Things Are Tough All Over

High end restaurants from New York to Los Angeles are hurting…

This article in the Wall Street Journal explains how even such a strong operator as Stephen Hanson’s B.R. Guest group has not been able to halt the receding tide of customers in the biz. He’s just closed multiple restaurants in the Big Apple and the Windy City, including the mega-famous Ruby Foo’s and the highly regarded Fiamma — helmed by uber-chef Fabio Trabocchi to 3-star status over the past two years. (So much for the power of restaurant critics.)

Continue reading “Things Are Tough All Over”

Best Food Week Ever – Parts Four And Five Preview

Tonight (in less than three hours) begins Part Four of ELV’s Best Food Week Ever. As part of the James Beard Foundation’s Taste America Event, ELV will be hosting a dinner at Fiamma at the MGM Grand (with an amazing meal + wines being offered by Carlos Buscaglia and Fabio Trabocci at the not-exactly-bargain-priced-but-all-for-a-worthy-cause cost of $350/per). As wonderful as the food (and the privately selected wine) is sure to be, you won’t want to miss ELV’s sparkling commentary on same — delivered with the twinkle-in-his-eye irony and rakish charm for which he is known.

Continue reading “Best Food Week Ever – Parts Four And Five Preview”