Just caught the rerun yesterday and I think everyone above sums up my feeling on this show. The blend into the background and make smart political decisions awards go to Spike and Antonia this season. They should both go on survivor after lasting this long. Lisa still being on the show makes no sense, as she has not blended in or played a smart political game. It's almost like the judges are trying to keep her for some reason. I like Bourdain as a judge and hope we see more of him.

Well Spike went home last night. The remaining four are off to Puerto Rico for the finals. Lisa could just as easily gone home last night. Someone needs to wipe that smug look off her face. They pointed out that it was her fifth time being in the bottom group last night, but I'm sure she thinks it's someone else's fault.

Ok - my review: A little long since I liked the show and we are winding down.

First off - That was the first episode that really made me hungry. Wow! - Prime Ribs long bone, dry aged yum! I could have eaten those chops blue right there at the butcher's table! and I got several different ways to cook steaks too. Loved Antonia's quickfire method of flaming for char and then basting in butter in the pan. Wow.

A lot of great lookin' steaks and yes I went to my butcher today and bought some - just off the craving the show gave me! I yelled to my wife last night at 10:30 "Honey - we are having steaks tomorrow! - big ones!"

It was only a matter of time for Spike so that was fine by me. I mean we know he was not winning top chef so what's the difference when he went. Same for Lisa. Lisa just seems to luck out by someone just being worse. Antonia is really doing better. She's never the best but she always seemed to be on the winning team earlier on and knows what she can cook. She is much better solo too when she can pick what she wants.

Stephanie is just humming along and racking up some serious prizes. The trip to spain last week and now the new kitchen ovens and ranges. I happen to think Richard may be deeper in talent and laying out executive chef planning and so on but I think Stephanie is best pure cook that will please most diners consistantly and so she is my pick to win this.

Ok. Now I have to look at my steaks for tonight....and then wonder why they didn't come out as good

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Hunter,

MLV and I watched this last night - I was fine with the result - Spike should have gone long ago - I cannot believe that Lisa is in the finals though and frankly that is just a joke. Antonia - has basically kept a low profile - not been the source of drama - lucked out/chose well in being on Richard and Stephanie's team at least twice. Stephanie and Richard are by far the two best - and if they are not the finalists then the show is ridiculous. As long as one of those 2 wins, I am fine with the result.

You can also tell that they respect each other the most

Just watched last night...in line with what you all said. Two horse race between Stephanie and Richard. I really think ti may come down to the specific challenge to determien the winner. If it comes down to creativity, Richard will win...if it is pure cooking, Stephanie.

Lisa is a hag.

Spike deserved to go- he won two quickfires and got to pick the ingredients and made bad decisions on both.

Regarding the food...Richards app looked awesome. And man o man those steaks...this weekend I am going to try Antonia's method...a butter bath..I like it. Peanut butte rmashed potatoes...blech.

Ok, thats it for now

quote:

I really think ti may come down to the specific challenge to determien the winner. If it comes down to creativity, Richard will win...if it is pure cooking, Stephanie.

I totally agree with that. If the finale is cooking up 12 snooty appetizers for an art gallery opening or something - that's a Richard winner. If the challenge is to cook for one of the judge's family with their parents and so on or comfort food kinda things - Stephanie would be my choice.

I'd even give Antonia a shot if the challenges are more home-style or comforty. If she can make warm pasta dishes, stews and roasts, she's right there now.

Interesting contrast for sure. Makes it fun

I was fine with Spike being kicked off, but really Lisa should have been gone a while a go. She shows no real talent and has a terrible personality and attitude.

As you've all stated, it SHOULD come down to Richard and Stephanie...which will be a great finish to this moderately entertaining season.

3 nice people remain and one egghead. Lisa needs to go.

Richard is still the most talented, but he does mix moments of brilliance with a doofus move every now and then.

You know a actually thought that they might kick off both Spike and Lisa this week. I like both Richard and Stephaine, but think Richard blew it this when his steak was too rare.....If you can't cook a steak right? Lisa has gotta go.....

Just watched yesterday. Spike gets to pick first and he goes for a bag of frozen scallops!!! The only thing dumber than that was talking sh#t to the restaurant owner/judge that he didn’t have quality product in his restaurant!! Unbelievable.

