Brazil life long dream coming through
Hello everyone,
I’ve been dreaming of visiting Rio de Janeiro for as long as I can remember, and I’m thrilled to say that my dream is finally coming true! I’ll be in Rio in July, and I’m looking for some local recommendations to make the most of my trip.
I’m particularly interested in experiencing the local culture, cuisine, and nightlife. I would love to hear about your favorite restaurants, dance bars, cafes, and attractions. I’m also open to any tips or advice you might have for a first-time visitor.
I’m beyond excited for this trip and I can’t wait to experience everything Rio has to offer. Thank you in advance for your help!
Here is the list I had compiled so far:
Restaurants:
Confeitaria Colombo1: A historic patisserie. Oro2: A Michelin-starred Brazilian restaurant. Braseiro2: A classic churrascaria. Gurumê2: Known for sophisticated sushi. Olympe2: Offers French-Brazilian fusion cuisine. Aprazível2: A farm-to-table concept restaurant. Fogo de Chão2: An all-you-can-eat steakhouse. Lasai2: Offers modern Basque-inspired dishes. Satyricon2: An upmarket seafood restaurant. Dance Bars:
Bar Bukowski3: The oldest rock and roll house in Rio de Janeiro. Rio Scenarium4: Known for its live samba performances. Improviso Lounge Bar5: A popular spot with a great atmosphere. Carioca da Gema6: A lively dance club with a local feel. Cafes:
Casa Cave7: A historic cafe known for its pastries. Maya Café8: Offers a variety of dishes and has a great atmosphere. Gringo Cafe9: An American-style diner in Ipanema. Café Flamengo10: A popular local cafe. Attractions:
Christ the Redeemer11: The iconic statue of Jesus Christ that overlooks the city. Sugarloaf Mountain12: Offers stunning views of Rio de Janeiro. Copacabana Beach13: One of the most famous beaches in the world. Ipanema Beach13: Known for its breathtaking natural beauty. Tijuca National Park13: A large urban forest ideal for hiking.

Hello everyone,
I’ve been dreaming of visiting Rio de Janeiro for as long as I can remember, and I’m thrilled to say that my dream is finally coming true! I’ll be in Rio in July, and I’m looking for some local recommendations to make the most of my trip.
I’m particularly interested in experiencing the local culture, cuisine, and nightlife. I would love to hear about your favorite restaurants, dance bars, cafes, and attractions. I’m also open to any tips or advice you might have for a first-time visitor.
I’m beyond excited for this trip and I can’t wait to experience everything Rio has to offer. Thank you in advance for your help!
Here is the list I had compiled so far:
Restaurants:
Confeitaria Colombo1: A historic patisserie. Oro2: A Michelin-starred Brazilian restaurant. Braseiro2: A classic churrascaria. Gurumê2: Known for sophisticated sushi. Olympe2: Offers French-Brazilian fusion cuisine. Aprazível2: A farm-to-table concept restaurant. Fogo de Chão2: An all-you-can-eat steakhouse. Lasai2: Offers modern Basque-inspired dishes. Satyricon2: An upmarket seafood restaurant. Dance Bars:
Bar Bukowski3: The oldest rock and roll house in Rio de Janeiro. Rio Scenarium4: Known for its live samba performances. Improviso Lounge Bar5: A popular spot with a great atmosphere. Carioca da Gema6: A lively dance club with a local feel. Cafes:
Casa Cave7: A historic cafe known for its pastries. Maya Café8: Offers a variety of dishes and has a great atmosphere. Gringo Cafe9: An American-style diner in Ipanema. Café Flamengo10: A popular local cafe. Attractions:
Christ the Redeemer11: The iconic statue of Jesus Christ that overlooks the city. Sugarloaf Mountain12: Offers stunning views of Rio de Janeiro. Copacabana Beach13: One of the most famous beaches in the world. Ipanema Beach13: Known for its breathtaking natural beauty. Tijuca National Park13: A large urban forest ideal for hiking.

Spent 17 days in Japan from May 4th to May 21st, 3 full days in Tokyo with a friend before joing up with a group tour that went from Kobe to Nagasaki while passing through several cities. Going to provide a breakdown of activities, restaurants, and hotels, with personal thoughts interspersed. All lodging, transportaion and food from Kobe onwards was included in price of trip, with exception of lunch and dinner in Fukuoka. Truncating the itinerary, sorry if it sounds short and blunt, happy to answer any questions for more detail
Day 0/1 (5/4/24): Landed at Narita airport in Tokyo, took the Skyliner to Daimon station and checked in at our hotel (Shiba Park Hotel), ate dinner at Gyu-Kaku (came to about $36 for two people and plenty of delicious meat) went back to hotel and crashed.
Day 1: Ate french toast from 7/11 for breakfast. Went to Akihabara, shopped at various buildings (Radio Kaikan, Lammtarra, Gamers, Square Enix Cafe shop, really cool Girl's Last Tour pop up shop), ate lunch at Kyushu Jangara (ramen) then went to Shinjuku for the Amazing Digital Circus pop up at the Marui Annex. Later went out to the Tokyo Hilton Odaiba for their French Food and Sweets buffet (with seaside terrace seating) and walked around Aqua City after.
Day 2: Bought pastries at Le Pain Quotidien for breakfast. Went to Ikebukuro Sunshine City and attended the exhibition event for Frieren (very packed), found out about a 20th anniversary exhibition for Sgt. Frog on the floor below, and walked through that (ticket came with a very cool gundam model). Afterwards we shopped around (Pokemon CenteCapcom Cafe), had lunch at an izakaya (Shirokiya), and went back to the hotel. Crashed without eating dinner.
Day 3: Went to Kirby Cafe in the Tokyo Skytree/Solamachi building (had a beef bowl with a Kirby lunch box I got to keep, chocolate coffee au lait, and a chocolate parfait), shopped around Solamachi (Pokemon Center, Jump Shop). Went back to hotel to drop purchases off then went out to Shibuya. Shopped around the Parco building (Nintendo Store, Capcom Store), then went to the Hashi 84 Cafe (location is a secret and access is by reservation only, cafe is run by a former Nintendo employee and full of items given to them by coworkers and friends in the game industry, lots of signed art). Afterwards we went to Tower Records. Last stop of our Tokyo time was to Yamato Transport, we shipped all of our purchases back home to free up space for the group tour. Dinner at Yakiniku Like.
Day 4 (Day 0 of our guided tour): More pastries at Le Pain Quotidien, checked out of our hotel. Met our guide at Shinagawa, and took a train to Haneda. Flew on JAL to Kansai (KIX), took a ferry across the bay to Kobe, then took a taxi to our hotel (Kobe Meriken Park Oriental Hotel, interesting shape, beautiful view of the bay). Had dinner at hotel buffet (very good variety of food, had several mediterranean dishes)
Day 5 (Day 1 of guided tour): Had breakfast at hotel buffet (also very good), met the other tour attendees. Went to Kikamasamune brewery, took tour and had a sake tasting sample (for group, I do not drink personally), had lunch at a small okonomiyaki shop (Suechan, was a small room as part of someone's house by an apartment building, people gathered around these two grills built into tables, two elderly ladies did all the cooking). We then went to the Kitano Ijinkan district, had coffee and pastries at a french cafe, then walked around and shopped for about 45 minutes. Afterwards, we went to the Sannomiya area and shopped at the Gai Shopping Street and the chinese/chinatown section. For dinner we went to a steakhouse (Kobe Steak Propeller, very delicious steak with finishing salt and sauce options, also had very good fresh baked bread).
Day 6: Checked out of hotel, tour guide rented a van and drove us across a bridge from Kobe to Naruto. Had a very delicious set lunch (Kaiseki? It had a fish head in a very good sauce) at the Bay Resort Hotel Naruto Kaigetsu, then we took a boat ride over the natural whirlpools in Naruto (didnt affect the boat as much as you would think). Afterwards, we went to Ritsurin Gardens and walked around, then checked in at our hotel (JR Clement Inn Takamatsu, has a very nice public bath on the top floor). For dinner we had Sanuki Udon at Udon Okajima (very delicious, one of my favorite meals on the trip.
Day 7: Breakfast at hotel buffet, took a ferry (very nice ferry, had a nice lounge/seating area) to Shodoshim, visited the Marukin Soy Sauce museum/factory (had soy sauce ice cream). Ate lunch (variety plate with karaage, chips and salsa, and potato salad) at Mame Mame Brewery. Then we visited the Shodoshima Olive Park and the Meiro no Machi (maze village, didnt walk around much), took the ferry back, and had a large yakiniku dinner at Bokkee (also one of my favorites, olive beef is delicious, and so is beef intestine)
Day 8: Breakfast at hotel buffet, tour guide switched from rental van to rental bus (named the Nom Nom Express), drove to Udatsu Townscape in Wakimachi, walked around the shops (lots of indigo dyed goods). Had lunch at an italian restaurant called Ristorante Punta (very good, delicious genovese/pesto, had delicious beef as the main course). We then took the bus all the way up a mountainside to Iya Onsen (traditional Ryokan nestled on the mountainside, has an outdoor hot spring bath next to a river that you take a cable car down to). Dinner was another kaiseki meal.
Day 9: Tried using the bath in the hotel itself (not the riverside bath), was full of bugs. Breakfast was japanese style (skewered fish, various veggies), took a shuttle down the mountainside to a train station, took bullet train to Matsuyama (Had a hamburg steak bento from Hokka Hokka Tei). Checked in at Hotel Tsubakikan (very nice hotel/mix of traditional ryokan and modern hotel). Went out to see a park with some samurai homes (they were closed on a monday), then went to Haikara Street (shopping area next to our hotel/Dogo Onsen), did some shopping (recommend the pudding shop, had a delicious cat themed parfait with pudding and ice cream), watched the clock transform and went back to the hotel. Dinner was at hotel buffet.
Day 10: Breakfast at hotel buffet. Visited 10 Factory (a citrus/mikan shop that specializes in products from large variety of citrus breeds), had a juice tasting (recommend the Kashi 28 Gou if anyone decides to check it out). Took a cable car up to Matsuyama Castle (beautiful view of the city/ocean). Ate lunch at Dining Vudori (cafe hidden on the top floor of a building, specialiazes in omelet rice). Afterwards we went to the Okaido shopping street, I visited a Mitsukoshi department store (which ruined all other department stores for me), and bought a new wallet (old one fell apart during the trip). We were supposed to visit Dogo Onsen, but my friend had some sort of stomach illness and couldnt go, so I got him some medicine and kept him company. Dinner was another Kaiseki, sashimi was good, and it was someone's birthday in the group, the guide surprised them with a cake.
Day 11: Breakfast at buffet. Checked out of hotel, took train to Yawatahama. Went to Agora Marche, had a choice of either grill your own freshly caught (not by you) fish, or to eat at a cafe close by. I needed a break from fish, so I went to the cafe and had a very nice pizza. We took a ferry after for 3 hours (of which 1 hour and several hundred yen were spent in a nice massage chair) and arrived in Beppu. We checked in at the Amane Resort Seikai (100% recommend, beautiful hotel right next to ocean, fantastic rooms WITH your own personal tub hooked up to a hot spring on a balcony overlooking the ocean), and took some time to enjoy the room. Dinner was at the hotels french restaurant, Bistro Vent Nouveau (THIS was the best meal of the trip, absolutely fantastic. It was a multi course meal like a kaiseki, but in a french style, highlights were the charred rockfish with a white wine and beet sauce (Top favorite dish on the trip), and the amberjack tuna with egg and vinegar)
Day 12: Breakfast at hotel buffet. Went to the various hells/jigoku of Beppu (hot springs/sulfur pools not fit for bathing). Was supposed to have steamed food (steamed in the hells I think) but the wait was too long, we had rice bowls with karaage/tempura on top. Went back to the hotel, had a 150 minute massage. Dinner was a kaiseki at the hotels japanese restaurant, Gen (wasn't as good as Nouveau, Sashimi was fantastic, didn't care as much for the other dishes).
Day 13: Checked out of hotel (after crying), took train to Fukuoka. Checked in and dropped bags at Hotel Nikko Fukuoka. Ate lunch at Khaos (Mandarin restaurant that is an omakase experience, had shark fin soup and jellyfish amongst other things). Went to Ohori Park, took a swan boat around the surrounding lake. Went to the Tenjin shopping district, shopped around (Animate, Surugaya, Tower Records). For dinner, we went to Nakasu, guide gave us money and let wander the Yatai (food stalls) by the riverside, ended up choosing Hakata ramen. Went to a nearby bar that also served sweets called Mont Pignon, had a dessert called a Dutch Baby (a cinnamon dusted pastry served with ice cream and lemon), and they gave me some raspberry milk.
Day 14: Free day in Fukuoka, went shopping for anime/game artbooks in Tenjin (Lashibang/Mandarake). Also went to the Tokyu Hands in the JR Hakata Station. There was a food stall/tent event going on at the station, got a sandwich stuffed with beef (also had some gold flake on top, oddly enough). Was still hungry, bought some pastries at Heart Bread Antique. Shopped at the Marui Annex (Surugaya)
Day 15: Checked out of hotel. Took train to Nagasaki. Left bags at hotel (JR Kyushu Hotel Nagasaki). Ate lunch at Lekker (Toruko Rice or Turkish Rice). Went to Glover Garden, walked around. Dinner was at an izakaya called Katsugiya (chicken nanban amongst other items). After dark, the guide hired cabs to take us up to the Inasayama observation deck to view the entire city.
Day 16: Breakfast at hotel buffet. Went to the Dejima trading post (former dutch trading post from approx the 1600s to 1800s). Afterwards took a boat tour of Hashima Island/Gunkanjima (island that was a former mining facility/town). Last activity of the trip was the Atomic Bomb Museum (tragic, but very informative/moving). For our last dinner, we went to a kaiten sushi bar by the name of Wakatakemaru (sushi/sashimi/karaage).
Day 17: Breakfast at hotel buffet. Checked out of hotel, took shuttle bus to Nagasaki airport. Said goodbyes to other group members/tour guide, took JAL flight to Haneda Airport. Took limousine shuttle bus to Narita, ate udon at their food hall, and flew back home.

