Restaurant and Foodie News

Eating out in our fair city raises all sorts of burning questions. Is it okay to take a date to a food trailer? Yay or nay on cargo shorts at Uchiko? Then there are the more general questions we’ve always wondered but been too afraid to ask. Are you allowed to eat garnish? Who pays for that extra appetizer?

That’s where the Austin Zagat blog comes in. Ask us anything your heart desires in the comments section below, and we'll give you our honest opinion.

This week a reader asked us, What’s the difference between Uchi and Uchiko?

While the two Japanese restaurants from chef Tyson Cole and pastry chef Philiip Speer are often seen as interchangeable, that’s far from the case. South Lamar’s Uchi was the first to open, and the red-walled, chic hot spot quickly put our city on the map for innovative dining. It isn’t all about sushi there, but Uchi is a more traditional restaurant, with an extensive sushi bar and creative cold and hot tastings, as well as savory-forward desserts from Speer.

6/19/2013 02:45:00 PM

Kick in for Sweet Freedom's Allergen-Free Cookbook 0 comments

Yep, all that is gluten-free, vegan and allergy-friendly

Sweet Freedom provides an important service for Philadelphians who can’t handle common ingredients like gluten, dairy or tree nuts: dessert. Allison Lubert has decided to self-publish a cookbook in which she’ll reveal the secret recipes for many of her gluten-dairy-soy-eggs-corn-refined-sugar-corn-peanut-free vegan delicacies, and she’s crowdsourcing the funding of the book on Kickstarter.

6/19/2013 02:10:00 PM

Nina S. Zagat Decorated as an Officier of the Légion d'Honneur 0 comments

Nina S. Zagat

Nina S. Zagat, co-Founder and co-Chair of Zagat Survey, was honored last night as an Officier of the Légion d'honneur on behalf of the President of France by France’s Ambassador, Francois Delattre. This prestigious award is bestowed by the Government of France upon exceptional individuals who have made major contributions to France and to French culture. It is unusual for the award to be presented to a non-French national.

6/19/2013 02:00:00 PM

Roy Choi Opening Pot at Koreatown's The Line Hotel 0 comments

One other little tidbit we picked up from the Puck-Chang-Choi dinner last night: the name of at least one of Choi's new concepts at The Line Hotel will be called Pot. It was written all over the front of the menu with Momufuku and Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air, and reps finally confirmed that that is indeed a new restaurant at the Koreatown hotel (it's been completely under wraps until now). Apparently it's not named Pot because of an herbal substance Choi and many other chefs favor; or maybe it is. But we're told it's because everything that's served in the restaurant will come in some sort of pot-like vessel, like a hot pot. That's about all we could get out of them at this point, so we'll keep you posted. The opening of Pot and The Line is still slated for fall.

6/19/2013 02:00:00 PM

Taste of Chicago Announces Food Truck Lineup 0 comments

Photo by Nick Murway

Maybe this is the year to give Taste of Chicago a second chance. The struggling food festival welcomes 14 food trucks for the first year, and today, Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s office and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events announced the lineup of mobile vendors. The festival, held in Grant Park from July 10 though 14, will feature trucks serving regular and taste-sized portions one hour before each concert at the Petrillo band shell. Check out the complete schedule below.

6/19/2013 01:49:00 PM

San Diego Airport Has Doggie Bathroom 0 comments

Photo by Tim Bowden via Huffington Post

By Colleen Clark

Flying isn’t easy for anyone these days (at least not for those of us back in coach), but imagine being cooped up in a crate the whole time. San Diego International Airport is making things easier on your four-legged friends. They’ve got a pet pit stop, a dedicated bathroom just for dogs, the Huffington Post reports. They’ve hooked Fido up with a turf-lined area complete with fire hydrant and a door for privacy. Flying through other airports with your pooch? Dog Jaunt has a handy list of pet relief areas at major airports.

6/19/2013 01:35:00 PM

Diner en Blanc Philadelphia Sets a Date 0 comments

Like wearing white? Sign up now to get on the waiting list for Dîner en Blanc, the worldwide bourgeois picnic that’s landing in Philly for the second time this summer. Last year’s event brought 1,300 white-clad guests and their tote-along dinners, folding tables and fine china to Swann Fountain at Logan Square. This year’s guest list will be expanded to 2,300 people, chosen by lottery, who’ll gather at an undisclosed, highly-visible location on Thursday, August 22. The price of attendance has not yet been released (register here).

