Cityfile: New York's Most Notable and Influential

Jean-Georges Vongerichten
March 16, 2009 at 10:40am
I just wanted to add: -1. I wish cityfile.com (my new favorite in the whole world wide webs) would allow paragraph and/or line breaks. -2. I wish cityfile.com had a "preview" and/or "edit"' button. -3. I wish I hadn't used the word "perfectly" so many times. Thanks.

Jean-Georges Vongerichten
March 16, 2009 at 09:02am
Firstly, Graydon Carter was NOT seated in "Siberia," sillies. He was seated at a perfectly lovely corner 'banquette' that-- although technically not IN the 'super-PX area' (in front of the "exotic" fishtanks, numbered T20 toT28)-- was directly adjacent to that area, providing a perfectly glorious view of those prime tables (and the occupants) and vice versa. As a matter of fact, the last PX seated at that very table (just a few evenings prior) was Mariah Carey (a decidedly A-List PX, believe it or not, in contrast to Carter's more obscure ?-List status), and she was perfectly content and seemed quite happy in that location. Speculation has it Carter was dissatisfied with that table, because (as well as being technically outside the fishtank enclave) it was in fact a corner DEUCE, but a lack of adequate capacity that evening necessitated it be restructured for a party of THREE (which was a frequently done at that particular table-- yes, even in the case of Mariah Carey). If memory serves correctly, Carter then tried to smoke a cigarette at the table, and was reproved by management, at which time he evidently became incensed, storming out of the restaurant and yelling "I haaate this place!" to the hostesses at the front door on his way out. In Carter's defense though, this was only months after the "no smoking" law went into effect, and some restaurants were still allowing patrons (particularly of Carter's ilk) to smoke indoors (namely, Brian McNally's Smith, for one). 66 itself actually, on occasion, permitted several of its selected guests (Lois Freedman's friends especially, I distinctly recall) to smoke indoors as well. Secondly, Jean-Georges is apparently no longer on Carter's "shit list." About a year after the aforementioned incident, Jean-Georges opened Spice Market. Allegedly, Carter made a reservation for dinner during its first weeks open, and the restaurant took special care and made provisions for his arrival. I heard Graydon Carter was delighted and at the end of the evening, promised the establishment he would "make it up to them." Perhaps coincidentally (or not?), not long afterward,Vanity Fair threw a large private event at Spice Market. I think all this has already been documented by other websites. Or, one can also read the super duper awesome book called PX THIS, authored by Jean-Georges's (and Brian McNally's-- among other notables) former maitre d'-- me! -- to help shed any additional light on subject matters of this nature, if one is so inclined. Thirdly, although I maybe would not necessarily describe myself as a "detractor" (all I did was publish my personal diary), I suppose I can justly be defined as one. It would seem anyways, that I am evidently perceived as one, as I was pretty recently asked to leave the Jean Georges premises (for no other apparent reason) while patronizing with guests who chose to dine there (as reported in The Daily News). And obviously, I was once "on his payroll."

Mess with Lauren Santo Domingo at Your Own Risk
March 13, 2009 at 01:48pm
That's pretty silly-- especially considering the Alexander McQueen thigh-high black leather boots (with snakeskin stilettos) from last year were only $1200. I'm just sayin.