This Week's Top Restaurant and Food News

Photo by Linnea Covington

By Kelly Dobkin

Before we head out to begin our pre-Super Bowl drinking, it's time to look back at some of the most popular posts from the last five days. Topping the list was our round-up of 8 unique foodie destinations around the globe; following that was a list of some top-secret dishes at restaurants around the country. Also popular this week was our NY cupcake and wings round-ups and Chicago's most romantic restaurants. In case you missed any of these, check out the entire list below.

1. The 8 Most Awesome Foodie Getaways Around the World
2. The 10 Best Off-the-Menu Dishes
3. New York's 9 Most Iconic Dishes
4. New York's 8 Best Cupcakes
5. Best Thing We Ate This Week: Damon Wise's Pork Taco
6. The Most Expensive Cups of Coffee in the U.S.
7. The 7 Best Places to Get Super Bowl Wings in NYC
8. Chicago's Most Romantic Restaurants
9. DC Survey: What Are Robert Wiedmaier's Favorite New Openings?
10. Capital Grille Latest Restaurant to Be Sued Over Wage Dispute

Outtake of the Week

"I would give up my first born for a sandwich right now, if I had a first born."

Quote of the Day: Wolfgang Puck on the Celebrity Chef Phenomenon

"The title of celebrity chef is sort of bogus. Do we have celebrity shoemakers, celebrity butchers? The good news about showcasing chefs and the TV shows is they’ve attracted a lot more smart kids to the profession than 30 years ago. On the downside, though, these young chefs all say they want their own restaurant and their own TV show. Very few say, “I want to have the best restaurant in town.”

-Wolfgang Puck quoted in the Wall Street Journal on being one of the first "celebrity chefs." [WSJ]

Bacon Shakes at Jack in the Box; 2012 Will Be a Great Year for Restaurants

Image via Jack and the Box

By Kelly Dobkin

A Starbucks employee in Fort Belvoir, VA was fired for stealing $3.75 worth of merchandise as revealed by a hidden camera the outpost had installed. Consequently, the 8-months-preggers employee lost her health insurance and more than 200 hours of sick time. Yikes. [Patch]

Burger chain Jack in the Box is now offering a Bacon Milkshake as part of a new ad campaign with the slogan: "If you like bacon so much, why don't you marry it?" [Eater]

The National Restaurant Association predicts that 2012 will be a booming year for the restaurant industry. Recession, what? [HuffPo]

Super Bowl Smackdown: Whoopie Pie vs. NY-Style Cheesecake

Left image via Flickr/antonioo/right image via Flickr/joyosity

By Kelly Dobkin

For our final Super Bowl-themed regional food smackdown this week, we're comparing New England's beloved whoopie pies with NYC's iconic cheesecake. Which region has the better dessert? Shout out your thoughts on each in the comments.

El Bulli Menu Almost Ready to Go at Next

By Jennifer Olvera

It’s almost here. The wait is just about over for the el Bulli-themed menu at Grant Achatz' Next. The crew released this teaser video, from which we gather there will be a lot of molecular theatrics - and pursuant swooning from diners lucky enough to score tickets to the West Loop hot spot when it’s on offer February 8-May 27 (312-226-0858).

The Week in Food TV: Tim and Nina Zagat Judge Rachael vs. Guy Finale; Pee-Wee on Top Chef Texas

Tim and Nina Zagat judge the Rachael vs. Guy finale; Image via Food Network

By Kelly Dobkin

In case you missed any of these stories (or in case your TiVo is broken), here's a handy run-down of what went down in the food TV world this week. From Pee-Wee Herman on Top Chef Texas to Tim and Nina Zagat judging the finale of Rachael vs. Guy, we were there to document it all. Stay tuned for more tube-related coverage next week.