6/19/2013 01:08:00 PM

One Bel-Air Night With Chang, Choi and Puck (and Favreau!) 0 comments

Chang, Puck and Choi

Last night three powerhouses convened behind the stoves at the Hotel Bel-Air: Roy Choi, David Chang and Wolfgang Puck, all three cooking a pretty spectacular meal at Puck's restaurant hidden in the hills. Each did a couple of dishes that represented their individual styles infused with California flavor, all of it completely wowed.

6/19/2013 01:05:00 PM

First Look: Motorino is Ready for Its Return to Brooklyn 0 comments

By James Mulcahy; photos by Clay Williams

Brooklyn has been without a Motorino for almost two years after the beloved pizza joint shut down its location due to issues with the building. Well, owner Mathieu Palombino promised a return to the hood and this week they are set to deliver (and mentioning delivery, they do that too, in case you were wondering). The venue, which is looking sleeker than ever at a new location, is putting the final touches together and is ready to debut as early as this week. The menu includes classics like the Brussels sprouts and pancetta pie - check out some pizza porn below and and stay tuned for the opening at 139 Broadway.

6/19/2013 01:01:00 PM

Citygram Mag Launches With App-tastic Party 0 comments

Citygram magazine knows how to throw a good party. Last Thursday the literati/ hipsterati of Austin gathered at the Conjunctured co-working space on the East Side to celebrate the new lifestyle mag’s official launch. Unlike other magazines and websites in Austin, Citygram is a fully interactive iPhone and iPad app (a beautiful one, we might add, from founder and designer Chris Perez).

6/19/2013 01:00:00 PM

Local Mission Market Seeks Public Support 0 comments

Local Mission Eatery

By Tamara Palmer

A Kickstarter initiative hopes to raise $50,000 for a new project from Yaron Milgrom and Jake Des Voignes, owners of Local Mission Eatery and Local's Corner. This summer, the pair are gearing up to debut Local Mission Market, a locally-sourced and handmade-only food store that plans to offer online ordering and home delivery. Incentives to donate include hot sauce, hugs and (for the high rollers) private dinners at wineries like Broc Cellars and Donkey & Goat.

6/19/2013 12:45:00 PM

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que Opens in Brooklyn Tonight 0 comments

By Jacqueline Wasilczyk

Let the Park Slope barbecue battle begin. This evening marks the debut of the first Brooklyn location of the New York staple Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, which will join other likeminded spots like Fort Reno Provisions and Pork Slope in the neighborhood. Is the area becoming a new destination for 'cue? We think it might be.

6/19/2013 12:43:00 PM

Spotlight: Secrets of a Chicago Butcher 0 comments

Vegetarians, turn away now. Rob Levitt of Chicago's The Butcher & Larder shows us how to break down a whole pig and shares some other tricks of the trade in the clip above. For more restaurant and food videos, subscribe to our YouTube page.

6/19/2013 12:31:00 PM

8 Great Outdoor Happy Hours in Williamsburg 0 comments

Looking to catch a few Williamsburg rays over a patio drink? We've rounded up eight great outdoor happy hours in the neighborhood that give you perfect opportunity to do that on the cheap.

6/19/2013 12:30:00 PM

The Best Thing We Ate Last Night: Tofu at Sumi Robata Bar 0 comments

Photo by Galdones Photography

This is a dish that we would like to start and end our meal with. Actually, we would like one as a palate cleanser, too, after every course of robata-grilled meats and vegetables at Sumi. The dish is simply tofu, made in-house by chef Gene Kato. The creamy, custardlike texture tastes like silk, for lack of a better descriptor. It is adorned with orange beads of caviar mushroom and crispy ginger. Like everything at Sumi, the dish succeeds because of its simplicity. In the spirit of minimalism, we'll leave it at that.

P.S. After a no-frills meal at Sumi, don't forget to grab a cocktail at Charcoal Bar downstairs.

