Top Chef Recap 5.9: Restaurant Wars

January 22, 2009

One of the most important episodes — restaurant wars — came and went last night on Top Chef. Did you watch? To discuss the episode (warning spoilers ahead), read more.

Do you know who Stephan Starr is?
Whose quickfire dish looked the best?
What did you think of Radhika and Leah being the restaurant chefs/owner?
In terms of relationships, did Leah and Hosea totally screw up? How would you feel as one of their significant others?
Should a chef be expected to be good in the front of the house?
Can you believe Jamie did scallops again?
Did Bravo know the freezer didn't work?
Does Leah have an attitude problem?
Who would you have sent home: Leah or Radhika?
Carla's "sending the love theory": thoughts?

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31 Comments

verily 4 years 17 weeks

So many New American themes this year in that quickfire; no wonder they picked the people who did something different. Radhika or Leah...I was satisfied with either of them going home. Radhika made some really poor decisions all night and it cost her team ultimately. Instead of pigeonholing Carla into desserts, she would have made a great front of house person; she's very warm and outgoing. And dessert-wise, why didn't they try a lassi when the ice cream didn't form up?

DCStar 4 years 17 weeks

Steven Starr has the coolest restaurants in Philly. They're not the very best but they're probably the most visually stunning, and the food is always very good. If you're ever in the area, I suggest Tangerine (sexy moroccan vibe) or Buddakan or Morimoto which are asian restaurants.

tlsgirl 4 years 17 weeks

Oh my gosh, thank you so much for pointing out the analogies, Buzz! They're so bad sometimes, like he's forcing the point to hear himself speak for just a few seconds longer. It makes me roll my eyes almost every time.

aimeeb 4 years 17 weeks

I need to watch this, I missed it. :(

Chaoticfury 4 years 17 weeks

Do you know who Stephan Starr is? I couldn't be from Philly if I didn't, I love El Vez! Check out his website for all his restaurants: http://www.starr-restaurant.com/ Whose quickfire dish looked the best? Honestly, I didnt find anything appealing this time. Maybe the Filet Migon sandwich, but only because Starr made the "cheesesteak" comment. What did you think of Radhika and Leah being the restaurant chefs/owner? I knew that one of them would be going home. In terms of relationships, did Leah and Hosea totally screw up? How would you feel as one of their significant others? They should have known that their flirting was too intense. Everyone's different. It's 50/50 on whether their partners will be forgiving. Should a chef be expected to be good in the front of the house? No, but if you accept the job you should be focused on doing your best. Can you believe Jamie did scallops again? Did she? I thought she did lamb... Did Bravo know the freezer didn't work? It wasn't their kitchen. Equipment breaks down all the time. Adapt and reform. Does Leah have an attitude problem? She has a behavior problem. She's still learning how to take fll responsibility of her actions and being honest with herself. Who would you have sent home: Leah or Radhika? Radhika, I loved the concept it was a great decor, but she wasn't a good hostess or leader. Carla's "sending the love theory": thoughts? Too drawn out. She needs to get out of the middleground before she's next to go.

Chaoticfury 4 years 17 weeks

mannylove 4 years 17 weeks

I don't like her, but Jamie was smart to say she was hoping not to win this quick fire. One of the leaders was bound to go home, and those 2 are the weakest leaders in the group! Radhika should have taken over & made someone else do front of the house, her team may have won by doing that. Leah & Hosea's sig others should definitely not take them back, that was not cool at all & I wouldn't be able to get past that myself. I am a Carla fan, but she went too far w/that love speech in front of judges table. Of course she's a fan of Andrew though...all makes sense now! Looking forward to All Stars next week!

