Comments on: Headed to New York? Watch out for sleazy restaurant Nello http://boingboing.net/2012/04/09/headed-to-new-york-watch-out.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sat, 25 May 2013 09:53:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Ultan http://boingboing.net/2012/04/09/headed-to-new-york-watch-out.html#comment-1392433 Ultan Wed, 11 Apr 2012 00:55:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=153692#comment-1392433 That wasn't in the airport, and it would be over $13 in today's money. That wasn’t in the airport, and it would be over $13 in today’s money.

]]> By: Matt http://boingboing.net/2012/04/09/headed-to-new-york-watch-out.html#comment-1392397 Matt Tue, 10 Apr 2012 23:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=153692#comment-1392397 When I think of Nello, I think of Nullo, the herbal supplement you take to make your shit smell a little better. When I think of Nello, I think of Nullo, the herbal supplement you take to make your shit smell a little better.

]]> By: SonOfSamSeaborn http://boingboing.net/2012/04/09/headed-to-new-york-watch-out.html#comment-1392325 SonOfSamSeaborn Tue, 10 Apr 2012 22:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=153692#comment-1392325 As a counter-example, I've been to Prague three or four times (and love the place, and the people) and have never once experienced any kind of scam (unless they were extraordinarily cheap scams). Tourist guides tend to make you aware of the usual ones (taxi-hotel kickbacks, drink-price scams, bread charged as extra) but everywhere I've eaten or drunk in has been upfront and honest and absolutely great. The worst I had was the second time I went there, and a homeless guy hanging around the subway station reminded me which ticket I needed to get to get to where I was staying. He asked for a bit of money as thanks which I would have happily given him had I had any smallish denominations to hand and got a little pissed off when I tried to explain that I couldn't. But he just seemed despondent. I've had much worse in Rome and Paris. I'd be disappointed if anyone was put off going there by any of these comments. Anywhere with a so-called "lesser" economy will have a proportionately greater number of scammers of all levels. I'd never ask some random guy in a new city where a good place to eat or drink would be because I want to find out for myself. I know if I asked anybody outside my flat for a good place to go out there's a 95% chance they'd recommend somewhere abhorrent. And I'm pretty sure a good percentage of people in Prague wouldn't recommend, say, Blues Sklep. Just sayin'. As a counter-example, I’ve been to Prague three or four times (and love the place, and the people) and have never once experienced any kind of scam (unless they were extraordinarily cheap scams). Tourist guides tend to make you aware of the usual ones (taxi-hotel kickbacks, drink-price scams, bread charged as extra) but everywhere I’ve eaten or drunk in has been upfront and honest and absolutely great.

The worst I had was the second time I went there, and a homeless guy hanging around the subway station reminded me which ticket I needed to get to get to where I was staying. He asked for a bit of money as thanks which I would have happily given him had I had any smallish denominations to hand and got a little pissed off when I tried to explain that I couldn’t. But he just seemed despondent. I’ve had much worse in Rome and Paris.

I’d be disappointed if anyone was put off going there by any of these comments. Anywhere with a so-called “lesser” economy will have a proportionately greater number of scammers of all levels. I’d never ask some random guy in a new city where a good place to eat or drink would be because I want to find out for myself. I know if I asked anybody outside my flat for a good place to go out there’s a 95% chance they’d recommend somewhere abhorrent. And I’m pretty sure a good percentage of people in Prague wouldn’t recommend, say, Blues Sklep.

Just sayin’.

]]> By: SonOfSamSeaborn http://boingboing.net/2012/04/09/headed-to-new-york-watch-out.html#comment-1392315 SonOfSamSeaborn Tue, 10 Apr 2012 22:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=153692#comment-1392315 The Czech Republic hasn't adopted the Euro yet...you can ask for identification, and you don't have to pay the fine on the spot. I think he got scammed by a criminal. The Czech Republic hasn’t adopted the Euro yet…you can ask for identification, and you don’t have to pay the fine on the spot. I think he got scammed by a criminal.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/04/09/headed-to-new-york-watch-out.html#comment-1392160 Antinous / Moderator Tue, 10 Apr 2012 19:55:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=153692#comment-1392160 So....don't eat in places with an autographed photo of Guy Ritchie by the cash register? So….don’t eat in places with an autographed photo of Guy Ritchie by the cash register?

