In last week’s episode, “Restaurant Wars,” we saw my beloved Kenny go home (I know, shocking!) in spite of the fact that every.single.chef seemed to agree that Alex was the one who truly deserved to be sent home in his place.  I’m still mad about the whole pea purée thing, but nothing prepared me for discovering how much I truly loathe Alex’s ineptitude in the kitchen and—as clearly proven in his “front of the house” role—anywhere else near food (or people, for that matter).  Ok, so maybe I’m being a bit harsh, but Alex stinks, and it’s time for him to go.  Anyway, let’s move on to bigger and better things, like this week’s Quickfire Challenge.

Quickfire Challenge:  The Mystery Box

-Create a Dish Using the Contents of Mystery Boxes

After several of the chefs discussed their disdain for Alex, and Angelo admitted he was “mentally exhausted,” the contestants headed out to the Top Chef Kitchens, where they found several black boxes marked with question marks, as well as Padma, standing with their guest judge for the challenge: Wylie Dufresne, chef and owner of wd~50 in New York City

By MELISSA RUSSO Updated 12:45 PM EDT, Mon, Apr 5, 2010 Print Share FACEBOOK

State leaders may need a serrated edge blade to carve their way out of the New York’s fiscal mess.

Perhaps that’s why Governor David Paterson, Lieutenant Governor Dick Ravitch and Democratic conference leader John Sampson dined together at Peter Luger steakhouse on Easter Sunday.

Sources say the main topic of discussion was the late State budget.

Paterson is still in New York City today but will return to Albany Wednesday when the legislature returns to session following more than a week off for the Easter/Passover holidays.

The Governor’s office says both the Senate and Assembly budget plans each fall short by about a billion dollars worth of cuts. And the legislature has yet to sign onto Ravitch’s state bailout plan, which would involve some heavy borrowing.

First Published: Apr 5, 2010 10:42 AM EDT Print Share FACEBOOK