6/19/2013 12:00:00 PM

La Torrija se Llama Torreja en Jaleo 0 comments

Postre de Músico: Torrija con crujientes amenidades y vino dulce.

Por Alejandro Zárate Vega

"¡Torreja en México, Torrija en España!", afirma categórico el chef canario Pedro Martín desde la nueva barra de pintxos en Jaleo. Luego de disfrutar de un recorrido de sabor por sus creaciones sobre un sencillo trozo de pan, ha llegado la hora del postre. La Torrija es una delicia española propia de la Semana Santa -en algunas zonas es un plato navideño- que se elabora con pan duro y leche endulzada y perfumada. El chef lo llama el Postre Músico. La Torrija se acompaña de avellanas, nueces, pasas y vino dulce que se bebe directo del porrón.

La receta en realidad es sencilla pero el cuidado, paciencia y tiempo son esenciales. El chef utiliza pan de trigo secado por tres días que después remoja en leche tibia con infusión de licor de anís, vainilla y azúcar durante 24 horas. Con cuidado para que no se rompa, levanta y enharina cada rebanada que luego pasa por huevo y fríe. Ya dorado se pasa por azúcar con canela.

6/19/2013 11:35:00 AM

Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co. Celebrates Four Years 0 comments

Story and Photo by Danya Henninger

Before The Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co. opened its hefty subterranean door, it was hard to defend the Philadelphia cocktail scene from naysayers. Sure, there were plenty of talented bartenders and quite a few solid drink lists around town, but nothing to definitively point to. Time flies, and today The Franklin is celebrating four years in business on 18th Street.

6/19/2013 11:25:00 AM

NYTimes is Taken With Kajitsu Redo 0 comments

For his review this week, Pete Wells heads over to the new location of Kajitsu, which recently moved from the East Village to Murray Hill. The eatery serves shojin cuisine, a style that uses no animal products and is essentially vegan. The critic comes away impressed by the depth and variety of flavors, along with the artistry of the dishes. He awards the venue two stars. A highlight from his piece:

"You could design a calendar simply by eating at Kajitsu every four weeks and taking pictures. Mr. Ueshima changes his menus on the first of the month, adding some plants that are at their peak and some that are on the rise. His dishes — four of them in a $55 tasting, eight in an $85 or $100 menu that ends with a bowl of matcha, green tea as thick and frothy as espresso — are drawn from the season, but they are also drawings of the season."

6/19/2013 11:20:00 AM

A Chat With Janina O'Leary, Trace's Pastry Chef 0 comments

When Janina O’Leary was fourteen years old, she packed up a few belongings from her hometown of Del Rio, Texas, and moved to the Big Apple for culinary school. After graduation, the talented baker and pastry chef worked for big-name places like Per Se, Bouchon, Del Posto and more before coming back to her home state with her husband to raise her son. Lucky for us she’s downtown at Trace, at the W Hotel, creating unusual homestyle-meets-French-technique desserts like her famous drunken donuts and Meyer lemon budino. O’Leary was recently nominated for a James Beard Award, and anyone who has tried her sweets knows why.

6/19/2013 11:18:00 AM

Will Airports Float Your Luggage Like Air Hockey Pucks? 0 comments

Rendering courtesy of Airbus

By Colleen Clark

In the future, your luggage could float on a bed of air from airport trucks to cargo compartments a la pucks on an air hockey table, the Daily Beast reports. The system, designed by a team from the University of São Paulo in Brazil, was the winning design in the Airbus Fly Your Ideas challenge, which encourages college students to develop green initiatives and other innovations for plane travel. The Brazilian design is meant cut down on friction and baggage transfer time, ultimately saving airlines money. The other finalist ideas included harnessing passenger body heat to power overhead lighting and the use of methane gas to power airplanes.

6/19/2013 10:37:00 AM

Artisans in Austin: Wunder-Pilz Kombucha 0 comments

It seems natural that Wunder-Pilz owner Bill Nadalini’s first brewing space was in the back of the Daily Juice. But what’s really remarkable is that Nadalini didn’t like kombucha the first time he tried it and instead committed himself to creating a drinkable fermented tea, using his 15 years of home-brewing experience. The word “wunderpilz” is a German word that translates to “miracle mushroom.”