Hi all - I am traveling to China with my parents later this year. The itinerary is going to be 5 days in Beijing, 4 days in Shanghai, and 4 days in Guangzhou. I'm already eyeing this flight ticket that will cost me USD$1,200 for a multi-city (Arriving in Beijing and departing from Guangzhou). I plan on taking the HSR from Beijing to Shanghai (which takes ~4-5 hours) and Shanghai to Guangzhou (~8-9 hours!!). My question is: does it make sense to take the HSR from Shanghai to Guangzhou? I feel like I'm losing travel time. Is it cheaper to just book the flight ticket there from China Southern, which I think takes 2-3 hours?
Any other tips is appreciated!
EDIT: I asked ChatGPT to create an itin for me..

Beijing (5 Days)

Day 1

• Breakfast: Quanjude Roast Duck Restaurant (for a traditional Beijing breakfast)
• Morning: Visit the Forbidden City
• Lunch: Dali Courtyard (Yunnan cuisine)
• Afternoon: Tiananmen Square
• Dinner: Da Dong Roast Duck (Peking duck)

Day 2

• Breakfast: Yonghe King (a popular local fast-food chain serving soy milk and youtiao)
• Morning: Temple of Heaven
• Lunch: TRB Hutong (contemporary European cuisine in a historic setting)
• Afternoon: Lama Temple and Confucius Temple
• Dinner: Jing Yaa Tang (Beijing-style hot pot)

Day 3

• Breakfast: Liangpi Shop (for traditional Shaanxi cold noodles)
• Morning: Summer Palace
• Lunch: Baoyuan Dumplings (famous for colorful dumplings)
• Afternoon: 798 Art District
• Dinner: Huajia Yiyuan (traditional Beijing cuisine in a courtyard setting)

Day 4

• Breakfast: Nai Lao (a traditional Beijing yogurt shop)
• Morning: Visit the Great Wall (Mutianyu section)
• Lunch: Brickyard Retreat (near the Great Wall)
• Afternoon: Return to Beijing, rest at hotel
• Dinner: Black Sesame Kitchen (private kitchen experience)

Day 5

• Breakfast: Little Yunnan (Yunnan-style breakfast)
• Morning: Beihai Park
• Lunch: King’s Joy (vegetarian fine dining)
• Afternoon: Hutong Tour (explore the old alleyways of Beijing)
• Dinner: Siji Minfu (another excellent Peking duck option)

Shanghai (4 Days)

Day 1

• Breakfast: Jia Jia Tang Bao (for Shanghai-style soup dumplings)
• Morning: The Bund
• Lunch: Lost Heaven (Yunnan cuisine with a view of the Bund)
• Afternoon: Yu Garden
• Dinner: Din Tai Fung (famous for xiaolongbao, soup dumplings)

Day 2

• Breakfast: Shanghai Grandmother (local breakfast dishes)
• Morning: Shanghai Museum
• Lunch: M on the Bund (European cuisine with a Bund view)
• Afternoon: Nanjing Road
• Dinner: Hai Di Lao Hot Pot (a popular hot pot chain)

Day 3

• Breakfast: Wagas (Western-style breakfast)
• Morning: Shanghai Tower (visit the observation deck)
• Lunch: Fu 1088 (upscale Shanghainese cuisine)
• Afternoon: Tianzifang (explore the artsy district)
• Dinner: Old Jesse (authentic Shanghainese dishes)

Day 4

• Breakfast: Element Fresh (healthy breakfast options)
• Morning: Jade Buddha Temple
• Lunch: Ultraviolet by Paul Pairet (unique multi-sensory dining experience)
• Afternoon: French Concession
• Dinner: Char Bar & Grill (steakhouse with a view of the Bund)

Guangzhou (4 Days)

Day 1

• Breakfast: Tao Tao Ju (traditional Cantonese dim sum)
• Morning: Chen Clan Ancestral Hall
• Lunch: Guangzhou Restaurant (one of the oldest Cantonese restaurants)
• Afternoon: Shamian Island
• Dinner: Bingsheng Taste (Cantonese cuisine)

Day 2

• Breakfast: Pan Xi Restaurant (dim sum)
• Morning: Yuexiu Park and the Five Rams Statue
• Lunch: Dongfang Jiayuan Restaurant (Guangdong cuisine)
• Afternoon: Guangzhou Museum in Zhenhai Tower
• Dinner: Daoxiang (Cantonese seafood)

Day 3

• Breakfast: Xiang Qun Restaurant (Cantonese breakfast)
• Morning: Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall
• Lunch: Dian Dou De (famous for dim sum)
• Afternoon: Beijing Road Pedestrian Street
• Dinner: Guangzhou Hotel Cantonese Restaurant (excellent views and food)

Day 4

• Breakfast: Silver Waves (hotel breakfast with a view)
• Morning: Canton Tower
• Lunch: Sky No. 1 (restaurant in Canton Tower)
• Afternoon: Haixinsha Island
• Dinner: Jade River Restaurant (upscale Cantonese cuisine)

Hello! I'm 19 and am currently looking into becoming a waitress. I worked at my grandparent's bakery for 4 years as a manager, but they recently retired, so I'm looking for a new job. I know I'll have a harder time applying to restaurants that aren't chains since I have no prior experience.
I have 3 interviews lined up for IHOP, Bonefish Grill, and Olive Garden.
Other restaurants around me include Weber Grill, Maggiano's, Red Lobster, TGI Fridays, P.F. Changs, Chilli's, Buffalo Wild Wings, Hooters, Red Robin, Dennys, Longhorn Steakhouse, and Golden Corral.
Any advice or tips are extremely appreciated!! :)

I have never told this story to anyone except my family members and it is pretty crazy. Also super sad.
I worked at Longhorn Steakhouse for a few years and my manager was the best, he was young enough to be cool with us younger servers but old enough to actually be a good manager.
I eventually found a higher paying job closer related to my degree so I quit Longhorn, and I was very sad because I had a great experience working there. The first week of my new job I am driving home and I get a call from one of my old coworkers (and very good friend) sobbing, and telling me that they found our manager dead outside of his apartment.
Are you ready for the worst part of this whole thing? He died from choking on a piece of steak. That he just took home from his job. He was alone in his house and started to choke, ran outside banging on neighbors doors for help (nobody answered because it was 3am) and eventually died alone outside his building.
This happened a few months ago and to this day I want to cry thinking about what was going through his head in his last minutes alive.

