How much longer on Centro? Options

[Dick Johnson]

waiting with baited breath..................THE GRASSHOPPER CHRONICLES.....................

Unfortunately, I don't have time to finish it right now. Sorry, but it'll have to wait until tomorrow.

I'm stealing your title, though. That's a good one. LOL.

[MILFweed]

On a semi-related note has anyone ever seen Abbe and Sasha together? They look like a hotter Rupert and Wendi.

http://gawker.com/news/non_explications/ru...ppet-278114.php
In lieu of the regular (and tedious) daily roundup of Rupert Murdoch stories, please enjoy this A.P. picture of the News Corp. mogul and his wife, Wendi Deng, strolling about Sun Valley. Is it just us, or do the people at Jim Henson Productions have a pretty good case of copyright infringement here?

[Dick Johnson]

Presenting: THE GRASSHOPPER CHRONICLES

- March 20, 2007 - The saga begins here; Abbe Diaz (beauteous author, blogger, Forum launcher, "former maitre d' to the stars" and girlfriend of Gusto/Centro/Mangia owner Sasha Muniak) comments about her dining experience at the newly opened Morandi. She writes, "...i've pretty much refrained from commenting about Morandi, mostly because maybe it's like too personal or some shit, but i must say that place works my every last nerve.
the thing i find utterly retarded is
clearly they have opted to keep some of the same things that still currently appear on the Gusto menu. okay fine all well and good. except
if you happen to comment on it (like to the bartender for example) they get all irritated and indignant like it's APPALLING you would even mention it. i mean for fuck's sake, if that's the decision you make, i think you'd better get a fucking sense of humor about it...."
The entire comment remains at http://pxthis.invisionzone.com/index.php?s...ndpost&p=57 (It's definitely worth a read.)


- App. 5 hours later, a new Forum registrar known as "Brook" responds, "I worked for hair plug muniak and it is going to be a pleasure to see him fail. Proper question on Gusto is why didn't the new chef change the menu? Obviously Williams will cook what she learned in the 6 years she spent in Italy (only self taught female Italian chef in America) and just like Giorione and Il Buco, Gusto will not be about the food for long." (See http://pxthis.invisionzone.com/index.php?s...ndpost&p=69 )


- Abbe immediately responds:

oh YEAAAH that's what i'm talkin bout. i'm like a proud bricklayer right now-- this place was built to keep it "real"

YOUR PUBLICIST CANNOT HELP YOU HERE MISS THING

a: name calling, "Brook" ?? yah that's mature

b: and thanks for making my point. my point WAS:
who gives a shit what Williams cooks where. but WHY get all pissy if the patrons bring it up ?? did you REALLY think NOBODY was going to comment on the fact the menu is similar. get serious

c: AS IF Morandi is about the FOOD. aha ha ha hahah haaa that's a good one.

d: sorry but Gusto was never about the fucking FOOD either. at least not to me, it wasn't. and there was a time i was there at least once or twice a week.
i went first for the location. THEN the bar (it's actually quite nice). THEN i kept going back so often because of artan.

e: yeah i bet you'd love to "see him fail." it's called ENVY.
why don't you do us all a favor and try holding your breath.

(note: Abbe later clarifies, under this topic "...need i remind you this entire "drama" was precipitated by a "validating member" named "Brook." i will not tell you HOW i come to have very strong personal opinions on this matter, but perhaps it would behoove you to inquire, from someone with some technological experience, just how these interweb website forum thingies work exactly...")


- The next day, March 21, 2007 - (the first of several unfavorable Morandi reviews) Steve Cuozzo of The NY Post declares Morandi a dud.


- The following day, March 22, 2007 - A "dubious" photograph of a grasshopper in a Mangia wrap appears in the inbox of Eater.com
http://eater.com/archives/2007/03/mangia_grasshop.php
[Worth noting: It was eater.com that first "broke the story" of chef Jody Wiliams leaving Gusto for Morandi, as seen here: http://eater.com/archives/2006/06/eaterwire_black.php ]


- The Morandi topic in this Forum progresses, as several commenters begin to imply the grasshopper incident is not a coincidence.