Rather than using fruit juice to produce kombucha, Wunder-Pilz relies on fair trade tea, pure cane sugar, and herbs, spices and flowers. Find four varieties (heart, energy, strength and calm) on tap at places like Hyde Park Market and at farmer's markets around town.

6/19/2013 10:30:00 AM

Drinking for a Cause With Un86’d 1 comments

We’ve heard this story before: restaurant employee X is riding home from his shift on his bike when he gets side swiped by a car. Because X works at a restaurant, which usually does not supply benefits, X does not have insurance and is faced with a mountain of medical bills. Since the restaurant industry is one big happy family, there is usually some sort of fundraiser involving music and booze, and X lives happily ever after. A new local non-profit is helping streamline this process by providing monetary relief and insurance solutions for restaurant professionals.

6/19/2013 10:22:00 AM

Attention 30 Under 30 Attendees: Help a Fellow Find Love 1 comments

He's there somewhere....

When you get a bunch of restaurant people in a room, give them stiff drinks and pump up the music, the inevitable is bound to happen. We'll offer no comment on the tales of romance we've heard after our 30 Under 30 bash at the Wythe Hotel the other night, but a few savvy folks have sent a post from the missed connections board our way. Since we don't like to see anyone end up lonely, we thought we'd help this fellow out. Check out the ad below and if you have any tips, of if you know for a fact that out of the 150 or so blazer-clad men in the room that OMG he is talking about you!, reply here.

Zagat 30 Under 30 - m4m - 27 (Wythe Hotel)

was at the Zagat 30 Under 30 party last night. you were cute, in a blazer, we exchanged glances a few times at the bar, but I didn't have a chance to introduce myself. hit me up if you see this

Location: Wythe Hotel

6/19/2013 10:15:00 AM

Culinary Classes: Fair Food, Le Virtu and Farm and Fisherman 0 comments

Le Virtu pastry chef Angela Ranalli at work

Story and Photo by Danya Henninger

Have a little time on your hands this summer? Take the opportunity to get hands on with one of several cooking classes and seminars from area chefs and experts.

Fair Food Philadelphia is teaming up with Reading Terminal Market to host a series of workshops in the new Rick Nichols Room. First up is “Fun With Fermentation” on Tuesday, June 25, in which pickle blogger Amanda Feifer will take you through basics on pickles, sauerkraut and fruit vinegar ($35; tickets). Next is a July 11 seminar on making cheese, where a Caputo Brothers Creamery cheesemaker will lead you through making fresh mozzarella with local milk, and other curds ($40; tickets). Each session includes light snacks and beer from Victory.

6/19/2013 10:00:00 AM

Clover Blossoms into Burlington 0 comments

Clover's original location in Harvard Square

By Naomi Kooker

As previously reported here, Clover Food Lab is growing all over. Their third brick-and-mortar locale is slated to open on June 28 (or thereabouts) at 100 Burlington Mall Rd. in the Burlington Marketplace plaza. It’ll be the first suburban location for the vegetarian-friendly organic-when-possible food company, whose roots started with food trucks.

Clover has more than seven food trucks, and has plans for expansion in more than four new locations throughout the surrounding Boston area, including Brookline Village. Stay tuned!

6/19/2013 10:00:00 AM

Nick San Plato por Plato 0 comments

Un maki muy especial con camarón en tempera y un divertido juego de texturas y temperaturas

Por Alejandro Zárate Vega

Tal vez valga la pena aclarar la confusión existente en torno a la marca Nick San. Este exitoso restaurante inició operaciones en Cabo San Lucas, Baja California, hace casi 20 años y desde allá generó tal fascinación que pronto su prestigio era bien conocido en la Ciudad de México. Hace ya 11 años se abrió una sucursal en Paseo de las Palmas, un local muy vanguardista para su época. Al principio todo funcionó de maravilla pero pronto, problemas de consistencia en la calidad les trajo mala fama. El lugar terminó por cerrar pero para entonces ya se conocían otras sucursales, algunas cerraron y otras siguen abriendo tanto en la Ciudad de México como en Nayarit y Los Cabos.

