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Some of the city's best-known high-end businesses became the center of attention Thursday night as the first two installments of "Being Bobby Brown" beamed across the country on Bravo.
In the new reality series, the R&B singer and wife Whitney Houston are seen supping at Joel, Prime and Chopstix; appearing in a Fulton County court; relaxing at the Spa on Paces; and, um, getting reacquainted in a Grand Hyatt luxury suite after one of Brown's stints in jail.
So what did local business folks think of their 15 minutes of fame- and in a few cases, infamy? Here are some responses.
Joel
The setup: Brown wants to show Houston a good time at "Joel's, where the chef actually gave us his table in the kitchen," explains Brown. While five-star chef Joel Antunes is known to regulars for his creative takes on foie gras and roasted hare, Houston desires a T-bone steak while Brown quizzes a perplexed waiter about the possibility of ordering clams on the half shell. Brown finally orders squab but admits, "I don't know what it is." Poking at it later, Houston asks, "Is it bird?"
At the end of the meal in front of a clearly uncomfortable server, Brown asks Houston, "Can I impregnate you tonight?"
Reaction: Said Joel general manager Nicolas Sangros: "T-bone steaks and clams on the half shell are not, um, currently on the menu. Our chef's room in the kitchen is open to anyone who would like to reserve it, which is usually about four times a week. It's always flattering when people in the public eye choose to use our premises."
Prime
The setup: Brown and Houston arrive at the eatery's Lenox Square mall entrance and are immediately surrounded by fans. Brown happily poses for pictures while Houston ducks inside the mall. Riding solo up the escalator, Houston sighs and says, "I need a vacation!"
Reaction: Said Prime manager Mark Pinsky: "We regard ourselves as fun-dining as opposed to fine dining. So it's always fun for us to have something like this going on. I don't think I ever made it on camera so at least I won't be embarrassed."
Chopstix
The setup: The Chinese restaurant is where Brown and Houston go to celebrate after his successful court appearance. After some initial confusion (the couple's driver originally thinks they want to go to Chops), Chopstix co-owner Philip Chan opens his eatery for a private late lunch for the singers. Over the meal, Houston explains the benefits of a colonic, saying, "See, there are these bugs in your system. . . ." Brown replies: "Stop talking about [posteriors] around my food!" As she's served by Chan, Houston inquires Jessica Simpson-like about whether she's eating pork or chicken.
Reaction: Joked Chopstix bar manager Sean Cash: "But it all tastes like chicken, doesn't it? When Bobby and Whitney came in, they took over the place. We always enjoy having them. I think it's great for business- well, unless someone gets killed or something."
The Spa on Paces
The setup: Brown wants to treat Houston to a day of pampering. Houston uncaps a large bottle of moisturizer to give Brown a foot rub. Later, the two receive full-body massages, but Brown immediately declines the services of a large male masseur. Said Brown: "I'm not about to let some big buff dude just be feeling up my wife or feeling on me!"
Reaction: Said current Spa on Paces owner Jerry Haft: "I honestly have no idea if this kind of exposure is a good or bad thing. It was filmed before I took over here. Whitney has come here on occasion for treatments. We try to create a tranquil setting for all our customers."
The Grand Hyatt
The setup: Brown and Houston meet in a suite at the hotel after his release from custody to spend some quality time together, with Doogie the family dog and daughter Bobbi Kristina in tow. The pair are seen dancing and rapping together while trying on sunglasses in the hotel gift shop in front of a stymied cashier. Brown buys a Braves T-shirt and wears it out with the tag still on it. He purchases Preparation H and immediately applies it to his puffy eyes. Later, Brown jimmies open the hotel room's mini-bar area, telling the camera, "This is how you get free [stuff]!"
Reaction: "Bobby and Whitney were delightful," said Grand Hyatt director of sales Michelle Oberst. "They were easy and friendly and not at all a disruption. They knew we still had a hotel to run."
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