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Restaurants Read Bad Reviews, Episode 3: Chelsy Blatt, Gary Hickey & Marlee Palmer (VIDEO)

Restaurants Read Bad Reviews, Episode 3: Chelsy Blatt, Gary Hickey & Marlee Palmer (VIDEO)

Jan 9, 20191 min read

Responding professionally would usually be ideal for maintaining customer relations, but in Restaurants Read Bad Reviews, anything is fair game.

In the third episode of the series, chef-owner Chelsy Blatt, executive chef Gary Hickey, and bar manager and assistant general manager Marlee Palmer respond to their bad online reviews.

Chef-owner Blatt of The Drunken Chicken helped design their creative menu and is in the kitchen preparing and cooking from scratch herself. But even the “Best Fried Chicken” and “Best Chicken and Waffles” award-winners will have their haters.

Reviews are hit-or-miss, but all compliment the Mac & Cheese.

Executive chef Hickey of Charro Steak knows his steaks—he’s even visited the farm in Montana where the cows are raised.

When a customer in an online review confused their pork belly for a crouton and another complained that their rib eye had too much fat, Hickey assured us that it was no mistake. “Fat is flavor,” Hickey said.

Bar manager and assistant general manager Palmer of Obon Sushi Bar Ramen read negative reviews spanning from too spicy to too salty and too cold.

Although they nail it with their take on traditional and modern Japanese dining, negative reviewers seemed to prefer Top Ramen, Fry’s, and Sushi Garden.

Article written by:

Shana Rose Gegantoca

Shana Rose Gegantoca

More about Shana
Shana Rose is a Tucson-based food writer and videographer.

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Tucson’s resorts offer some of the region’s most memorable dining, from Sonoran-inspired steakhouses to poolside grills with mountain views. Whether you’re staying overnight or stopping in for dinner, these properties make the meal part of the experience.

Additionally, the variety across these resorts featured here spans far beyond a single style of dining. Guests can settle into a fine-dining room overlooking the Santa Catalinas, grab tacos by the pool, or join a chef-led cooking class before dinner. Each property brings its own take on desert hospitality, so this guide breaks down where to eat and what makes each spot worth the trip.🧳🌞

@arizonainn 
@canyonranch 
@casinodelsolresort 
@playddcsoaz 
@elconquistadoresort 
@haciendadelsolaz 
@jwstarrpass 
@lodgeonthedesert 
@loewsventana 
@miravalarizona 
@miravistaresort 
@omnitucsonnational 
@solana_spanish_villas 
@tanqueverderanch 
@jthtucson 
@ritzcarltondovemountain 
@westinlapaloma 
@whitestallionranchaz 

Tucsonfoodie.com 

#tucsonfoodie #tucsonazTucson’s resorts offer some of the region’s most memorable dining, from Sonoran-inspired steakhouses to poolside grills with mountain views. Whether you’re staying overnight or stopping in for dinner, these properties make the meal part of the experience. Additionally, the variety across these resorts featured here spans far beyond a single style of dining. Guests can settle into a fine-dining room overlooking the Santa Catalinas, grab tacos by the pool, or join a chef-led cooking class before dinner. Each property brings its own take on desert hospitality, so this guide breaks down where to eat and what makes each spot worth the trip.🧳🌞 @arizonainn @canyonranch @casinodelsolresort @playddcsoaz @elconquistadoresort @haciendadelsolaz @jwstarrpass @lodgeonthedesert @loewsventana @miravalarizona @miravistaresort @omnitucsonnational @solana_spanish_villas @tanqueverderanch @jthtucson @ritzcarltondovemountain @westinlapaloma @whitestallionranchaz Tucsonfoodie.com #tucsonfoodie #tucsonaz
@Thedistrict520 has taken over a Tucson address with nearly two decades of history. 

Once home to Pastiche, the space sat dark and gutted for two years after a difficult chapter that left the building severely damaged. Now, longtime Pastiche regulars Gabriel Cordova and Tracy Hien have brought 3025 N. Campbell Ave. back to life.

The result is something entirely new: a sports bar with nine 4K screens, shuffleboard, a pool table, and a scratch-cooking approach to burgers, wings, shrimp, and more.

From rebuilding the space themselves to receiving the blessing of Pastiche owner Pat Connors’ widow, Julie, the story behind The District is about more than opening a restaurant. It is about giving a wounded neighborhood landmark another chapter.

Read @sea_lyon’s full story at Tucsonfoodie.com. 