mannylove 4 years 17 weeks

I don't like her, but Jamie was smart to say she was hoping not to win this quick fire. One of the leaders was bound to go home, and those 2 are the weakest leaders in the group! Radhika should have taken over & made someone else do front of the house, her team may have won by doing that.Leah & Hosea's sig others should definitely not take them back, that was not cool at all & I wouldn't be able to get past that myself.I am a Carla fan, but she went too far w/that love speech in front of judges table. Of course she's a fan of Andrew though...all makes sense now!Looking forward to All Stars next week!

jopperma 4 years 17 weeks

I actually thought it could have been worse with Leah and Radhika in charge, the other people on each team really worked hard enough to not make them both complete failures! They are not leaders and you could tell that by the way they picked teams based on who they hated and loves not on actual skill... just like 3rd grade kickball. I know Radhika hated Stephen, but he is a good chef and her team would have WON if she would have just sucked it up and worked with him and she would still be in the game. Seriously picking CARLA over Stephen... insanity. I agree with Buzz about Carla's muppety-ness and Toby Young incessant analogies that make me want to hurl a mango at his face. I think Tom hates him as well because he is always giving him this off glance of death after he comments.

jopperma 4 years 17 weeks

Brandi13jrm 4 years 17 weeks

BuzzSugar: Yeah, I don't care for Toby Young very much either. It's not because he's harsh or honest, because I appreciate that... but he does make a lot of ridiculous analogies that are corny and just unnecessary. I feel like he wants the attention or camera time. I understand that's probably just how he likes to describe things, but it's getting old... quick!

POPSUGAR Entertainment 4 years 17 weeks

As soon as Radhika and Leah were picked as the leaders, I said out loud, "Well, one of them is going home." They just don't seem like the best leaders of the bunch AT ALL, and that was pretty obvious after watching them try to work with their teams. If I were Radhika, I would have put Carla in the front of the house. Yeah, she's a little nutty and Muppet-y, but she's also very personable (and maybe she could still have started her desserts and just chucked them in the freezer -- the results couldn't have been any worse). Toby Young makes at least one analogy every week that makes me want to strangle someone.

POPSUGAR Entertainment 4 years 17 weeks

shoneyjoe 4 years 17 weeks

doogirl - your husband's right about Carla's eyes, but I'd like to say that I'm really going to miss seeing Radhika's Steve Buscemi impression every week. Talk about crazy...

doogirl 4 years 17 weeks

1. Do you know who Stephan Starr is? No, and I don't care, he seemed like a jerk. 2. Whose quickfire dish looked the best? I would have eaten Fabio's! 3. What did you think of Radhika and Leah being the restaurant chefs/owner? I don't know why they won, both of them screwed up, they're okay in the kitchen, but both women need to do some growing up before they're ready to venture out on their own. 4. In terms of relationships, did Leah and Hosea totally screw up? How would you feel as one of their significant others? Heck yeah they both screwed up! They were stupid in the first place, being flirty with each other. I hope both of their significant others dump them! Leah's annoying and Hosea's a wimp! 5. Should a chef be expected to be good in the front of the house? I don't think so. I can't imagine Anthony Bourdain in the front of the house. But I think it's good they do it on Top Chef, for the experience. 6. Can you believe Jamie did scallops again? I actually said to my husband, "I bet Jamie's going to do scallops!" She needs to branch out and stop being safe! 7. Did Bravo know the freezer didn't work? I wouldn't be surprised if they did, it adds to the drama of the show! 8. Does Leah have an attitude problem? YES! And she has an incredibly annoying way of speaking that makes me want to pull her hair (that she's always touching and it's gross) out! She's too inexperienced to be on the show. 9. Who would you have sent home: Leah or Radhika? Leah, she annoyed me more, but Radhika made a lot of mistakes. I think that they should have split the losers between the two teams, that Leah and Radhika should have been up for going home. 10. Carla's "sending the love theory": thoughts? I do not know what is up with that woman! Sending the love??? Does she not know how to taste her food before it goes out? Sending love does not make bad food good! My husband hates her because he says she's got crazy eyes, I think she's got crazy everything!

