Gordon Ramsay on Flickr – Photo Sharing!
(Read the end of the post for our Ramsay contest.)
It’s almost like it never happened…
It’s been two weeks since there’s been a new episode of Kitchen Nightmares and I wrote about Sebastian’s. As I mentioned in that post, it’s right around the corner from where I live and I said I’d go see how it was, post-Ramsay.
So my son and I went two weeks ago Wednesday. I thought the show would be airing that night but it was postponed because of the world series. A bit of irony there, because the Red Sox were playing in the series and Sebastian’s is a Red Sox fan hangout, since Sebastian is from Massachusetts.
So, we went and kind of expected Kitchen Nightmares to air after the game. How perfect would it have been to watch the Sebastian’s episode of Nightmares AT Sebastian’s. But as soon as the game was over the TVs were switched off for….comedy night.
In a review on Yelp!, someone complained about the comedy and I thought to myself ‘That’s kind of a bullshit thing to complain about….how bad could it be?’
Now I know. Soul crushingly bad. Have you ever been to a really, horrendously painful comedy night? It’s been a while for me. I don’t get out much and I think the last comedy show I went to was Patton Oswalt’s birthday party at the M Bar a few years ago and that was just awesome. But bad comedy is worse then bad music. And Sebastian’s has really tremendously bad comedy, apparently every Wednesday.
Let’s talk post-Ramsay. Well – I didn’t see ANY changes. The menu was exactly the same as I remember it. Pizzas and sandwiches where you three things – a meat, a sauce and something else.
Our pizza was overcooked so the ctust was hard and hard to eat. The service was nice enough but when the comedy started the waitress vanished and so we were stuck there about 30 minutes longer then we needed to be.
Was it a Nightmare? The comedy was, actually. The food was just not great. The service was so-so. The weirdest part to me was there’s no indication of any changes that Ramsay made at all.
Update: Just finished watching the episode – very weird continuity, especially at the end where it was night then day then night again. The happy ending was totally tacked on – it’s obvious that Sebastian doesn’t have any respect for Ramsay and the ‘20 Flavor Combinations’ are still on the menu. So, the Fox version of Kitchen Nightmares is once again a letdown compared to the UK version and seems a lot more fake – they really want those happy endings, don’t they?
What did you think? Comment!
The Contest
Want to win a copy of Gordon Ramsay cookbook, A Passion For Flavour? I’m a fan of Ramsay’s for the cooking, not the yelling so I thought a Ramsay cookbook would be a great prize…
Here’s how you enter….it’s easy!
Just tell us a recipe. We’re not judging recipes, but picking an entry at random so don’t worry – any recipe will do. Just make it something you like and something you write yourself, not a cut and paste from another site.
Two ways to submit – if you have your own blog, do a blog entry with the recipe and then link to it here in comments. If you don’t have a blog, then enter the recipe right here in comments. You can comment on any Ramsay related post, not just this one.
I’ll pick a winner at random on Wednesday, December 12th – so you should get the book in time for Christmas. Winner will be notified by email, so make sure you enter a real email. Good luck!
Update: A commenter mentioned that Sebastian commented on Yelp! Here’s what he said, unedited…
hello this is Sebastian the owner and chef at Sebastians so many friends that are chefs told me never reply to peoples coments on review sites because they said half of them have no clue what they are talking about. I dissagree i think the people who suport my restaurant should speak thier minds. In this buissness you are never going to please everyone but all we can do is try. Some people don’t have a clue and others are just mad at life no matter what. As far as the comments made by SHIN P i have been open for three years and not only have i had an A letter grade but we have had more than once scored a perfect hundred and i remember your friends party and matter of fact they sent me an email a few days later telling me what a great time all of thier guest had. STEPHEN B said that his fries were soggy and he wasn’t impresed it is impossible for the fries we use to come out soggy and from what i read of all your reviews it sounds like your one of those people i spoke about at the begining of this response.
To everyone else i care about what you think and here is my contact # 818-509-8405 if there is ever a problem please do not hesitate to contact me asap so i can fix it……and unlike what STEPHEN B said i am there AAALLL THE TIME.
So thank you for suporting us FOR THREE YEARS
AND WE DID THE KITCHEN NIGHTMARES THING BECAUSE THEY WROTE US A HUGE CHECK
Sebastian’s – Toluca Lake, CA 91602 | Yelp
Blogged with Flock
November 7th, 2007 at 7:26 pm
FYI, Sebastian wrote a bit about his experience in the comments at Yelp! It seems that his problem with not taking criticism well is chronic.
November 7th, 2007 at 8:35 pm
Sebastian should learn how to spell. Dear God, it was like reading something a 2nd grade kid wrote. It’ll be funny watching that ungrateful bastard go bankrupt!
November 7th, 2007 at 8:40 pm
That’s why I mentioned ‘unedited’…
The show doesn’t start here for another 20 minutes…it should be interesting.
Sebastian was there himself both times I’ve visited. He seems nice enough and I certainly wouldn’t say it’s the worst restaurant I’ve ever been to. It’s okay – it’s ODDLY not good, that’s the problem. Idiosyncratic, I guess.