Previously, on Hell’s Kitchen…
The final nine were tested in the five steak cut challenge to prove how much they had improved on their meat temperature and finesse since the early days of the competition. While some chefs stood out, Ramona and Grace had a disastrous time on the ribeye. However, it was the red team who emerged victorious thanks to a perfect performance from Thomas, and for their reward, they were allowed to leave Hell’s Kitchen and get a much needed release by playing paintball, followed by a stunning steakhouse dinner. Meanwhile, the blue team’s defeat was put towards a good cause, as they spent the day volunteering for community service by picking up trash on the side of the road, where it didn’t take long for Grace’s complaining to wear down her team’s patience.
In service, though, the blue team managed to overcome early struggles to finish a strong service thanks to Lauren and Melody’s teamwork. Meanwhile, the red team had struggles throughout the night, especially on entrees, as Ramona had a meltdown on garnish, and in a close battle, it was the blue team who claimed victory. At elimination, further drama ensued as Ramona’s immunity pass saved her from a certain exit, but that meant Everett and Faye would have to battle it out to see who would be leaving Hell’s Kitchen. In the end, it was Everett…
Everett: “Chef…at this time, no, I can’t say that I am.”
…who gave up the fight, and saw his dream of becoming the executive chef of Gordon Ramsay Steak in Vancouver, British Columbia come to an end.
https://reddit.com/link/1cxrxgw/video/usvtcer3ow1d1/player
And now, the continuation of Hell’s Kitchen…
After Everett’s elimination, Ramsay told the final eight that the next challenge and service would be their greatest tests yet, and to get plenty of rest. As the chefs returned to the dorms, at least one chef’s mind was still back in the dining room. Ramona said in her confessional that while she had always known in the back of her mind that the immunity pass meant someone might go out undeservedly, it hadn’t really hit her until the moment Everett was sent home.
Back in the dorms, Faye tried to comfort Ramona and said it wasn’t her fault, as she had earned the immunity pass, and the whole point was to give her a second chance, but Ramona still felt awful, and Michael said in his confessional that the red team was definitely at its low point right now, as everyone felt that Everett should still be here. Thomas was pissed and said that Ramona was lucky to be here after that awful performance, and needed to show why she belonged in the top eight. Ramona was close to tears as she shouted back that she had been fighting from day one against people who wanted her gone, and she was still here, but Thomas said she needed to show that passion in service. Later on, Ramona was still crying, and Faye said it was going to be alright, as Ramsay knew she had a lot of passion and talent within her, and all she had to do now was show it.
On the blue team’s side, Melody was happy to have won tonight’s service and said in her confessional that it was just now sinking in how close they were getting to black jackets, Lauren also had black jackets on her mind, saying in her confessional that they were finally getting into the most intense part of the competition, as everything that came before was just preparation for this. The two of them talked amongst themselves about who they wanted to join them in in the individual phase, with both of them agreeing that Faye should definitely be there, while Lauren joked that Thomas would look good in a black jacket, though she’d never actually tell him that as it would only inflate his ego further. Lauren said in her confessional that Thomas and Michael were probably her biggest competition at this point, though she hoped Melody could get as far as possible too. Meanwhile, Carole said in her confessional that it was time for her to start stepping up as a leader, or Ramsay might decide to show her the door next. Grace said in her confessional that she knew everyone here wanted her out, but she looked forward to watching them go home one at a time, as she wasn’t letting anyone get in her way now.
Eventually, the conversations amongst both teams died down, as the chefs decided to take Ramsay’s advice and try to get some sleep.
Challenge
The next day, the chefs went downstairs and found an elaborate setup in the dining room, with two chairs inside of a large bowl, and Michael said in his confessional that he had a feeling he knew what was coming next. Ramsay greeted the chefs and said that as the top eight, each of these chefs had gotten here by showing him that they could run a section properly, but now, they needed to start showing him that they could be more than just line cooks. That was why, from this point on, each challenge and service would test the chefs in areas that were critical for any executive chef to be an expert in, and that all started here with a tradition as old as Hell’s Kitchen itself: the blind taste test. Ramsay explained that over the past 20 years, the blind taste test had separated the cooks from the chefs and the contenders from the pretenders, and now, it would do so again. Thomas was excited in his confessional, as this was a chance to really distance himself from the pack for the first time, while Ramona was also eager for the chance to redeem herself, saying she needed a huge bounce back here.
With that, Ramsay moved on to the setup, explaining that the theme this year was ramen…real ramen, that is. For each additional incorrect guess, one of three punishments would be dealt to their teammate in the chair. After two wrong answers, they would be dunked with broth. After three wrong answers, they would be dunked with soy sauce, and after four wrong answers, they would be finished off with nori seaweed. First, Ramsay called up Faye and Melody and had them blindfolded, while Grace and Thomas sat in the chairs. Both got their first ingredient right, which was squash, but both missed polenta. Melody got apricot right, while Faye missed it, which resulted in Thomas getting dunked with broth, to which Grace said in her confessional that it was one of her happiest moments in Hell’s Kitchen to date, as that “arrogant prick” deserved it. Finally, both got filet mignon, saving anyone from further punishments. Melody said in her confessional that it felt great to get 3 out of 4, and give the blue team an early lead. In the second round, Grace and Thomas stepped forward while Lauren and Ramona took their places in the chairs. Thomas said in his confessional that he couldn’t wait to wipe the smirk off Grace’s face. Right away, Thomas got prosciutto right, while Grace guessed it wrong. Next, both got leeks right, but both missed fennel, resulting in Lauren being dunked with broth. Finally, Thomas got sea bass right, while Grace missed it, resulting in Lauren getting dunked with soy sauce, as she sarcastically quipped in her confessional that Grace really woke up feeling dangerous today. Thomas said in his confessional that hopefully he had shut Grace up for a while, though he doubted it.
In the third round, with the red team now leading 5-4, Lauren and Ramona battled it out while Michael and Carole took their seats. First up was chicken, which Lauren got right, but Ramona missed, as she kicked herself in her confessional for such a simple mistake. Ramona did redeem herself on the next ingredient, which was mozzarella, which Lauren also got right. Next, Ramona got crab right, which Lauren missed. Finally, both of them missed artichokes, which resulted in both Michael and Carole taking a broth bath, as Michael dryly joked in his confessional that there was broth in places where broth should never go. With the red team still leading 7-6, it was time for the final round, with Michael and Carole facing off while Melody and Faye sat in the chairs. Melody pleaded in her confessional for Carole to get this right, as it would take forever to wash these ingredients out, while Faye expressed hope in her confessional, as she knew Michael was a strong chef and should have the palette to ace this challenge. First up was turnip, which Carole got right and Michael missed, tying the score. Next was egg yolk, which Carole got right again, and Michael missed, resulting in Faye getting dunked with broth. With the blue team now leading, Michael finally managed to get veal, which Carole missed, tying the score again at 8. Finally, it was walnut, which Carole missed, resulting in Melody being dunked with broth, much to her dismay. Michael had a chance to clinch the win for the red team, but he also got it wrong, getting Faye dunked with soy sauce.
With the score still tied at 8, Ramsay said they were going to a tiebreaker, and called Melody and Thomas forward as the two chefs with the top scores. Thomas said in his confessional that after winning a round against Melody in the last challenge, he was sure this time would be no different, while Melody admitted in her confessional that it was intimidating as Thomas always seemed so sure of himself. Ramsay had them blindfolded, and said he would give them ingredients until someone guessed incorrectly while the other was in the lead. Both correctly guessed asparagus, halibut, and pork, but Melody got cilantro right, while Thomas missed it, making the blue team the winners. Thomas kicked himself in his confessional, as he had the win within his grasp and let it slip away, but had to hand it to Melody, as she had a stronger palate than he realized. Melody was excited to have finally beaten Thomas in a challenge, and said in her confessional that this was a huge win for her.
Reward / Punishment
Ramsay told the blue team that for today's reward, since they had gotten their palates warmed up by tasting ingredients in Hell’s Kitchen, they were now going to exercise their palates further by taking a tour around LA, sampling food from several top of the line restaurants. Lauren was pumped up, as she said in her confessional that this was a perfect opportunity to get out and enjoy some great food for a change instead of just cooking it. Carole said in her confessional that it had been way too long since they’d actually had some time in the sun that didn’t involve picking up trash, and couldn’t wait to taste the best of what LA had to offer. Ramsay also said there would be a surprise waiting for the chefs once they got to the first restaurant. While the blue team went to get changed and eagerly speculated on what or who might be waiting for them, Ramsay told the red team that this was the wrong challenge to lose, as he needed both kitchens prepped and the dining room spotless, because Hell’s Kitchen was opening tonight for some very special guests. Michael was pissed, saying in his confessional that if he would’ve just gotten one more answer, it could’ve been them going on a tour of LA right now.
The blue team was excited to break their losing streak in challenges and finally get another reward, with Lauren saying in her confessional that the blue team really needed this, and hoped that it might improve Grace’s attitude a bit going into service tonight. After coming back downstairs to find the red team cleaning the dining room, in which they engaged in some banter, the chefs went outside to find their limo waiting for them, and as they rode to the first stop on their tour, Melody said that the blue team did great in the challenge, and it was time for all of them to shine tonight and get one step closer to their black jackets. Carole agreed and said she was done playing around, as she could practically see herself at Gordon Ramsay Steak. Lauren said that was the right attitude and she couldn’t wait to get a black jacket, but right now, she was completely focused on all the amazing food they were about to taste, which got laughs from the others. Soon, they arrived at the first restaurant and were greeted by their surprise guest: Ramsay himself, who smiled and said that their reward sounded so fun that he had decided to join them. Grace said in her confessional that she could definitely get used to this, as it was a dream come true to spend the day with him. The blue team did just that, as they had an enjoyable day sampling the best food from all over LA, while getting some valuable time with Ramsay on the outside. Lauren marveled in her confessional at how he could be so different than he was when running the kitchen. Meanwhile, Grace tried to turn on the charm, which got some eye rolls from Lauren in her confessional, as she said nobody needed to see that, but Melody said in her confessional that the blue team seemed closer than ever right now, and she hoped that could carry over into service. The blue team continued to bond throughout the day, before finally returning to Hell’s Kitchen as evening approached.
Back in Hell’s Kitchen, the red team were having a less-than-stellar time cleaning up the restaurant for tonight’s service, with the tiring work exhausting everyone and causing some lingering issues to rise to the surface. Thomas was frustrated and said in his confessional that Michael had dropped the ball in the challenge, and could have avoided the tiebreaker if he got more than one out of four, and he urged Michael to bounce back, as he was better than that. Michael was also upset with himself over his performance, and said in his confessional that he couldn’t blame his team for being mad at him right now, as he promised them that he was determined to make up for it in service. Ramona was still feeling vulnerable after her close call last night, and admitted to Faye that she was worried about going home next, but Faye said she had to forget about last night and start again with a clean slate. In her confessional, Faye said she felt like Ramona was just too young and not quite ready for the responsibilities of a head chef, but still wanted to support her as much as possible. Once they had finished cleaning the dining room, they moved on to begin prep, which Ramona said in her confessional was the absolute worst, as they had to do the same amount of work as two teams. Michael tried to keep her spirits up as well, as he joked that the blue team was missing out on all the fun. Thomas, though, said in his confessional that no one could hold anyone’s hand at this stage, and Ramona would have to stand on her own eventually.
Pre-Service
The blue team arrived back in Hell’s Kitchen while the red team were still prepping, as Grace didn’t hesitate to rub it in a bit, which annoyed Ramona, as she said in her confessional that she hoped Grace was finally going home tonight. The blue team changed back into their jackets and went back downstairs with dinner service only minutes away, and Melody tried to motivate her team by saying tonight they would show Ramsay why they deserved to get black jackets. As the blue team entered the kitchen, Ramsay had both teams meet him in the center and said that tonight, Hell’s Kitchen was closed to the public, and would instead be hosting a private charity dinner attended by 24 special guests representing two different charities, who would each be seated at a 12-top. For this dinner, the teams would be serving a five course meal, and for the first time, Ramsay said, each chef would take a turn leading the kitchen during one of the courses. After assigning them their courses, Ramsay emphasized again how important this service was not only for the chefs as individuals, but to give something back to the charities themselves. Then, Ramsay called out to Marino and told him to let their special guests in.
Dinner Service
The charity members entered the dining room and were seated at their respective tables, with the blue team serving the American Cancer Society and the red team serving the Disabled American Veterans organization. Back in the kitchen, Ramsay called up Lauren and Ramona to serve the first course of the night, pan-seared scallops, and told them that he was counting on them both to not only own their course, but get their food out in perfect sync to ensure neither table was kept waiting. After agreeing on a time, the chefs returned to their kitchens and began firing their appetizers.
In the blue kitchen, Lauren was able to get off to a solid start by being vocal and assigning each of her teammates a number of orders to prepare. Melody said in her confessional that she was impressed by Lauren’s confidence as a leader, and already had a great feeling about tonight’s service. Lauren did have problems getting Grace and Carole to talk to each other though, and got contradictory answers from Carole on how long she needed. Carole’s confusion slowed the kitchen down, with Grace saying in her confessional that it was impossible to work with someone who couldn’t keep track of a few orders of scallops. Ramsay stepped in and told Carole to get a fucking grip, then told Lauren that she had lost control of her kitchen and needed to take the kid gloves off and start leading. Lauren was frustrated in her confessional, as she said that she liked Carole a lot, but she was absolutely killing her right now. Lauren finally told Melody to get over there and help Carole with her scallops, and with the problem resolved, the team were able to bring their plates up to the pass, earning Ramsay’s approval.
In the red kitchen, Ramona still seemed nervous early on, as the team mostly ignored her, and Ramsay told her that it didn’t matter how old she was, as he had a 21 year old chef here just last season who was able to run his brigade very effectively during charity night, what mattered was whether she could command respect. Taking Ramsay’s words to heart, Ramona became more assertive and finally started getting some response from her team, however there was still a mix up between Michael and Faye, as they didn’t know how many orders they were each making, and Ramsay told Ramona that she needed to be on top of these things. More problems emerged as Faye admitted that some of her scallops were undercooked, and Thomas offered to help her out, saying in his confessional that the team was going to have to do some of the heavy lifting here since Ramona wasn’t being proactive. However, Ramona did manage to become more comfortable in her role, as she finally started to call out times more confidently, and despite dragging behind Lauren, both courses were eventually able to go out at the same time.
For the second course of prawn tagliatelle, Ramsay called on Carole and Faye, saying he needed both of them to pick up the pace, as they weren’t getting any younger out there. Carole said in her confessional that this was her moment in the spotlight, and she was eager to prove to Ramsay and herself why she was still here. Right away though, she struggled to be assertive, as she focused more on cooking her orders than leading the kitchen, saying in her confessional that she preferred to lead by example. This annoyed Ramsay though, as he said that Lauren and Melody were doing a lot more of the talking than she was, and asked her if she was trying to be a line cook or a head chef. Without a voice of leadership, the kitchen quickly devolved into each of the chefs doing their own thing, with Grace saying in her confessional that if the ship was going down, she was going to make sure that she wasn’t on it. Ramsay told Carole that the kitchen was running her instead of the other way around, and if she wasn’t thinking like a leader by now, it was already too late. Carole finally started checking her team’s orders, only to find that Grace had made too many, and as they brought their orders to the pass, Carole noticed that several of them were overcooked, which only pissed off Ramsay further as he said it was a tagliatelle massacre, and he reminded her that she was supposed to own this course. With Carole finally trying to be more assertive, the blue team managed to correct their mistakes on the next attempt.
In the red kitchen, Faye was hoping to give the red team an advantage, as she said in her confessional that despite not making it to charity night in the last season, her experience in Hell’s Kitchen would hopefully allow her to remain calm and composed. Early on, she was able to be clear and vocal with her team, and Michael said in his confessional that she definitely seemed to know what she was doing, and it gave the team something to rally around. Michael admitted he needed more time on his orders, though, while Ramona said she was ready, but when Faye checked her tagliatelles, the prawns were still raw. With Faye seeming a bit lost, Ramsay briefly took her aside and said she had to run the brigade and uphold her standards, also saying that he brought her back for a reason and knew how much she wanted this, but that now she needed to fight for it. Faye said in her confessional that Ramsay wouldn’t have given her a one on one if he didn’t believe in her, and it would take more than this to make her give up on her dream. With Faye telling Ramona and Michael to get their timing sorted out, the red team finally managed to start communicating and working in sync again, and were able to get their orders to the pass and accepted by Ramsay, though they had to wait a bit for the blue team to catch up.
For the third course of branzino over ginger carrot puree, Ramsay called on Grace and Thomas, reminding them again that he was looking for them to own the course and lead it. In the blue kitchen, Grace was excited saying in her confessional that she had been waiting for this part of the competition, as her team couldn’t hold her back any longer. Right away, Grace was assertive in assigning the chefs to their tasks, though she quickly annoyed her teammates by constantly telling them how far away they should be, with Carole grumbling in her confessional that she knew how to count, while Melody tried to stay positive and communicated with Lauren on how she was doing, but Grace shut her down and said if she had any questions about timing, to ask her. Even Melody became annoyed as she said Grace was definitely letting this go to her head. Once they brought their dishes up though, they realized they were one fish short, and furthermore, Carole had served raw branzino. Ramsay schooled Grace on her lack of organization, as she should have known how many orders they were making, while Grace blamed Carole for serving unacceptable food and told her to get her shit together. With the blue kitchen still waiting on Carole and struggling to find its footing, Ramsay called out that the red team’s orders were dying at the pass waiting for them, and finally, they were able to bring up the missing orders and complete the table.
In the red kitchen, Thomas said in his confessional that after two up and down courses, he needed to nail this, but was confident in his ability as a leader. Early on, he was able to get the red team organized and in sync with each other, as Faye said in her confessional that for all his ego, Thomas was a pro and clearly knew his way around a kitchen. Ramona was eager to bounce back after a rough opening course, saying in her confessional that any more mistakes could see her get the boot at this point. With his three teammates all responding to his calls for times, everything was running on schedule. As they were finishing up though, Thomas saw that Michael’s branzino needed more time, which caused the kitchen to drag, though he was able to maintain his composure and keep the kitchen running smoothly. Then, as they brought their dishes to the pass, Ramona’s branzino was missing the garnish, much to her embarrassment, as Ramsay warned Thomas not to let the brigade get out of control. Thomas urged Ramona to wake up, as he didn’t need this shit right now, but Ramona was able to quickly fix her mistake, and as the red team plated their dishes, Ramsay said it was the best-run course of the night so far, to which Thomas said in his confessional that while it could have gone better, Ramsay’s words made it all worth it.
For the fourth course of veal saltimbocca, Ramsay called on Melody and Michael, urging them to finish entrees on a high note. In the blue kitchen, Melody wasted no time giving her team their assignments, but struggled to get callbacks from Grace and Carole, as she said in her confessional that she felt really silly right now with half the kitchen ignoring her. Ramsay told her that she couldn’t coddle the brigade and needed to be the one in control. Taking Ramsay’s advice, Melody began to be more assertive, as she told Grace and Carole that the bickering and communication issues needed to stop right now, as this was her course, and finally got an acceptable response from the two of them. From there, Melody’s organizational skill began to show, as she was able to keep the course running on schedule, however she was dismayed to see that Grace’s veal looked way overcooked, and she told her to refire immediately, while getting Lauren and Carole to adjust their cook times, earning Ramsay’s praise for the quick resolution, while he told Grace to stop fucking around. Lauren said in her confessional that she was proud of how far Melody had come, while Melody said in her confessional that running a kitchen was a big step up, even for a sous chef, but she felt like the nerves had faded after the first few minutes, while Lauren’s steady presence had definitely helped as well. With her continued solid leadership, the blue team managed to get their dishes to the pass in good time.
In the red kitchen, Michael said in his confessional that Italian cuisine was right up his alley, and he couldn’t afford to screw this up, especially for a charity. Early on, he took command of the kitchen, as he was able to keep the red team energized after a successful third course and called out times confidently, with Faye saying in her confessional that the red team was just getting better and better as the night went on, while Ramona said in her confessional that Michael was a great leader, and she was determined not to fuck up any of her dishes. As the chefs brought their dishes to the pass, the fourth course seemed to be nearly perfect again, but as Michael checked the dishes, he found that Faye and Ramona had each brought up raw veal, earning him a scolding from Ramsay for not checking before bringing it to the pass. Michael was pissed in his confessional but accepted the blame for his mistake and tried to assure Faye and Ramona that they had this, but Ramona dragged on her refire, while Ramsay demanded to know what the fuck the hold up was, and told Michael he couldn’t be content with nothing going out. Michael finally told Thomas to help Ramona, and with his help, Ramona and Faye were able to serve acceptable veal, and both kitchens served their final entrees, with Michael being disappointed in himself for how the course ended, and just hoped he had shown enough for Ramsay to see him as a potential head chef.
For the final tiramisu dessert course, Lauren and Ramona returned, with Ramsay telling them to finish the night strong. In the blue kitchen, despite Carole dragging, Lauren managed to get her team moving and appeared to have things under control as the blue team had their desserts ready with few issues. In the red kitchen, Ramona said in her confessional that she had to nail this course or it could be the end for her, considering her shaky start. Thomas was doubtful in his confessional, but she was able to lead more effectively this time around, as the red team worked in sync and was able to get their desserts to the pass alongside the blue team’s. With all five courses served, Ramsay told both teams to clear down and had them join him as he thanked the charity members for attending, and said he hoped they had enjoyed their meal.
Post-Mortem
Ramsay had the teams line up and said this was not what he expected of his elite eight. Tonight, he went on, he had hoped to see two teams of leaders, but instead, he got several inconsistent performances, even from chefs he thought would have no issues running the kitchen. That was why, despite this being charity night, he was not in a charitable mood, and said there were no winning teams here. With that, he told each team to go back to the dorms, have a good discussion amongst themselves, and come up with the one person that they felt should be leaving Hell’s Kitchen tonight.
Back in the dorms, the blue team’s deliberations were started by Lauren, as she admitted that her course could have gone better, but she felt that she had been one of the strongest chefs overall, and didn’t deserve to go up. Melody agreed and said there was no way Lauren could go up, as she also felt that despite her early issues, her own course went well. Lauren said that Carole struggled the most, and, while she liked her as a person, had to nominate her as the weakest. Carole was dismayed, as she defended herself by saying that Grace had the worst attitude of everyone here, and she blamed everyone but herself for her mistakes, but Grace shot back that Carole had fucked her over by serving raw branzino, and Lauren finally had to tell them to stop and get back to the discussion, to which Carole said that she was obviously nominating Grace, while Grace said it was right back at her, as Carole downright sucked as a leader tonight. With the vote at 2 to 1, Melody had the potential tie breaking vote, and said in her confessional that as much as everyone disliked Grace, Carole did have the worse service, and knew it would be a tough decision.
On the red team’s side of the dorm, Thomas started off by saying that he felt like everyone aside from him had inconsistencies tonight, but based on everything up to this point, it was clear that Ramona was the weakest, as he simply trusted Michael and Faye more in the kitchen. Ramona tried to defend herself though, saying she did bounce back on the dessert course, and that she had shown potential throughout the competition and was far from done here, no matter what he thought. Michael agreed with Thomas though, saying he couldn’t vote for Faye over Ramona, as Faye had shown more leadership qualities, and Ramona was simply making too many mistakes at this point. Ramona insisted that they all made mistakes, as both Michael and Faye struggled at times on their courses, and said she would vote for Michael due to the way his course ended, but Michael replied that the kitchen was totally chaotic with her in charge. Faye said that she supported Ramona and believed she could be a great chef, but right now, felt that she wasn’t ready to take the next step, as she admitted she would also have to vote for her. Ramona said in her confessional that after getting this far, she couldn’t stand the thought of going home now.
Elimination Ceremony
The teams entered the dining room and lined up before Ramsay, who reiterated that this charity night was not what he had hoped for from these chefs, and if they didn’t start stepping it up soon, he was going to start sending them home at a faster rate. With that, he called on Lauren and asked for the blue team’s nominee and why. Lauren announced that the team had decided to nominate Carole, due to her declining performances and struggles in running her course. Ramsay noted that decline was definitely the right word, then turned to the red team and called on Faye, asking her for the red team’s nominee and why. Faye announced that the red team was nominating Ramona, due to her slow start on the first course, and overall inconsistency. Ramsay accepted the nominations and told both chefs to step forward.
Deliberation music
Before he started hearing pleas, though, Ramsay said there was one more chef he wanted to hear from…Grace, as he told her to get up here and join the other two. With three chefs standing before him, Ramsay started with Ramona, asking her why she should stay in Hell’s Kitchen.
Ramona: “The first course was rough, chef, I admit that-”
Ramsay cut her off to say that “rough” barely scratched the surface, as he was struggling to see her as a leader right now.
Ramona: “But chef, I do have that ability within me, I know I do. Most importantly, I fought back, I didn’t let what happened at the start of the night affect me at the end. I’ll never stop fighting back, chef.”
Ramsay moved on to Carole, asking her why she should stay in Hell’s Kitchen when it seemed like she was caught in a downward spiral at the worst possible time.
Carole: “Chef, I should stay in Hell’s Kitchen because I think I have a better attitude and more maturity than either Grace or Ramona. I know what it takes to run a kitchen. I’ve had my struggles here, but I still feel like I’m the most qualified of the three of us here to run Gordon Ramsay Steak.”
Ramsay said that if she could run a kitchen, she could’ve fooled him with that performance tonight, and said he was getting tired of waiting. Finally, he moved on to Grace, saying he called her up for a very specific reason: she still could not seem to communicate with her team half the time, and that just wasn’t how a normal kitchen operated. He asked her why she should stay in Hell’s Kitchen.
Grace: “I understand that you want to hear from me, chef. What I don’t understand is my team constantly blaming me when they fuck shit up. That branzino was stone cold raw-”
Ramsay stopped Grace, saying he didn’t ask her to give another fucking excuse, and just once wanted her to answer for her mistakes.
Grace: “I think I led my course well, chef. When I fuck up, I’ll admit it. I think Carole is the weakest chef here, and I would send her ass home right now.”
Ramsay sighed as he rubbed his forehead in frustration. Finally, he said that he was ready to make his choice.
Ramsay: “My decision is…”

