Jump to: Leone's Heat Index Poll and Comments!

Our house has been pretty full for the past week. In addition to Mr. Hot, myself, and our two children, ages 6 and 4, my husband's son from a previous marriage, and his two children, ages 3 and 2 have been staying with us. If you are attempting to figure out the genealogical chart, yes, I am "Grandma Melody!" (And I like it!)

So on Sunday we decided to all go out for lunch. There were two requirements, the restaurant must be a BYO, and, of course, it must be kid-friendly. I perused the HFTK Heat Index, and decided that Leone's would be a safe bet. We loaded up into two cars and headed out. As we drove down South Park Street, the plans abruptly changed when Mr. Hot, (already PO'ed to not find parking) noticed white table cloths on the tables through the Leone's window.

"No! This is not for kids."

Mitchell Altholz with Gordon RamsayCheck out this photo of Chef Mitchell Altholz and Gordon Ramsay!

Following dinner at Zod Arifai's restaurant, Blu, Chef Mitchell bumped into the rip-roaring celebrity chef on the set of Fox's Kitchen Nightmares, which is currently shooting an episode at Leone's on South Park St. in Montclair.

Here's what Mitchell had to say about the encounter:

I saw him on the street ( I know he speaks French) and I started to speak to him in French. Then he asked me if I was French and I said "No, but I lived there for 7 years and worked with Paul Bocuse." He said "no sh*t." Then we talked a little about The Manor. I wanted to hate him but he was so nice and funny.

Hot From The Kettle wishes Leone's a wonderful make-over! Look for the Kitchen Nightmares episode to air on Fox sometime in Fall.

Leone's

19 South Park Street

Montclair, NJ 07042

*photo credit, Mitchell Altholz

Is Post-Ramsay Leone's Still For Kids?

Mitchell Altholz meets Gordon Ramsay on the set of Kitchen Nightmares