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[Editor’s note: Through either an error on our part or a change in schedule at the Food Network, the episode featuring Kamonegi actually aired on October 2, not October 9 as stated below. You can watch a recap of the story here. Wallyhood regrets the error.]

There is an extremely polarizing and well-known man of a certain orange-ish hue, with blonde hair of possibly extraterrestrial origin.

The man’s name is Guy Fieri.

Wait, who were YOU thinking of?

Guy Fieri, in case you somehow missed him on your TV in recent decades, has been a fixture on the Food Network for the last 20 years. Fieri is best known for a series called Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, where he visits local eateries around the country, often in his trademark red Camaro convertible. Those of us who appreciate extreme sarcasm will always remember Guy Fieri because of a Peter Wells New York Times restaurant review of his Times Square eatery that was declared (by no less than Forbes) to be the “most scathing review in the history of the New York Times.”

By now you might be thinking, this is mildly interesting, but what the heck does any of this have to do with us here in Wallingford? Because we at Wallyhood try to maintain a narrow focus on our little neighborhood. I’m glad you asked! One of our beloved neighborhood establishments is about to be featured by Mr. Fieri on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives: Kamonegi! Mutsuko Soma, chef/owner of Kamonegi, posted the news on Facebook. Her notification says that the show will air on Friday, October 9th at 9 pm on the Food Network. Kamonegi is located at 1054 N 39th Street, in the triangle claimed by both Wallingford and Fremont. [See Wallyhood’s 2018 story, Kamonegi to Open in Former Art of the Table Space.]

Kamonegi doesn’t really seem to fit into the defining categories of diners, drive-ins, or dives… but maybe we’re splitting hairs here. It should be fun to watch! Soma-san and Kamonegi are locally renowned for soba noodles and tempura, and they have already received recognition from some pretty prestigious sources, like the James Beard Awards and Food & Wine. Will being featured on DDD (as those of us in the know call Fieri’s show) make Mutsuko even more famous and dinner tables harder to nab? We shall see; the Pacific Tavern was featured on an Anthony Bourdain show, and it didn’t seem to go to its collective head.