[noir]

I started watching Top Chef when I learned that a Chicago chef was in the mix.

When I saw it was Dale, I thought, "Oh yeah, my friends really liked La Tache when he was the chef there."

Then there was that one episode where he told his story about having his dream job at a nationally renowned restaurant and then spiraling into depression when it closed. I racked my brain for a while trying to figure out what place it was. Then I read that it was Trio and remembered that I ate there when he was the chef.

It really wasn't Trio though. The owner refashioned the restaurant after Grant Achatz departed. When Dale was the chef it was Trio Atelier. Sure it was the same kitchen and dining room where several chefs worked and made names for themselves on a national scale. But it was an atelier, which in retrospect, does seem like a good environment for Dale.

I was there not too long after opening, and well, you can guess by the fact that I didn't recall it that the meal wasn't great.

The only thing I remember vividly is a first course scallop dish. What do I recall about it? The popcorn. And I don't mean some techno chef thing or deconstruction. One component (and, yes, there were many) was straight up popcorn. It really didn't work for me.

So I had quite a chuckle when I saw his scallop dish in the finale. It's sure looks like he really refined an idea from years ago.

I just thought I'd throw that perspective out there. Yeah, it was pretty cool to have eaten at a restaurant where one of the contestants was a chef.

On a side note, Rocco was quoted as saying Dale's lobster dish tasted like Indian sewer water.

Hung was the one I was pulling for to win throughout. But having Dale involved did make the show more interesting. I was surprised by his strong showing through the stretch. His restaurant will open soon I suppose - so I'll get a shot at the lamb dish.