They Made Me Eat Foie Gras!

Last fall, I was thrilled to be offered a chance to review restaurants once a week for a local online news publication. The editor said he wouldn't be able to pay me, but it would be a free dinner for me and my husband once a week at new and trendy restaurants in exchange for my write up. Our first dinner out was to a local French bistro where we were subjected to mushy figs, foie gras and pistachio pate. We were game, if not a little grossed out by the cold, organy taste of the goose liver. However, at the end of the meal I got stuck with a $110 bill. I called the editor on the spot but unable to get a hold of him, I simply paid the bill and planned to have the editor reimburse me. I called him the next morning. He was furious with the restaurant manager and promised to send me a check immediately. He asked me to email him my mailing address so I wouldn't have to eat the cost. I've copied our string of correspondence below:

Sept 21, 2007

I'm sorry to have to pass this on to you, James. Is there a way you can still get the restaurant to pay for it? The total for our two meals (my husband and I) was $110.42. Let me know if you'd like the receipt. My address is ******. Thanks again. Let's try again for this Thursday - we are happy to review anywhere you can think of. I'll keep my ears open for new restaurants in the area as well. Take care, Hollywood



September 24, 2007

Dear Sarah: Thank you, many apologies for this -- FIRST TIME this has ever happened, which I attribute to 750 ml management's arrogance and/or ignorance. I'll send payment by check and scout out a reasonable venue for you! Best regards, James


October 2, 2007

Hi James, I'm wondering if I should plan on doing a review this Thursday. Please let me know either way so I can let the babysitter know. Thanks, Hollywood



October 7, 2007

FYI, I'll be out of town from Monday to Friday this week but would love to do a review when I get back the week of October 15th. Also, could you let me know when I should expect to receive the reimbursement from 750 ML? I hope you were able to get a hold of the manager and get him to reimburse you! Take care, Hollywood



November 5, 2007

Dear James, I am still very much interested in doing food reviews for Pasadena Now. I haven't heard from you or received reimbursement for my 750 ML bill. Are you still interested in my services as a reviewer? If not, please just send the reimbursement for the dinner and consider me in the future. I would love to contribute to Pasadena Now in some way. Thank you, Hollywood


November 5, 2007

Holy cow! Did I mess up? Too crazy I am.... Hollywood(et al) please accept red-faced apologies... I will get that too you toute suite and mais oui! we would love to work with you on reviews... I will get back to you on that soon, I promise James


November 5, 2007

LOL! Apologies accepted. I'm glad I'm still on your radar for the food critic gig. Hollywood


Feb 26, 2008

Hi James. So my bill at 750 ml - what's the plan there? I had really thought from your previous emails that you were fully planning on reimbursing me for my mixed up meal. I'd love to resolve this. Thanks, Hollywood


[crickets chirping, James cleaning his ears with my hundred dollar bill, me vowing to get vengeance on my blog, etc.]


So for those of you who though the food critic gig was too good to be true, you were right. James, you messed with the wrong girl. If I were you, I'd be checking my loafers for foie gras before putting them on tomorrow. You thought goose liver was nasty to eat? Try sinking your toes into it.