DonRocks Posted August 15, 2005 Share Posted August 15, 2005 Within hours or days, a major announcement will be made that will ripple throughout the Washington DC food world. Stay tuned... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted August 16, 2005 Author Share Posted August 16, 2005 I wish I could break this story for you now - it's really quite interesting. Journalistic integrity is a terrible curse, Rocks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted August 16, 2005 Author Share Posted August 16, 2005 (edited) Okay, do you all want to know what it is? [Edit: click] Edited August 19, 2005 by DonRocks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted August 16, 2005 Author Share Posted August 16, 2005 In case you guys think I'm just messing with you, I'm not (well maybe I am a little bit). But I'm waiting for one of two things to happen: 1) The story needs to break from "the other source" or 2) I need explicit permission to break it here and until one of those two things happen, I have to sit on it. This afternoon, I hope. Rocks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted August 16, 2005 Author Share Posted August 16, 2005 As if it were straight out of the X-Files, I just received a crackly, barely audible message on my cellphone. I THINK what it said is that the story is going to come out tomorrow, and so unless I hear otherwise, I'm not at liberty to disclose it this evening. To whet your appetite further: this will have a good deal of impact on the local restaurant scene. And despite the hype and conjecture here today, I believe that the news itself will not disappoint. Cheers! Rocks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted August 17, 2005 Author Share Posted August 17, 2005 Todd Kliman will assume the lead editorial position at Washingtonian magazine, having editorial control over the upcoming Best 100 Restaurants and Cheap Eats issues. Thomas Head and Cynthia Hacinli will remain at the Washingtonian and work with Todd, who will begin his new job next month. I just got off the phone with Todd, who said that "I'm looking forward to bringing the same energy, zest and wit to Washingtonian that I tried to provide in my weekly column." Cheers, Todd, and congratulations! Rocks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monica Bhide Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 Congrats Todd. This is great news. You must be thrilled! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrescentFresh Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 Hmmmm......Do I now restart my subscription? Very interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacques Gastreaux Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 (edited) Rocks was wrong, this is more than a ripple. But I thought it would be something on the order of magnitude of the health department discovering that all of the scallops delivered to the DC area in the last six months were contaminated with something that enhances susceptibility to scrotal frostbite. In all seriousness though, congrats to Todd, he deserves the promotion. Onward and upward. We can rest assured that the cheap eats section will now be worth keeping. Edited August 17, 2005 by Jacques Gastreaux Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Dente Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 Well, my sincere congrats to Todd, and I look forward to what I'm sure will be inevitable improvements in the Top 100 selections and so forth, but, eh... whoop-de-doo. We were certainly whipped into a bit of a frenzy, no? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdt Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 (edited) I think it is much bigger than a ripple. Those constant 'list winners' that always appear in the Washingtonian may be disappearing in favor of places that truly deserve the honor. Congrats Todd! edited to remove JG's, now edited, quote. Edited August 17, 2005 by mdt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jm chen Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 Huzzah! Hey, if the City Paper needs somebody to jump in, I'm available. Just say the word. Congratulations to Todd for the promotion and to the Washingtonian for landing such a great catch! Jael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted August 17, 2005 Author Share Posted August 17, 2005 Those constant 'list winners' that always appear in the Washingtonian may be disappearing in favor of places that truly deserve the honor. (Enjoy your tranquil dinners at Kotobuki while you can) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Audrey2025 Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 Congratulations! Looking forward to reading the Washingtonian in the coming months. Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Hersch Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 Todd Kliman is an excellent food writer, and I certainly wish him well. But he isn't being given control over the whole magazine. It will still be the Washingtonian, and I wonder how much better it's possible for the dining part to be if it's still stuck inside that publication's priorities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pappy Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 This is great news for the Washingtonian and Washingtonians. I just wonder if the Washingtonian doesn't have a different idea of the proper balance between advertising and editorial. I'll be curious to see if that relationship changes. Thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kanishka Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 (edited) First FishbowlDC's Garret Graff, now Kliman? I think Washingtonian is worried about glossies like DC Style stealing ad revenue and are trying to freshen up. Freshen up ALOT. It's a smart move; Washingtonian was way too staid for it's own good. Edited to add: The more I think about it, the smarter it seems. Kliman has a lot of fans that may just migrate from the City Paper to read him in the 'tonian. And this gives hiim the room to write in the long form. Edited August 17, 2005 by Kanishka Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdt Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 First FishbowlDC's Garret Graff, now Kliman? I think Washingtonian is worried about glossies like DC Style stealing ad revenue and are trying to freshen up. Freshen up ALOT. It's a smart move; Washingtonian was way to staid for it's own good. Worried about DCStyle? I have not heard anything positive about it. Comments anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacques Gastreaux Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 Holy Cow, just think of the possiblities. Todd could even get someone to write an article about how the DC restaurant scene does not get the national recognition it deserves. My head is spinning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
giant shrimp Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 i assume this means we will no longer get a weekly fix of kliman, which was becoming fairly addictive, but assume he we will succeed in avoid being homogenized by marie antoinette and the other washingtonian editors. first my favorite local movie critic, joel siegel, up and dies. now this. the city paper is fast running out of reasons for me to dirty my hands with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FunnyJohn Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 (edited) Hope this means that those establishments chosen for the top list are no longer limited to those that purchase advertizing space in the magazine Edited August 17, 2005 by FunnyJohn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 Todd Kliman is an excellent food writer, and I certainly wish him well. But he isn't being given control over the whole magazine. It will still be the Washingtonian, and I wonder how much better it's possible for the dining part to be if it's still stuck inside that publication's priorities. I would guess that hiring a James Beard award-winner signals some sort of fundamental shift in their focus, and I wouldn't think he'd have accepted the position unless that was part of the deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crackers Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 Any guesses as to who takes over Kliman's desk at City Paper? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meaghan Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 Wonderful news! Yay, Kliman on colorful glossy pages! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meaghan Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 Any guesses as to who takes over Kliman's desk at City Paper? Rocks' twin brother, DanRacks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoramargolis Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 Any guesses as to who takes over Kliman's desk at City Paper? If City Paper is as smart and edgy as they seem to want to be, they'll offer the job to Joe Heflin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capital Icebox Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 This is sad news for readers of the City Paper and great news for readers of the Washingtonian. I hope the magazine will give him space on the website for weekly features, something along the lines of 'Young & Hungry' and 'Weekly Dish.' In my opinon, this would draw some of those City Paper readers away for sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdt Posted August 17, 2005 Share Posted August 17, 2005 If City Paper is as smart and edgy as they seem to want to be, they'll offer the job to Joe Heflin. Would he have a column in the same paper as Savage Love? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLK Posted October 28, 2005 Share Posted October 28, 2005 I liked Chef Gillian's menu in the Washingtonian feature (co-authored by Todd Kliman) re: Thanksgiving. Is there a dedicated thread for that article? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Free Wilma Posted October 28, 2005 Share Posted October 28, 2005 I liked Chef Gillian's menu in the Washingtonian feature (co-authored by Todd Kliman) re: Thanksgiving. Is there a dedicated thread for that article? I thought it was a nice article in the Washingtontonian. I appreciated the wine suggestions from some folks around here as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted January 13, 2006 Author Share Posted January 13, 2006 From the January 13th Reliable Source column in the Washington Post: A Recipe for Resentment at the WashingtonianPlenty of new magazines in Washington this year, and lots of new blood shaking things up, so it was inevitable there would be fallout. In August, the Washingtonian hired Todd Kliman as dining editor, and now the magazine is facing allegations of age discrimination by longtime executive wine and food editor Thomas Head. Head, 63, has worked for the magazine since 1991 reviewing restaurants and overseeing food coverage -- and was surprised when Kliman, 39, was hired and quickly outranked him on the masthead. Head retained his title and salary, but says he has much less responsibility. When he pressed Editor Jack Limpert for an explanation, he was told the magazine needed