Comments on: Adventures in Restaurant Life (Or, Why Some Chefs Go Postal)

By: Kathy

Kathy — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 15:20:00 +0000

I knew this already – but you’re the bomb! I’ve been getting riled up all weekend about the “bystander effect” and “diffusion of responsibility,” and talking with my 16-y-o sister about not buying into that stuff – and she gets it, but the more I think about people letting jacked up stuff happen in front of them, the iller I get. And then I read this blog, and…thank you. Thank you for being awesome and decent, and for paying attention to your sense of something being off, and for getting involved. I’m sure Leah thanked you, and her “thank-you” trumps mine, in my opinion, but I just wanted to say thank you anyway, for telling this tale, because obviously there ARE people who aren’t going to just be bystanders, but who are willing and ready to jump in and help others out. I’m probably not saying this as well as I could – but thank you. That’s what I mean. The story was an amusing glimpse into crazy restaurant life, but I got more out of it than that, and I can’t really explain it better than that, so, you know, just, thank you.

Also – thank you for the kitty and Kat blogging (so cute and also good for the heart), and the delicious recipes.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 04:06:38 +0000

Allright, I promise to post more of my crazy stories–maybe I’ll start next week off with the confrontation between Wiener Boy and Chef Vader that resulted in Chef Vader opening up an Anthony Bourdain-sized can of verbal whuppass on WB. That one always amuses people, because I am normally pretty chilled out, laid back and especially on the internet, calm and gently spoken.

WB brought out the real me, the reason I get called Chef Vader.

Amy–the pictures are SO awesome. If you ever are travelling to Ohio, come through Athens, particularly on a Saturday night, and you could dance. Either Leah or Anoushka would be happy to share the spotlight–and they both love to talk with other dancers.

And, of course, if you dance for us, we’ll certainly feed you well! By the time we move, we will be having kebab, stir fried dishes, curries, dals, tagines and all sorts of other goodies that I know you would like.

Come on down!

Starrie and Kimba–I think every restaurant person has an entire file of crazy stories to tell. It is just part of the business, I reckon.

Starrie–you handled that one really well–good on you!

Dan–the Casablanca analogy was spot on. None of our patrons seemed to mind that we had a slight altercation in our doorway for a brief, not too shiny moment.

And as glad as I am that I didn’t have to stomp TPD’s person, I am even more glad that you didn’t have to introduce him forcibly to your doumbek.

A drum is a terrible thing to waste….

artcargirl–you know when it is time to keep the pants on, which is why you are always welcome at my table. Even when my pants are not on (I am referring to the Starwood windstorm incident,,,,)

Thanks Christopher.

Neohippie–our friends RULE! That was ever so awesome and I would have loved to have seen it. It would have done my Chef Vaderly heart good to see that. Give them all a hug from the Chef in Black!

By: Neohippie

Neohippie — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 14:07:11 +0000

Neat story! Though I’m a little disappointed that you didn’t stomp him. I suppose it’s good that it didn’t come to that, but I must admit that reading that I was thinking, “Just stomp the asshole!”

Reminds me of last week when a group of my friends were at a restaurant in Austin called the Blue Dahlia Bistro celebrating a birthday. Nearby one of the waitresses was counting her tips, and some guy off the street snuck in, grabbed a handful of cash from right under her nose, and made a dash for the door.

The waitress somehow teleported herself to block his escape, and started telling him off. This all happened so fast that it took a minute for any of us to react, but once we realized what was happening, not one, but THREE of my male friends lept up and stood behind the waitress to back her up, though with how that girl was handling herself maybe she didn’t need it!

My friends then escorted the fella to the front porch and distracted him while the wait staff comforted the waitress and called the cops. They managed to keep him there until the cops came.

I was so proud! THAT’S the kind of guys that I associate with! The sort you’d actually want in your restaurant.

By: Christopher Gordon

Christopher Gordon — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 22:53:09 +0000

Awesome

just

Awesome

By: Dan

Dan — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 19:21:30 +0000

I wasn’t too hip to the idea of going outside from the get-go, (the alley that Salaam opens up onto Court Street RIGHT across from a VERY large, and typically VERY-crowded-on-a-Saturday-evening bar.)

I just had a bad feeling about it, but Leah thought we could drum up some business, and insisted that they used to do it when they first opened.

It did actually bring several people in, who knew where we were from and said to us, “Are you guys crowded?”

“Nope, not at all. Go on in,” to which they enthusiastically seemed to drop any other plans and made a bee-line for the restaurant door.

The first of the bar fellows, who was the more socially acceptable of the two kept his distance. I saw the second guy, (who would momentarily transform into his Alter-Ego TPD,) coming across the street. I took note of his trajectory, and figured he would join his other friend, and while it would be silly, and perhaps a little lewd on their parts, nothing like what actually transpired would occur.

Then BAM he was inches from Leah, and Barbara was on him.

I’m very thankful that Chef Vader turned up to defuse the situation. Because I really didn’t want to demonstrate the beauty of how a cast aluminum doumbek sounds when played with the skull of a drunken asshole. Instead, I just had to play Secret-Service Man, and cover Leah’s escape and pass her off to Morganna when we got to the kitchen.

The rest of the diners seemed to take it all in stride.

Very much reminded me of the arrest scenes in Casablanca, (and considering the cuisine and the decor, the analogy is quite apropos.) Everyone looks up for a second, shrugs and then goes about their evening when the situation is over.

I laughed out loud when I heard the guy say to Barbara, “What if I ordered some onion rings, could I stay then?”

Onion Rings?