]]> By: Marc Mielke http://boingboing.net/2012/04/09/headed-to-new-york-watch-out.html#comment-1392056 Marc Mielke Tue, 10 Apr 2012 18:33:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=153692#comment-1392056 That sounds like a good way to lose a waiter.  Really, your waitstaff is going to follow a random diner down a blind alley? That sounds like a good way to lose a waiter.  Really, your waitstaff is going to follow a random diner down a blind alley?

]]> By: Marc Mielke http://boingboing.net/2012/04/09/headed-to-new-york-watch-out.html#comment-1392048 Marc Mielke Tue, 10 Apr 2012 18:24:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=153692#comment-1392048 They probably don't get the full 20%, but they're probably paid fairly well if they're willing to go along with the sham, otherwise at least a few would take out their frustrations, undercutting the scam with subtle warnings, etc.  They probably don’t get the full 20%, but they’re probably paid fairly well if they’re willing to go along with the sham, otherwise at least a few would take out their frustrations, undercutting the scam with subtle warnings, etc. 

]]> By: Ito Kagehisa http://boingboing.net/2012/04/09/headed-to-new-york-watch-out.html#comment-1392006 Ito Kagehisa Tue, 10 Apr 2012 18:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=153692#comment-1392006 This conversation has provided me a list of places to never visit.  Dallas being on the top of said list (thanks blueelm!) This conversation has provided me a list of places to never visit.  Dallas being on the top of said list (thanks blueelm!)

]]> By: Ito Kagehisa http://boingboing.net/2012/04/09/headed-to-new-york-watch-out.html#comment-1391995 Ito Kagehisa Tue, 10 Apr 2012 17:55:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=153692#comment-1391995 Yes, understood, but why would the restaurant bother the police?  If my experience is any guide (and I don't claim that it is) they'd just beat you up, take your money, and let <i>you</i> call the police.  And then the police would likely laugh at you, call you a tourist, and tell you to go home. Yes, understood, but why would the restaurant bother the police?  If my experience is any guide (and I don’t claim that it is) they’d just beat you up, take your money, and let you call the police.  And then the police would likely laugh at you, call you a tourist, and tell you to go home.

]]> By: Andy http://boingboing.net/2012/04/09/headed-to-new-york-watch-out.html#comment-1391934 Andy Tue, 10 Apr 2012 17:07:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=153692#comment-1391934 Thus when you go to sort the reviews by date, you realized that the default sorting is "Yelp sort". The second I saw that my bullshit meter spiked and I immediately distrusted Yelp. Not that I was naive before, but now the entire site was suspect in my mind. Since then I use yelp occasionally but always read the negative reviews and give them more weight. Thus when you go to sort the reviews by date, you realized that the default sorting is “Yelp sort”. The second I saw that my bullshit meter spiked and I immediately distrusted Yelp. Not that I was naive before, but now the entire site was suspect in my mind. Since then I use yelp occasionally but always read the negative reviews and give them more weight.

]]> By: Andy http://boingboing.net/2012/04/09/headed-to-new-york-watch-out.html#comment-1391900 Andy Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:37:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=153692#comment-1391900 It's been a while since I've been to a restaurant I wasn't familiar with, but I do remember places where the server will say "We have a special for $18, it has......". I thought letting you know the price of specials was common, but I don't go to many "upscale" restaurants. (More because of current budget, I'm a self confessed foodie). It’s been a while since I’ve been to a restaurant I wasn’t familiar with, but I do remember places where the server will say “We have a special for $18, it has……”. I thought letting you know the price of specials was common, but I don’t go to many “upscale” restaurants. (More because of current budget, I’m a self confessed foodie).

]]> By: zombiebob http://boingboing.net/2012/04/09/headed-to-new-york-watch-out.html#comment-1391854 zombiebob Tue, 10 Apr 2012 15:38:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=153692#comment-1391854  actually no, but why go now?  actually no, but why go now?

]]> By: zombiebob http://boingboing.net/2012/04/09/headed-to-new-york-watch-out.html#comment-1391852 zombiebob Tue, 10 Apr 2012 15:35:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=153692#comment-1391852 thats awesome thats awesome

]]> By: Preston Sturges http://boingboing.net/2012/04/09/headed-to-new-york-watch-out.html#comment-1391851 Preston Sturges Tue, 10 Apr 2012 15:33:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=153692#comment-1391851 Or you could head over to William Burrough's "Chez Robert" where the diners are too intimidated to complain about dishes like Clear Camel Piss Soup with boiled earth worms and the Limburger Cheese sugar cured in diabetic urine, doused in Canned Heat Flamboyant. Or you could head over to William Burrough’s “Chez Robert” where the diners are too intimidated to complain about dishes like Clear Camel Piss Soup with boiled earth worms and the Limburger Cheese sugar cured in diabetic urine, doused in Canned Heat Flamboyant.