The finals should be fun.

Rick Tramanto should have been called on that, just not right then. I have had wonderful dining experiences at Tru but have had no urge to visit any of his other places since he founded his Cenitare restaurant group. I pretty much figured the quality would be much lower and frozen scallops lead me to believe my suspicions are correct.

It is claimed that the frozen scallops were placed there by the producers to see if anybody would be dumb enough to use them. Tramanto okayed it for the show. As for Spike using them, I'm sure he thought "I can screw everyone else by taking the scallops." He should have learned from the last time he got to pick first-take what you can cook well, don't try to play games.

Well, that's good to know. Still, I'm not schlepping 30 miles in the 'burbs to eat there.

quote:

Originally posted by VT2IT:
It is claimed that the frozen scallops were placed there by the producers to see if anybody would be dumb enough to use them. Tramanto okayed it for the show. As for Spike using them, I'm sure he thought "I can screw everyone else by taking the scallops." He should have learned from the last time he got to pick first-take what you can cook well, don't try to play games.

I find that hard to believe. As popular as this show is, especially with "foodies", why would a restaunteur take any chance of usng frozen foods as a test to see if these folks are smart or not. I think he got caught with an inferior ingredient and is looking for an out.

According to Tom Colicchio's Blog, "Along with the high-end steaks they had provided for the show, Allen Bros. had included a variety of other products to round out the restaurant’s existing stock, including frozen scallops, which is how they came to be in Tramonto’s walk-in."

Looking forward to tonight. I just wish the new shows were on earlier. Busy day today - will need the espresso.

Please, if there is any justice in the world, Lisa will go home tonight.

I missed the finish (red wings game, then to the airport to pikck up my father).


Lisa sucks. Who got send home?

Antonia got sent home. The end is actually comical...Lisa told Stephanie and Richard that they should have congratulated her.

Did anyone else notice Antonia snubbing Gail Simmons when she was she shook their hands goodbye? She went up to Tom first and Gail's hand was just left out there.

quote:

Antonia got sent home. The end is actually comical...Lisa told Stephanie and Richard that they should have congratulated her.

Yeah. Lisa could feel the dissapointment and well - disgust from them when she got to stay. I think it was funny that she let them know

Ok. Thank god for Padma - again, because in a setting like Puerto Rico, the beach etc and this set of [cough] "female" chefs, it was needed. Seeing Stephanie, Antonia and especially Lisa (man - what a brute) sweating wearing tank tops and jeans man o man. And to make matters worse, it looked like Lisa and Stephanie packed on another 10-15 lbs during the Chicago to PR break - which neither needs. "Sure. We are going to Puerto Rico to shoot more TV so I'll just get even fatter"

Padma in her senorita dresses was smokin'. Ok, enough maleness.

I don't think it matters that Antonia got sent home before Lisa. I like it. She wasn't going to win and having Lisa competing in a final with Richard and Stephanie is definetly better TV - so maybe there was some producer manipulation. Stephanie and Richard are a little too huggy-chummy so having a real bull dike that they both hate will be fun.

I will miss this show when this season ends. I really look forward to it. Although I will not miss those annoying Kathy Griffin commercials - I can't stand her!

I also think Richard will have to not just be better but will have to blow away Stephanie to win this thing. 3 previous top chefs - all guys and Stephanie is their big hope, you can tell they all really like her and she is very good too.

So yes - MY prediction:

TOP CHEF SEASON 4 - STEPHANIE

All good points.

Antonia and Lisa are both out of place, but Antonia is nicer and doesn't look like a man. I can't understand her one plate mishmash though...seems (and was) a killer.

Padma. Enough said. Wow. Great outfit. Very feminine, very classy. She looked especially nice. Oh, I said enough said.

It is a sad state of affairs when the sexy one with the best figure of the final three is a guy.

Did anyone notice the text poll on who should be eliminated?

Lisa had 91% of the vote.

Padma sucks. Totally useless. She annoys me so much she isn't even pretty anymore. She only looked the best b/c the other girls, sadly, did not. I don't include Lisa in the "girl" group.

Anyway...I love Stephanie but I do think Richard should win.