PERINO’S

I am concerned that Ruth Reichl found it necessary to exceed the boundaries of reviewing Perino’s because of outside distractions that would not be under the control of any restaurant in the world (“Perino’s Still in Pink; as for the Food. . . , June 1).

I specifically refer to the attempted robbery of a customer. Unfortunately, robberies occur everywhere in Los Angeles all the time. The fact that one occurred at Perino’s should not have become the subject of a review.

Further, in the two reviews of Perino’s that have appeared to date, Reichl has contradicted herself.

In First Impressions (April 14), referring to the menu, she wrote: “This venerable document includes some wonderful things like souffled potatoes ($6 extra and worth it.” On June 1 she wrote “. . . the souffled potatoes I had insisted on ordering cost $1.20 a piece. . . five of them . . . for $6. Seems like a lot for potatoes--even for the world’s most elegant potato chips.”

It is Reichl’s choice whether or not she enjoyed her dining experience at Perino’s. The only request we make is for fair journalism.

CARLO BONDANELLI

Proprietor