No Reservations

The movie "No Reservations" opened up last weekend and ended up number 5 at the box office. Starring Catherine Zeta-Jones as a workaholic chef at a top New York restaurant, the movie has received mixed reviews. The German movie remake also stars Aaron Eckhart as the love interest and Abigail Breslin of "Little Miss Sunshine,” as her niece. Is it worth the reservation?

By Michelle Alderson | August 1, 2007 in Food News | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Dark Side of Fast Food

Fast Food Nation, the bestselling book that went behind the scenes of our country's fast food industry, has inspired a dramatic movie with a cast filled with stars including Greg Kinnear, Ethan Hawke, Kris Kristofferson, Patricia Arquette, and more.  Visit the official Fast Food Nation website and view the trailer.  Set for release on November 17, 2006.

By Robert | August 23, 2006 in Food News | Permalink | Comments (0)

The New York Times Follows the Blog Trend with "The Pour"

It seems that just weeks ago Daily Olive posted a link to the newly launched food critic blog from The New York Times. Oh we did. Now, Eric Asimov, the chief wine critic for the publication, has also joined the blogging trend with his new blog titled "The Pour", which launched today.

Read "The Pour"
Eric Asimov's biography is available online
Read Daily Olive's post about "The Diner" in our Food News section

By Michelle Alderson | March 15, 2006 in All Things Wine, Food News | Permalink | Comments (1)

Line up for NY's Magnolia Bakery cupcakes on video

By Robert | March 15, 2006 in Food News | Permalink | Comments (0)

The New York Times Food Critic Debuts Blog

Seems that everyone is blogging today, so why not Frank Bruni, food critic for The New York Times? Good idea. This week Bruni debuted his blog "Diner's Journal" with several entrees: one on David Burke's new restaurant, a second on the blog itself, a third on the newly opened Morimoto in New York, and a fourth on making reservations. Looks like a good start - and blogging to look forward to for New York diners.

Visit "Diner's Journal" at The New York Times.
Read about Frank Bruni.

By Michelle Alderson | February 17, 2006 in Food News | Permalink | Comments (1)

Michael Recchiuti Chocolate Tasting at Fog City News February 10

I like this new step in Valentine's Day's evolution.  Forget fluffy packaging, treacly cards and manufactured notions of romance.  The best outcome for our neo-pagan translation of February 14 is an emphasis on fresh chocolates from some of the country's best chocolatiers. 

Fog City News' Adam Smith has been counting down with Friday tastings at his charming San Francisco Financial District news and chocolate hub.  Richard Donnelly wowed visitors with his chipotle and raspberry ganaches.  Michael Mischer's Pistachio and Gianduja fillings pleased tasters.  This Friday Michael Recchiuti will present some of his signature infusions from noon to 2:00.  Don't miss him! 

Fog City's dedication to freshness means that gift boxes will be available a few days before Valentine's Day.

Fog City News
455 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
Tel: (415) 543–7400

By Kyeann Sayer | February 7, 2006 in Chocolate, Food, Food News, Gourmet Food Events | Permalink | Comments (0)

Single Origin Chocolates: The New York Times Weighs In

Yes, chocolate's trendiness has edged into that cocktail hour pontification/irritation zone.  Favored cacao content is bandied about and sources are named with an air of solemnity.  But with so much delicate, step-by-step artistry from bean to praline, how much stock can we put in a palate attuned to single origins?

"To say, here we have single-origin Madagascar or Trinidad, and leave people with the impression that this is what beans from Madagascar or Trinidad taste like, is misleading," Mr. Steinberg [a Scharffen Berger founder]  said.

So many factors affect a piece of chocolate: not only where the beans were grown, but the skill of whoever dried, fermented and roasted them, the amount of cocoa butter that was mixed back into the crushed beans, the two- or three-day process of mixing, heating and cooling (called conching and tempering), and the touch of the chocolatier.

True, true. Read more insightful nibs in Chocolate That Flashes Its Passport, by Kim Severson.