- Gawker.com "picks up" the item, stressing the similarity in menus between Gusto and Mangia Morandi [edited: by angel 7-18-07 10:58AM]
http://gawker.com/news/keith-mcnally/moran...-rip-246346.php


- Almost immediately, Eater.com attacks Abbe Diaz
http://eater.com/archives/2007/03/launches_releas_4.php
The Eater "item" contains several falsehoods, which is then (brilliantly) addressed by the PXThis Forum publicist, as seen here:
"EATER.COM - Addressing all its inaccuracies about The Forum @ PX This...
http://pxthis.invisionzone.com/index.php?showtopic=35


- The next day, Eater.com concedes its misrepresentation:
http://eater.com/archives/2007/03/who_is_abbe_dia.php


- Over subsequent postings, industry rumors surrounding Morandi, Keith McNally, Jody Williams (and Williams' apparent friendship with Eater.com's Ben Leventhal) and her former boss, Sasha Muniak, begin to emerge.
It culminates with a Page Six parody, "JUST ASKING....
What tantrum throwing, egomaniacal hotspot chef is so psycho, it's possible she tried to derail her former boss by resorting to sabotage? One day after the anonymous comment, "...it is going to be a pleasure to see him fail" appeared on an online restaurant industry insider forum, a mysterious, questionable, dubious photograph of an insect in a particular food item sold by said former boss (and current competitor), suddenly showed up at eater.com. What are the odds?"
http://pxthis.invisionzone.com/index.php?s...dpost&p=447?


- The next day, Jody Williams' live-in girlfriend, Diana, registers for the Forum and replies, "I can say with 100% certainty that Jody has never been associated with any posting to this site. When Jody was asked by one of her cooks "did you put a grasshopper in a Mangia wrap" she giggled and asked him what he was talking about. When she decided to leave Gusto, she telephoned Amanda Frietag (sp?) and asked her if she wanted her job because she respected her as a chef and was friendly with her. In addition, opposed to much of the chatter on this site, she enjoyed working for Sasha Muniak saying on many occasions to me that he was one of the best bosses she ever had (I too like his gentle soul and really had a strong bond with his son Alexi). It appears that a lot of the posts written on this site are from the front of the house staff at Gusto who may have had run-ins with her. Its sad because I know when push comes down to shove she really did like everyone and enjoyed the two years that she spent there. She has been working extremely long hours without a day off in months getting her kitchen up to her standards. I also know that going from a restaurant that does 200 covers a night to close to 400 covers there is a lot of stress in sending out food that meets her standard. Does she yell? What chef doesn't. Sorry I'm ranting on about this but it really is upsetting to see someone you love and respect be put over the ringer."


- Diaz responds,

"hi Diana,
we've never met but i have heard of you through our mutual acquaintances, i've been told you are kind and sweet and very nice. i understand very much how upsetting it is to see "someone you love and respect" being spoken of in this manner. perhaps maybe now you understand my gut response to the commenter signed in as "Brook." i fully appreciate what you are saying, and am very grateful you took the time, energy, and effort to come here and address this issue.

i hope you appreciate my stance as well, i believe everyone is entitled to their say. i do not know whether this news will be unsettling to you or not, but i can assure you the majority of the commenters in this thread are NOT Gusto FOH staff, as i do happen to know several of the "members" personally, either having met in person, or through extensive correspondence over the last several months (i can't speak for them ALL, as there are certainly members here whose identities i do not know). you may find this hard to believe, but it's my experience that it is actually the Gusto staff who is most reluctant to discuss these matters, either here or in person. as i have mentioned, even i no longer dine at Gusto, as i have had personal problems of my own with the FOH staff.

you claim to know with "100% certainty" that chef-williams has no association with any posting here. i respect your conviction, but ask that you extend me the same courtesy when i reply to the contrary-- i'm sorry, but it is my belief you are wrong.

as for chef-williams, she is now in the (unfortunate?) situation of being a "celebrity," and i do mean that in the strictest definition of the word. by virtue of her self-imposed foray into the limelight, she is now subject to scrutiny and all the consequences that go along with it. i think everyone that has commented here has been quite fair (unlike eater.com's initial response), particularly in specifying their opinions are purely speculation and hearsay, and encouraging readers to form their own conclusions. i am VERY PROUD of those who have chosen to comment here, as it is my (vast) personal experience the internet CAN be a daunting and malicious place, often inspiring people to vociferate their worst, secure in their anonymity.

thank you again, and all the best to you and ms. williams.

