From Kent in the comments thread under our picture of Michael Voltaggio came this insightful, experienced observation about the Los Angeles restaurant scene:

Every (new) restaurant is the same. I haven’t been to a restaurant opening in over a year that didn’t make me think “I had this last week at Animal, Sotto, Freddy Smalls, Tar & Roses, Tasting Kitchen, etc…” Look at Ink.’s opening menu. Everything on it was a copy of someone else’s food. Top Chef is turning the restaurant scene into the NBA. A bunch of kids with some talent but not ready yet.