No press is bad press!

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/SEARCH_SEAFOOD/index.cfm?Sort_col=1&direction=desc&q=%20&other=complete With so many freaking names to call every single species of fish, you can hardly fault all of these restaurants for "fraud". Sure, some may have intentionally substituted to save money, but I have a feeling others had no clue or thought they were getting one thing from their suppliers but were actually getting another. Wholesalers have a reason to deceive too! It happens on all levels. This report was highly sensationalized. Seriously, there are bigger fish to fry when it comes to picking newsworthy stories.

apinop, don't be an idiot. There are good restaurants that purchase high quality seafood and actually take high standards into there handling of the fish. If you trust the Savoy, then you can trust a good handful of restaurants like bluestem, michael smith's, starker's, the american, room 39... I mean really, this list can go on and on. Top seafood vendors from Hawaii, Chicago, and Boston are shipping very expensive seafood to KC all the time and a lot of great restaurants are spending EXTRA cash for that shipping just so they can keep up with high standards of seafood. These places have REAL chefs who don't want to just serve the ordinary.

I think there is some truth to the story about certain restaraunts, but you have to take it with a grain on salt. If you have never worked in the food industry. Things happen, and mistakes are made. You have to recognize the difference between deliberate and accidental, and in the case of Michael Smiths it was an accident. Don't ruin a good restaraunts rep soley based on a server error.

Hence the reason I don't eat seafood in KC unless I am at the Savoy, and they are closed for remodeling. So no seafood for me.

A similar story was written last year, but about Seattle, I think. That story found that much of the fraud actually happens at the fish market as it's sold to the wholesalers, or that the wholesalers lie to the restaurants - like the situation with the Bristol. They produced bills showing that they had, in good faith, bought the fish that was on the menu. Can't blame them for that mistake. But, the mgr at Bice KNEW they were not serving the fish listed on the menu. Period. That's fraud. And the sushi places knowingly substitute fish, saying it's 'normal industry practice'. To lie to customers!?!?!?!? All of the restaurants that do not have invoices to prove that they bought the fish as they have it listed on their menu should be fined, and put on probation and tested regularly thereafter to prove that they are not committing fraud. Liars.

This is why I never watch the local news anymore. Most of these restaurants are innocent of this stupid story PLUS the real story should have been on the regulations and definitions of fish species, types, etc. But of course, that would be a story and research that the local news couldn't handle. You bloggers that are ripping some of these places...good to go at being a jerk and talking about something you don't get. Gotta love negative people that just want to be heard...ha. We are VERY lucky to have the great restaurants we have in this city. I will still continue to support the great restaurants like Bristol and Michael Smith's and get sushi at KC sushi places. NBC...your stories are so lame and about shock value. Gross!

The health department visited my restaurant on Wednesday May 13 and exhonerated me of any wrong doing. They took the actual invoices of the Grouper that I bought and the invoice for the Wild Stripped Bass that was substituted. The health department wrote a report supporting my side of the issue. NBC had video of my invoices and chose not to show them. Shame on NBC! Shame on all of you bloggers that believe everything you see and hear on TV. Do your research!! Thank you to all of my supporters out there. I love my customers! But a special salute goes out to you blogger "JP" ...you can take my "panties" and stuff em.

Abowman, one would be an absolute idiot if they couldn't tell the difference between Grouper and Catfish. On to the subject of "fish fraud": You and Criticlthnkr are missing the point. The point is, at Michael Smith's, it was a server error. It was an unintentional mistake and doesn't warrant news television "Investigative" reporting. BTW, I don't even live in the city anymore.. so don't accuse me of being a "pressured employee" or "seafood supplier".

Its absurb that people defend the restaurants. Restaurants seem to balk at any investigation - why is that? Poor sanitation, poor hygiene by food handlers, switching menu items for a cheaper version,.... Serioulsy - these investigations bring out the best and worst in the restaurants. Something you can't tell by the ambiance and price.

Russ, if you really did a thorough investigation you would have goggled Bluenose grouper, I did and this is the info I got. http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Blue-nose+grouper good to know that The Bristol menu and the server told you exactly what you were getting Blue Nose Grouper from New Zealand. Common name Bluenose, Bluenose grouper, blue eye, ect. much better product than Black grouper from Florida. Good to know we can count on the Bristol to serve high quality seafood from around the world. Way to go Bristol!!!