozy crap to Page Six (?!): tres tres tacky indeed.



frankly, i'm a little curious as to who is giving JG all this asinine advice. because let's face it-- the "admits to no wrongdoing" thing in the Reuters reportage was WAY OVER THE TOP.

"admits to no wrongdoing" essentially amounts to: "yeah, here, take your money assholes, and get the fuck out of my face."

which is just bad bad bad bad "image" building. imagine if it were the other way around ?? and a bunch of mexican busboys were found guilty of "stealing" or "pilfering" (aka "embezzling") $1.5M of company funds ?? they'd be in fucking JAIL right now.

so seriously-- did some dumb asshole (OTHER than an attorney i mean. duh) actually encourage JG to "admit to no wrongdoing" ??

that might be good from a legal standpoint, but from a PR standpoint, it sucks dick.

if they had issued one tiny little statement for example: "JG is deeply apologetic and remorseful for the MISTAKE, and regrets any inconvenience this may have caused for the employees and/or their families... and is making every effort to assure this MISTAKE is amended and will not occur again within his establishments..."

IMAGINE what a difference that would have made in perception ?? he'd practically be a fucking hero in the industry right now. cuz of course, that's how "they" would "spin" it.


seriously now-- who's the PR ?? baum&bullfrog ??

i must say, having at one point discovered what an incredible discount they gave to a certain company with which i am familiar, no joke i was so ready to recommend them to several others.
but after seeing how that shit panned out-- and now this colossal mess with JG ?? i gotta say

i am so not impressed.
 

Posted by: abbe Sep 27 2008, 02:20 PM

QUOTE (abbe @ Sep 27 2008, 02:15 PM)

if they had issued one tiny little statement for example: "JG is deeply apologetic and remorseful for the MISTAKE, and regrets any inconvenience this may have caused for the employees and/or their families... and is making every effort to assure this MISTAKE is amended and will not occur again within his establishments..."

IMAGINE what a difference that would have made in perception ?? he'd practically be a fucking hero in the industry right now. cuz of course, that's how "they" would "spin" it.


ahahahahaa of course, if it happens now that i've mentioned it--

it will be TOO LITTLE TOO LATE.

missed the boat, mutherfukkers. that leaky rusty dilapidated sinking ship has SAILED, bitches.
 

Posted by: PassionFoodie Sep 27 2008, 09:24 PM

QUOTE (abbe @ Sep 27 2008, 02:15 PM)

frankly, i'm a little curious as to who is giving JG all this asinine advice. because let's face it-- the "admits to no wrongdoing" thing in the Reuters reportage was WAY OVER THE TOP.


Hmmm. The papers run the articles....they should know....or why bother promoting JG?? I am curious too. 1.75 million is a hell of a lot money in skimmed wages and OT for " no wrongdoing"

In all fairness, I would be in jail for that kind of "mistake", "oversight" or "stealing" (take your pick).

To answer (or guess at it anyway) your question- the director of operations????? Ummm U did say "asinine advice" so that is what I come up with.
 

Posted by: Inkslinger Sep 28 2008, 03:24 PM

QUOTE (abbe @ Sep 27 2008, 02:15 PM)
if they had issued one tiny little statement for example: "JG is deeply apologetic and remorseful for the MISTAKE, and regrets any inconvenience this may have caused for the employees and/or their families... and is making every effort to assure this MISTAKE is amended and will not occur again within his establishments..."


Exactly! Thank you.
 

Posted by: Inkslinger Oct 13 2008, 02:53 PM

QUOTE
Can JVG Save Ago From Itself?
No doubt displeased with the less-than-stellar reviews for his Tribeca outpost, Ago, Robert De Niro may be bringing in the A-team: Page Six Magazine reports that Bobby D. contacted Jean-Georges Vongerichten about setting the ship straight. JGV admits to doing a tasting for the star, and things may be moving forward: "Nothing is signed yet, but he liked my Italian," says the Frenchman. [Page Six Magazine]

http://nymag.com/daily/food/2008/10/can_jvg_save_ago_from_itself.html



 

QUOTE

I bet the only reason nothing is "signed yet," is cuz Bob is probably trying to consult the OTHER "A-team" too--

I'm sure David Chang does a mean Italian! I mean: Duh, everybody knows pasta noodles are totally Asian.

BY ABBE_DIAZ on 10/13/2008 at 12:39pm

http://nymag.com/daily/food/2008/10/can_jvg_save_ago_from_itself.html#comment-list

 

Posted by: PassionFoodie Oct 13 2008, 03:04 PM

Hmmm JG doing Italian. Ok that had to hurt.

Go page six = your JG headquarters for all JG news....

 

Posted by: Inkslinger Dec 11 2008, 12:13 PM

Remember what we were talking about in the Private [password protected] Forum*?