doogirl 4 years 17 weeks

SATClover 4 years 17 weeks

1) Do you know who Stephan Starr is? -No I didn't until the show last night. 2) Whose quickfire dish looked the best? -Sorry I don't remember them! Although I think I remember that Radhika's sounded pretty good 3) What did you think of Radhika and Leah being the restaurant chefs/owner? -As someone already said neither of them has any leadership skills, I would have liked to see Hosea, Jaime, or Stefan (yes that's right) in charge. 4) In terms of relationships, did Leah and Hosea totally screw up? How would you feel as one of their significant others? -Ugh not only does it suck relationship-wise that they did that, it totally distracted them for the whole rest of the challenge! It was such a bad decision on both of their parts and they should have known better!! They were very aware of their actions and I feel bad for their SO's. 5) Should a chef be expected to be good in the front of the house? -Yes. HOWEVER in this situation, because Radhika was the leader she should have appointed someone else to be the host or hostess in the front while she stayed in the kitchen. It was a very bad decision on her part to be in the front and I knew from the beginning it was the wrong move. She shouldn't have gone home for it though. 6) Can you believe Jamie did scallops again? -Uhh...everyone says Jeff did and I honestly don't remember so I can't really comment. But I can't believe Carla did DESSERTS again. THAT's what I noticed and I was very annoyed. 7) Did Bravo know the freezer didn't work? -I...honestly couldn't say, I'd like to think they didn't know and wouldn't add it as an extra challenge but who knows... 8) Does Leah have an attitude problem? -No I don't think she does but I don't think she was quite ready for this competition. 9) Who would you have sent home: Leah or Radhika? -Ok Leah made the worst dish, Leah should have been sent home but it obviously couldn't happen that way because she was in the winning team. Carla should have been sent home over Radhika. 10) Carla's "sending the love theory": thoughts? -She's a little...weird with her food, she's mentioned that "cooking with the love" stuff a lot. That's fine if she has these beliefs or feelings but she needs to focus on her food more than anything. Ok have the judges NOT noticed that all Carla does is desserts?? AND she screwed them up so bad how the hell did Radhika get sent home over her?? It seriously is boggling my mind. Carla should have gone home.

SATClover 4 years 17 weeks

1) Do you know who Stephan Starr is? -No I didn't until the show last night.2) Whose quickfire dish looked the best?-Sorry I don't remember them! Although I think I remember that Radhika's sounded pretty good3) What did you think of Radhika and Leah being the restaurant chefs/owner? -As someone already said neither of them has any leadership skills, I would have liked to see Hosea, Jaime, or Stefan (yes that's right) in charge.4) In terms of relationships, did Leah and Hosea totally screw up? How would you feel as one of their significant others? -Ugh not only does it suck relationship-wise that they did that, it totally distracted them for the whole rest of the challenge! It was such a bad decision on both of their parts and they should have known better!! They were very aware of their actions and I feel bad for their SO's.5) Should a chef be expected to be good in the front of the house?-Yes. HOWEVER in this situation, because Radhika was the leader she should have appointed someone else to be the host or hostess in the front while she stayed in the kitchen. It was a very bad decision on her part to be in the front and I knew from the beginning it was the wrong move. She shouldn't have gone home for it though.6) Can you believe Jamie did scallops again? -Uhh...everyone says Jeff did and I honestly don't remember so I can't really comment. But I can't believe Carla did DESSERTS again. THAT's what I noticed and I was very annoyed.7) Did Bravo know the freezer didn't work? -I...honestly couldn't say, I'd like to think they didn't know and wouldn't add it as an extra challenge but who knows...8) Does Leah have an attitude problem? -No I don't think she does but I don't think she was quite ready for this competition.9) Who would you have sent home: Leah or Radhika? -Ok Leah made the worst dish, Leah should have been sent home but it obviously couldn't happen that way because she was in the winning team. Carla should have been sent home over Radhika.10) Carla's "sending the love theory": thoughts?-She's a little...weird with her food, she's mentioned that "cooking with the love" stuff a lot. That's fine if she has these beliefs or feelings but she needs to focus on her food more than anything. Ok have the judges NOT noticed that all Carla does is desserts?? AND she screwed them up so bad how the hell did Radhika get sent home over her?? It seriously is boggling my mind. Carla should have gone home.