By Kyeann Sayer | February 7, 2006 in Chocolate, Food, Food News | Permalink | Comments (0)

Trader Joes landing in Union Square, NYC

To seasoned TJ shoppers, every bit of advice is on the button.  Take for instance, this excerpt on "selection":

Once inside, the temptation to buy everything in sight is strong; after all, the shit is cheap. If you are on foot, this actually makes it easier, limiting your take from the get-go. You really should only be coming out of TJ’s with a bag or two per visit. It generally takes a few visits’ worth of trial and error to arrive at your core TJ’s list and then you’ll work from that, adding on an experimental seasonal selection here and there.

A Trader Joe's Primer for Manhattanites  |  at LosAnjealous.com (via TheFoodSection) 

By Robert | January 24, 2006 in Food News | Permalink | Comments (0)

Center for Culinary Development: 2006 Trends

By Kyeann Sayer | January 16, 2006 in Chocolate, Food, Food News, New Food Trends | Permalink | Comments (0)

Three Hours With Gregory Renard

From Monday's Washington Post, a fun, little, snippet of a day in the life of a Parisian chocolatier:

Platters of bite-size nuggets of chocolate beckon like edible gems: ebony hearts filled with layers of crispy wafer and chocolate ganache, dark chocolate rounds dusted with gold-leaf glitter, almond pistachio logs drenched in milk chocolate crowned with a glazed emerald-green pistachio nut.

Walking into some of Paris's fanciest chocolate shops is akin to entering a bank vault under the suspicious eye of a guard. Stepping into Renard's little store, wedged between a dry cleaner and an underwear shop on rue Saint Dominique near the Eiffel Tower, is like ambling into the family kitchen.

Seductive Gems From the Kitchen Of an Artisan, Molly Moore of the Washington Post

By Kyeann Sayer | January 15, 2006 in Chocolate, Food, Food News | Permalink | Comments (0)

Gourmet Editor, Ruth Reichl, to Produce New HBO Foodie Show

HBO taps into the food world

Ruth Reichl, editor-in-chief of Gourmet Magazine, has signed to become executive producer for a new HBO series about the life of a restaurant critic.  Based roughly on Reichl's own life, the not-yet-named series, HBO has purchased the right to two of Reichl's memoirs, "Comfort Me With Apples" and "Garlic and Sapphires". 

According to WWD -

"The books chronicle Reichl's years as a food critic, first for The Los Angeles Times and later for The New York Times, as well as her affairs with Colman Andrews, her boss at the time, and Michael Singer, a television producer whom she eventually married. Reichl hinted she and her co-producers would not mind it at all if their show was seen as the successor to "Sex and the City." "Certainly, the thought has flown around the room," she said."

So "Carrie Bradshaw meet Ruth Reichl" - there's a new girl in town.

Sex and the Foodie  |  via WWD

By Robert | December 14, 2005 in Food News | Permalink | Comments (0)

Visit New Food Blog Site - 360eats.com

Last week, Daily Olive was notified that we were joining 25 other food blog sites at the new 360eats.com website, a food blog aggregator.  When you visit the site,  you'll see excerpts of all recent posts from many popular food blog sites.

Visit 360eats.com regularly - it's good for you.

By Robert | October 23, 2005 in Food News | Permalink | Comments (1)

Jamón Ibérico - Coveted Spanish Ham to be Available in U.S.

Jamón Ibérico, a ham that Americans have only enjoyed overseas, has finally cleared USDA government regulations for import into the United States, possibly before Christmas.  Pre-orders are being taken now by Spanish gourmet food retailer, La Tienda.

(Via PRWeb.com)  The Spanish government has just approved the first Jamón Ibérico production facility that meets USDA standards for export to the United States. LaTienda.com, a family-owned gourmet Spanish food retailer based in Williamsburg, VA, will fly in the first Ibérico products as soon as they are available. In fact, the Harris family has worked for more than eight years to make this possible. Soon this prized Spanish gourmet food, perhaps the finest of all hams, will be available in the US. Jamón Ibérico, marbled with rich golden fat and infused with the flavor of acorns, is also remarkably good for you. The curing process converts the fat of the ham into heart-healthy mono-unsaturated fat. This gives the ham beneficial qualities similar to olive oil.

Read more about La Tienda's quest to bring Ibérico ham to the U.S.

Pre-order your Jamón Ibérico at LaTienda.com.

Continue reading "Jamón Ibérico - Coveted Spanish Ham to be Available in U.S."