1. Top Chef Texas Episode 13: This Is the Best Pancake I've Ever Had
2. Rachael vs. Guy Finale: It's La-Bomb-Ba!
3. Top Chef Renewed for 10th Season; Casting Begins on February 21

Watch Our Google+ Hangout with Baratunde Thurston

By Jacqueline Wasilczyk

Join us this afternoon for our first February Hangout, featuring funnyman and The Onion director of digital Baratunde Thurston. We're deeming it "whiskey Friday," and in honor of the Black Grouse Distinctive Bartender Tour, we'll be talking about all things whiskey and spirit related. Stay tuned to our Google+ page around 4 PM to watch - and remember, just because you can't drink at work doesn't mean that you can't enjoy conversation about it...

Fox Renews Kitchen Nightmares for 5th Season; Steak Prices About to Soar

Brownie sundae with whipped foie gras from Ludo/Animal foie dinner; Image via Flickr/KayOne73

By Kelly Dobkin

• Defiant Cali Chefs Fight Foie Gras Ban [ABC]
• The Latest in Creative Scandinavian Cuisine [WSJ]
• Chipotle To Hold Line on Pricing [NRN]
• Why Steak Is About to Get Much More Expensive [HuffPo]
• Fox Renews Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares for 5th Season [HR]

Quote of the Day: NY Chef John DeLucie Responds to His Critics

Chef John DeLucie

"I’m an easy target. I cook for celebrities. I didn’t ask for this. I’m so lucky, and if the payment for that is to walk around with a target on my back to the critics then that’s what it is."

-Chef John DeLucie of NYC's Crown responds to his critics who claim that he caters to celeb clientele. [Food Republic].

What's Up With: Restaurant Bathroom Attendants?

Tricked out bathroom  

By James Mulcahy

The other night we were dining at a restaurant that was super trendy but far from fine dining. We excused ourselves from the table to use the restroom, and upon entering the men's we were greeted by a sight that provokes a complicated and unpleasant series of emotions: a bathroom attendant. Upon encountering an employee dishing out towels and mints in the loo, it is common to experience one of three reactions:

1. Panic/Guilt - You forgot your wallet at the table and are going to have to do the awkward shuffle out the door after washing your hands, as he silently scolds you with his eyes for not dropping a dollar in the basket. Running back to the table and getting your wallet would be tacky, plus you have to go! What to do?!?

Super Bowl Smackdown: Lobster Roll vs. NY-Style Hot Dog

Left image via Flickr/Henry C; right image via Flickr/A (Culinary) Photo Journal

By Kelly Dobkin

Once again...it's smackdown time! With the Super Bowl coming up this Sunday and the contenders hailing from rival regions NY and New England, we got to thinking about the culinary rivalries between the two areas as well. So each day this week we're highlighting a different food from each region and asking you to weigh in. Today we compare the two regions' favorite foods on a bun - the ever-popular New England lobster roll and the humble yet beloved NY-style hot dog. Shout out your thoughts on each in the comments.

The Most Expensive Cups of Coffee in the U.S.

Siphon coffee at Blue Bottle; Image via Flickr/jonathan mcintosh

By Linnea Covington

Most of us are used to shelling out as much as $2 for their morning cup o' joe, but at some places, that price will only get you a lump of sugar. While most cafes stick to your basic drip coffee, high-end shops around the country have perfected the art of brewing though various single-cup methods including the pricy Clover coffee maker and the laboratory-style siphon system, also called vacuum or vac pot, which involves various glass bowls, water vapors and suction. Sound complicated? It is, which is why some brews cost as much as $18 per single order. What’s the most expensive cup of coffee you've ever had? Let us know in the comments.

LudoBites 9.0 Pop-Up Will Launch In Hawaii; Landry's Shutters Eight Morton's Locations

The LudoTruck; Image via Flickr/KayOne73

By Kelly Dobkin

Hawaii will say 'aloha' to the next LudoBites pop-up restaurant from LA-based TV chef, Ludo Lefebvre going down at the Four Seasons Resort Hualālai at Historic Ka‘ūpūlehu from March 6-17. Hmm, sounds like a great excuse for a Hawaiian vacation to us. [Yahoo!]

