Photo by Meaghan Gay.

One interview, some very angry reactions and around a hundred comments about whether or not he was right or not later, and Spike Mendelsohn had little choice but to respond to his comments claiming that “it is nice to be in a second-tier city where you can be a big fish in a small pond.”

Over a series of tweets posted yesterday, Mendelsohn argued that his statements were “taken out of context.”

You all know I love DC! Things get taken out of context, DC is sometimes regarded as a 2nd tier city in the food world, but that is changing and I couldn’t be more excited about it. Opening up two restaurants in a city where the food and culture is is constantly evolving is an honor and privilege. I cannot wait to see where this innovation and culinary excitement leads!

For the record I love dc. Never said it to be a “second tier city” those who have ever met me know that I owe this city much of my success[.] I also moved from the big apple to make my life here in the d.c. with my family.

Mendelsohn then sent a more measured reaction to Eater:

People are misconstruing Danny’s interview and he would agree that my comments were not in the least bit disparaging to my DC.

This is my home and I have nothing but love and admiration for all of the people who have supported my family and restaurants here. There is nothing secondary about DC in my mind, if anyone thinks differently of me come down to restaurants for a hug. Im here all night.

Mendelsohn still has us confused here — calling the District a “second-tier” culinary city that’s on the rise is just as much of a backhanded compliment as applying the phrase to the entire city as a whole, and Mendelsohn’s “out of context” claim just doesn’t really hold very much water, I’m afraid.

But hey, hugs make everything better, right?