November 7th, 2007 at 10:15 pm
I saw tonight’s show and I have to tell you, that I would never visit Sebastian’s. I find him to be arrogant, selfish and ungrateful. To fire 49 employees in one year and seem proud, Sebastian is the problem, not the employees. From the employees that were on there tonight, I would say get the hell out of that place and find a real restaurant. You deserve so much better. As for Sebatian, if it wasn’t for your wife writing checks to keep open your restaurant, you would have been bankrupted years ago. You should pray to God everyday for your wife! Sebastian does seem to be a good microwave cook. Oh well, thank goodness we have so many good restaurants to choose from.
November 8th, 2007 at 12:00 am
i saw the show tonight and work in burbank also. i’m an old timer to burbank, so i think i’ve seen three restaurants in that location in the last ten years or so. only been to sebastian’s once, about a year ago and have to say, i wasn’t too impressed and haven’t been back since. pretty pricey for a lunch especially with all the competition in the area.
fun watching the show though.
thanks for the website, lots of great comments here.
last, here’s my entry for your contest.
Shirazi Salad.
Ingredients:
• 2 fresh cucumbers
• 2 fresh tomatoes
• ½ onion, chopped
• 2 TBS fresh lemon juice
• 2 TBS olive oil
Directions:
Combine chopped cucumbers, tomatoes and onions. Add the lemon juice, and olive oil.
November 8th, 2007 at 10:38 am
We finally got to see this episode, it only took 3 weeks..
November 8th, 2007 at 11:05 am
The end of Sebastian’s reply to this thread seemed strange.
“AND WE DID THE KITCHEN NIGHTMARES THING BECAUSE THEY WROTE US A HUGE CHECK”
Does that mean you just went on the show to take the money, not to actually improve your restaurant which is why the show selected you?
November 8th, 2007 at 11:19 am
Since I am 2000 miles away… I’ll never go there anyway… but even if I wasn’t… you couldn’t pay me to. What a jackass that “chef” (and I use that term with EXTREME sarcasm as even my 5 year old can microwave) is.
My entry… short, simple and delicious (Unlike anything going on at Sebastian’s)
Marinade Steak in Soy Sauce
Rub with garlic (powder works just as well as fresh for this)
Cut a lemon in half and rub the garlic in with the halved lemon
GRILL!
DELICIOUS!!
November 8th, 2007 at 3:46 pm
If Fat Seb was only in it for the money as claimed, that would explain why he suddenly saw the light after his tantrum near the end of the show. While he was crying in the alley, the producer probably had a “no play – no pay” talk with him. I think he was being so arrogant about changing things because he really doesn’t have anything invested in the place, his wife does. Why she would keep throwing good money after bad for the sake of giving slob hubby a pretend chef playground is beyond me. Maybe it just keeps him out of her hair and she can afford it. What a tool he is though. How can she have any respect for him? All the makings of a money wrecked marriage there. I work in radio and am in/out of the area frequently. I’ll check it out. If I sit down to that insane menu of his, I will leave immediately. Otherwise I’ll give it a shot.
Must point out though that Ramsay doesn’t exactly appear to be a pillar of integrity either. Nasty details in the lawsuit filed against him in New York after the Dillons episode. If memory serves, I also read where he intentionally wrecked a friend’s new restaurant by stealing the recipe book or something like that. Supposedly claimed to still have it locked up in a safe at his home.
Bachelor Chow Recipe:
-Cook 1 large box of Velveeta Mac and Cheese
-Cube and fry 1 large block of Spam
-Add 1/2 can of Rotel tomatoes
-Mix thoroughly and store in cheap plastic container.
Graze on it until it is either gone or you can’t stand it any more. Shelf life is amazing. It will probably outlast the container. *NOTE: Cheap plastic container will retain bountiful flavor from this dish and pass it along to future meals.*
November 8th, 2007 at 3:52 pm
I walked by Sebastian’s last Saturday night and the place was looked full! Go figure!
Jalapeno Chicken Salad
3/4 c mayo
1 tbsp lime juice
3 cups shredded cooked chicken (you can use the store rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken you have)
1/2 medium celery rib, chopped fine
1/2 small red onion, chopped fine
1/2 red bell pepper, seeded, chopped fine
1/4 c pickled jalapenos in jar, chopped fine
2 tbsp chopped cilanto
salt and pepper
Mix mayo and lime juice in small bowl until combined. Toss chicken, celery, onion, bell pepper, cilantro and jalapenos in a large bowl, add mayo mixture and toss until evenly coated. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve or cover and refrigerate up to 2 days.
November 8th, 2007 at 6:39 pm
Lisa – that’s one of the reasons I said that Sebastian’s didn’t seem to me to be on the verge of closing…I’ve always seen people in there.
And Sebastian indicated – in comments online, not on the TV show – that he used the money from Kitchen Nightmares to buy a liquor license, which I’m sure boosts both crowds and revenues…
November 9th, 2007 at 1:08 am
Well, he might stay open. You never know. All sorts of places stay open, but most don’t have Gordon Ramsay giving them advice.
