About Isabelle Viegas

Isabelle Viegas recently graduated from the school of hard knocks. She considers herself a cook, a writer, and a hostess. She loves Mexican, Spanish, and spicy food--bring on the chilies, wasabi, and curries, please. She enjoys drinking her whiskey straight and can be found after-hours at a dive bar talking to cooks about food and future conquests. She currently resides in Brooklyn.

Hostess Confidential: The Health Inspector is Back

By Isabelle Viegas February 19, 2008

Previously: The Health Inspector Is Here The general manager walks slowly towards the health-inspector. “Hi, how can I help you?” he asks as his voice cracks. “Show me your kitchen.” The health inspector replies. She takes out her clipboard and … Read More

Hostess Confidential: The Health Inspector Is Here

By Isabelle Viegas February 7, 2008

I run into the kitchen, searching for Chef. I see boiling pots, smoking grills, and line-cooks prepping their stations, but no Chef. Where the fuck is he? “Need something?” Max, the soon-to-be-sous-chef asks me. “The health inspector is here.” “WHAT?” … Read More

Hostess Confidential: Why I Love Old Jewish Men

By Isabelle Viegas February 1, 2008

Restaurant Week is war. We stockpile our kitchens. We deploy troops of food runners, busboys, and cooks. Anything that can go wrong will go wrong during Restaurant Week. We prepare ourselves for a high number of casualties. Restaurant Week is … Read More

Hostess Confidential: Never Drink With Bartenders

By Isabelle Viegas January 11, 2008

  Hostess Confidential is Jewcy's ongoing column about the dirty secrets of a swanky Manhattan restaurant. In the past it's tackled antisemitism and lecherous customers. Everyone in the restaurant industry is an alcoholic. General managers sample wine on the job, … Read More

Hostess Confidential: Antisemitism at Four O’Clock

By Isabelle Viegas January 3, 2008

If you caught the first installment of Hostess Confidential, you'll remember that I work at a well-known restaurant in Manhattan's Union Square. It's a fast-paced environment with demanding customers who have no use for wait-lists, which means I witness a … Read More

Hostess Confidential

By Isabelle Viegas December 21, 2007

I'm a hostess at a well known restaurant in Manhattan's Union Square. It's a fast-paced environment with demanding customers who have no use for wait-lists, which means I witness a lot of scandalous behavior. Bon Appetit. It’s only 7:30, and … Read More