Topic: Restaurant Reviews

Adam Curry announces the registration of SlaveSpeak.com to host a list of linguistic filler words and "performatives." They critique the overreliance on the word "amazing" in restaurant reviews and television commentary. The hosts invite listeners to submit more examples of "unneeded wordage" that contribute to a decline in precise communication.

A review of the 5A5 Steak Lounge in San Francisco critiques the establishment's "steak lounge" concept and high prices. Specific complaints include overpriced caviar shooters, a lack of a cappuccino machine, and inconsistent service, leading to a recommendation against visiting.

Chef Gordon Ramsay's flagship restaurant in Chelsea has reportedly suffered an "unprecedented slide" in quality according to the Harden's London Restaurants guide. The discussion links Ramsay's professional struggles to a personal rift with his father-in-law, who is a major investor in his business. Speculation suggests the negative press may be influenced by this internal family and business conflict.

Absinthe Brasserie and Bar on Hayes Street in San Francisco is described as having a good atmosphere but inconsistent food quality. While the appetizers and drinks were acceptable, the escargot was criticized for being bland and lacking sufficient garlic. The establishment is noted more for its bar scene than its culinary execution.

A specialized "Mass Evacuation Bus" operated by Emergency Medical Services was spotted on a highway, featuring blacked-out windows and a prisoner-transport design. The show concludes with a promise of a future restaurant review and a call for continued listener donations. Hosts Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak sign off from San Francisco and Silicon Valley.

A review of a meal at the Four Seasons restaurant highlights several service failures, including a forgotten doggy bag and a lack of sommelier expertise. The hosts describe an incident where a server failed to pour the last half-glass of wine from a bottle. Despite the high cost, the overall experience was deemed a "fail" due to these lapses in attentive service.

John C. Dvorak recounts his experience dining at approximately 14 high-end restaurants across the Netherlands, criticizing a perceived lack of variety in decor and service. He notes that most establishments utilized identical Villeroy & Boch tableware and crumb scrapers, suggesting a dominant industry consultancy. The critique extends to the food presentation, which he describes as dated vertical Nouvelle cuisine featuring French cheeses rather than local Dutch varieties.

A visit to Coco (formerly Bisou) in San Francisco was marred by a poor atmosphere, described as "dank" with a strong odor of cheese. Despite the environment and structural issues with the floor, the food was acceptable, and the hosts shared a bottle of 2003 Pavilion Rouge du Chateau Margaux. The restaurant's booking through OpenTable is noted alongside the company's IPO filing.

A strategy for evaluating the reliability of online reviewers and journalists involves checking their historical archives to see if their tastes align with the reader's. Using Yelp as an example, the host explains how to verify a reviewer's credibility by comparing their past restaurant ratings to one's own known preferences.

A detailed review of Chapeau, a French restaurant in San Francisco, highlights a mix of high-quality food and inconsistent service. The experience included confusion over reservations, a missing palate cleanser, and incorrectly cooked meat. Despite service errors, the meal is described as reasonably priced for the quality provided.

A visit to Acme Steakhouse near Candlestick Park in San Francisco is reviewed, focusing on the quality of their baby back ribs. The meat is described as slow-cooked or parboiled to the point of falling off the bone, though lacking a traditional barbecue smoke ring. The establishment is characterized as a functional and reliable spot for high-quality meat.

The hosts critique a recent lunch at Fringale, describing the food as tasteless and lacking passion. Specifically, a chicken dish is cited as being poorly marinated and uninspired. There is speculation regarding whether the head chef was absent, as the restaurant's quality has reportedly become spotty.