Photos by @sea_lyon 
#tucsonfoodie #tucsonaz@Thedistrict520 has taken over a Tucson address with nearly two decades of history. Once home to Pastiche, the space sat dark and gutted for two years after a difficult chapter that left the building severely damaged. Now, longtime Pastiche regulars Gabriel Cordova and Tracy Hien have brought 3025 N. Campbell Ave. back to life. The result is something entirely new: a sports bar with nine 4K screens, shuffleboard, a pool table, and a scratch-cooking approach to burgers, wings, shrimp, and more. From rebuilding the space themselves to receiving the blessing of Pastiche owner Pat Connors’ widow, Julie, the story behind The District is about more than opening a restaurant. It is about giving a wounded neighborhood landmark another chapter. Read @sea_lyon’s full story at Tucsonfoodie.com. Photos by @sea_lyon #tucsonfoodie #tucsonaz
New menu at @Basqueriaaz🔥

Some of the Tucson Foodie team stopped by Basqueria to check out the new menu. Here’s some of what we tried on our visit:

Andalusian green beans and beef pintxo
Tinned sardines
Manchego and quince
Niçoise salad
Lobster bisque
Garlic mushrooms
Fried zucchini
Spanish chicken and mushrooms
SalmĂłn coca
Salumi bocadillo
Cold tapas trio
Chocolate crepes
Pastries

To drink:
Marianito
Carajillo
Sangria 

Basqueria’s new menu puts Basque and Spanish flavors front and center, with expanded tapas, pintxos, paella, brunch, and cocktails. Weekend brunch runs 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with La Hora del Vermut before the midday meal. Happy hour is Monday–Thursday from 4–6 p.m. and Friday–Saturday from 10 p.m. until close.

Read @jackie_tran_’s article/check out his photos on Tucsonfoodie.com 

#tucsonfoodie #downtowntucsonNew menu at @Basqueriaaz🔥 Some of the Tucson Foodie team stopped by Basqueria to check out the new menu. Here’s some of what we tried on our visit: Andalusian green beans and beef pintxo Tinned sardines Manchego and quince Niçoise salad Lobster bisque Garlic mushrooms Fried zucchini Spanish chicken and mushrooms Salmón coca Salumi bocadillo Cold tapas trio Chocolate crepes Pastries To drink: Marianito Carajillo Sangria Basqueria’s new menu puts Basque and Spanish flavors front and center, with expanded tapas, pintxos, paella, brunch, and cocktails. Weekend brunch runs 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with La Hora del Vermut before the midday meal. Happy hour is Monday–Thursday from 4–6 p.m. and Friday–Saturday from 10 p.m. until close. Read @jackie_tran_’s article/check out his photos on Tucsonfoodie.com #tucsonfoodie #downtowntucson
@Bravaatborderlands opens Saturday, Sept. 19, at 2500 E. Sixth St. in Tucson’s Sam Hughes neighborhood! 

The new restaurant centers on handmade nixtamal masa, regional Mexican and Paraguayan-influenced cooking, Borderlands Brewing beer, and a cocktail program by Tucson native Arnoldo Celaya. The menu features tacos, huaraches, sopes, quesadillas, alambre, enfrijoladas, burgers, and more. Tacos range from $5-$6, while the Antojitos de Masa section highlights the kitchen’s handmade corn masa program.

The grand opening runs 6-9pm Saturday and requires an RSVP by Thursday, Sept. 17, through the restaurant’s website or Instagram DM.🎉

📍 2500 E. Sixth St.

Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com 

Photo courtesy of @bravaatborderlands 
#tucson #tucsonnews@Bravaatborderlands opens Saturday, Sept. 19, at 2500 E. Sixth St. in Tucson’s Sam Hughes neighborhood! The new restaurant centers on handmade nixtamal masa, regional Mexican and Paraguayan-influenced cooking, Borderlands Brewing beer, and a cocktail program by Tucson native Arnoldo Celaya. The menu features tacos, huaraches, sopes, quesadillas, alambre, enfrijoladas, burgers, and more. Tacos range from $5-$6, while the Antojitos de Masa section highlights the kitchen’s handmade corn masa program. The grand opening runs 6-9pm Saturday and requires an RSVP by Thursday, Sept. 17, through the restaurant’s website or Instagram DM.🎉 📍 2500 E. Sixth St. Read @jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com Photo courtesy of @bravaatborderlands #tucson #tucsonnews