Big Apple Hot Dogs: Slaying the hype monster

I hate hype. When some places have an impending opening or start receiving a flood of adoration, you can't look left or right but to see a blog writeup, a newspaper review or a tweet. The main reason for my ire is that I have been let down by hype on many occasions. For example, I was non plussed by king Heston's Dinner, where a sadly overcooked piece of pork, an absence of atmosphere and haughty prices led to a disappointing experience. Much the same with Pollen Street Social, where a table of six was squirrelled away down the side the bar, again devoid of atmosphere and serving some badly cooked misjudged plates of food.

Making Pasta at Fifteen, Old Street

The brand of "Oliver" has definitely spread far and wide since the first few days that his face appeared on the Naked Chef. I remember fondly the day that he brought a different kind of energy to the TV screen and I always waited intently for what next week would bring. Not everyone's cup of tea, but I have always been a fan. A couple years down the line, he has spawned multiple tv series, crusades and the restaurants. Some might say, he's done pretty well for himself.