Ramsay: “Ramona…I’ve seen flashes throughout this competition. You can cook. What I’m not seeing is the confidence, the assertiveness. I need to see more than flashes, and I need to see it fucking soon…Get back in line!”
Dramatic music
Ramona was visibly relieved as she rejoined the red team. With two chefs still standing before him, Ramsay next called on…
Ramsay: “Grace…get up here.”
Ramsay: “You, young lady…are one hundred percent right, get back in line. Carole, please give me your jacket, your time is done in Hell’s Kitchen.”
Elimination music
As Grace rejoined the blue team, Carole stepped forward and took off her jacket.
Ramsay: “Unfortunately, young lady, this downward spiral is just too much, the leadership tonight was nowhere near good enough. But I will say this: you have been a great competitor with a lovely attitude, and I do see a future for you, it just won’t be at Gordon Ramsay Steak.”
Ramsay then offered a hug to Carole, who accepted, and she waved goodbye to her teammates as she exited Hell’s Kitchen
Carole’s comment
“I started Hell’s Kitchen really strong, and I guess I just figured that my momentum would carry on and on, but it doesn’t work that way. You have to stay totally focused, and the further I went, the more it seemed to slip away. I guess I just didn’t have the qualities Chef was looking for, but he’s done nothing but encourage me, even when sending me home! (laughs) That’s why I won’t let the fact that I came up short here stop me from pursuing my passion.”