QUOTE

Jean-Georgess Gift to You This Season: $24 Lunches and $35 Dinners Across the Board

...The best deal, by far, is at Matsugen....


http://nymag.com/daily/food/2008/12/jean-georgess_gift_to_you_this.html

 

*Note: theForum @ PX This included a separate "Members Only" (by invitation) forum, wherein the more controversial discussions were moved / took place [e.g. a reader who claimed to be a "family member" of Lois Freedman vented personal frustrations].

 

Posted by: Dishwasher Dec 15 2008, 02:19 PM

What's the deal that he's taking the space in Greenwich Hotel? Didn't someone here say that Starwood won't let him open in other hotels, which makes sense. Is the Starwood deal dead because of the finanvcial crisis??

 

Posted by: abbe Dec 16 2008, 01:26 PM

was that me ??

i don't think i said they CAN'T open in other hotels. i said something like: i would be REALLY SURPRISED if they were allowed to open in other hotels.

BUT

that was back when i was comparing their deal to other deals with which i am familiar.
generally, i think these hotel (or other such buildings-- like malls, etc) deals usually offer the space up as some kind of "loss-leader" [as MoneyMan would say ]--
they offer the space and construction costs, pay an upfront fee, and then offer the "talent" some kind of percentage per location.

i THOUGHT this was the case with JG as well. which would then, yes, make sense the deal would preclude him from signing on with another hotel group, no ?

 

QUOTE (Dishwasher @ Dec 15 2008, 01:19 PM)
Is the Starwood deal dead because of the finanvcial crisis??



i have since discovered i was WRONG about the deal itself. it wasn't the type of deal i had presumed at all.

apparently, Starwood purchased a huge (if not CONTROLLING) percentage of SPICE MARKET.

this (of course) allows them to open as many SpiceMarkets as they please in as many locations as their greedy little hearts desire. this would also explain why JG is NOT hindered in opening in other hotels or freestanding locations or wherever.

this would also explain why SpiceMarket was NOT included in his new $24/$35 prix fixe deal.
and call me crazy, but i'm pretty sure i noticed a whiles ago that the SpiceMarket logo was removed from the company's little white vans (usually spotted outside corp headquarters or theMercer).
this too would explain that particular observation.



so in essence-- no, the deal is not dead.

but in this current financial crisis (and given their decidedly unspectacular reception), i would be impressed if any new SpiceMarkets worldwide are opening anytime soon.

Posted by: Dishwasher Jan 20 2009, 01:33 PM

Well the new deal that just got announced with Starwood and JG opeining in Park City makes it seem like like Starwood actually bought into Culinary Concepts, because they did not say that they are opening a Spice Market in the St. Regis. It might be that CC was created as a spinoff of JG ENT just for the Starwood deal, and that there only property right now is Spice Market. But it's interesting because typically what a company will do if it's not making any money with the concept is create a different concept. So if Starwood is coming up with a a whole new concept for Park City, then it seems like Spice Market is not meeting expectations in revenue.

 

Posted by: BX(Busboy Extraordinaire) Jan 21 2009, 04:49 PM

Yea right, what ever happened to the one that was supposed to open in Aspen?? What an attention whore

 

Posted by: virgo Jan 22 2009, 02:17 PM

i have never worked for him, and personally have nothing against him - though i've heard horror stories from friends that have. but i do agree that it's getting out of hand that some great rest's or chefs that could use the press never get any attention, while jg gets written about every time he sneezes. worse, every time he even thinks about sneezing.

but whatever. he's so overexposed that no one cares anymore anyway. some people just have to learn their lessons the hard way.

 

Posted by: abbe Jan 27 2009, 01:21 PM

QUOTE (BX(Busboy Extraordinaire) @ Jan 21 2009, 03:49 PM)
Yea right, what ever happened to the one that was supposed to open in Aspen?? attention whore.

QUOTE (virgo @ Jan 22 2009, 01:17 PM)
i have never worked for him, and personally have nothing against him - though i've heard horror stories from friends that have. but i do agree that it's getting out of hand that some great rest's or chefs that could use the press never get any attention, while jg gets written about every time he sneezes. worse, every time he even thinks about sneezing...



Jean Georges Bails on Ago
... rumors of a Jean Georges Vongerichten and Jim Lahey combo quickly emerged, with many predicting it to be a done deal. Not. So. Fast. We have heard rumors that the economic downturn has not left the JGV Culinary Concepts empire unscathed, with some concepts that were gang busters here (Spice Market) do not play as well in Atlanta.... Jean Georges has apparently decided to abandon any plans for the Tribeca space, with his reps telling us "preliminary discussions took place, but no actual agreement was ever made with Jean-Georges."

http://www.downbythehipster.com/blog/2009/1/27/jean-georges-bails-on-ago.html
 

Posted by: MONEYMAN Jan 27 2009, 02:33 PM

Maybe Bobby D took my advice and hired Fabio from Fiammia direct

 

Posted by: Dick Johnson Jan 27 2009, 06:14 PM

Good call!

