“It’s just so tragic what happened there. We were really saddened to hear the news that it burned.”

He went on to say that he recently had a conversation with Pixar wizard John Lasseter, who was responsible for basing a character in the movie “Cars” on owner Dawn Welch, and that they discussed the loss of original Pixar artwork that was mounted on the walls.

Guy Fieri spoke about The Rock Cafe tragedy during his recent visit.

“John told me to let Dawn know that he would replace any Pixar artwork that she lost…And I know they’re gonna be reopening soon.”

Guy’s right about that. Dawn told me today that the official reopening is scheduled for May 29. On Friday, they will start offering tours of the rebuilt Rock Cafe and offer beignets and coffee in the morning and hot dogs in the afternoon to those interested.

She also said they will be hosting a reunion for the local communities on Memorial Day Weekend, which will act as a test run for the Grand reopening.

FIRE DAMAGE: Collapsed roof after a fire gutted the Rock Cafe on Main Street in Stroud on Tuesday, May 21, 2008. BY PAUL B. SOUTHERLAND, THE OKLAHOMAN

The historic Rock Cafe on Route66  burned one year ago tomorrow, May 20.

It’s at 114 W. Main St. (Route 66) in Stroud.

I’ve always thought Ted was great, but he might not be the type of TV Bravo was looking for. Ted’s always been thoughtful, intellectual but not afraid to lend fair criticism.

Toby Young has made a career of more or less pissing off those around him. Methinks Bravo is seeking the “Puck Factor.”

Until last season, most of the contentiousness and conflict was between the contestants. Last season, some of the chefs took the judges to task, showing a new exploitative avenue.

Emotion is what puts the TV in Reality TV. Whether it’s weeping would-be pop divas or machine gun bleeping from an overwrought chef, outburst affect viewers. Once compelled, they’re lost forever.  It all goes back to Puck from the Real World. Oi.

But I haven’t even mentioned the new season’s biggest guest: New York City. Previous host cities have included Miami, Chicago, and San Francisco. All are respected restaurant cities and have their strengths, but none can compete with New York across the board.

It’s home city to all the judges and good portion not only of this year’s contestants but many from previous seasons, which means we can probably look forward to a lot of guest appearances.

Be sure to look for our “Top Chef” podcasts on Thursdays following the show. Links to it will be available on this blog.

As a child of the Atari and Intellivision age, and never a favored child, my interest in video games waned sometime after I guided the Warren Moon-led Houston Oilers to Super Tecmo Bowl supremacy.

That said, my kids enjoy both Wii and Xbox 360. I have been known to dabble in a little Guitar Hero, though once I mastered Rancid’s “Salvation,” I’d gamed sufficiently.

Now, game-makers are barking up my tree with the imminent release of Iron Chef America: Supreme Cuisine for Nintendo Wii, which arrives in stores the first week of December, and DS.

Players square off in Kitchen Stadium and battle through a series of culinary challenges.  Each victory advances players closer to a final showdown that will determine who will reign supreme as the next Iron Chef America.

You can take on Iron Chefs Mario Batali, Cat Cora and Masaharu Morimoto under the watchful eyes of “The Chairman” and Alton Brown. The absence of Bobby Flay means it’ll be tougher to sell the wife on this purchase. Maybe a “Throwdown” for Wii is in development.

So far, there is no game for the Japanese version of the show, which we can only hope changes. I can see it now, me versus Iron Chef Chen Kenichi in Battle Yeti Spleen!

Allez Cuisine!