- Fast forward several months, to the Forum discussion of the impending opening of Muniak/Burrell's Centro (located mere blocks from McNally/Williams' Morandi)
http://pxthis.invisionzone.com/index.php?showtopic=111


- Again, industry rumors emerge, this time involving Muniak's offspring, who are, in short, said to be rambunctious, "arrogant", "unappreciative" and far too garrulous, to be good for Centro's "image" amongst those who are, shall we say, esoterically informed.
The comments begin here http://pxthis.invisionzone.com/index.php?s...post&p=2064 and progress accordingly.


- Eater.com jumps all over it, declaring, "Right Under Diaz's Nose, the Worm Turns on Muniak." (June 28, 2007)
http://eater.com/archives/2007/06/board_wr...reader_comments


- (Brilliant Forum Orator Extraordinaire) Dick Johnson observes, "LOL. When it comes to us, I think Eater (read: Ben Leventhal) would put a "negative spin" on it, if we all got together and cured cancer."




- July 10, 2007- Eater.com "unveils" Centro
http://eater.com/archives/2007/07/centro_u...reader_comments
Within the comments section, a reader posts a disdainful remark about Muniak's family, and signs it "Dick Johnson". A second commenter responds by attacking the PXThis Forum, claiming "hating" and "drama" are "predictable" here.



- Immediately, the real "Dick Johnson" of PXThis emphatically denies posting that comment.
http://pxthis.invisionzone.com/index.php?s...post&p=2207


- Abbe Diaz forwards that denial to Eater.com, but is then accused of being an Abbe Diaz imposter.


- After a slight tumultuous anti-Centro wave descends on the PXThis Forum, the rally behind Muniak begins to re-shape after a (cute and happy) member named Ferret-n-Chicken! reminds and suggests, "just think about how everybody says Sasha is a really nice guy, and also I know I'm definitely curious to see what that Iron chef chick can do!!!"


- Less than 2 hours later, William's girlfriend reappears and comments,

"You guys are really a bunch of assholes. I said it before and I'll say it again, Jody doesn't read reviews, go on blogs etc. I don't know why I care but I do. People tell me consider the source with this site but I don't listen to them. Jody quit Gusto and gave unlimited notice. Jody replaced herself in the kitchen. It took three people to replace her...the chef at gusto, sarah at Mangia and Anne at Centro. (thanks to Mark Latner because he wasn't interested so he referred Sasha to her). Sorry guys but Morandi is not a failure, Jody could cook when Sasha asked her to stay and she can cook now. Morandi's front of the house is run better than any establishment that Jody has worked in NYC. And for the last time, Jody is way too busy at Morandi to go online with some bullshit fake name and verbally abuse Gusto/Mangia/Centro. Perhaps Craig was right when he said that the only way that Abbe Diaz can get attention on this blog is to stir up fake controversy. Every f'n subject seems to mention Jody. Seriously, are you insane?
Good thing that Giorgio didn't get one of his lackies to attack Jody when Sasha lured her away from him.
Simply Unbelievable.

- Diaz responds here, here, here, and in conclusion (my personal favorite) here.


- Within minutes, Eater.com declares Abbe Diaz is having a "meltdown".
http://eater.com/archives/2007/07/boardwrap_pass.php


And thus, here we are.










To be continued (?)......


Continued here>> http://pxthis.invisionzone.com/index.php?s...post&p=4319

This post has been edited by angel: Apr 25 2008, 10:55 AM

Reason for edit: Edited by angel to add hyperlink for "Continued..."

[Jason Has-Binn]

look at all the purrty colors

[Dick Johnson]

look at all the purrty colors

What, too much?

[abbe]

Presenting: THE GRASSHOPPER CHRONICLES...

you call that a SUMMARY ??