That's why you're so money, man.

LOL.

 

Posted by: Dick Johnson Jan 27 2009, 06:15 PM

QUOTE (abbe @ Jan 27 2009, 12:21 PM)
Jean Georges Bails on Ago
... rumors of a Jean Georges Vongerichten and Jim Lahey combo quickly emerged, with many predicting it to be a done deal. Not. So. Fast. We have heard rumors that the economic downturn has not left the JGV Culinary Concepts empire unscathed, with some concepts that were gang busters here (Spice Market) do not play as well in Atlanta.... Jean Georges has apparently decided to abandon any plans for the Tribeca space, with his reps telling us "preliminary discussions took place, but no actual agreement was ever made with Jean-Georges."

http://www.downbythehipster.com/blog/2009/1/27/jean-georges-bails-on-ago.html


Raise your hands if you're shocked by this news.

OK, how many hands is that?

Oh, right. None.
 

Posted by: Dishwasher Jan 28 2009, 07:33 PM

QUOTE (MONEYMAN @ Jan 27 2009, 01:33 PM)
Maybe Bobby D took my advice and hired Fabio from Fiammia direct


That is a much better idea. If they had Jg then people would dismiss it as a gimmick becase he is a French/Asian chef. Would have been a big waste of money. There's no way that JG could have handled another space that big on top of the ABC spave. Matsugen is struggling as it is and to take on 2 more at that size would have been suicide.
 

Posted by: abbe Jan 29 2009, 07:56 PM

http://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/01/29/carmellinis-a-go-at-ago/

i guess fabio wanted too much money ?

 

Posted by: MONEYMAN Jan 30 2009, 11:56 AM

Smart move

 

Posted by: MONEYMAN Feb 2 2009, 09:54 AM

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/entertainment/view/406331/1/.html

Bobby D settles at 2.5m....ouch!!

 

Posted by: angel Feb 2 2009, 10:56 AM

QUOTE (MONEYMAN @ Feb 2 2009, 08:54 AM)

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/entertainment/view/406331/1/.html

Bobby D settles at 2.5m....ouch!!


QUOTE
"These are very uncertain economic times and if this class action lawsuit trend continues over procedural nuances concerning the definition of tip pools, New York City will suffer the needless loss of thousands of jobs and small businesses," said Carolyn Richmond, a lawyer for Nobu.


I guess thay should have thought about that before they stole the money in the first place.

Posted by: Inkslinger Feb 2 2009, 11:36 AM

QUOTE (angel @ Feb 2 2009, 09:56 AM)
I guess thay should have thought about that before they stole the money in the first place.


Thank you. I read that and wanted to say, "Shut up, Carolyn, you fucking bitch."

All these people that have stolen from the employees all live in mulit-million dollar homes, and now they want to bitch about how getting sued over money that they had no right to take in the first place is going to hurt their businesses? Boo hoo hoo.

These assholes never gave a shit that FOH'ers were living in tiny shoeboxes with roommates all this time. I'm pretty sure that in these 'uncertain economic times' that these people need the $3300 more than you do, you greedy fucking bitch.
 

Posted by: Dick Johnson Feb 2 2009, 01:18 PM

Not to mention the fact that if it had been in reverse, and an FOH'er had been caught stealing money from the house, that person would have been fired on the spot. But her argument is that the FOH should shut up and stop upholding the laws, because they'll lose their jobs.

Seriously, this moron is a lawyer? Why am I not surprised?


[Edited to add:] Another thing - what is she trying to say?

The workers are suing to get money that they earned, back. The owners never had a right to that money in the first place.

So if anyone should be giving up anything in these "uncertain economic times", it's the lawyers that should be giving up their fees, if they're so worried about these businesses failing.

 

Posted by: Inkslinger Feb 2 2009, 02:57 PM

QUOTE (Dick Johnson @ Feb 2 2009, 12:18 PM)
So if anyone should be giving up anything in these "uncertain economic times", it's the lawyers that should be giving up their fees, if they're so worried about these businesses failing.


Exactly, thank you!

Or if these owners are so worried about their economic situation, they should stop hiring lawyers and paying them so much to defend them when they know they're wrong, and just give back the fucking money they stole in the first place.
 