After Carole’s elimination, Ramsay told the seven remaining chefs that it was clear they were still a work in progress. However, he wasn’t giving up on them yet, and he hoped none of them were giving up, because soon, the competition was going to turn up to another level, and things were only going to get harder from here. With that, he sent them back to the dorms.
As the chefs left the dining room, several had confessionals. Ramona said that it was another close call for her, and if she didn’t stand out in the next service, she could kiss her black jacket goodbye. Thomas said that he was one step closer to the ultimate prize, and hoped today had proven why he was the most qualified chef here to run Gordon Ramsay Steak. Melody said it was sad to see Carole go, especially as the blue team only had three members now, and Grace was one of them, but was excited at the thought of her and Lauren getting black jackets. Grace said that the blue team could kiss her ass, as Carole was finally gone, and she was planning to get her black jacket and go all the way to the top.
Placement
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When I was a kid, a locally owned steakhouse in my town served Romanian Steak. I absolutely LOVE a perfectly cooked ribeye with a side of my secret recipe horseradish sauce, but this marinated flank steak has a special place in my heart. I have tried desperately to recreate the marinade but nothing hits quite right. Anyone have any suggestions? The marinade I'm trying right now is:
½ cup olive oil
½ cup soy sauce
⅓ cup Worcestershire sauce
¼ cup balsamic vinegar
¼ cup red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons of freshly chopped garlic
2 big squirts of Dijon mustard
Minced fresh thyme, rosemary and oregano (maybe about 2 tablespoons of each?)
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
About a teaspoon of diamond kosher salt
I'm slightly worried about the soy sauce but I've tried it with just the vinegars and it's a little too acidic.
I'd appreciate any suggestions. Merci!
Editing to add a little backstory
For this dish, it seems like you're typically marinating a flank steak in a pretty acidic marinade for a couple of days to really tenderize it so it can be eaten with a knife and fork like you would a ribeye as opposed to something like fajitas. It's very flavorful and I realize part of my love is a deep nostalgia but I'm ok with that. It was a small, local steakhouse in Virginia Beach, VA called Jimmy's Steakhouse. And because it was a flank steak, cheaper than most of the other steak options on the menu. My parents always encouraged us to have it because then all 5 of us could have steak and it was a much lower tab. They also had the thinnest shoestring fries I've ever had and a delicious homemade dressing that was similar to ranch and a side salad where they shredded the cheese in house. It's one of those things that has just stayed with me since childhood. Jimmy's has since closed down but someone in the family opened a restaurant called Angie's near my parents in Chesapeake and they've got the family Romanian Steak recipe on the menu as a special occasionally. I now live about 1600 miles from home and maybe when I make it home one day, I'll get to have it at Angie's again. Until, I'm going to keep experimenting to capture nostalgia in a plastic bag with a flank steak.

I know this sounds stupid but bare with me. Me and my parents went to Longhorn steakhouse today and I ordered my usual sirloin cooked medium rare. When it came and I cut I to it blood came rushing all over my plate and I mean ALL over. I immediately started having racing thoughts and wanting to sh. I was freaking out inside and don't know what to do. This just happened so if any of y'all have advice or just anything plz tell me. <3

When your taste buds yearn for the mouthwatering flavor of a perfectly grilled steak, Hesperia, California, delivers like no other. This desert city may surprise you with its variety of steakhouses, each offering a unique twist on the classic steak dinner. Whether you're a local looking for a new favorite spot or a traveler passing through, these six top-rated steakhouses in Hesperia, California, in 2024 are sure to leave you craving more. Let's dive into these sizzling sensations and find out where your next steak adventure awaits!

1. Desert Flame Steakhouse

A Culinary Oasis

Nestled in the heart of Hesperia, Desert Flame Steakhouse is a beacon for steak lovers. Known for its rustic charm and warm atmosphere, this spot offers a dining experience that feels like a cozy retreat.

• Signature Dish: The Ribeye Special – a 16-ounce ribeye grilled to perfection and served with garlic mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables.
• Ambiance: Rustic décor with wooden accents, soft lighting, and a roaring fireplace.
• Must-Try: Their homemade steak sauce, a closely guarded recipe that perfectly complements any cut.

Why We Love It

Desert Flame doesn't just serve steaks; it serves memories. The staff here treat you like family, ensuring that every meal is a memorable one. Plus, their wine list is top-notch, featuring selections that pair beautifully with their menu.

2. Sierra Peaks Steakhouse

Elevated Dining

Perched on the outskirts of Hesperia, Sierra Peaks Steakhouse offers more than just a meal—it provides an experience. With panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, dining here feels like a special occasion every time.

• Signature Dish: The Filet Mignon – an 8-ounce filet wrapped in bacon, grilled to your liking, and served with a creamy mushroom sauce.
• Ambiance: Upscale with floor-to-ceiling windows, offering stunning mountain views.
• Must-Try: Their truffle mac and cheese, a decadent side dish that steals the show.

Why We Love It

Sierra Peaks combines breathtaking views with gourmet cuisine, making it the perfect spot for romantic dinners and celebrations. The attentive service and luxurious setting ensure that every visit is unforgettable.

3. Cattleman’s Grill

Down-Home Comfort

Cattleman’s Grill brings a touch of Texas to Hesperia with its hearty portions and laid-back vibe. This is the place to go when you want a great steak without any fuss.

• Signature Dish: The Cowboy Ribeye – a massive 20-ounce bone-in ribeye that's juicy, flavorful, and cooked to perfection.
• Ambiance: Casual and cozy with checkered tablecloths and country music.
• Must-Try: Their loaded baked potato, topped with cheese, bacon, and chives.

Why We Love It

Cattleman’s Grill is all about comfort food done right. The friendly service and relaxed atmosphere make it a favorite for families and groups of friends looking to enjoy a hearty meal together.

4. Pinnacle Steakhouse

Modern Elegance

For those who appreciate a modern twist on traditional steakhouse fare, Pinnacle Steakhouse is a must-visit. This chic eatery combines contemporary décor with a menu that’s both innovative and delicious.

• Signature Dish: The Wagyu Strip – a melt-in-your-mouth strip steak that's known for its rich marbling and buttery texture.
• Ambiance: Sleek and sophisticated with modern art and ambient lighting.
• Must-Try: Their bone marrow butter, which adds an extra layer of decadence to any steak.

Why We Love It

Pinnacle Steakhouse offers a fresh take on the classic steakhouse experience. The creative menu and stylish setting make it a great choice for date nights and special occasions.

5. Hesperia Chophouse

Timeless Tradition

Hesperia Chophouse is a local institution, beloved for its timeless approach to steakhouse dining. Here, tradition reigns supreme, and every dish is crafted with care.

• Signature Dish: The Porterhouse – a 24-ounce behemoth that's perfect for sharing, cooked to your exact specifications.
• Ambiance: Classic and elegant with white tablecloths and dark wood paneling.
• Must-Try: Their classic Caesar salad, prepared tableside for a bit of old-school flair.

Why We Love It

Hesperia Chophouse is where you go for a tried-and-true steakhouse experience. The impeccable service and attention to detail make it a standout in the local dining scene.

6. High Desert Steakhouse

Casual Excellence

Last but certainly not least, High Desert Steakhouse offers a laid-back environment with top-tier steaks. It's the perfect blend of casual dining and gourmet cuisine.

• Signature Dish: The New York Strip – a 12-ounce strip steak that's juicy and flavorful, served with your choice of sides.
• Ambiance: Relaxed and inviting with a friendly, down-to-earth staff.
• Must-Try: Their house-made chimichurri sauce, which adds a zesty kick to any steak.

Why We Love It

High Desert Steakhouse is all about great food without the pretense. It’s a fantastic spot for a casual dinner with friends or a relaxed family meal.

FAQs

What are the best steakhouses in Hesperia, California in 2024?

The six top-rated steakhouses in Hesperia, California, in 2024 include Desert Flame Steakhouse, Sierra Peaks Steakhouse, Cattleman’s Grill, Pinnacle Steakhouse, Hesperia Chophouse, and High Desert Steakhouse. Each offers a unique dining experience with delicious steaks and exceptional service.

Which steakhouse has the best view in Hesperia?

Sierra Peaks Steakhouse offers the best view, with stunning panoramic vistas of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, making it an ideal spot for a memorable dining experience.

Where can I find the most affordable steak in Hesperia?

Cattleman’s Grill is known for its hearty portions and reasonable prices, making it a great choice for those looking for a delicious yet affordable steak dinner.

Are any of these steakhouses good for special occasions?

Yes, Sierra Peaks Steakhouse and Pinnacle Steakhouse are particularly well-suited for special occasions, offering upscale dining experiences with elegant settings and exceptional menus.

Can I bring my kids to these steakhouses?

Absolutely! Places like Cattleman’s Grill and High Desert Steakhouse offer a casual and family-friendly atmosphere, making them great options for dining with kids.

Conclusion

Hesperia, California, may be known for its desert landscapes, but when it comes to steak, this city is a hidden gem. From the rustic charm of Desert Flame Steakhouse to the modern elegance of Pinnacle Steakhouse, there's a spot for every steak lover. So next time you're in town, treat yourself to a delicious meal at one of these six top-rated steakhouses in Hesperia, California, in 2024. Your taste buds will thank you!

