Documentary: I Like Killing Flies
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[/media-credit]Documentary time: I Like Killing Flies.
If you don’t care for a restaurant owner who curses at you, questions why you didn’t like his food (by sometimes eating what you did not) or tells you CANNOT seat more than 4 people, and if you try you will get thrown out – FOR LIFE, you might not want to watch the documentary: I Like Killing Flies. But if you are like me, someone who likes curmudgeons, really good food and a unique atmosphere – then watch the documentary as soon as possible!
Now I don’t review documentaries like I do the fictional movies so I am not going to give this any rating except to say after watching this one I wanted to book a flight to New York City ASAP!!
This is about Kenny Shopsin and family and their New York eatery. It has been there for years and by the looks of it not cleaned a lot over those years. But I didn’t mind that. It was the philosophy of Kenny Shopsin, cook and owner, that had me totally fascinated. He has his own unique way of how he sees life, how a restaurant should be run and if you don’t agree him then you can GO F#%* YOURSELF! Really, that is how he talks to his customers. I had a huge smile on my face the entire time and after watching this film you will probably see what I saw: A man dedicated to the best meal he can cook for you. Nothing else matters!
Now you are thinking how can he get away with being so rude to customers? Well, one reason: THE FOOD! I will admit I have not eaten there and after watching I really, really want to (and I will abide by all his rules – trust me) but we got his cookbook and followed a few of his techniques. He’s a genius! Plus, in his crass way he is usually right. No, I wouldn’t want to be yelled at by him but I really want to go and see how great this food really is in real life.
I thoroughly enjoyed his philosophies throughout the documentary. It really made me think. But there were a few in his cookbook, which we bought right after seeing the film: Eat Me: The Food Philosophy of Kenny Shopsin, that had me howling with laughter.
There is one in particular that I so enjoyed: On Not Allowing Special Requests. Here is a segment from his cookbook: ”Some people tell me that they’re deathly allergic to something and that I have to make sure it’s not in their food. I kick them out. I don’t want to be responsible for anyone’s life-or-death situation. I tell them they should go eat at a hospital.”[media-credit id=5 align="alignleft" width="300"]
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You also have to see his menu – there is a copy of it in the cookbook and they show it in the documentary. It is truly an amazing menu. Trust me.
Documentary: I Like Killing Flies,
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Tags: cook book, cooking, documentary, I Like Killing Flies, personal philosophy, Shopsin's New York eatery
He is SO awesome! When I watched this documentary I was in awe. In awe of his passion and his genius creativity. I absolutely loved this review and I really hope I can eat one day in his restaurant. What an experience this would be! I need to memorize his rules though haha
I know -- Kenny Shopsin is great. I loved this documentary and wish I lived (or was visiting) New York so I could go to his place.
Passion is what keeps dreams alive, and even though his passion may turn some off it is inspirational.
Let’s meet there and go to his place, but we can only take 2 more people: one of the rules -- no more than 4 or is it no party of 5? Either way, I won’t break his rules
Yes! You can count me in. Plus, I won’t break his rules either haha.
It’s a date
I saw this movie a few months ago and I really thought it was a great look at their experience around the restaurant that they started a long time ago. I don’t know if I would really want to eat there, but it would be an absolute unique experience.
Well, Dan, if you tag along with us you will have to order something. Kenny probably wouldn’t allow you to just sit there…haha. Also, don’t forget he moved to the new, cleaner location
I think even with the new “cleaner location” there would still be a good chance of dying from grease poisoning
Having barely survived Salmonella, I’m not tempted to eat there. Maybe I’ll invite him to my house to cook for me instead. I can imagine how That would go over!
I’m going to share the link to the video with my son, who is a big Gordon Ramsey fan!
Melody, I recommend his cookbook. I am not a great cook and seafood is hard to master, but he has a trick in cooking shrimp that worked and it was delicious. Plus, the book is a fun read.
Hope your son likes the documentary.
Well I will be adding this to my netflix queue right away.
I shall think about the book too.. I wonder if I can get it on my kindle? I can understand him not wanting to be responsible for someone’s life or death situation.. that is a pretty scary thing when you think about it. Nice review Katy. 
Thanks, Dani. Yes, his philosophies do make a lot of sense. Enjoy the cookbook, it’s funny and can teach you a lot.