Set your DVR, tonight at 8 p.m. on FOX, my uncle Sammy and his restaurant, Sabatiello's, will be on the show Kitchen Nightmares with Hell's Kitchen's pompous Chef Ramsay. The plot already mentions "hot-tempered owner." Yikes!
I'm nervous for my uncle, because I know they picked him because he's a stereotypical Italian New-Yorker and they are probably going to make fun of him and ignite his temper. Like my dad and all of his brothers they are all indeed hot-blooded. Unlike my dad, Sammy was one of his younger siblings who was born here in America. He actually learned how to cook from my dad and over the years, he has had a successful restaurant in upstate New York and a small pizza place in Greenwich, CT, which did very well and was near my high school. However, a few years ago he bought his current place, a two-story restaurant in Stamford, CT. We all warned him not to go so big, because of all of the overhead. The reason why he agreed to do the show though was to get more attention for his restaurant, so hopefully it works and doesn't backfire. Personally, I have always been a HUGE fan of his calamari gorganzola salad and penne a la vodka dish, which are to die for.
Anyway, they filmed the episode earlier this year and apparently he was pissed that the Chef and his crew would "stage" or play up certain scenes.
The episode's description reads:
Sammy, the owner of a restaurant in Stamford, Conn., is over $1 million in debt when he asks for chef Gordon Ramsay's help; when Gordon criticizes the food, Sammy's temper flares out of control."*Fingers crossed*
Update: Damn, the first half was painful. I was so stressed for him and embarrassed. Luckily, the second half showed him in a better light. There was also a nice tribute to my dad. In the end, the show came out too late to save his restaurant though and had to close. However, Sammy is going back to his more humble pizza place roots.
14 comments:
Ooh, I hope everything goes well and works out for your Uncle! I think when you sign up for a show like this though you should expect for them to try and push your buttons and what not.
How cool! I'll cross my fingers for him! And on a side note, Penna a la Vodka is my all-time favorite Italian dish. Yum!
that's awesome! I'll check it out. my hubs loves that show
I'll cross my fingers too...I agree with b though. It's tough - when you go on a show like that, you have to realize they might try to much your buttons. Yikes!
I think he did well on there and it didn't come out too rough.
Let's hope it helps his business. EVERYONE, go visit Sabatiello's in Stamford, CT :-)
I saw part of the show last night. Looks like a nice resteraunt and Gordon did have some nice things to say. I did not see the end. I hope it all works out for your uncle. Sometimes the "tough love" is what is needed!
Just watched the show. I hope it helps out the business!
Out of dire curiosity, is this Settembre family related to the Settembre's (Benny, et al.) who owned various pizza restaurants in the Peekskill/Croton areas of New York?
Greg and anon- thanks!
Stacey- yes, one and the same, Benny is my dad.
Wow, I was wondering if that could be true! I grew up in Settembre's (all varieties *LOL*). I grew up in Peekskill/Cortlandt Manor and went to Hen Hud H.S. My dad was very fond of your dad! Now, I live in Fairfield, CT.
Small world, huh?
It was painful to watch. He really tore Sammy apart. I went to dinner with 8 people last Saturday after the show premiered and the food and service was great.
Mom
Stacey j - very small world, yeah my dad owned Hen Hud Pizza back in the day and later Settembre's restaurant when I was growing up. I was born in Peekskill and also moved to Connecticut, but during my highschool years. Thanks for stopping by here :)
Totally agree, they ended the episode on a very nice note. Aww I was wondering if that was your dad they were talking about (since he mentioned there were a few brothers in the fam)
and sammys g-friend is a fox!
Hey Tom cat and I only saw half the show hope it ended well
Hey Tara! I know this is an old post but I had add that Beckie and I really like Sabatiello's (way before the show)
Do you know where he is setting up shop? We could definitely use another good pizza option.
Steve
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