I don't want to take away from Lisa what looked like a fabulous meal. I'm certain it was excellent, just as I'm certain Richard's wasn't as bad as he thinks it was.

Really, I think Stephanie's one exemplary dish (with braised pistachios!) is what made the difference on the fundamental deadlock between her and Lisa, because when you get right down to it, that seemed to be the only dish that surprised everybody at the table. Lisa proved she can cook well. Possibly even very well. But Stephanie proved, as she's done before, that she can go over and above.

I'll bet there's some serious partying in Chi-Town on her behalf tonight.

I don't want to take away from Lisa what looked like a fabulous meal. I'm certain it was excellent

I will admit that it looked like the best challenge she'd pulled together yet, though I still think her shrimp and dessert looked sloppy as hell (the beef looked good, but I'll take the judges' word on the texture/flavor). Almost like her strategy was do just enough to get to the end and then go for broke.

But yeah, I think it was the lamb that sealed the deal. I thought Lisa's soup had gotten as much love from the comments we saw (apart from - was it Ripert? - the one who said that the lamb was the only dish everyone had said they loved), but I suspect the editing elves had a hand in that as well.

I think that they really enjoyed the soup but that Stephanie's dish was more innovative and even though Stephanie's dessert wasn't that good - it wasn't a complete wreck - the way that Lisa's beef was.

Yay, Stephanie! Bravo had me really freaked out, there. I felt badly for Richard because he seemed so sad. But he really fell apart there in the last challenge. And he appears to be an amazing chef, so I've no doubt he'll do well.

Are they just not doing a reunion show or did I miss it?

Anyone want to lay bets on the sadistic editing elves at Bravo for editing the comments to make it look like Lisa would win? Because there was a moment there when I was absolutely sure she would.

yes, they were bastards. I actually was afraid for a minute. I clapped when they announced Stephanie. She was my favorite, and not because of the name.

SYTYCD -

I didn't see any huge missteps tonight. I loved Katee and Joshua, and Twitch and his partner. I think that Comfort and her partner will get by because people like her. I, of course, hated the contemporary routine (though I love Mia), and I wasn't crazy about the disco or the tango.

did you all see the poll on TC:

"who will win 'Top Chef?'"

60% Stephanie 36% Richard 4% Lisa

Damn.

91% felt she should be eliminated last week, and only 4% thought she should win this week. The audience are not fans of Lisa.

Are they just not doing a reunion show or did I miss it?

I guess they aren't doing one. I wonder why not.

And I don't fault the editing for building up the drama -- I noticed when they were going through course by course, in one of them they didn't even talk about Stephanie's so I assume hers was their favorite on that one, too. Not that I remember which course it was. But anyway, it's TV! There should be some drama.

I clapped when they announced Stephanie.

So did I. And gave a "Whoooooo!" I would have scared the cat if I had one.

They're doing a reunion show next week. . . which is probably when they announce the fan favorite.

Huh -- I don't know why I haven't noticed any ads for it.