Alright, so what’s going on with the Inquirer’s food critic Craig LaBan?
Apparently LaBan dissed on Chops restaurant’s “Steak Frites” in a 3 sentence review, and owner Alex Plotkin — who, it must be said, comes off a little meshuggenah in all of this — says that LaBan ate something entirely different: “a steak sandwich without the bread.” It’s the shot heard ’round the nobodyfuckincares. Plotkin even recanted the sandwich misstatement but not before he sued for libel.
What makes this story ridiculous noteworthy is how far Plotkin is willing to take this thing. LaBan, who relies on his anonymity, and oftentimes wears wigs and probably fake mutton-chops for a fair review process, is being forced to give a videotape deposition sans disguise at Plotkin’s request.
The tape can be called upon in the upcoming public trial, a tactic that Plotkin’s lawyer is using to either scare LaBan into settlement or rile Philly’s apparent restaurant gestapo. And apparently this isn’t the first time that Plotkin has pal’ed around with the idea of outing LaBan’s identity, a fact he has admitted publicly.
Don’t be surprised if you see Plotkin scalping tickets to local restaurant owners on the courthouse steps come gametime.
PhilaFoodie: Mmm, That’s Rich
PhiladelphiaWeekly: Mmm, So Rich We Just Milked 1,500 Words Outta This

This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 19th, 2007 at 1:18 pm.