[abbe]

On a semi-related note has anyone ever seen Abbe and Sasha together? They look like a hotter Rupert and Wendi.

http://gawker.com/news/non_explications/ru...ppet-278114.php
In lieu of the regular (and tedious) daily roundup of Rupert Murdoch stories, please enjoy this A.P. picture of the News Corp. mogul and his wife, Wendi Deng, strolling about Sun Valley. Is it just us, or do the people at Jim Henson Productions have a pretty good case of copyright infringement here?

ah ha ha ha aha ha har har haaa

this coming from fucking "kate-moss and pete-doherty"






(bitch i'm 39 and theWrapKing is 58. don't even)

[Dick Johnson]

you call that a SUMMARY ??

OK, so it's a detailed summary.

(But at least I was "nice".)

[Dick Johnson]

(bitch i'm 39 and theWrapKing is 58. don't even)

That's "Grasshopper Wrap King", thank you very much.

[abbe]

http://eater.com/archives/2007/07/boardwrap.php
2. Okay, I suppose I'm a moron for not understanding this PX fight. Can someone please summarize the key points of interest here? I understand the issues with Morandi and the similar menus and all that jazz, but I can't figure out what in the hell all this screaming is about. Thanks.

in short: that's exactly what we're wondering too

[Dick Johnson]

Not for nothing, but I walked by Centro yesterday, and it looks pretty good to me. The windows are still all papered up, but it's obvious they did alot of work to the building. It looks vaguely reminiscent of Gusto, in that it seems like it won't have that old 'weathered' look like Morandi and Gemma. So, it does seem like the comparisons between Morandi and Centro aren't valid, so there isn't much point for a 'war'. If anything, it looks like more of a toss-up between Gemma, Morandi and Da Silvano.

This post has been edited by Dick Johnson: Jul 16 2007, 12:20 PM

[Ferret-n-Chicken...]

That's a great summary, Dick!!!!

[Ferret-n-Chicken...]

http://eater.com/archives/2007/07/boardwrap.php
4. WHO CARES

By jooble at July 15, 2007 2:55 AM

Obviously, eater cares, and we care also. And obviously anyone who would bother to post 'who cares' must also care otherwise you wouldn't even be clicking on the link in the first place. I am so sick of these stupid people!!!!!!

[Inkslinger]

Not for nothing, but I walked by Centro yesterday, and it looks pretty good to me. The windows are still all papered up, but it's obvious they did alot of work to the building. It looks vaguely reminiscent of Gusto, in that it seems like it won't have that old 'weathered' look like Morandi and Gemma. So, it does seem like the comparisons between Morandi and Centro aren't valid, so there isn't much point for a 'war'. If anything, it looks like more of a toss-up between Gemma, Morandi and Da Silvano.

I heard Centro is mostly modern, with leather banquettes and "alot of white".

(Good job on the summary, D.J.)

This post has been edited by Inkslinger: Jul 16 2007, 01:40 PM

[Inkslinger]

Obviously, eater cares, and we care also. And obviously anyone who would bother to post 'who cares' must also care otherwise you wouldn't even be clicking on the link in the first place. I am so sick of these stupid people!!!!!!

These are the same people who say "who cares" about Paris Hilton, but they read every article that's written about her.

[abbe]

http://eater.com/archives/2007/07/boardwrap.php
4. WHO CARES

By jooble at July 15, 2007 2:55 AM

diana cares !


and actually
i care too ! (what the fuck-- i have nothing better to do today anyways)

[abbe]

I heard Centro is mostly modern, with leather banquettes and "alot of white".

well that certainly sounds very thomas-juul.hansen all right.

[abbe]

These are the same people who say "who cares" about Paris Hilton, but they read every article that's written about her.

HEY
i don't actually READ the articles i just look at the fucking pictures mostly OKAY

[but i make sure i never ever actually BUY any of those magazines or newspapers or whatever, i just pay attention if it comes free online. but i never click on the ads-- and i try my best not to even look at them. so there.]

[Inkslinger]

well that certainly sounds very thomas-juul.hansen all right.

I have already heard the inevitable Perry St. comparisons.

[john.smith]

What, too much?

not if you're a bag of skittles......................