tlsgirl 4 years 17 weeks

1. No idea. 2. I thought Stefan's was going to win. 3. Ridiculous. As soon as those two were picked I knew it would be a disaster. Radhika is too quiet and not a natural leader, and Leah is a whiny child. 4. If I were one of their significant others I certainly wouldn't be after that. I know that those things happen, but how freakin' humiliating. I have tons of good male friends and a great boyfriend and I know how to separate the two. 5. Most of the chefs that I've known would *not* be good in the front of the house, so no. 6. She didn't. 7. I think it was just opening and closing too much and couldn't keep the cold in, but Stefan managed to fix the problem so Carla didn't have much of an excuse. 8. She's immature and whiny, and she totally said "screw it" as soon as things got bad, plus she let her personal life interfere totally at the expense of her team. She definitely owes a huge thank you to the Euro Duo. 9. Could I send both? I thought Leah deserved it a little more. Not only was her leadership bad, but her dish was the worst of the night according to the judges. Plus, she annoys me more. 10. She's a whackjob. And seriously? That was your explanation? Not too bright.

tlsgirl 4 years 17 weeks

1. No idea.2. I thought Stefan's was going to win.3. Ridiculous. As soon as those two were picked I knew it would be a disaster. Radhika is too quiet and not a natural leader, and Leah is a whiny child.4. If I were one of their significant others I certainly wouldn't be after that. I know that those things happen, but how freakin' humiliating. I have tons of good male friends and a great boyfriend and I know how to separate the two.5. Most of the chefs that I've known would *not* be good in the front of the house, so no.6. She didn't.7. I think it was just opening and closing too much and couldn't keep the cold in, but Stefan managed to fix the problem so Carla didn't have much of an excuse.8. She's immature and whiny, and she totally said "screw it" as soon as things got bad, plus she let her personal life interfere totally at the expense of her team. She definitely owes a huge thank you to the Euro Duo.9. Could I send both? I thought Leah deserved it a little more. Not only was her leadership bad, but her dish was the worst of the night according to the judges. Plus, she annoys me more.10. She's a whackjob. And seriously? That was your explanation? Not too bright.

cassedy04 4 years 17 weeks

stephen starr practically owns philadelphia. he has so many incredible restaurants here - and i was so disappointed that bravo talked about his 2 restaurants in NY but gave no shoutout to philly. :( boo bravo.

Brandi13jrm 4 years 17 weeks

I stand corrected, Jeff did the scallops, not Jaime. I totally knew that but forgot. Though it wouldn't have surprised me if Jaime did the scallop, she tends to do a LOT of seafood... which is great but I wish she would show more variety in her cooking. I liked Jaime a lot at first but she's become boring to me and I hardly notice her anymore.