Posted by: Inkslinger Jun 3 2009, 11:24 AM

Did You Ever Work for Jean-Georges Vongerichten? Cash in Now!
http://nymag.com/daily/food/2009/06/did_you_ever_work_for_jean_geo.html
 

Posted by: BS Detector Jun 30 2009, 05:18 PM

http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/fbh/1241258024.html

JEAN-GEORGES VONGERICHTEN
seeks Experienced Line Cooks for Spice Market

Culinary Concepts by Jean-Georges creates international, multi-concept restaurants for Starwoods luxury hotel brands including W, Westin, Le Meridien and the St. Regis as well as free standing properties. Existing properties include Spice Market in New York City, Atlanta, Doha and Istanbul, Market in Buckhead and Market by Jean-Georges in Doha and Vancouver, J&G Steakhouse in Scottsdale, Chambers Kitchen at Chambers Hotel, Minneapolis, and Lagoon at St. Regis Resort, Bora Bora.

Requirements:
Line Cooks must have at least 2 years culinary experience, fine dining a plus.
MUST be hard working and willing to learn
Must have a pleasant and cheerful disposition
Must have excellent communication skills
Must be enthusiastic and a self-starter
Must be polished and professional
Must have positive attitude and be a team player

 

Ha! There used to be a time that just mentioning JG's name would have people running to apply for jobs, but now he has to advertise on Craigslist and has to sell himself by talking himself up.

Thank God I have never had the misfortune to work for him, but I know plenty of people that have. And they all say they would never work for him ever again, or recommend to anyone that they know to work for him. Good luck getting a good experienced person in this town. That's why SM sucked in the first place, no one good would ever stay there, not even Gray Kunz.

 

Posted by: whats anorexia? Jun 30 2009, 06:43 PM

i've never even worked in a rest my whole life, & after what i read in abbe's book and have seen here in the forum, even i would never let anyone i know work there!

 

Posted by: Inkslinger Aug 17 2009, 01:03 PM

EaterWire: JGV's Son at Perry Street...
http://eater.com/archives/2009/08/eaterwire_278.php#more

http://www.desperatechefswives.com/2009/08/goodbye-perry-st.html

Congrats, Chef's Wife and Chef!
 

Posted by: abbe Aug 18 2009, 01:54 PM

oh wow

but wait-- didn't i read something on "chefwives" about PerrySt being so understaffed that her hubby had to work 19 doubles in a row, just cuz a sous went on vacation?


yah. here it is---> http://www.desperatechefswives.com/2009/06/im-not-perfect.html

i mean
that kinda sucks. and that just made me think: "what the hells?"

i mean like for example i know one restaurant where the head chef has had to take off quite a lot recently cuz of a sudden unexpected upswing of PR promo "appearances" and whatnot.
so i was thinking hmm i'm pretty sure the rest of the staff is not being so maxed out like that. and how is it financially sound to have one person working all those doubles? the overtime costs alone must be ridiculous.

oh well. whatever

 

oh yah-- and congratulations chefwife and hubby!

 

Posted by: MONEYMAN Aug 21 2009, 10:04 AM

Hey Abbe..................salaried people don't get overtime!!!

 

Posted by: BS Detector Aug 22 2009, 01:44PM

Yeah, exactly.
Hey Abbe.................the kitchen staff is being maxed out because Perry doesn't make enough money to keep a big enough staff of hand???? That would make sense.
 

Posted by: Inkslinger Sep 18 2009, 10:41 AM

http://newyork.grubstreet.com/2009/09/jean-georges_opens_fiftieth_pr.html

Jean-Georges Opens 50th Project This Year

"Jean-Georges Vongerichtens group, Culinary Concepts, gloats that on November 1 hell open his 50th property this year..."

 

QUOTE

Where does he get the balls to put his name on so many restaurants and try to convince people that each of them has his attention?
Kernel Sanders did, but no one expected much of him.
By mymymichl on 09/17/2009 at 7:11pm


I get 33 if you just count all the places on both of his websites, and not all of those places belong to CC. This 50 property claim doesn't sound right... Where are the other places listed????
By StevieVong on 09/17/2009 at 10:21pm


...oh an apparently he has balls to spare...
By StevieVong on 09/17/2009 at 10:22pm

http://newyork.grubstreet.com/2009/09/jean-georges_opens_fiftieth_pr.html

 

 

Posted by: Captain Kangaroo Sep 21 2009, 11:22 AM

http://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/breaking/59255/
Le Fils
Jean-Georges Vongerichten wanted his son to be a lawyer. But at 27, Cedric just took over the kitchen at Perry St.




Listen to your father, If it wasn't for his Lawyer, you'd both be delivering chinese takeout on a bike.
By xdfxdfxdf on 09/20/2009 at 11:06 pm
http://nymag.com/news/intelligencer/breaking/59255/

 

 

Posted by: Dick Johnson Sep 21 2009, 06:00 PM


Oh, snap.
 
 
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