Word broke today that Landry's Inc. will shutter eight locations of Chicago-based chain Morton's after acquiring Morton's Restaurant Group for $116.6Mil. Locations in Brooklyn, Boston, Atlanta and Denver were among the closed outposts. [NRN]

Top Chef Texas Episode 13: This Is the Best Pancake I've Ever Had

Image via Bravo

By Kelly Dobkin

Just when you thought Top Chef had basically done it all - in walks Pee-Wee Herman - a guest who would have been seemingly more appropriate if the year was say, 1987? The beloved funny man of decades past was on hand as guest judge last night, donning his usual red bowtie, grey suit and white tennis shoes and making his entrance, natch, on a bright red bike. For the quickfire, the cheftestants were greeted by Padma and an enormous stack of pancakes - which suddenly seemed much less baffling once Pee-Wee was introduced as the guest of honor. The challenge, obvs, was to create a sophisticated pancake dish, Pee-Wee's favorite food. Upon tasting the chefs' creations, Pee-Wee remarked: "I have to say, this is the best pancake I've ever had" to every cheftestant except for Grayson. Ooh...burn. After some more ridiculous Pee-Wee quips, Ed is declared the winner and it's on to the elimination challenge.

Tuman's Tap & Grill Opens in Ukrainian Village

The former Tuman’s Tavern (once notorious for its Alcohol Abuse Center sign, now hanging inside) shapes up as Tuman's Tap & Grill, a casual Ukrainian Village respite serving seasonal, chef-driven American pub food served til 11 PM nightly paired with 28 rotating brews on tap; the vintage tavern feel remains in the elaborate wood paneling, massive bar and stained glass, with new elements including the wood floors, black leather booths, TVs screening sporting events, free WiFi and on-site ATM; P.S. additional assets include outdoor seating and weekend brunch.

 2159 W. Chicago Ave.; 773-782-1400

Top Chef Renewed for 10th Season, Casting Begins on February 21

Image via Bravo

By Kelly Dobkin

Top Chef announced officially that it will enter its 10th season next year and casting will begin on February 21 in cities like NYC, San Fran and Washington DC. Aspiring cheftestants - check out the casting schedule and locations below.

Check Out the Video Trailer for Gail Simmons' Upcoming Book, Talking With My Mouth Full

By Kelly Dobkin
Just yesterday, food writer and Top Chef judge Gail Simmons dropped by Google/Zagat HQ to set up her Google+ page. And today, we present a video trailer of her upcoming book, Talking With My Mouth Full. Check out the clip above to see Gail interacting with her impatient fans. FYI the book drops on February 21.

Quote of the Day: Johnny Iuzzini Wants to Move Away From Restaurants

Image via Bravo

"As a pastry chef you can only go so far in a restaurant, you can keep reinventing your menus but eventually your salary gets capped and there's only so much you can grow and only so much you can control. I kind of want to knock myself off my own ladder and do it again and prove it to myself that I can do it again but just change it up a little bit."

-Top Chef Just Desserts judge and pastry chef Johnny Iuzzini on his next career move. [Daily Meal]

Super Bowl Smackdown: Which Team's Region Has Better Grub?

Image on left via Flickr/I Believe I Can Fry; Right image via Flickr/pointnshoot

By Kelly Dobkin

With the Super Bowl coming up this Sunday and the contenders hailing from rival regions NY and New England, we got to thinking about the culinary rivalries between the two areas as well. Smackdown, anyone? While many New Englanders shudder at the thought of being faced with a bowl of tomatoey "Manhattan Clam Chowder," just as many New Yorkers will staunchly defend their folded plain slices over New England's white clam pies any day. Today we take a look at at the soups and pizzas of the two regions and ask for your opinion - which style is the best? Shout out your thoughts in the comments.