shoneyjoe 4 years 17 weeks

1. I didn't know who he was, but I've eaten in one of his restaurants (Morimoto, Philadelphia). It was lovely. 2. I think Fabio's looked really good, as did Hosea's. 3. I was pretty skeptical. I thought Leah would be a train wreck in terms of leading people, and it looked like she was. This is the one quickfire that people seem *not* to want to win every season. Radhika showed more promise, but she got trampled. 4. Absolutely. I'm a guy who has a *lot* of really good female friends *and* a wonderful girlfriend. I know unequivocally not to get into situations like that. I'm not saying it's a moral failing on either part, but I do know that I'd likely dump them for being stupid and for humiliating me on national TV. 5. I think they're two completely different skills, and I'm not sure they really *have* to be related. That said, when that's what the challenge needs, that's what the chef has to become. 6. She didn't - she did the lamb shank and the soup, and her quickfire was the Chilean sea bass (by the way, how is that "seasonal"?). Jeff did the scallop - he took responsibility at judges' table. 7. The freezer was probably being opened and closed all the time in a very hot kitchen. I hardly think that it was just plain broken. 8. I agree with Brandi13jrm that it's more of a maturity problem than a straight-up attitude problem. I liked her at the beginning, but I've been seeing less and less to like as the competition progresses. 9. Leah. As much as I like her, she missed the challenge this week and was saved by her two European teammates. She owes Fabio big. 10. That woman is crazy. Seriously crazy. Parts I loved this week: Stefan in the stew room asking Carla about how much they hated her desserts and quietly knowing that his were amazing, Carla's ridiculousness at judge's table, watching the sharks circle Radhika as she planned her menu. I think the Leah-Hosea thing got overhyped and while maybe it'll hook some new viewers, the fans are probably a bit annoyed. Who I like: Jaime, Jeff, Stefan. Who needs to go: Carla, Leah.

shoneyjoe 4 years 17 weeks

1. I didn't know who he was, but I've eaten in one of his restaurants (Morimoto, Philadelphia). It was lovely.2. I think Fabio's looked really good, as did Hosea's.3. I was pretty skeptical. I thought Leah would be a train wreck in terms of leading people, and it looked like she was. This is the one quickfire that people seem *not* to want to win every season. Radhika showed more promise, but she got trampled.4. Absolutely. I'm a guy who has a *lot* of really good female friends *and* a wonderful girlfriend. I know unequivocally not to get into situations like that. I'm not saying it's a moral failing on either part, but I do know that I'd likely dump them for being stupid and for humiliating me on national TV.5. I think they're two completely different skills, and I'm not sure they really *have* to be related. That said, when that's what the challenge needs, that's what the chef has to become.6. She didn't - she did the lamb shank and the soup, and her quickfire was the Chilean sea bass (by the way, how is that "seasonal"?). Jeff did the scallop - he took responsibility at judges' table.7. The freezer was probably being opened and closed all the time in a very hot kitchen. I hardly think that it was just plain broken.8. I agree with Brandi13jrm that it's more of a maturity problem than a straight-up attitude problem. I liked her at the beginning, but I've been seeing less and less to like as the competition progresses.9. Leah. As much as I like her, she missed the challenge this week and was saved by her two European teammates. She owes Fabio big.10. That woman is crazy. Seriously crazy.Parts I loved this week: Stefan in the stew room asking Carla about how much they hated her desserts and quietly knowing that his were amazing, Carla's ridiculousness at judge's table, watching the sharks circle Radhika as she planned her menu. I think the Leah-Hosea thing got overhyped and while maybe it'll hook some new viewers, the fans are probably a bit annoyed. Who I like: Jaime, Jeff, Stefan. Who needs to go: Carla, Leah.

ilanac13 4 years 17 weeks

1. I have no idea who he is 2. I don't know - i can't really remember them right now (which is sad since during all the previous seasons i was spot on 3. well - i think that it was a good thing since neither of them really step up ever. 4. YES - they did screw up, and i would be upset if i were their SO, however they are both obviously really upset about it and didn't mean for it to happen, so i would just let it go, understanding that it's a stressful environment that they are in, and things happen. 5. yes and no. you have to be able to talk to your customers, since that's a part of the job at times 6. maybe that's all she knows? 7. probably - or at least the producers knew. that's part of the challenge..HOWEVER this is the 2nd time at least this season that it's been broken 8. a little - i think that she's just not used to criticism or stress 9. leah i think...i don't know for sure though. neither are the TOP CHEF 10. she's always been a bit odd. remember the first challenge when she was waiting for a food to talk to her to tell her what to make?

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