Beefs

Graham Elliot Bowles Tells Chicagoans Against Graham Elliot to ‘Bring It’

Sporting his new summer hairdo.
Sporting his new summer hairdo. Photo: @grahamelliot

A customer had a disappointing meal at Graham Elliot and decided to post about it on Yelp. No big deal. You know, this kind of thing happens every day. Sure, the reviewer points out the small portion sizes, and then goes on to say he split everything with his fiancée, but this would have just remained one of a thousand or so inane reviews on Yelp had he not decided to e-mail Mr. Graham Elliot Bowles and demand a 50 percent discount. Thankfully, Bowles responded in the appropriate manner: “I’d say you could go “F” yourself, but I’m a nice guy, so let’s just call it even. Next time you come in, we’ll charge you double.” In response, the user created the Chicagoans Against Graham Elliot Facebook page. Currently there are six members. Bowles responded to the creation with a call on Twitter to “bring it!” We seriously hope this goes on for a while.

First, here are some choice remarks from user Brian M. Remember that he is splitting all of these items with another person.

On the cold beef carpaccio:

The presentation was awesome. The appetizer consisted of four cracker sized portions of beef sliced lunch meat thin and placed on top of cream cheese. I know that marbling of beef indicates extra flavor, but this ration of fat to meat was a little unappealing.

On the seared scallops:

…it is hard to taste an appetizer when one is served only two scallops. By comparison, if you order pan seared scallops at other restaurants in the area, there are usually 5-8 large scallops served. They are prepared the same way, but the presentation isn’t as good. Personally, I prefer a little less eccentric presentations with more food of the same quality.

On the halibut:

…the halibut was a 2 inch by 2 inch square. Given the $31 price, we figured at the time we ordered that the plate would be large enough to share. The last few times I was charged in this price range for halibut, it was for a decent size filet, presented elegantly with enough accouterments for sharing. It was also at restaurants (Morton’s Roy’s, Hugo’s Frog Bar) that are at the same caliber Graham Elloitt is attempting to be albeit with a trendy atomosphere.

On the total experience:

The presentation was incredible, but I am not one who likes to pay $122 to eat the creation of someone playing with food.

Response from Graham Elliot Bowles:

Is this a joke? I think I will post onto Yelp, TimeOut Chicago, TripAdvisdor and Zagat as well, announcing how much of an amateur you are. What with your name dropping Morton’s, splitting an entree and complaining about dishes you clearly have no understanding about. As for the 50% refund, I’d say you could go “F” yourself, but I’m a nice guy, so let’s just call it even. Next time you come in, we’ll charge you double.

Upon hearing about the Facbook page, Bowles Tweeted the following:

i luv it! facebook page called “Chicagoans Against Graham Elliot” created by someone who didn’t like my response to his Yelp post. bring it!

Graham Elliot [Yelp]
Chicagoans Against Graham Elliot [Facebook]
Disgruntled Diner Creates ‘Chicagoans Against Graham Elliot’ Facebook Page [312 Dining Diva]

Graham Elliot Bowles Tells Chicagoans Against Graham Elliot to ‘Bring It’