Previously, on Hell’s Kitchen…
The final 10 were given a challenge not seen in over a decade, creating their own menus in the revival of Red vs Blue Menu Night. While the blue team worked together, with a strong concept provided by Melody, the red team found themselves being led by Thomas, whether they liked it or not. However, as the chefs were returning to the kitchen to begin cooking their dishes, disaster struck, as Travis re-injured his ankle, and had to be taken to the hospital. Despite being down a man, and Grace feeling shortchanged by not getting anything on the menu, the blue team’s cohesive selection still managed to impress Ramsay and his special guests: three previous winners of Hell’s Kitchen. The red team’s menu had mixed results, which led to friction between Thomas and some of his teammates
In service, the blue team’s menu had the edge in popularity, but thanks to poor communication between Grace and Carole, the kitchen ground to a halt multiple times. Meanwhile, the red kitchen managed to push out their food in a timely manner thanks to strong teamwork on entrees. With the red team named the winners of service, it was time for the blue team to nominate two chefs to send home.
At elimination, though, everyone was in for a shock when Travis, who had been one of the early favorites, returned and announced that due to injury, he would be leaving Hell’s Kitchen for good. Ramsay still insisted on hearing from the blue team’s nominees, who were Grace, Carole and Melody after they failed to come to a consensus. But with Travis’ dream of becoming the next head chef at Gordon Ramsay Steak in Vancouver, British Columbia already having come to a heartbreaking end, Ramsay gave everyone another chance to show him why they were the chef he was looking for, but assured them that he was not taking any more excuses from now on.
https://reddit.com/link/1ctwn9g/video/oifsieupww0d1/player
And now, the continuation of Hell’s Kitchen…
After witnessing the shocking withdrawal of Travis from the competition, no one was in a celebratory mood as Ramsay dismissed them to the dorms for the night. Carole said in her confessional that he had been the main one supporting her in the blue team, and now it felt like she was truly on her own. As the blue team returned to the dorms, a very upset Melody unleashed her frustration, saying that Travis did not deserve to go home tonight over either Carole and Grace, and they needed to cut the bullshit and start thinking and working as a team. Lauren said in her confessional that it seemed like something snapped in Melody tonight, as she was well and truly fed up with the drama, which definitely made two of them. Even so, after noticing that Melody was sitting alone and nearly in tears, Lauren went over to comfort her, as Melody admitted that she hated to have to talk that way to her teammates, but she was sick and tired of the drama. Lauren assured her that it had to be said, and was proud of her for stepping up. Meanwhile, Grace said in her confessional that Melody seemed to be losing her composure, and would hopefully go down in flames soon.
On the red team’s side of the dorm, Faye was also feeling sadness over the way Travis had gone out, as she admitted to Michael that it reminded her too much of her own exit last season, only at least she had made the choice to walk away, while Travis never had one. Meanwhile, another chef had mixed feelings on the sudden turn of events, as Thomas said in his confessional that Travis had been a strong chef and a good person, and while losing him would cut the competition down, he would have rather seen him go out with dignity. Ramona and Everett, meanwhile, continued to stick closely together, with Ramona saying in her confessional that it felt good to have the security of the immunity pass, because she and Everett were definitely the most likely to be nominated if service went wrong, though she admitted she would feel some guilt if he went out because of it, but this was her career and future at stake. Everett said in his confessional that he couldn’t afford to worry about what might happen if he went up on the chopping block, and was just focused on trying to help the red team win.
The chefs were still trying to take in all the events of the night, but finally, tiredness overtook them, and they turned in for the night.
Challenge
The next day, the final 9 came downstairs to find Ramsy waiting for them, as well as a detailed diagram of a cow. Ramsay explained that he still had not forgotten the disaster that was Steak Night, and that was why, for this next challenge, he wanted to give both teams a chance to prove how far they had come by preparing dishes using five cuts: ribeye, top sirloin, hanger, flank, and striploin. Thomas said in his confessional that the red team had no business fucking this up, as they had several chefs who were strong on the meat station in services, while Lauren was nervous in her confessional, as she wasn’t sure about Grace or Carole. Since the blue team had one less member, one chef would have to prepare two dishes, which Lauren volunteered to do. With their instructions having been given, Ramsay told the chefs that their time started now.
The chefs rushed into their respective kitchens and quickly tried to sort out who would be responsible for which cuts of steak. In the blue kitchen, Lauren decided to take on the hanger and flank steak, while Grace took the ribeye, over Carole’s objections, and Carole was left with the striploin, while Melody took the top sirloin. Grace said in her confessional that she fought for this ribeye and she was going to carry her team to victory whether they liked it or not, while Carole said she would’ve felt much safer if anyone else were cooking the ribeye besides Grace. While Carole still seemed undecided on which direction to go with her New York Strip, at least one chef already had her dish planned out, and that was Melody, who went into detail in her confessional on how she wanted to plate her top sirloin. Meanwhile, Lauren was working hard to manage two separate cuts of meat, saying in her confessional that taking on the extra workload could either make her look really good in front of Chef Ramsay or totally blow up in her face.
In the red kitchen, Thomas was on the top sirloin, Ramona had the ribeye, Faye had hanger steak, Michael had flank steak, and Everett had striploin. Ramona said in her confessional that she had to deliver on the ribeye, as she already had the most losses of any chef here, and didn’t need to add any more to her resume with black jackets approaching. Thomas was confident that he could handle the top sirloin, as he said in his confessional that no one still here should have any issues cooking meat, and he would be disappointed in himself if he didn’t achieve perfection on this dish. Michael noticed Ramona seemed to be having some trouble with her ribeye, and tried to offer some advice, but Ramona said in her confessional that she had to do this alone, and told him she had it under control. Michael was annoyed, saying in his confessional that this was still a team effort, and it was no time to let egos get in the way. Meanwhile, Faye and Everett were seemingly in good spirits, with Everett saying in his confessional that meat was where he felt the most at home, and if he failed at this challenge, he might as well go home now, while Faye said in her confessional that it was nice to see Everett so energetic, and she hoped his dish could match that.
With the time nearly up, the chefs put the finishing touches on their dishes as Ramsay called out the final seconds and told the chefs to bring their plates to the pass. Ramsay then announced that he would be joined by a special guest judge for this competition, who was a familiar face to viewers of MasterChef: Ramsay’s former co-host on that show, Graham Elliot. The chefs were starstruck, with Melody saying in her confessional Graham was the best, and easily her favorite judge on MasterChef…after Ramsay, of course. After exchanging a warm greeting, Ramsay said it was time to get down to business, starting with the battle of the flank steak. This round would pit Lauren against Michael, with Michael saying in his confessional that this was his first time going against Lauren in a challenge, and he knew it wouldn’t be easy to take her down, given how consistently strong she had been. After tasting Lauren’s dish, both Ramsay and Elliot had high praise, saying the meat was tender and nicely cooked, although Elliot did say he might have done something different for the garnish. Lauren was second-guessing herself in her confessional, but In the end, both judges gave it four stars out of five. Michael said in his confessional that as expected, Lauren put up a good dish, but he was confident in his as well. Indeed, Michael’s flank steak was also found to be nicely cooked, and despite the somewhat simple presentation, Ramsay said this was a great start for both teams, as again, both he and Elliot each gave it a four.
With the score tied at 8, it was time for the battle of the hanger steak. Lauren stayed where she was while Faye brought her dish up to the pass. Elliot was impressed that Lauren had cooked two dishes for the challenge, although he noted that the hanger steak could’ve used a little more cooking time, which Ramsay agreed with, saying that was the one thing holding it back, and Lauren kicked herself in her confessional, as she said she should have been able to stay on top of it. Elliot only gave it a three due to the undercooked steak, though Ramsay said it still delivered enough flavor to get a four. Faye’s dish also got mixed reviews, as both chefs praised the cook of the meat, but questioned her garnish choices, with Ramsay pointing out that the presentation seemed slightly off. Elliot said she got the most important part right though, and gave it a four, to which Ramsay agreed, which put the red team ahead 16-15. In the third round, the teams’ ribeye dishes went head to head, for which Ramona and Grace stepped forward. Unfortunately for Ramona, her ribeye was badly overcooked, and Ramsay took her to task for serving something practically inedible to him and his guest. Ramona groaned in her confessional, as she couldn’t believe she had fucked up this badly. Both judges gave her a one, and Ramsay said she was lucky to get even that. Grace’s dish got mixed reviews, with Ramsay saying the presentation was shocking, while Elliot noted that the ribeye again was overcooked, though not nearly as much as Ramona’s. Ramsay said this was not what he expected from these chefs at this stage of the game, and gave Grace a one, but Elliot was more generous and gave it a two, as at least it had some flavor.
With the scores now tied at 18, it was time for the battle of the top sirloin, as Thomas and Melody brought their dishes forward. Melody’s dish earned praise for it’s stylish presentation and garnish, and after tasting the steak itself, Ramsay noted that it was cooked perfectly, and said this dish was a strong four, but Elliot went a step further and said it deserved a five, which made Melody giddy in her confessional, as she never could have imagined hearing those words before. Next was Thomas, with Elliot again noting the stunning presentation, and after tasting, he said that these two had really raised the bar today. Ramsay agreed and said it was the best pair of dishes yet, and this time, he would be giving out a five. Elliot agreed, giving Thomas a perfect score, which he took with a calm smile in his confessional, as he said Melody gave him a good run, but he never had any doubts. With the red team now back in the lead 28-27, it was time for the final round, as Everett and Carole would face off in the battle of the New York Strip. Everett went first, with Elliot saying, after a long pause…that the strip was absolutely delicious. Ramsay agreed, also praising the presentation, and said this was one of Everett’s best dishes yet in Hell’s Kitchen, as that deserved a very strong four. Elliot gave the same score, bringing the red team’s total up to an impressive 36, meaning Carole needed close to a perfect score to keep the blue team in it. Everett was absolutely fired up in his confessional, saying this was just the boost that he needed, and there was no stopping him now. Meanwhile, Carole presented her dish, which got good marks for presentation, but as Elliot sliced into the strip, he said it looked undercooked, to which Ramsay agreed, and said it was a great shame. Though it was only a formality, both Elliot and Ramsay gave the dish a two, giving the red team a 36-31 win.
Reward / Punishment
Ramsay thanked Elliot for helping him judge the challenge, and once he had left, Ramsay turned back to the chefs and congratulated the red team on winning the challenge, in particular praising the efforts of Everett and Thomas. He then said they were in for a fun reward, as he was sending all of them off for a day of paintball, followed by dinner at an exquisite LA steakhouse. Ramona was relieved in her confessional, as she knew she could have blown it for the red team with her ribeye, while Everett was ecstatic to have redeemed himself in this challenge, as he said in his confessional that he was still a beast at cooking meat. While the red team ran off to get changed, Ramsay turned his attention to the blue team and said that for today’s punishment, he had decided to put it towards a good cause by volunteering them for community service, which meant picking up trash on the side of the road. Grace moaned in her confessional, as she said that they always seemed to save the worst punishments for her. Ramsay reminded Melody that she still had that punishment pass, and offered to let her use it. Melody replied that she was never a paintball type of girl, and would rather help out the environment. Ramsay accepted her choice and told the blue team that they too would be changing…into their stunning orange uniforms.
The red team came back downstairs, and Michael joked in his confessional that it looked like Hell’s Kitchen had turned into a prison, while Faye apologetically said goodbye. While on the way to the paintball ground, the red team talked amongst themselves in the car, with Thomas saying that no one else was going home from the red team, and Michael agreed, saying they were all getting black jackets. Faye wondered aloud who their biggest competition might be from the blue team, but everyone quickly agreed that Lauren was the strongest. Ramona said in her confessional that she knew everyone was sleeping on her, but she would simply have to prove them wrong in service. Later, the chefs arrived at the paintball ground, and Faye said she hoped none of them would go easy on her just because she was a woman. Everett joked that she had nothing to worry about there, and the team ended up having an enjoyable afternoon, with Ramona and Everett trying to team up against Thomas, but he was able to shoot both of them. Michael said in his confessional that it felt great to just get outside and let loose without having to do some exhausting punishment. As evening approached, the red team were then taken to dinner, which Everett said in his confessional was some of the finest quality steak he had ever tasted, though not quite as good as the home cooking back in Oklahoma, which got some laughs from the others. Faye said that the next winner was sitting right here at this table, to which the others enthusiastically toasted, and the chefs continued to bond as a team over their meal.
While the red team were living the good life, the blue team were working in the hot sun to ensure that the environment could do the same. While the others tried to get on with their task, though, Grace’s constant complaining quickly got on all of their nerves, as Carole said in exasperation in her confessional that they were all well aware of the fact that Grace didn’t want to be here, and she didn’t need to broadcast it every five seconds. Lauren joked with Melody that she wouldn’t mind going on that paintball reward just to take a few shots at Grace, which Melody said in her confessional was tough to argue with, as even her optimistic outlook was being challenged right now by Grace’s incessant whining. Carole said in her confessional that she and Grace were definitely the most vulnerable on the team, but as long as Grace kept this up, she was making the decision easy for everyone, and as far as Carole was concerned, that was perfectly fine. Despite having their patience tested, the blue team worked through their physically exhausting community service and, for the most part, left feeling that at least some good had come of it.
Back in Hell’s Kitchen, the blue team arrived first and tried to unwind in the dorms until the red team returned later in the night. Grace quickly became annoyed with the red team talking about their reward, while Ramona said in her confessional that she didn’t mind rubbing it in her old rival’s face a bit. Lauren said in her confessional that the red team could have this one, as she was keeping her eyes on service. As the night dragged on, another topic came up, that being Travis, as everyone on the blue team aside from Grace admitted to missing him, and Lauren jokingly said even the punishments just weren’t the same now. Faye sympathized, as she said it was tough to watch a chef who had put everything on the line and pushed through an injury go out like that, even if this was a competition. Thomas agreed and said that everyone here deserved a chance to fight for their dream, as for these chefs, it was a potentially life changing opportunity, and he knew he would be devastated to lose it. Michael said in his confessional that it was no time for fucking around anymore, as they all needed to cook like it was their last night in Hell’s Kitchen.
The chefs chatted amongst themselves for a while longer before finally trying to get some sleep.
Pre-Service
The next day, the chefs went downstairs to begin prep, as Ramsay said that this was the stage in the competition where he wanted to see the best begin to shine, and warned that there would be nowhere to hide for chefs who were struggling to keep up. With that, he told the blue team that despite being a man down, he expected absolutely nothing less than a stellar performance, and told the red team not to get too comfortable with their challenge win, as they still needed to be locked in for service. With all nine chefs seemingly read to go, Ramsay allowed them to get started on prep.
In the blue kitchen, Melody and Lauren were in good spirits, though Melody admitted she still missed having Travis here, despite the fact that the blue team was all women now. Carole said in her confessional that the ladies should have no problems taking this service, as while she didn’t mind the format change, having all girls on one team was how it was done in the old days, and it would be even better if Grace was gone. Grace, meanwhile, seemed to be in a bad mood after her ribeye flopped in the challenge, as she said in her confessional that it couldn’t have been as bad as Ramsay said, as much as she respected his opinion, and refused to acknowledge Melody’s attempts to talk to her. Melody said in her confessional that nobody wanted Grace here, but the least she could do was try to reach out, as futile as it seemed. Lauren said in her confessional that in order for the blue team to win tonight, they needed Carole and Grace to step up big time, as she and Melody couldn’t do all the work here.
While the blue team was hoping for a miracle, the red team seemed loose and ready to go, with Michael saying that he had a good feeling about tonight, as there were no excuses for losing to the blue team now. Ramona said to Everett that this was their redemption night, with Everett agreeing and saying they were going to kick some culinary ass, and Faye said it was great to see both of them committed to bouncing back and leading the red team to another win. Everett replied that Grace was going home tonight for sure, which got some laughs from the others, as Michael said in his confessional that this was the one thing he was sure literally everyone else could agree on. Thomas, though, said in his confessional that everyone being this hyped up actually worried him, as he hoped they weren’t getting distracted and forgetting that they still had to earn the win. Michael encouraged him to lighten up, as they had a virtual all-star team here, but Thomas still maintained his serious demeanor, with Ramona saying in her confessional that this guy seriously needed to get a hobby.
Ramsay reminded the chefs again that he was looking for these chefs to show him why they deserved to become the head chef of Gordon Ramsay Steak, and with that, he called out to Marino and told him to open Hell’s Kitchen.
Dinner Service
Guests began to enter Hell’s Kitchen by the dozens, as it was once again the center of the culinary world for tonight, filled to the brim with celebrities and Hollywood elites. It was not long before orders began to make their way back to both kitchens.
In the blue kitchen, they were looking to Grace on appetizers and Carole on fish to give the blue team an early edge, while Lauren was on garnish and Melody was on meat. Early on, Grace managed to successfully deliver her first table of lobster tail risottos and capellini, with nicely cooked tails from Carole along with an acceptable order of scallops. Carole said in her confessional that they absolutely needed to keep this up, as both of them were effectively cooking for their lives right now. Unfortunately, communication issues cropped up again, with Grace not talking to Carole and bringing up her dishes without waiting for Carole’s scallops. Ramsay called out for the scallops, saying food was dying at the pass, and demanded to know why the fuck they couldn’t just work together as a team. Carole did eventually bring up the scallops, but they were raw, much to Ramsay’s disgust, and Grace said in her confessional that Carole just needed to get out of here as she clearly wasn’t cutting it. Despite these issues, and an overly salty risotto from Grace, the blue team did manage to finally start getting appetizers out into the dining room, with Ramsay even praising Grace’s risottos at one point, and telling her that’s what she could do if she would focus more on cooking than starting shit with her team. The blue team did eventually complete appetizers and began working on entrees.
In the red kitchen, Everett was working appetizers, while Michael was on fish, Ramona was on garnish, and Thomas and Faye were together on meat. Everett was glad to be working closely with Michael again, as he said in his confessional that they made a good team in the last service on meat. Early on, that familiarity seemed to be paying off, as Everett and Michael worked in sync with each other on the first few tickets and got their orders out in a timely fashion. Things did get bumpy, however, when Everett served mushy, overcooked capellini, and started dragging on orders, while Michael served overcooked scallops due to them getting mixed up on their times. Michael said in his confessional that they needed to get it together quickly, as they couldn’t afford to be falling behind so early in service. Meanwhile, Ramsay wanted to know where the energy was, as right now, Everett was going quiet and not responding when asked for times, and nothing was going out. Michael urged Everett to wake up and fight through it, and Everett did manage to get his next attempt at the capellini accepted. In his confessional, Everett said he was trying his best to keep it together, and admitted he had been thrown off his game, but he was far from done. With Everett’s newfound determination, the red kitchen finally had some life again, and after Ramsay praised both Michael’s scallops and Everett’s risottos, the two of them managed to get their rhythm back and serve the rest of their tables.
In the blue kitchen, they looked fo Melody to lead the way from the meat station, and thanks to strong communion between her, Lauren on garnish, and Carole on fish, they managed to get their dishes to the pass for the first table, but Carole’s turbot was undercooked, which left the entire order waiting for her, but she was able to recover quickly on her second attempt. On meat, Melody said in her confessional that it was pretty overwhelming to have to serve all of the blue team’s customers by herself for the first time, but despite dragging a bit on orders, she managed to push high quality Wellingtons and New York Strip out into the dining room consistently. Lauren, meanwhile, seemed at home driving tickets from the garnish station, and the blue team was finally starting to settle into a groove. Melody did serve a rare New York Strip, while Carole served raw turbot, but both were able to bounce back, and entrees were soon flying out to grateful diners. Melody and Lauren once again had no problems communicating and working in sync from their stations, with Lauren saying in her confessional that she and Melody could probably run the kitchen by themselves. But it was Carole who once again held up the kitchen when she inexplicably fired off halibut despite it not being on the ticket, which got her schooled by Ramsay for not paying attention to the ticket when he was standing less than five feet away. Despite this, the blue team managed to complete the rest of their entrees, and were soon ready to get started on desserts.
The red team was starting on entrees with Thomas and Faye on the meat station, and Faye said in her confessional that with meat being a station she felt comfortable in, she hoped tonight could be the night she stood out for the red team. On the first ticket, she and Thomas managed to serve beautifully cooked Wellingtons and New York Strip, along with nicely cooked turbot from Michael, but Ramona was holding the table up by dragging on garnish. Though she eventually managed to bring it up, Ramona would continue to drag on her section, frustrating her team, but especially Ramsay, as he kept calling out for times, with Ramona becoming flustered and not responding to her team. Ramona said in her confessional that the nerves were absolutely getting to her right now, and she seriously needed to bounce back. Meanwhile, Faye ran into some trouble on her Wellingtons, as she undercooked them for one table and said she would need several minutes for a refire, though she was able to recover. Thomas also had a rare mistake as he served undercooked New York Strip, and Ramsay said he didn't expect that from the executive chef. Thomas kicked himself in his confessional, saying that could not happen again, and he did manage to serve a beautiful New York Strip on his refire. However, on the next ticket, Ramona served a pot of runny mashed potatoes, and also seemed lost on what was actually going, as she couldn’t recall the ticket when Ramsay asked her. Ramsay had seen enough and took her into the pantry, asking her what the fuck she was doing, and if it was some kind of joke to her. Ramona insisted it wasn’t and said it was just nerves, but Ramsay replied that she needed to shake those nerves right now, or he would send her out the front door, immunity pass or not. Ramona said in her confessional that it was do or die, and she did manage to finally serve acceptable garnishes. Faye was still dragging on Wellingtons, which frustrated Ramsay, but finally, the red team managed to complete their remaining entrees.
Both teams finished their desserts in good time, and Ramsay told them to clear down.
Post-Mortem
Ramsay had the teams line up and started by saying that this was still not the complete performance he had been looking for. For the blue team, appetizers had been underwhelming, but they improved on entrees. For the red team, it was a decent start on apps, followed by a nightmare on entrees. However, he noted that one team in particular had a slight edge, and that was the blue team, as despite their issues, their customer comment cards gave them a satisfaction rating of 90%, to 84% from the red team. Ramsay said that the fiasco on entrees cost the red team this service, and told them to think long and hard about which two should be going up for elimination tonight. With that, he dismissed both teams to the dorms.
Back in the dorms, the red team’s deliberations were kicked off by Thomas, as he said he hoped everyone could agree that Ramona had dropped the ball tonight on garnish. The others seemed to agree, with Michael saying it was her worst performance in a while. Ramona only half-heartedly fought back, as she said she was better than this, and knew she still deserved to be here, but said if they wanted to put her up, it was their choice. In her confessional, she said she knew that immunity pass wouldn’t last forever, and it was better to get her bad service out of the way now, than during black jackets. With the first nominee having been an easy choice, the second would be more challenging, as Everett acknowledged that Michael and Thomas both had great services despite each having a mistake, and didn’t deserve to go up, which left either him or Faye. Thomas said that he felt Faye had struggled on meat, and that Ramsay rightfully had high expectations of both of them, due to his experience and her being a past chef, so he would vote for her. Michael, though, said that he had to vote for Everett, as he was just too inconsistent at this stage. Faye seemed torn but said she had to vote for Everett, even though they were friends, as he had struggled the most of the available options. Ramona was left with the deciding vote, and said in her confessional that it was impossibly difficult, as Faye had been a mentor for her here, while she had also bonded with Everett.
On the blue team’s side of the dorm, everyone was pleased to have won service and avoided having to send anyone home…well, almost everyone. Lauren admitted to Melody that it sucked having to put up with Grace for another day, while Melody tried to get her to think more positively, as if they were winning with Grace on their team, Ramsay definitely had to be taking notice. Lauren smiled and said she was definitely right about that, and the two of them continued chatting together while Carole sat off by herself and pondered her future in Hell’s Kitchen, In her confessional, she said she was damn lucky that the blue team won tonight, as she and Grace would have gone up otherwise, and that could have been it for her and her dream. Meanwhile, Grace felt that she had done well, and could have done even better without Carole getting in the way, saying in her confessional that it would be nice to get rid of dead weight, but she would settle for seeing someone from the red team go home.
Elimination Ceremony
The red team entered the dining room anxiously and lined up before Ramsay, who said that this was supposed to be the best five on the red team, but instead, it looked like two completely different teams, and while he didn’t know what the hell was going on, he was going to get to the bottom of it. With that, he asked Thomas for the red team’s first nominee and why. Thomas announced that the red team had nominated Ramona, due to her terrible performance on garnish, and being the weakest chef on the team. Ramsay asked for the second nominee and why. Thomas hesitated briefly before announcing that…the red team was nominating Everett, due to his declining performances and up and down service on appetizers. Before getting to any elimination pleas, though, Ramsay told Ramona to step forward and had her hand over the immunity pass. As she did so, Ramsay said that if not for the pass, Ramona would have gone home tonight, and urged her to take advantage of this second chance, before sending her back in line. Ramona appeared visibly shaken as she went to rejoin the red team. Ramsay said that the red team now had 30 seconds to talk amongst themselves and come up with another nominee. In the huddle, the chefs quickly determined that Faye would go up, as she had been their other consideration. As they broke the huddle, Thomas announced that Faye was the red team’s new nominee. Ramsay accepted this and told Everett and Faye to step forward.
Deliberation music
First, Ramsay asked Faye why she should stay in Hell’s Kitchen.
Faye: “My time away from Hell’s Kitchen gave me a whole new perspective on cooking, it made me realize why I’m doing this. It’s for my family, it’s for me, I can’t imagine doing anything else. That’s why I’ll never give up on myself or my team.”
Ramsay asked Faye if she thought she was a better chef than Everett.
Faye: “...Everett is a fighter, chef, and a good teammate, but yes, I do believe I’m stronger than him in terms of consistency and leadership.”
Ramsay moved on to Everett, asking him why he should stay in Hell’s Kitchen.
Everett: “This competition is a marathon, chef. I’ve had my ups and downs, I’ve had my stumbles, but I feel like I’m just on the cusp of hittin’ my stride.”
Ramsay said he had been waiting and waiting for Everett to emerge, and it seemed like he was trending downwards.
Everett: “I’ve had a slump, chef, I ain’t gonna deny that. But I’m fightin’ through it. I know I can be your next head chef.”
Ramsay asked Everett if he thought he was a stronger chef than Faye.
Everett: “Chef…”
Dramatic music
Ramsay waited on Everett’s answer, and after a tense moment, he finally spoke…
Everett: “Chef…at this time, no, I can’t say that I am.”
Faye glanced over at Everett in shock, as did everyone else from the red team, and even some of the blue team.
Ramsay: “I appreciate the honesty. Please, give me your jacket, your time is done in Hell’s Kitchen.”
Elimination music
Everett handed over his jacket and shook Ramsay’s hand.
Everett: “Thank you so much for this opportunity, chef.”
Ramsay: “Let me tell you something, young man, you have so much passion and fightback within you, I’ve seen it throughout this competition. Unfortunately, I didn’t see enough of it in service, or just now, but I hope you can find it again, because you are bloody talented. I wish you all the best.”
Everett thanked Ramsay again and waved goodbye to his team as he exited Hell’s Kitchen.
Everett’s comment
“Oh man…when I first entered Hell’s Kitchen, I never thought I’d be walkin’ out the door like this. I thought I was headed straight for the top, no problem. Each day was like this crazy mixture of anxiety, thrills, and drama. I fought, and I fought, and I fought for my place, until, I guess I just couldn’t fight no more. I’ll always have good memories of my time here, but I sure as hell wouldn’t do it again! (laughs)