changes. "I've never had a bad review or criticism," Head said yesterday. "Ruling out the possibilities, it's hard to be left with anything else but discrimination." His lawyer sent the magazine a letter saying as much. Limpert, 71, said he doesn't care how old Head is: "I felt our dining out coverage needed some new energy and new thinking." He says he informed Head as soon as he hired Kliman: "I told him he was welcome to stay at the magazine, but obviously his feelings were hurt." Head said he might stay if there were a "readjustment of responsibilities," but conceded it is unlikely. Head asked his name be removed from this month's "100 Very Best Restaurants" issue because he didn't agree with the choices or rankings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Dente Posted January 13, 2006 Share Posted January 13, 2006 Age discrimination? How can that be? Rocks is like 82, 83. At least his liver is... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPW Posted January 13, 2006 Share Posted January 13, 2006 "I've never had a bad review or criticism," He obviously never talked to many of his readers, or ex-readers for that matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaisaB Posted January 13, 2006 Share Posted January 13, 2006 Before I ever came on EG or Dr.com, I used to wonder who made the decisions at Washingtonian reviews, since they were so off base. Even my husband who would be happy with hambuger helper felt the same way. I feel sorry for Mr. Head as he obviously feels overlooked, but as with any industry you need to keep abreast of what's new and exciting, especially with food! I still can't fathom how Dungrats remained on that list so many years! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meaghan Posted January 13, 2006 Share Posted January 13, 2006 (edited) All food critics and wine writers must be young and fit so that they can run around and do what they do (sort of Batman and Robin style). Edited January 13, 2006 by Meaghan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stretch Posted January 13, 2006 Share Posted January 13, 2006 sinecure \SY-ni-kyoor; SIN-i-kyoor\, noun:Any office or position which requires or involves little or no responsibility, labor, or active service. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdl Posted January 13, 2006 Share Posted January 13, 2006 Age discrimination is a serious issue in the news biz. Plenty of examples, from Ron Fimrite, who was rehired by Sports Illustrated after filing an age discrimination lawsuit against the magazine, to Christine Craft, who lost her case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffAlex Posted January 13, 2006 Share Posted January 13, 2006 Age discrimination is a serious issue in the news biz.Plenty of examples, from Ron Fimrite, who was rehired by Sports Illustrated after filing an age discrimination lawsuit against the magazine, to Christine Craft, who lost her case. I don't doubt this, and if Kliman were some newbie kid hired off the street, Head would have a good case. But Kliman clearly has the chops to be on the masthead, so I imagine that the net effect of this is to generate some lawyers' fees and possibly expose some of the "intrigue" in the leadership of Washingtonian. (Yawn). JA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnb Posted January 13, 2006 Share Posted January 13, 2006 I don't doubt this, and if Kliman were some newbie kid hired off the street, Head would have a good case. But Kliman clearly has the chops to be on the masthead, so I imagine that the net effect of this is to generate some lawyers' fees and possibly expose some of the "intrigue" in the leadership of Washingtonian. (Yawn).JA Since Head kept his title and SALARY, I'm not clear where the basis for a case of discrimination comes from. Do hurt feelings qualify? With trepidation, I suggest some of our numerous highly-compensated lawyers here on the board chime in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacques Gastreaux Posted January 13, 2006 Share Posted January 13, 2006 Since Head kept his title and SALARY, I'm not clear where the basis for a case of discrimination comes from. Do hurt feelings qualify? With trepidation, I suggest some of our numerous highly-compensated lawyers here on the board chime in. Any claim would probably be based on damage to reputation although, in this case, a defense might be "we didn't damage his reputation, he did it himself." Reputational damage would be hard to prove by someone like Head as very few people even know who he is (was, has been). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ol_ironstomach Posted January 13, 2006 Share Posted January 13, 2006 Age discrimination? How can that be? Rocks is like 82, 83. At least his liver is... In the words of that renowned and adventurous food critic Indiana Jones, "it's not the age, it's the miles." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmwine Posted January 13, 2006 Share Posted January 13, 2006 The resentment may have been magnified by Todd's rather savage comments in his recent chats, when he defended the changes to the Best 100 by slamming the previous lists rather nastily - even though two of the writers now work for him. A more magnanimous and tactful defense from Todd could have been, "Well, I'm in charge now, and this year's lists reflects my palate and my view of the DC restaurant scene." Instead, he's "I'm right, you're wrong," like Dan Aykroyd's "Jane, you ignorant slut!" in the old days when SNL was funny. I agree that Tom Head's stewardship of the WashedOnion's dining pages was neither inspired nor inspiring, but he didn't deserve the humiliation (some of which he suffered willingly by staying). Todd's not making me hungry, either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mdt Posted January 13, 2006 Share Posted January 13, 2006 The resentment may have been magnified by Todd's rather savage comments in his recent chats, when he defended the changes to the Best 100 by slamming the previous lists rather nastily - even though two of the writers now work for him. A more magnanimous and tactful defense from Todd could have been, "Well, I'm in charge now, and this year's lists reflects my palate and my view of the DC restaurant scene." Instead, he's "I'm right, you're wrong," like Dan Aykroyd's "Jane, you ignorant slut!" in the old days when SNL was funny. I agree that Tom Head's stewardship of the WashedOnion's dining pages was neither inspired nor inspiring, but he didn't deserve the humiliation (some of which he suffered willingly by staying). Todd's not making me hungry, either. You don't think the recent changes are any better? What do you think is wrong? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmwine Posted January 13, 2006 Share Posted January 13, 2006 You don't think the recent changes are any better? What do you think is wrong? I didn't say that. I'm reserving judgment actually, until Todd's had time to get used to the vicissitudes of magazine publishing and editing, something very new to him and not nearly as easy as it sometimes seems to people who live on the boundless cyberfrontier of the Internet and can "publish" with the click of a Send button. He was thrown right into an unforgiving publication cycle that was probably well underway when he arrived. In his chats he alluded to the difficulty in putting together the Best 100 list, difficulty now confirmed by today's Reliable Source item. To make as many changes as he did, not just to the format but to the list, obviously required a lot of work. My comment was more to the defensiveness of his defense, as it were. Todd was the one who took his disagreements with Tom Head public, not the other way around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monavano Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 I loved the "Best Bites" section pgs. 132-135. Lots of information at your fingertips. I hope they keep this type of format; it's fun and educational. The photography is excellent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaisaB Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 (edited) I love the work in progress. Little blurbs like "Who's Folding The Napkin" "Is the Chef in Tonight" are wonderful and hopefully will keep some from resting on their laurels. And for once I feel Washingtonian is right on as to what is going on in restaurants. No offense meant to the former team, but this "reorganization" was long overdue. Edited January 25, 2006 by RaisaB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Escoffier Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 first my favorite local movie critic, joel siegel, up and dies. now this. the city paper is fast running out of reasons for me to dirty my hands with it. R.I.P. Joel, you are greatly missed... Now, back to our regularly scheduled mayhem already in progress... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halloween Posted April 5, 2006 Share Posted April 5, 2006 Well, Kliman's been over at the Washingtonian for six (?) months or so now. What do you think about what he's doing? I know we have discussed his chat and some specific articles he's written, but what do you think overall? Did you subscribe after learning he was going to be the food editor? Do you like the changes he's made? Initially, I thought he was making too many changes too soon, and I wasn't sure where he was headed, other than to the land of massive, revolutionary changes. It seemed to me that he had a lot of ideas and he wanted to implement them quickly, kinda like he was putting us on notice that he could do more than write an award-winning column for the city paper (don't get me wrong, I loved the column--I can't describe food to save my soul!). I felt like he was sprinting, not running a long distance race. A sense of urgency is a worthy trait, but I thought he needed to take a moment (other than in the body of one weekly chat) to tell us where he was going, and then bring us along with him to Kliman land. I thought the return of Phyllis Richman (during the Olympics) deserved more foreshadowing and I have found the magazine layout busy. At some point, I think he said that he did not intend to tell us where he was heading, that he wanted to surprise us. I get that, but for me, a few more clues would have been nice. I LOVE his tuesday chat. It's personal, conversational and opinionated, more than just a Q&A. Also, I loved the entire April edition. To me, it really hit the mark, and i'm looking forward to future editions. It seems to me that he's settled in a bit (or maybe i'm the one who's adjusted to the new approach!). I am a bit nostalgic, though. I miss the pure joy of picking up the City Paper on a Thursday afternoon to find his one of his amazing, well-written reviews, including the one he wrote last year for April Fools Day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrescentFresh Posted April 5, 2006 Share Posted April 5, 2006 and I wasn't sure where he was headed, Pun intended? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halloween Posted April 5, 2006 Share Posted April 5, 2006 Pun intended? No! I'm actually sober tonight! Sleepy, but sober! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now