Ok, we all know Starr's like the Don of restaurants in Philadelphia. He's defintely won the battle of restaurantier with soon to be 8 high end restaurants and taken such and advantage that no one can overtake him.

My question is, I wonder what political or other influence the guy has in the city of Philly. Is he the legal mob-boss of this city? Does he now have Philly in the palm of his hands?

I know I felt like I was shaken down at his restraunt "Jones". I think I paid $200 for drinks and some grilled cheese sandwhiches. Starr, definitely has alot of pull with the local goverment. On what level, I don't know, but when you have a guy who attracts people into the city to spend a couple hundred dollars on a night out, you better beleive the local politicians want to be his friend.

__________________
In a time of universal deceit - telling the truth is a revolutionary act.
-George Orwell

i've never spent that kind of money at jones. i think the food is pretty decent there and it's nice to ahve that as an option when you want to eat after midnight.

As far as I can tell, he has no special "in" with anyone. He's had some good ideas and built them into a small empire.

He hasn't always succeeded. That Russian one over by Graduate Hospital was a real bomb.

While active in Old City, had some dealings with him. He's not overly neighborhood friendly but isn't a real bastard either. His restaurants seem to be much more about style than about food. My favorite was Bleu Angel but it didn't have legs . . . now it's an Italian (just what Philadelphia needs). Keep meaning to go to Jones.

In New York, always wanted to open restaurant called "Mommy Food" serving Macs and Cheese, Meat Loaf, etc. Someone beat us to it.

Maybe someone should just open a spot called "Food" or Eats, with that black and white generic motiff (label).