Celeb TV chef Gordon Ramsay with Blind Pig owners Debra Ciasullo and David Hentz.
It’s every restaurant owner’s kitchen nightmare—to see Gordon “Kitchen Nighmares” Ramsay, l’enfant terrible of FOX-TV’s food programming, stroll through the door and ask for a table.
But the Scottish-born Ramsay, in Philadelphia to film an episode of his restaurant rescue show in West Philly, came to Northern Liberties’ latest pub, The Blind Pig, just to eat, says part-owner and barman John Byrne, the Dublin-born singer-songwriter. Byrne had a gig that night, but he shared what he heard from his partners Debra Ciasullo and David Hentz:
“He apparently became aware of the bar through Yelp [a “real people” review site on the Web where The Blind Pig gets four stars], looked online and liked the look of the menu and about six of them came in,” says Byrne. “He had lamb sliders and a burger, and the table ordered poutine, a Canadian dish that’s fries and gravy with cheese curds.”
Ramsay, who is known for his own expletive-laced “real people” reviews, seemed pleased with his meal, Byrne says. “He said he loved everything. He took some pictures with the regulars [like the one above with Ciasullo and Hentz]. He was very nice, very gracious, like the opposite of his TV persona. He was very encouraging. He have us a lot of props.”
Weren’t Ciasullo and Hentz just a little apprehensive when they saw their famous customer perusing the menu? “Deb said she did say to him, ‘I hope I don’t see you back here in six months,’” laughed Byrne.
Mmmm, Goodies
You may not be able to imagine Christmas without candy canes or ribbon candy, but for many Irish-born (and sweet-toothed tourists), it isn’t Christmas without Cadbury. Well, there’s plenty of sweets in the Christmas Box that The Irish Center is raffling off this holiday. They’ve packed it with tins of biscuits, tea bags, jam, peas and beans (if you’ve ever been to Ireland you know what we’re talking about here), a filled Christmas stocking and lots more goodies.
The raffle raises money for the center at 6815 Emlen Street in Philadelphia. To get your tickets—they’re $5 each—contact the center at 215-843-8051, or any one of these folks:
Vince Gallagher (610) 220-4142
Denise Hilpl (215) 527-8380
Sarah Walsh (215) 855-0507
Geraldine Quigg (215) 884-4948
The drawing will be held on Sunday, December 11. If you win, can I have your Cadbury Flake bar?
Child Abuse Bill Introduced by Philly Legislator
A bill that would require Pennsylvanians to report suspected child abuse to the police was introduced this week by Irish-American state Rep. Kevin Boyle (D-172) of Philadelphia.
HB 1990 is one of several new laws proposed in the wake of the sexual abuse scandal involving former Penn State Assistant Football Coach Jerry Sandusky which led to the firing of iconic Nittany Lion coach Joe Paterno and several others, and the resignation of the university president.
Surprised that reporting child abuse isn’t the law of the land? So was Boyle. “In 80 percent of the United States it is the law, but Pennsylvania is one of 10 states where you don’t have to report to police any first-hand knowledge of or suspected child abuse,” says Boyle. “Under current Pennsylvania law, all you have to do is report it up the chain of command, which is what [Assistant Coach Mike] McQueary and Joe Paterno did. What they did was legal, but a moral outrage.”
Another bill, requiring anyone who receives a college paycheck to report child abuse, was introduced by State Sen. Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland).
Governor Tom Corbett told the media this week that he would support any legislation that toughens reporting requirements.
