Marilyn Haggerty's amazing Olive Garden review and the subsequent viral shitstorm

not memorable enough to keep Alfred from reviving thread 2x with the same post

... unless that was your joke? idk

Ha. I didn't even notice. I was imagining the chef salad with turkey. And ham.

And the server who told me to "Step up, step up," when I came in was there with a friendly farewell. Even though I am not, he was calling me "darling" as I left.

http://www.grandforksherald.com/accent/food/4105022-eatbeat-culvers-so-many-choices-its-almost-bewildering

god she is practically richard ford-esque. what is it?? they both are capable of delivering this chunky, descriptive realism that's both deeply skeptical and ultimately optimistic, the two instincts rubbing against each other with endlessly entertaining results. and sometimes cancelling out like sine waves, producing a kind of flat american zen.

At length, I ordered chicken rice soup, a small "Butter Burger" with mustard and dill pickle slices. And I asked for water. Then I got a big paper "glass" and took it over to the beverage dispenser. I got some soda that slipped in with my water. It was all right.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4avM0qzEF5I

Even during travels with American Society of Newspaper food editors, I never had eaten goat meat. And after trying it, I am sure I will not order it again. The taste for me is too strong. But I thoroughly enjoyed the meal that included a generous portion of very good rice and a side salad.

it's getting cold up there!

Or there is an omelet ($4.50) made of egg, cheese, onion, spinach, spices and tomato.

The wait was long. Maybe a half-hour. But it was on a rainy evening, and I had my mind made up. I wanted lobster.

When I entered the Red Lobster with my daughter, Gail Hagerty (GH), we found a pleasant place to wait and watch the lobsters in the big tank. We actually got tired of watching since they were all cuddled up in a corner — not doing much. I learned later they are in a state of hibernation as they await selection.

paging Samuel Beckett, there is a call for you from Lakota ND

tbf this is more of an urban experiences blog than a restaurant review site, but I did get a Haggerty vibe.

https://remainsofla.com/2016/04/12/1955-foxs-altadena/#more-941

A sequel!

Sometimes when you take food home from a restaurant it tastes better the next day. And sometimes it just sits there in the refrigerator until you throw it out.

The leftover Ravioli Di Portobello I took home recently from the Olive Garden tasted better two days later.

The ravioli was good enough the first time around. That's when I had supper with Marcia and Brad Wehe and Jana and Charlie Makovsky.

The dinner for four with me at the Olive Garden went for $160 in the silent auction before the recent benefit dinner for Northlands Rescue City Mission.

We were welcomed to seats at a large table near the crackling fireplace. It was a pleasant evening. Samplings of wine appeared even though on a busy evening we were passing it by. At Olive Garden you at least get a taste even if you're not buying wine.

BW enjoyed the Stuffed Chicken Marsala. And even though he never had chicken marsala that was stuffed, he thought it added flavor and zest to the dish.

And MW found the eggplant she took home was even better the next day as a sandwich.

The portions seem large at the Olive Garden.

Age does not wither etc.

Five years!

Five years have passed since the email from a ''Joe Schmo'' showed up on my computer.

It said my Eat Beat column in the Grand Forks Herald about the new Olive Garden in Grand Forks was pathetic.

Well, okay.

http://www.grandforksherald.com/lifestyles/4231863-marilyn-hagerty-five-years-ago-jay-leno-cbs-abc-and-more-came-calling

Somehow, I keep especially remembering an invitation during the aftermath of my viral experience. It came from the Catholic Church at nearby Tabor, Minn. I was one of the judges for their best funeral hotdish contest.

Long may she reign.

extremely in this wheelhouse:

http://buffalonews.com/2017/05/16/tonawanda-sub-eater-may-move-new-street/

particularly Hagertyian, standalone graf:

"The town is blessed with a lot of shady trees."

kicker is phenomenal too.

He was right about that.

Adrian Alaniz of Grand Forks told me there was nothing better than the burrito Mojado at Las Ranitas. That's the large Mexican restaurant that opened eight years ago at Thief River Falls.

He was so enthusiastic, I decided I would have to try it. When I went over to check it out, I could see what Adrian meant. The burrito is, indeed, a worthy meal. It's the choice of steak or chicken burrito stuffed with rice, beans, cheese, lettuce, sour cream and guacamole. All covered in cheese sauce.

It was my choice ($12.99) on a nice Saturday afternoon when I went over to check things out. I was "Eatbeating" with Susie Shaft (SS). She was pleased with her choice of Philly Cheesesteak Burrito ($11.99). It was made with green bell peppers and onions smothered in cheese sauce.

A sturdy foundation in these troubled times.

"Eatbeating with Susie Shaft" sounds like a public access show filmed in Canada in 1981.

more like a low-rent porn movie filmed in Canada in 1981

well, Hagerty's nickname is "The Appetite."