6/19/2013 09:34:00 AM

5 Grand Boulevards Around The World 0 comments

You know where this is, right? Photo by Elisabeth Blanchet.

By Alexis Flippin

Few expressions of urban life are more vibrant than the grand main boulevards that course through a city center. The pride of urban dwellers, these boulevards have a democratic soul, in spite of the often pricey real estate on either side. The best of the world’s grand boulevards are the work of forward-thinking urban planners who envisioned beautiful avenues that are truly transporting. Here are five grand esplanades you won’t want to miss.

6/19/2013 09:31:00 AM

Treat House to Tempt UWS with Crispy Rice Sweets 0 comments

By Simon Butler

Thought the Cronut was the be all and end all of sugary tidbits, didn’t ya? Well, there’s a new sweets maker in town that may cause you to rethink another age-old favorite: the crispy rice treat. Treat House, nestled in a small storefront on Amsterdam Avenue’s hopping “restaurant row” between 81st and 82nd streets, is expecting to specialize in just that, albeit in flavors that promise more than just the plain-vanilla, marshmallowy stylings we’ve cherished since our childhood.

6/19/2013 09:30:00 AM

Society on High Opens in Financial District 0 comments

Society on High

By Naomi Kooker

Society on High, a New American by Ian Just (Les Zygomates, Sorriso) opened in the Financial District; a grand opening is set for July 10.

Just focuses on New American cuisine, offering the local bounty of seafood like mussels and lobster, and pan-seared scallops. There’s a bone-in grilled pork chop, 16-ounce rib eye, clam linguini and a barley risotto dish. Entree prices range $22 to $44. As for dessert, apparently the “Elvis” peanut butter cheesecake is already a winner, according to FB fans.

6/19/2013 09:05:00 AM

Philly’s Ultimate Summer Guide: Iconic Treats, Festivals, Markets and More 0 comments

Summer officially begins this week with the solstice on June 21, and there is plenty to get excited about. Let the college students return home and the shore birds head to Jersey, we’ve got a great time planned right here in the city. Where can you find edible and drinkable fun in Philadelphia this season? Click through to find out.

6/19/2013 08:42:00 AM

Where to Buy Coffee on the Internet; Cali Bar Requires Heels to Enter 0 comments

Why Food Aversions Occur and How to Tackle Them [Eatocracy]
California Bar Requires Heels and Annoys Customers [HuffPo]
Bacon and Red Meat Tied to Diabetes Risk [NPR]
Where to Buy Coffee on the Internet [SE]

6/19/2013 07:00:00 AM

El Restaurante Tíos llega a San Ángel 0 comments

Para abrir el apetito; Foto: Tíos

Por Marisol Rueda

Los comensales del sur de la Ciudad de México ya pueden disfrutar de la cocina de barrio de Tíos con la apertura de una nueva sucursal que sobresale por su gran terraza, súper recomendable para pasar una de estas tardes veraniegas tapeando y tomando un vinito.

La carta es básicamente la misma que en el resto de las sucursales, pero en Tíos San Ángel se ha agregado una hamburguesa de atún que vale la pena probar. Pretextos no faltarán para visitar este nuevo lugar.

Av. de la Paz 57, San Ángel; 55 5550-0000

6/18/2013 11:00:00 PM

Biz and First Class LA Fliers Get Donuts on Singapore Airlines 0 comments

Photo by Ryan Dickey via Flickr

By Colleen Clark

Coffee? Tea? Donut? That’s what some passengers flying out of Los Angeles on Singapore Airlines hear, the Los Angeles Times reports. The carrier changes its onboard menu by departure city to include local dishes and drinks. Fliers on San Francisco to Hong Kong or South Korea can sip Napa Valley wines. But we think LA departures have it best. They get deep-fried donut deliciousness courtesy of landmark bakery Randy’s Donuts. The bakery makes the pastries fresh daily for passengers in the business- and first-class cabins. That would definitely make us consider an upgrade.

