As you know, they're now tolling the 520 bridge. Mackay Restaurants, with El Gaucho steakhouses on both sides of the lake and a newly spiffed up seafood spot, Aqua, on Elliott Bay, offered a carrot to diners: they'd pay your toll. Seemed like a cute promotion, so I tweeted it yesterday and sent their PR team a note. They replied with a press release announcing a new executive chef for Aqua, Steve Cain. I remember seeing Cain on the line at the old Waterfront Seafood Grill, and in the kitchen at El Gaucho in Bellevue. A good, solid steak guy, according to reports. But, I tweeted, what happened to Peter Levine, the exec chef whom I'd interviewed and photographed for an article only a couple of months ago? The PR response:
With the rebrand of AQUA we are looking to bring all of our restaurants more in sync, essentially creating "one Gaucho." After beginning his career with us at Waterfront Seafood Grill back in 2000, Chef Cain perfected his culinary skills in the El Gaucho kitchen and was responsible for creating over half the dishes on AQUA's menu. With our efforts to bring more of the El Gaucho brand into AQUA, it made most sense to have a Chef in AQUA's kitchen who knew both restaurants well.
Peter is a talented Chef but no longer with the company. We were fortunate to have him with us for as long as we did and know he will land someplace soon where they will be lucky to have him. We wish him the best of luck with whatever new culinary adventures come his way.
Fair enough. Standard boilerplate. But I also sent an email to Peter, asking for an update. But, heh-heh, turns out I sent it to his old business address. And instead of hearing from Peter, I heard back from Ken Sharp, the corporate exec chef for Mackay. Oops! Now, Sharp probably should have said nothing at all. Or at most replied to the effect that Mr. Levine is no longer with the company. He might even have called his PR department for guidance. Instead, he sent this:
Hi Ronald, Peter didn't align himself with our company standards, of excellence, quality, consistent, and treating all staff with respect. Although he was very talented, he could not get over his ego Thanks Ken
Yikes. Next step, find the current whereabouts of said Peter and see what he has to say for himself. I've been swamped all afternoon, so the task fell to Bethany Jean Clement, managing editor of the Stranger, and find him she did (at, duh, chefpeterlevine@gmail.com). Here's what he wrote:
Its all good on my end. I will pursue my own place this year... I guess I didn't fit in with the El Gaucho kitchen.
On Facebook, Levine's employment status is "Looking for a new stove." That gurgling sound, I don't think it's coming from the fish tanks.
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