]]> By: Albie Farinas http://boingboing.net/2012/04/09/headed-to-new-york-watch-out.html#comment-1391847 Albie Farinas Tue, 10 Apr 2012 15:30:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=153692#comment-1391847 I found the NYC balsamic carmalized Cockroaches served on a bed capellini in sperm sauce a little pricey.   However, I did not complain and was promptly "shamed" into paying my bill by the waiter holding the pipe wrench.... I found the NYC balsamic carmalized Cockroaches served on a bed capellini in sperm sauce a little pricey.   However, I did not complain and was promptly “shamed” into paying my bill by the waiter holding the pipe wrench….

]]> By: Emily Ravich http://boingboing.net/2012/04/09/headed-to-new-york-watch-out.html#comment-1391844 Emily Ravich Tue, 10 Apr 2012 15:20:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=153692#comment-1391844 Yes we can. Yes we can.

]]> By: Jay Pasquantonio http://boingboing.net/2012/04/09/headed-to-new-york-watch-out.html#comment-1391839 Jay Pasquantonio Tue, 10 Apr 2012 15:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=153692#comment-1391839  I like both grouper and ling cod, but I don't know how anyone could mistake the two. Then again, I've had grouper sandwiches that tasted like they were from less-than-fresh fish...  I like both grouper and ling cod, but I don’t know how anyone could mistake the two. Then again, I’ve had grouper sandwiches that tasted like they were from less-than-fresh fish…

]]> By: Guest http://boingboing.net/2012/04/09/headed-to-new-york-watch-out.html#comment-1391835 Guest Tue, 10 Apr 2012 15:03:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=153692#comment-1391835 Well fed, and capable of a whole half lap around the parking lot. Well fed, and capable of a whole half lap around the parking lot.

]]> By: stasike http://boingboing.net/2012/04/09/headed-to-new-york-watch-out.html#comment-1391836 stasike Tue, 10 Apr 2012 15:03:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=153692#comment-1391836 As I said I didn't want to be a burden. A trip to B&H would have cost him at least 90 minutes (trip both ways plus shopping) of his already-too-short vacation. He had quite busy schedule - pre-arranged tickets to Broadway musical, lots of museums and sights to visit with wife and teenage kids. They did go shopping for electronics, but they are Apple fans and they won't fleece you in Apple store in Manhattan [that is, they won't fleece you more than in other Apple stores in USA] When I was in NYC, many, many years ago as a student, my hosts instructed me not to buy anything valuable in Manhattan. They took me to an "ordinary" store where locals shop ;-). As I said I didn’t want to be a burden. A trip to B&H would have cost him at least 90 minutes (trip both ways plus shopping) of his already-too-short vacation. He had quite busy schedule – pre-arranged tickets to Broadway musical, lots of museums and sights to visit with wife and teenage kids.
They did go shopping for electronics, but they are Apple fans and they won’t fleece you in Apple store in Manhattan [that is, they won't fleece you more than in other Apple stores in USA]

When I was in NYC, many, many years ago as a student, my hosts instructed me not to buy anything valuable in Manhattan. They took me to an “ordinary” store where locals shop ;-).

]]> By: guanto http://boingboing.net/2012/04/09/headed-to-new-york-watch-out.html#comment-1391832 guanto Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:53:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=153692#comment-1391832 I guess what Clark means is that many seedy clubs employ African touts. Tokyo is a pretty safe place if you employ some common sense. Now if you follow an aggressive scout into a sketchy back alley place in Roppongi, yes, you may get scammed, drugged and/or robbed. I guess what Clark means is that many seedy clubs employ African touts.

Tokyo is a pretty safe place if you employ some common sense. Now if you follow an aggressive scout into a sketchy back alley place in Roppongi, yes, you may get scammed, drugged and/or robbed.

]]> By: Guest http://boingboing.net/2012/04/09/headed-to-new-york-watch-out.html#comment-1391821 Guest Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:42:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=153692#comment-1391821 perhaps it was the sarchasm. Maybe standing so close to it was your choice? perhaps it was the sarchasm. Maybe standing so close to it was your choice?

