Iron Chef: Flay vs. Kinch

[Jenise]

Since Walt Nissen brought to our attention that the chef of one of his favorite restaurants, Manresa in Los Gatos, California, was going up against Bobby Flay on last weekend's new episode of Iron Chef, I taped it and watched it last night. I was very impressed with Kinch. Anyone else watch?

Anyone else watch?

I did, but I admit to being biased. Recently had an epic meal there, built around last of the season't truffles. (DK had mentioned in person that the show was taped some time ago, so I was eagerly awaiting it. I believe he will feature those dishes at the restaurant, for a little while anyway.) It was also my first time seeing Iron Chef, though I'd heard about it of course. Pretty entertaining. I especially relished the quiet quip at the beginning. Host reminded DK that Los Gatos (restaurant locale) is named for cats; how did the chef think the cats would do when turned loose with the dogs on this competition? DK smiled confidently and retorted accurately that the "cats" for which Los Gatos is named are mountain lions.

By the way, this topic has a parallel thread on the travel forum here, which seems to carry some restaurant posts.

[Unrelated: I owe youse folks a movie review as a follow-up to a wine thread some time ago -- will post there.]

Cheers! -- M

[Jenise]

Anyone else watch?

I did, but I admit to being biased. Recently had an epic meal there, built around last of the season't truffles. -- M

[SPOILER ALERT]

Am I envious! Kinch had a kind of serenity to the way he went about his work that I admire, and his dishes reflected that quiet confidence. Elegant, deceptively simple to look at, but food that could only result from great talent and skill. And the cabbage was truly the star of his food, not just a side dish. No question which chef's food I wanted to eat (I really really really wanted that cabbage napoleon). Was most pleasantly surprised by Kinch's landslide of a win.

I had forgotten this was going to be on, luckily it looks like it will repeat Th and Sat; I'll try and catch one of them. We really enjoyed Manresa.

It was a very good show, and he kind of blew Bobby away, winning by ten points. Have no problem with the outcome, but Flay was working with a new sous chef, and she strained his nerves a few times.

[Jenise]

It was a very good show, and he kind of blew Bobby away, winning by ten points. Have no problem with the outcome, but Flay was working with a new sous chef, and she strained his nerves a few times.

That was a complication for him, but ostensibly this is someone who already works for him and knows his ways I'd think. Just from what one can tell from the screen, the bigger problem might have been that conceptually his dishes were big and loud and incohesive. Kinch just outclassed him.

Kinch just outclassed him.

Agree, and he was trained right here in New England at Johnson Wales.