I was "Eatbeating" with Susie Shaft (SS)

this is like billy joel imitating lou reed

:)

First, he juggles an egg on top of the big flat grill. He fries it, chops it, mixes it into a pile of rice. He brings out vegetables and meat.

"My favorite rice — I love it," said one of three chefs working away in Fuji Japanese restaurant on a recent Friday evening.

It was a 14th birthday celebration for Caitlin MacKenzie, and all of her family were gathered around. The chef at one of three hibachi tables was skillfully presiding.

He was frying, chopping and mixing a pile of rice. Although it was water he squirted on the flames, he said, "More sake, more happy."

He served shrimp all the way around. Then fish. Then steak. Broccoli and carrots were tossed into the mix.

The food smelled good. The show was great.

"...and dad cried silently on the drive home."

The gourmet Chandler right there

it sounds like she found it erotic

well, Hagerty's nickname is "The Appetite."

― the Rain Man of nationalism. (Alfred, Lord Sotosyn), Tuesday, September 26, 2017

"He brings out vegetables and meat"

http://www.grandforksherald.com/business/restaurants-and-bars/4376896-marilyn-hagerty-chick-fil-offers-friendly-service-bustling

getting like a russian novel in here

Eagles Crest Grill is a large, inviting facility with windows to the golf course all around. In cooler weather, a massive stone fireplace at the center welcomes guests. The walls are tastefully adorned with pictures of local golf celebrities. Tables and chairs are made of blonde oak. A side room beyond the dining room is used for group meetings.

Visitors often enjoy studying the photos of well known local golfers on the walls.

huh, marilyn visited the same place in 2008

Sunday brunch draws people to the Eagles Crest Grill at King's Walk Golf Course. It's a short drive south of 32nd Avenue South on Columbia Road. The parking lot is large. There is convenient parking for handicapped.

On a recent Sunday after church, Sue Huus (SH) and I found out why as many as 300 people sometimes show up between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

SUE HUUS aka the grillenjoyer

The parking lot is huge.

https://i.imgur.com/E8GvZj0.jpg

I mean, yeah, that's from 2008 when Haggerty first visited Eagles Crest Grill, but also, it's the most recent screenshot available from Google Street View.

A challenger approaches.

save local news pic.twitter.com/ApxFCg7NDR

— Hayes Davenport (@hayesdavenport) May 30, 2018

does Thomas Sowell follow him?

He's a more persuasive writer than Sowell so perhaps the dude can learn from him.

If we start a thread about "hamburgers: w/cheese?" do you think we can get Phil to start posting here?

I would like one chicken burg, hold cheese

Man, that guy's the anti-Haggerty.

Totally missed that Ecco published a book of her reviews under Bourdain's imprint and that he wrote the forward.

https://www.eater.com/2013/8/19/6385655/heres-anthony-bourdains-foreword-to-marilyn-hagertys-book-grand-forks

Reading these reviews, we can see, we can watch over the course of time, who makes it and who doesn't. Which bold, undercapitalized pioneers survived—and who, no matter how ahead of their time, just couldn't hang on until the neighborhood caught up. You will get to know the names of owners and chefs like Warren LeClerc, whose homey lunch restaurant, The Pantry, turned down the lights to become the sophisticated French restaurant Le Pantre by night. And Chef Nardane of Touch of Magic Ballroom who, in his 6,200-square foot ballroom, served cheesecakes inspired by Debbie Reynolds and Elizabeth Taylor, and envisioned an exclusive private membership club with frequent celebrity entertainment. And Steve Novak of Beaver's Family Restaurant, who when Marilyn visited his establishment, spoke of reviving his beaver act, complete with costume, for birthday parties.

And you will understand why the opening of an Olive Garden might be earnestly anticipated as an exciting and much welcome event.

Ms. Hagerty is not naïve about her work, her newfound fame, or the world. She has travelled widely in her life.

In person, she has a flinty, dry, very sharp sense of humor. She misses nothing. I would not want to play poker with her for money.

This is a straightforward account of what people have been eating—still ARE eating—in much of America. As related by a kind, good-hearted reporter looking to pass along as much useful information as she can—while hurting no one.

Anyone who comes away from this work anything less than charmed by Ms. Hagerty—and the places and characters she describes—has a heart of stone.

This book kills snark dead.

Bourdain, recall, flew her to NYC.

xpost (Also missed 1,500 messages here and now see that Alfred posted it a few years back.)

ha -- I forgot I did.

Shit, I didn't realize the Hagerty thing was so long ago.

http://www.capitalgazette.com/entertainment/ac-en-dining-out-ginza-sushi-20180608-story.html

Lacks her panache.

Dorothy Moreland, our server, helps with the cooking and makes much of the Mexican food. She's a whiz. She helps out as a bartender.