]]> By: Sérgio Ferrari http://boingboing.net/2012/04/09/headed-to-new-york-watch-out.html#comment-1391817 Sérgio Ferrari Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:41:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=153692#comment-1391817  Oh.... you can have another experience like that in São Paulo!!!!! : D  Oh…. you can have another experience like that in São Paulo!!!!! : D

]]> By: AlexG55 http://boingboing.net/2012/04/09/headed-to-new-york-watch-out.html#comment-1391810 AlexG55 Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:32:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=153692#comment-1391810 Certainly in Britain it's entirely legal to make a reasonable deduction from the bill in a restaurant if you don't think the food was worth what you paid. Which is why the "clip joints" in Soho which use poor lighting to make the menu prices illegible also rely on physical intimidation and sometimes outright false imprisonment to make sure the "customer" pays up. Certainly in Britain it’s entirely legal to make a reasonable deduction from the bill in a restaurant if you don’t think the food was worth what you paid. Which is why the “clip joints” in Soho which use poor lighting to make the menu prices illegible also rely on physical intimidation and sometimes outright false imprisonment to make sure the “customer” pays up.

]]> By: obbop http://boingboing.net/2012/04/09/headed-to-new-york-watch-out.html#comment-1391804 obbop Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:29:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=153692#comment-1391804  "yelping first" Is that akin to "yiffing"?  ”yelping first”

Is that akin to “yiffing”?

]]> By: obbop http://boingboing.net/2012/04/09/headed-to-new-york-watch-out.html#comment-1391800 obbop Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:28:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=153692#comment-1391800 Six bucks and a few cents for lunch at the nearby Golden Corral all-you-can-eat buffet with a HUGE variety of yummy vittles and the folks within are friendly and the salad bar is heaping with healthy food and the mashed taters are made from real spuds and around Veteran's Day the firm gives a free meal to veterans  and despite the throng of eager hungry vets lined up the influx is well-handled and the employees do a mighty-fine job and everybody has a good time. It is We, the People eating there and many of us are damn tired of the USA ruling elites, corporate USA etc. spitting upon us and a day of reckoning may be coming and we will be well-fed if the time ever comes. Six bucks and a few cents for lunch at the nearby Golden Corral all-you-can-eat buffet with a HUGE variety of yummy vittles and the folks within are friendly and the salad bar is heaping with healthy food and the mashed taters are made from real spuds and around Veteran’s Day the firm gives a free meal to veterans  and despite the throng of eager hungry vets lined up the influx is well-handled and the employees do a mighty-fine job and everybody has a good time.

It is We, the People eating there and many of us are damn tired of the USA ruling elites, corporate USA etc. spitting upon us and a day of reckoning may be coming and we will be well-fed if the time ever comes.

]]> By: benher http://boingboing.net/2012/04/09/headed-to-new-york-watch-out.html#comment-1391801 benher Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:28:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=153692#comment-1391801 Xunker:  Who can blame them. It isn't like the Vogons gave a damn about earth. Xunker: 
Who can blame them. It isn’t like the Vogons gave a damn about earth.

]]> By: Kimmo http://boingboing.net/2012/04/09/headed-to-new-york-watch-out.html#comment-1391785 Kimmo Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:05:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=153692#comment-1391785  I fear an unbridgeable gulf lies between our perspectives.  I fear an unbridgeable gulf lies between our perspectives.

]]> By: pipenta http://boingboing.net/2012/04/09/headed-to-new-york-watch-out.html#comment-1391781 pipenta Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:01:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=153692#comment-1391781 Well, that's one kind of possible clientele. But it seems to me the big market, the willing/informed potential customer base, for Nello are sociopaths who enjoy seeing other people being victimized! Well, that’s one kind of possible clientele. But it seems to me the big market, the willing/informed potential customer base, for Nello are sociopaths who enjoy seeing other people being victimized!

]]> By: Marius Poenar http://boingboing.net/2012/04/09/headed-to-new-york-watch-out.html#comment-1391754 Marius Poenar Tue, 10 Apr 2012 12:36:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=153692#comment-1391754 The owner is Romanian, his business practices even more so. The experiences listed in the article are very familiar to anyone who ever stepped in a restaurant around tourist areas in Romania :) The owner is Romanian, his business practices even more so.
The experiences listed in the article are very familiar to anyone who ever stepped in a restaurant around tourist areas in Romania :)

]]> By: kringlebertfistyebuns http://boingboing.net/2012/04/09/headed-to-new-york-watch-out.html#comment-1391722 kringlebertfistyebuns Tue, 10 Apr 2012 10:16:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=153692#comment-1391722 I think spray-painting "RIP-OFF" iin day-glo colors on the sidewalk out front would be warranted. I think spray-painting “RIP-OFF” iin day-glo colors on the sidewalk out front would be warranted.

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