6/18/2013 10:03:00 PM

The Scene at Serpico, Opening This Week 0 comments

Story and Photo by Danya Henninger

The highly anticipated South Street collaboration from former Momofuku chef Peter Serpico and Stephen Starr looks ready to launch. We passed by Tuesday evening and the sign was lit, the paper was down from the windows and a crowd of “friends and family” was enjoying a pre-opening dinner service. A glimpse inside Serpico revealed a large open kitchen with a line of chef’s counter seats, fronted by an array of stand-alone tables. We hear there is also seating at booths and a small bar.

6/18/2013 08:56:00 PM

Mission Chinese Food Closing for Two-Week Holiday 0 comments

Photo by Tamara Palmer

By Tamara Palmer

Mission Chinese Food is taking a summer siesta. The restaurant will close after tonight's (June 18) dinner service and will reopen for lunch on July 5. The sister restaurant in New York recently added a number of new items to the menu, and San Francisco is expected to do the same.

6/18/2013 07:18:00 PM

Photo of the Day: Paletas + Cocktails 0 comments

The temperature is starting to rise - we can tell by the sweat beading on our brow while typing at our un-air conditioned desk - and summer officially starts this week. Which means one thing: boozy frozen treats. It was a big trend last year, and we like the creative limits our local bartenders are going to to quench both our alcohol and ice cream/shake/popsicle cravings when it's hot outside. The Paleta En Su Jugo at Corazon y Miel, which we hit last week, should most definitely be added to the list. A fruity Mexican ice pop soaking in a rum, coconut and tequila on an 80+ degree day? Yes, please.

6/18/2013 06:54:00 PM

Freebie Alert: Coolhaus Doles Out Dexter Sammies This Week 0 comments

What happens when a TV show is produced in Los Angeles, home of one of the country's premier ice cream sandwich companies? You get custom frozen treats like the Killer Combo, a new Coolhaus Shop creation to honor the final season of Showtime's Dexter. The sammie consists of a double chocolate cookie, a Snickerdoodle, Tahitian vanilla bean ice cream and a "bloody" cherry swirl, and is available this month at the Coolhaus shop in Culver City, on the trucks, in grocery stores and available online as Dexter swag.

But starting on Wednesday, June 19, the trucks will dole out free Killer Combos, making stops around Studio City, The Grove, Culver City, Venice, FIDM in Downtown LA, Hollywood and LACMA. At one of the stops, a Dexter cast member will make a guest appearance, too. Bloody good. Follow Coolhaus on Twitter for updates.

6/18/2013 06:00:00 PM

Photo of the Day: Carriage House's New Lunch Menu 0 comments

Our second fried chicken photo of the day comes from chef Mark Steuer at Carriage House. The southern restaurant launched a new lunch menu this week. In addition to this tasty fried chicken sandwich, Steuer serves a fried green tomato BLT, baby back ribs with pepper jelly glaze and an individual portion of the lowcountry boil. Lighter options include a grilled asparagus salad and Charleston she-crab soup. Lunch is served from 11 AM to 2 PM on Tuesdays though Fridays.

6/18/2013 05:30:00 PM

Quote of the Day: Jacques Torres Tastes Cronuts for the First Time 0 comments

"I am not a Cronut virgin anymore. So good it's almost better than sex! Bravo, @DominiqueAnsel."

-Pastry chef Jacques Torres tweeted the above after tasting cronuts this AM for the first time. [Twitter]

6/18/2013 05:29:00 PM

Kosher Paella, Whole Pig Feast, Lobster Rolls: 3 LA Pop-Ups This Week 0 comments

Even if the pop-up king (Ludovic Lefebvre) has found a much-heralded permanent home at Trois Mec, pop-ups will never wane. Here are three taking place this week worth checking out.

Mexikosher chef Katsuji Tanabe teams up with chef Carmen Ruiz de Huidobro, whose Espanolita Foods stand is a fixture at the Studio City Farmers Market, for Esto Es Realmente Real No Es Un Pop Up (This Is Really, Really Not a Pop Up) tonight, Tuesday, June 18. The 14-course kosher menu will feature gazpacho, croquetas de bacalo, tortilla de patatas, paella and more, plus unlimited sangria and Spanish wine. $90 per person. Seating is extremely limited; buy tickets here (8832 W. Pico Blvd.; 310-271-0900).