By Robert | September 21, 2005 in Food News | Permalink | Comments (2)

Inspired Trail Mix by Sahale Snacks

Bored by the usual selection of trail mixes and quick snack choices?  So were Sahale Snack founders, Josh Schroeter and Edmond Sanctis.  Active outdoors enthusiasts, they were motivated to create their own natural and healthy snacks that tasted great too. 

Available in four mixes and sealed in 2.5 ounce foil bags, Sahale is available at local Whole Foods and health stores.  Their Valdosta Blend, pictured here, features almonds, flax seeds and dates lightly seasoned with balsamic vinegar and cayenne.

via CoolHunting.com

By Robert | September 13, 2005 in Food News | Permalink | Comments (0)

New Water with a Hint of Flavor

Finding a refreshing drink these days that's not loaded with corn syrup is near impossible.  And if you're a parent who wants to make sure that your kids don't drink soda all the time, you know it's hard to get them to drink plain old water.  All they're looking for is some flavor!

Well, here comes a new drink called Hint.  Their catchy slogan "Drink Water, Not Sugar" rings true to the ears of health conscious adults and children too.

Flavors include Apple, Grape, Cucumber, Tangerine, Lime, Raspberry-Lime and Pomegranate-Tangerine, and others.

For availability in your area, visit drinkhint.com.

Continue reading "New Water with a Hint of Flavor"

By Robert | September 10, 2005 in Food News | Permalink | Comments (0)

Cook for Google -- Two Executive Chefs Wanted

Google is searching for two new executive chefs.  It's news because Google provides free meals to all their employees at their Mountain View, California headquarters that goes above and beyond the standard cafeteria menu.  They've set a standard of using fresh and organic ingredients with some menu items like Ahi Tuna & Avocado Poke Salad, Eggplant Tomato & Onion Skewers, Pork Loin Steak, Pad Thai Noodles, Arugula with Dried Apricots, and Tropical Shrimp Bisque Soup.  The new chefs will be responsible for continuing to create such menus.

Click here to see a sample of Google's daily menu.

Read Google's announcement - We Want New Chefs - via Yahoo News

By Robert | August 5, 2005 in Food News | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dark Chocolate--Good for the Heart Says Researchers

FOOD SCIENCE: Some research suggests that the flavonoids found in dark chocolate may produce beneficial cardiovascular effects, much like those found in green and red fruits and vegetables, red wine and green tea.

Move over milk chocolate. Dark chocolate is commandeering real estate in the candy aisle, quite pleased with its deep, dark self.

It's not just pricey imported chocolate bars taking up shelf space and boasting how dark they are. Take a look at the dark chocolate M&M's and dark Hershey's Kisses.

There's method to this darkness. It just so happens that researchers recently have focused on the potential health benefits of dark chocolate, which ultimately could translate into ... cha-ching. In fact, candymakers are reporting an increased demand for the biting taste of dark chocolate.

So far, candy packaging doesn't claim such benefits, but some labels now billboard the candy's "percent cocoa" content -- 50, 60, 70 percent. That's because the higher the cocoa content, nutrition researchers say, the better.

Read "Heart-healthier Dark Chocolate Gains Shelf Space in Stores" (via DuluthNewsTribune.com)
More "Sweet! Study says dark chocolate has benefits" (via CNN)

Related article:  Chocolate Lovers' Websites 2005

By Robert | July 24, 2005 in Chocolate, Food News | Permalink | Comments (0)

Food & Wine Magazine's Top American Chefs of 2005

Food and Wine Magazine has announced their 2005 Annual Best New Chefs in America list.   The list includes:

• Tyson Cole of Uchi, Austin
• Seth Bixby Daugherty of Cosmos, Minneapolis
• Christophe Eme of Ortolan Restaurant, Los Angeles
• Shea Gallante of Cru, New York City
• Colby Garrelts of Bluestem, Kansas City
• Maria Hines of Earth & Ocean, Seattle
• Daniel Humm of Campton Place, San Francisco
• Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson of Frasca Food and Wine, Boulder
• Tony Maws of Craigie Street Bistrot, Cambridge
• Eric Ziebold of Cityzen, Washington DC

Read the chefs' profiles and recipes at Food and Wine's website:  America's Best New Chefs. 

By Robert | July 7, 2005 in Food News | Permalink | Comments (0)