Rene Michelena hit pay dirt at La Bettola last year, clinching culinary kudos in Esquire and Bon Appetit . Still, after hours he socializes mainly with his own staff and that of Galleria Italiana. Ming Tsai of Wellesley's Blue Ginger gained quick fame in his suburban outpost, and was featured in a series on the TV Food Network last fall. San Franciscan Ken Oringer scored a Best of Boston with Clio. Life among the foodies sometimes has its downside.
Competition can be tense.
Lynch became such a darling of the press that, as the story goes, Iocco and D'Angelo couldn't stand the heat and decided it was time for her to get out of the kitchen. The unenviable task of dispatching her went to John Mascia, the director of operations of sister restaurant La Bettola. Later, when Mascia stopped in for a nightcap at Lynch's new place, words were exchanged, and she tossed him out on his ear. But the squab came home to roost last month, when Mascia himself was let go by the ladies. Taking part in one of the city's many charity events, even if you really wish you could say no. . .