Top Chef NYC

Kinda surprised Ariane (think that's her name) didn't go home tonight after a second straight bad performance. I was thinking the Ostrich Egg chef would get more credit for going out of her comfort zone, especially when Ariane admitted the lemon meringue mousse was something she's done in her restaurant.

Hard to think one of the Euros won't be in the final three this season, they both seem very strong.

 

How the heck does a Whole Foods have ostrich eggs, but only one kind of crab?

At least Jill tried for the oddball element. That should count for something. But it never does, unless the judges want to dock you for not breaking out of their elements. That lemon pudding martini was pathetic. Seriously, that's the kind of dessert at the end of the line at Luly's.

It's a more likable group than last time.

 

Is it just me or does Melissa look a little like Mena Suvari after an 18-day coke bender?

 

I thought this episode was kinda lame ... plus I was so hopeful for that crab entree. Good dungeness = win. Bad Whole Foods selection = fail. Boo.

 

If you've never read Tom Colicchio's blog, it's just an amazing insight into the mind of a true chef. Here he takes apart the meaning of New American Cuisine and why he was so annoyed by some of last night's offerings:

http://www.bravotv.com/Top_Chef/season/5/blogs/index.php?blog=tom_colicchio&article=2008/11/time_warp

I would have kept the Ostrich Egg just for the coolness of the egg, but I guess a smart chef doesn't just use weird stuff for the sake of using weird stuff. It had to taste sick. Plus that hot dog sushi looked revolting.

 

I think she was relying on the coolness factor of the Ostrich egg to take her over the top, like "Wow, she cooked with an ostrich egg. How groundbreaking!" What she forgot was she still has to make the dish taste good.

 

I'm about 20 minutes behind the show, so I wanted to post here before spoilers (hi tx! )

I heart Dave Grohl. So much.

 

Best. Top. Chef. Line. Ever.

"Tom-the-hottie-gay-bear-icon-Colicchio"

 

Yeah, I'm sad Team Rainbow is down to one person. I liked that guy.

 

Did anyone else notice they did not show Eugene's soup during the quick fire? Wonder if it was just an editing mistake, or if he, for some reason, did not compete. Also noticed they never said who the bottom three were with the soup.
This thing is coming down to Fabio or Stefan. Leah is going to have a breakdown at some point, and I bet it's influenced by Hosel (sp?) and her flirtatious attitude towards him and, well, everyone. Though I'd like Eugene to go far, just because of where he started (washing dishes).

 

I didn't notice, but they are kinda letting him fly under the radar a bit. He seems to have a lot of talent and the judges were really impressed by his impromptu-grill last night.

I DID notice, however, that towards the end of the show there was a commercial break, they came back for 30 seconds to show the "fight" between the guy from NYC and the soup girl, and then cut back to commercial. That was weird. Overall a really good episode.

 

Do all European men kiss each other as much as Stefan and Fabio?