Really Easy Pan Fried Chicken for very tired writers with kids
Ingredients: Chicken thighs
Orange Juice
Milk
Some orange zest
Salt & Pepper
Use chicken thighs, as the size will be uniform and will finish cooking evenly. If you have a lot of chicken, use two pans.
After washing the chicken pieces, pat the chicken dry. Soak the chicken in a combination of orange juice and milk for about 30 minutes (this helps to plump up the chicken a bit. Refrigerate the chicken while you do this. Do NOT leave it out. You’ll get sick, or your cat will eat it. Either one will be a disaster.
Throw out the OJ & Milk marinade. Pat down the chicken and season it with freshly ground sea salt & pepper.
Preferably using a deep, anodized non-stick pan, heat some olive oil. Wait until the pan & oil are hot.
After shoving your cat away from the chicken, put the seasoned chicken into the pan gradually, skin side down, throwing in the orange zest as well. Sear both sides, then leave it skin side down for until it is brown. Don’t freak out, just let it sit there cooking. If you have a splatter screen, use it. Then do the same thing to the other side. Continue cooking on either side until the juices run clear, and both sides are brown and crispy. It should take around ten minutes or so to cook. Make sure it’s done all the way by poking a fork into the chicken and making sure the juices run clear. Let the chicken set for about five minutes before serving. Save one piece for the cat.
Okay, here’s another one….
After School Snack for Children of Tired Writers
Raspberries, pineapple, blue berries, raspberries, boysenberries
Chocolate (Dark, 70%)
In a double boiler (you can buy one from the thrift store –never pay full price), melt the chocolate. Pour the chocolate into little ramekins or custard cups.
Put the fruit on a nice platter and get some cocktail toothpicks out.
Tell the kids to skewer the fruit, not one another, and dip the fruit into the chocolate.
Then tell them that you did this in the 1960’s only everyone called it fondue and it involved a bit of civility not to barb your sister with a long fork.
November 9th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
First off> i thnk the show is great. UK and US version are both good and i am kinda tired of hearing how the UK version is sooo much better…. whtvr…. the book is better then the movie and so on. right? their different – like the big island and maui…like them for what they are and get over it…personally i prefer maui – lol.
On Sebastians: – i would probably never eat their based on the menu abomanation – now that i know it is all frozen – i really wouldn’t be there for the food – only a drink and “bar” food to watch a game under the oft chance i did go. Sebastion himself is probably an alcoholic or some other addict – sweating – mood swings – and apprantly completely delusional to love the idea of a 20 combo menu and think he will go national. Purely idiotic. They will probably do ok for a bit due to the show – if he is smart he will sell now – somebody can take over and actually use Ramsay’s edu. If he doesn’t – things won’t end well… i feel bad for his wife in any case.
Other: The Dillon lawsuit was filed BEFORE the show aired by the GM who got fired and he alleged that the show made him look bad….dah …and he wanted to prevent it from being aired. That place was horrific and the former “GM” is lucky he didnt go to prison for killing somebody. He doesnt belong in the rest biz letting that place go business as usual like that…good god!
Ramsay should get accolades from the Dept of Health – i know i look closer now whereve i dine…any doubts- im outta there. Usually if i done someplace and i notice their restroom is gross – i wont go back ever – if that is what they are letting me see – what does it look like behind closed doors. Ramsay is providing the public a service no doubt. we are better off because of him.
Ramsay is pretty much knocking into our heads the same message (in UK and US shows) – cleanliness – freshness – simple – cost control (buy local when you can/buy better, portioning), serve what fits the location, and execution. Let’s hope the word reaches the restaurantuers of the world so we all have a better shot of a good experience and business owners a better chance to be succesful.
I always thought about going into the business – but after seeing his shows – ill think twice about it. If i do…i’ll ceratinly head his mantra. BTW: im going to Ramsay’s place in NYC next week….ill post my review.
November 15th, 2007 at 1:20 am
Hegemony cricket, I believe you’re referencing an article from The New Yorker (re: stealing of recipe book from friend); however, it was neither a recipe book nor a friend. It was his own restaurant’s reservation book (before the days of computer systems) and said friend was actually his mentor – Marco Pierre White…long and complicated relationship compounded by aggressive investors. Oh, and a healthy dose of pride with a touch of fear. http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2007/04/02/070402fa_fact_bufor
January 12th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Here in NH, we have a word for Bostonians like Sebastian: Masshole.
July 22nd, 2008 at 12:11 pm
The show just got aired in Denmark 10minutes ago.
A shame how Sebastian throws away all the goodwill he could have received on a show that air’s in several countries.
July 22nd, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Great show just played in Denmark.
I immediately Google’d to see if Sebastian kept his old menu…..but experience that the business in now closed down
However don’t Ramsey normally visit the restaurants a few week later “to check” if they kept the changes??
July 28th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
If you’ll notice, it was NOT a happy ending. Ramsey expressed his belief that fool Sebastian would go back to his TV dinner ways. At the end, they went to a black background instead of doing the usual follow-up.
Black, like death.
R.I.P Sebastian’s.