Boo hoo! Seattleite Tarik Abdullah was eliminated last night on ABC’s “The

Boo hoo! Seattleite Tarik Abdullah was eliminated last night on ABC’s “The Taste” — with just one episode left for the finals. Suprisingly, though, Anthony Bourdain chose Abdullah’s dish, a Vadouvan Curry Laksa, last night to rep his team in the hot-and-spicy challenge, but guest judge Pok Pok chef Andy Ricker found the dish to be lacking in heat.

Bourdain then had to make a difficult choice and eliminate one of his three team members, and sent Abdullah home–but not without some serious regret. Bourdain said he’d failed Abdullah in the night’s challenge by telling him that his dish was spicy enough, and admitted to being “depressed” that Abdullah was leaving.

In fact, most of the remaining contestants were saddened by Abdullah’s departure, particuarly Tristen Epps, who cried over it. The general consensus was that “the wrong chef went home,” and that he brought “a level of class” to the show.

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As for Abdullah himself, it was an emotional night. He called his mom, and broke down a bit, but in keeping with his upbeat personality told Bourdain that it was “the coolest ride for me. No complaints brother.” To the viewing audience he said, “It’s been something that when I’m 80, yea, I did that…I’m going to miss my opponents, no my friends.”

A reminder that Abdullah is continuing his pop-up “Morningstar” brunch series at Isla Del Mojito in Hillman City Sundays from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. A six-item menu typically features dishes such as Persian spiced french toast deep fried with pineapple compote and jerk spiced beef hash with roasted red peppers, squash and polenta. Entertainment changes, but this weekend it will be provided by Kaffeine.