With Everett’s elimination, Ramsay told Faye to get back in line, and addressed the chefs collectively as the final 8, saying that tonight should be a reminder to each of these chefs that a downward spiral at this point was unacceptable, as things were not going to get any easier. With that, Ramsay told them all to get some rest, because tomorrow, he was going to start separating the chefs from the cooks.
As the chefs went back to the dorms, several of them had confessionals. Thomas said that Ramona was definitely a bigger liability than Everett, but hopefully losing her immunity would wake her up. Michael said that it sucked that Everett left when he was far from the worst tonight. Ramona was clearly still shaken from the experience, as she said she felt awful about Everett going home when she had a worse performance, and knew she had to bounce back tomorrow or it would all be over for her. Melody said that between Travis and Everett, watching their fellow chefs go home was just getting more and more difficult, but she knew there were still seven more between her and the grand prize. Grace said none of these chefs were on her level, and she was going to keep being herself and kicking ass in the kitchen, regardless of her team’s hate for her. Lauren said that with only four on each team, there was nowhere left to hide, and everything they had done up until now was just the warm up for the real tests that lay ahead.
​Placement
https://preview.redd.it/rpdx9533yw0d1.png?width=2447&format=png&auto=webp&s=52806b2d14807ba57be90bfa8261368e2dbea4cb

