Crashing the Sidecar

The initial taping was from a Pittsburgh PBS station that heard about her. After the more recent Houston PBS airing, the lines were out both doors. Thelma is a really neat lady and ever so friendly, and I want to thank you for telling us about her. She has a great life story.

Janis Frank
Houston

Stoop to Slimy Goop?

Riviera's wrath:I believe that your points of criticism of both Riviera Grill and chef Sheely are largely unfair ["New Digs, Old Tricks," by Robb Walsh, January 9]. Your whole first dining experience seems to have been marred by your failure to obtain a beer at the start of the meal. If you wanted a beer, you should have made sure that you got your beer. Complain about the service, not that your own wine selection failed to complement the entrée. And you order the calamari because you know it's great! That's why it's on the menu, and that's why it should stay on the menu. And being aware that the chef is known for his Chilean sea bass, it was your responsibility to inquire about the origins of the fish. There are many types of bass with a range of tastes and textures; if you're picky, you should have asked.

Further, I do not believe that your choice of adjectives used in describing the food is of any use to the sophisticated leather-clad diner that would frequent the artsy, edgy establishment that you long for. Words like "goopy" and "slimy" belong in children's publications -- not in one of the premier publications in a major metropolitan city. You end your scathing commentary with the wistful regret that Sheely's dishes are not different enough, not trendy enough, yet the body of your review seems to complain about how the dishes are not prepared like you want and the food does not taste like what you are used to enjoying. Which is it you want?

Cindy Thephachanh
Houston