6/18/2013 05:06:00 PM

Underdogs Pulls Out of South Philly, Medium Rare Out on Sansom? 0 comments

Underdogs is still riding high in Rittenhouse

We’ve been looking forward to the forthcoming arrival of DC’s Medium Rare since the steak frites operation announced its expansion to Philly in February, but we just got a tip that it may not happen. We asked partner Mark Bucher if the deal to open across from Federal Donuts in a new development on Sansom Street had fallen through, and he gave us a “no comment.” Hopefully, talks are just stalled and will pick back up, because all-you-can-eat steak and fries for $19.50 sounds pretty good.

6/18/2013 05:04:00 PM

Charlie Palmer and Alex Stupak Both Scouting for New NYC Venues 0 comments

Empellon Cocina

By Beth Landman

At the 25th annual Citymeals-On-Wheels Chefs Tribute this year, which showcased dishes made by top toques from the east and west coasts, some of the talent was relaxed enough to candidly discuss future plans. Charlie Palmer revealed that he is scouting for another New York location. "I'm looking in the Times Square area," said the chef, who explained he was still deliberating about what concept would work best in that neighborhood.

Meanwhile, Alex Stupak has his eye on a third restaurant downtown. "I am looking south of 14th Street," said the chef, who has Empellon Taqueria on West 4th St, and Empellon Cocina at 105 First Ave. "It will be Mexican, but I want to do something focused more on masa, with a price point of about $45 per person."

6/18/2013 04:24:00 PM

30 Under 30: Scope Out Zagat at NASDAQ 0 comments

Our current group of 30 Under 30 honorees got a special treat this morning, and in doing so impressed us by showing up after all of those pickle backs at last night's after-party (Whiskey Brooklyn, we blame you). The entire crew was invited to ring the opening bell at NASDAQ, and they showed up bright and early to open the market along with Tim and Nina Zagat and head honcho Gannon Hall. It was worth the early call for most of the honorees - after all, it's not every young food world star that winds up on the big display in Times Square. "That's how every morning should start," said one attendee. We firmly agree. Another photo below.

6/18/2013 04:15:00 PM

6 Permanent Places for Pop-Ups in San Francisco 0 comments

Naked Kitchen

By Tamara Palmer

While the temporary nature of a pop-up meal holds a certain charm and allure, it's also good when you don't have to work too hard to find a good one. Look to these reliable permanent spots (some in unexpected places) for a regular rotation of different chefs trying out fresh ideas in pop-up situations and you might just discover the next great restaurant concept before it happens.

6/18/2013 04:04:00 PM

Guide to Unusual Herbs: A Mini-Primer on 6 Unique Flavors 0 comments

With the foraging trend on the rise, chefs are messing around with a whole bevy of lesser-known herbs that go far beyond parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme. Here's a quick primer on a few that you may not have tasted and how chefs are using them in dishes around the U.S.

6/18/2013 04:00:00 PM

Graham Elliot, Gale Gand and Food Trucks at Lollapalooza’s Chow Town 0 comments

Last year, 15,000 lobster corn dogs were consumed at Lollapalooza, the three-day musical festival to be held this year August 2-4 in Grant Park. Chef and festival culinary director Graham Elliot is back for the fourth year, with more Parmesan-truffle popcorn and chef friends at Chow Town. Old favorites such as Edzo’s, Franks ‘n’ Dawgs, The Smoke Daddy and Glazed and Infused are back, while Elliot welcomes new vendors including pastry chef Gale Gand, who will serve up root beer floats, as well as chef Tony Mantuano with pizza from Bar Toma.

6/18/2013 03:48:00 PM

Starbucks Will Now Post Calorie Counts at All Locations 0 comments

Image via Flickr/Ivana Di Carlo

Gourmet coffee chain Starbucks has announced it will now post calorie counts for all items at all locations around the U.S. on menu boards beginning June 25. Starbucks spokeswoman Mary Wagner said in a press statement, "Menu labeling is yet another step to extend our commitment to wellness, ensuring our customers and partners (employees) have the information they need to make informed decisions and understand all the ways that they can customize their Starbucks® beverages to be within their desired calorie range." [via PR]

6/18/2013 03:43:00 PM

Taste Tour: Three Must-Visit Rooftop Bars in the U.S. 0 comments