it can be super confusing knowing what to bring as a freshman living in the dorms, so i thought it would be helpful to create a master list of what to bring/not to bring.
please add to the list in the comments — i tried to be thorough but i’m sure i forgot something!!
must have:

• mattress topper
• sheets (twin xl, or full if you’re in cypress)
• pillows (2, maybe a decorative one)
• ottoman
• shower caddy (plastic)
• dehumidifieair purifier
• shower shoes
• comforteduvet
• mirror (full length from walmart are $10)
• brita/water filtepurifier
• backpack, water bottle, notebook, other school essentials
• laptop (even if you use an ipad)
• mini fridge/microwave
• air freshener (bath and body works are the best!)
• dishes (reusable kids dishes from target or disposable ones): spoons, knives, forks, plates, bowls, cups
• laundry basket (rolling or a backpack type are most convenient)
• laundry detergent (warning: tide pods can create issues in the school washers)
• fabric softener
• umbrella
• magnetic key holder (seriously, a personal favorite bc i never lost my keys)
• wallet phone case and/or a lanyard to keep keys on
• umbrella
• firstaid kit (badaids, dayquil + nyquil, melatonin, tylenol, etc.)
• office supplies (scissors, stapler, pens, pencils, etc.)
• towels
• clothes hangers
• disinfecting wipes
• enough socks and underwear
• hanging organizer for shoes
• noise cancelling headphones

nice to have:

• body pillow
• rug
• posters/pictures
• command hooks
• plastic dresser (target/walmart)
• whiteboard
• kettle
• ice cube tray
• desk hutch/organizer
• TV
• rolling cart (ikea has great ones), the skinnier the better
• lamp, fairly lights, LEDs, etc.
• sweatshirts (dorms are very cold)
• extra blankets
• mesh laundry bags
• slippers/slip on shoes
• good walking sneakers
• gator gear
• bedside table (clips on side of bed, great if you need to have a super lofted bed, might take some maneuvering to make it work!)
• sponge + dishsoap
• broom + vacuum
• power strip/extension cord
• candle (not technically allowed…but that’s what the ottoman is for lol)
• airfryer (again, ottoman)
• chip clips
• wall tack/mounting tap
• whiteboard
• over the door organizers (again, not technically allowed, but no one i know has gotten in trouble for them)
• sleep mask + earplugs

what you should know:

• your basic information — home AND dorm addresses, birth date, social security number, prescriptions, medical conditions, usual primary care providedoctor, parent/guardians names and dates of birth
• your UF ID
• how to make a doctor’s appointment
• what food you like (what will you want to make at 2am — drunk or sober? what essentials do you need? cereal, milk, peanut butter, bread, etc. how will you get it?)
• your phone number
• your parent’s phone number
• how to do your laundry
• how to cook at least one very simple meal (sandwich, ramen, pasta, etc.)
• your one.uf login
• how to resolve conflict with your roommate!
• basic social etiquette (don’t slam doors or let them slam past a certain time, try to make your vomit in the toilet, etc.)

don’t bother: * a separate trash can (you will forget to empty it and it will stink up the room! plus there might not even be room for it anyways) * ALL OF YOUR CLOTHES (the number one thing that makes move out hard. you can bring stuff back and trade it out over winter break) * too many shoes (one pair of sneakers, a pair of frat/party shoes, a business casual pair, maybe a pair of boots if you like them, shower shoes should be enough) * things you can buy when you get there (especially if you’re flying, buy shampoo + conditioner when you get here. amazon is your best friend!) * too many pillows * WALLPAPER (it will tear up the walls) * pushpins (maybe i used these, but they leave holes in the walls and a strict RA could charge you for damages. plus, some rooms only have cinder block walls) * pots and pans (unless you plan to cook and already do, you won’t use them) * ironing board * printer * a safe (every room has a drawer that you can add a lock to to make it into a safe if you need to) * a bike if you don’t already use one * anything you plan to start using if you don’t use it already * a rain jacket (if you rush a sorority, you will get a windbreaker, but otherwise no one else uses any kind of rain jacket. an umbrella is key!) * handled steamer
best places for dorm shopping are target and walmart, while the dollar store and five below are great for making things cute and homey!

Played the new season for maybe 12ish hours, but item rework is an improvement andwhere it should have been at launch. However, still has some glaring issues that need work. And some other things that would be great additions. Honestly feels like this last year was Blizzards way of beta testing the game prior to their new expansion.

• blue/white items have 0 value after WT2 and shouldn't ever drop. No reason. Instead, drop a pile of gold equivalent to what the average sell price is instead.
• Rare items are essentially useless past WT3. Would rather just see a large sum of gold and/or crystals drop instead. Just as if you were to salvage it
• everything is so damn expensive. Remember when game initially released, how everyone was up in arms because it cost so much to do just about anything? It's gone right back to it. Seems like the gring up to lvl 70 was so expensive because you swap gear so much. At level 79 and finding most of my end-game gear, the amount of gold dished out slowed and am finally seeing more than $2 million steady in account. Prob more noticeable now because less trash loot equals less income from selling. I always sell rares/blue/white, then salvage the legendaries, even in new season. Have plenty of crystals so salvaging rares isn't needed.
• is red the only color pallet you can choose from in helltide? EVERYTHING is a variant of red. When summoning the new boss, it can get extremely hard to see what's going on since it all blends in together.
• we need a "Quality of life" section in gameplay settings.
  • add/remove highlight from monsters and scenery.
  • option for map overlay
  • option for sharper contrast in skill effects, lingering effects, and overworld scenery.
  • option for auto pickup when walking over item. FOR ALL ITEMS, not just consumables. Then have a slider for pickup radius.
  • zoom distance slider. Have a further zoom distance and a slider to adjust distance.
  • loot filter. There may be less items, but still a lot of trash. I still go to town and sell 90% of the items I pickup.
• we should not have our ability to socket gear locked behind world bosses. If you are going to lock it behind world bosses, then have them spawn more frequently. Or have them align with helltide more often and award multiples. Some people rarely see a world boss because of real life events. Those individuals can no longer make use of crafted gems.
• can we add mechanics, health or something to make world bosses seems more impact full? Maybe start with 1 mechanic and have an additional mechanic each of the potion ticks. So after the third tick, theres 4 mechanics the boss has actively running. Or something similar, because as of now It's a loot piniata that takes less than 10 sec to kill. Would rather click a daily login button and claim the loot as a daily login bonus.
• I've been playing druid, so I don't know about other classes, but been having issues with casting skills and character orientation. Will cast pulverize to my left, but character will face the right. I've had an entire NM dungeon where my char faced right lol. Stuff casts where it should, just trippy when it happens. Running around a dungeon always oriented in one direction is highly entertaining.
• capstone bosses are a complete joke. 1 hit first boss at lvl 40 w/ pulverize druid and completed 2nd boss to go into WT4 at lvl 50 in less than 10 sec. WAAAY to easy lol.
• feel like this game in general is just easy. Devs said in the various streams that they want to keep it easy and not complicate things, but I wonder if they say that because they truly just want an easy experience or if Microsoft wants them to keep it easily playable to boost numbers and subscriptions through game pass?
• make glyph levels sync across all characters. This will make making alts WAY more fun!
• beam colors and effects. The greater affix indicator isn't enough to catch they eye of someone speedrunning, especially since some walls and environments are similar colors and may blend together. They didn't seem to interested in beam color changes during Streams, but what about effects? Keep the colors, but add a bright blue(or other color) shock pulse that surrounds the beam and let's you know that an item with greater affix dropped? I'm almost at the point, level 79, where I'm not picking up legendaried anymore. Have the gear with affixes, tempering that I need and are all 900+. So I'm just picking them up now to upgrade the codex. Anything thats is an upgrade, is minimal percentages at this point. Having something to let me know there's an upgraded item laying there would be huge. The lightning pulse surrounding beam and framing item in inventory would be much appreciated.
• I would like to see something to distinguish Ubers from Regular Unique items as well. Maybe Ubers should have the solid red beam and knarly effect, if it has greater affixes, to get you stoked about it dropping.
• Don't feel like glyphs get enough xp from NM dungeons. From lvl 63 to lvl 79 and 2 glyphs are at 15. I took all my powder off of bonus xp from kills and put it all on glyph xp, but doesnt seems like it's a noticeable increase. Would be nice to see a secondary way to earn glyph xp. Maybe ability to craft a potion that gives you an amount in glyph XP equal to number of cinders spent in helltide. Lasts like 30min or something. Only applicable to WT its crafted in and takes cinders just to make. For example, 200 cinders and X amount of herbs craft a potion that grants you 1 glyph xp for all future cinders spent in 30-60 minutes. With helltide buffed to a level where it doesn't feel like a chore to do anymore, why not have something else to make it even more rewarding.
• buff overworld events and side quests to keep them relevant. Helltide is fun, but need a break from it and NM dungeons periodically. If you buffed side quests and overworked events, would be a nice relief and change of pace.
• we should get a choice to keep the existing or take the new temper. Also xant stand spending 4 tempers and rolling the same stat all 4 times. Pretty depressing.

Game updates are overall good. Brought it back to where it should have been at launch. Will it keep me entertained the entire season? Not a chance. Im 2 days in and getting bored of the repetition. Helltides to WT4, then NM dungeon until glyphs at least lvl 15, then to the 100 stuff, if not there already. But ive also already made each character and leveled to 100 in previous seasons. So i guess the desire to make alts isnt there now, but may be for newer people playing. If you bought the game, then there's no reason why you shouldn't give it a run for a day or two, but I wouldn't buy the game just because of this patch.
Not a fan of making us pay 4 additional times just to fight the lords of hell though. What's a Diablo game without Diablo!!

Hi!
My family and I will be visiting SD (5 days) in a couple months and we are looking for recommendations to experience San Diego's many food opportunities!
We live in a small town, so many interesting and novel food experiences and dishes have not been available to us but we are looking to take advantage of our visit to San Diego to catch up on this.
We are open to any cuisine, and even to experiences that may not be as niche or San Diego-centric but even just urban like Brazilian Steakhouses, unusual/niche foods, foreign dining experiences like Asian digital/conveyor, etc would be a plus.
We would like a mild focus on Asian (Japanese) and generally non-American foods.
Thanks and we look forward to any feedback.