If you had one meal in Miami Beach - where would it be?
I'm headed there for a business trip in March and I am looking for a great taste of Miami! Celeb sighting possibilities would be a great bonus...
Serious Eater Profile
Get to Know a Serious Eater.
AddiE's Profile
The Ten Most Recent Posts By AddiE
The Ten Most Recent Comments By AddiE
'Top Chef': Season 4 Finale: Put a Fork In It
Did anyone else have one of those 'hasn't she learned anything!' moments when Lisa told us she was going to make a rice pudding for dessert? I'm incredibly surprised she pulled it out.
I agree with others that I was scared before the final reveal that it actually was going to be Lisa but I was so glad it was Stephanie who I had picked from the beginning.
I also cannot believe the Richard had the nerve to bring out that banana scallop again, but I guess if each day is a new challenge then its technically okay.
Fresh Food on TV: Weekday Edition
Re: Top Chef...you list that Antonia is still in the running for Part 2. Is that right? I cannot believe it has taken me until now to get into that wonderful show!
Cook the Book: 'Mario Batali Italian Grill'
Butter! It makes a great finish for anything coming off the grill...whether its a juicy steak or a fresh ear of corn.
Good Breakfast between Charlottesville, VA and DCA?
DCA means Reagan National Airport. Hmmm, not much in between the two except for some McDonald's and Sheetz stores. I would think someone has to have a good small town place in between the two (unfortunately, it's not me!).
Dinner Tonight: Asparagus with Fried Egg and Parmesan
In the world of food trends...fried/poached eggs are the new bacon! They are the new 'hot' item to enhance almost any dish and I can't seem to go a day of food blog surfing without seeing a new recipe using it. Just yesterday, Metrocurean even had a deep fried poached egg...which just might have to become my new favorite sin.
Cook the Book: Win a Copy of 'Cook with Jamie'
Actually I learned most of what I do from Rachael and Alton...my food parents you could say. Now that would make for an interesting family dynamic!
Cook the Book: 'The Tex-Mex Cookbook'
My homemade corn dip - 4 cans of corn, 2 cans green chiles, 4 green onions sliced, 1/4 cup mayo, 2 c. shredded cheese, handful chopped cilantro, LOTS of cumin. Eat it with Fritos scoops....just awesome!
DC and Arlington, VA
I second Tallula in Arlington - it is one of my favorite restaurants in the country!
Responses to Comments by AddiE
'Top Chef': Season 4 Finale: Put a Fork In It
I was so afraid that Lisa was going to win. She's not the strongest as far as execution and her attitude was AWFUL. I was happy for Stephanie even though I did feel that Richard was the strongest cook on a show to show basis, even through the obsession with the banana scallop. Stephanie made the strongest showing during the finale and I guess that's what it's all about.
'Top Chef': Season 4 Finale: Put a Fork In It
@wookie - Boiled peanuts was the first thing I thought of with the braised pistachios! Love boiled peanuts.
'Top Chef': Season 4 Finale: Put a Fork In It
Ever since the season started, Richard and Stephanie were my 2 favorites. They were always courtious, hard-working, inventive and always complimentary to their teammates. Really first-class.
I am soooooo glad that finally a girl, and even more Stephanie, won the Top Chef title. And in my Puerto Rico... Love it!!!
Even though Richard did not win, he was stellar through-out. I am confident, that just like in American Idol, the runner-up will have as stellar a carreer as the actual winner. The exposure they receive is outstanding and he will be sought out by many after this experience. I truly do not doubt he will be invited again and again to the Aspen Food & Wine Classic to showcase his skills...
Congrats to Stephanie and Richard, both... they're awesome!!!
'Top Chef': Season 4 Finale: Put a Fork In It
Wow. It was an exciting ride this season. I had a bunch of fun recapping each episode for Serious Eats. One thing I gotta say, though, is that I feel like everyone needs to take Lisa's image on the show with a huge grain of salt. And I'm including a big "mea culpa" with that admonition. When contestants say that Reality TV only shows a tiny portion of their words and actions, they're not kidding. There's no denying that film editing is a very powerful alchemy. Even if "Lisa," the TV character, was great fun to root against and rant at, Lisa, the civilian, definitely doesn't deserve any grief from us. Let's leave our harsh words for her on these posts, and from here on out just treat her like someone who loves good food as much as we do.
'Top Chef': Season 4 Finale: Put a Fork In It
I'm so happy Stephanie won. It's great when the winner of a reality show is humble and talented. If she had not won, I would have voted for her as a favorite or most likable or miss congeniality.
I wasn't weirded out by the olives or the braised pistachios. I just figured the pistachios might be similar to boiled peanuts or like the walnuts that are in some braised dishes in a Korean cookbook I have.
I feel bad for Richard bc he just looked sick to his stomach while listening to the judges' comments. My husband and I aren't worried about his career, though. He has definitely shown well on Top Chef. We hope he goes far.
I choose not to say anything on the topic of Lisa.
'Top Chef': Season 4 Finale: Put a Fork In It
I would like to mention that if I could have Chef Ripert and all that lovely food, I wouldn't even THINK about cooking.
'Top Chef': Season 4 Finale: Put a Fork In It
Wow - now I get the 4%. I caught a little here and there and I liked Antonia and Stephanie. Lisa looks a lot like a friend of mine, so I guess I gave her some undeserved points based solely on that. I didn't watch enough to see her dark side. Thanks for the explanations!
'Top Chef': Season 4 Finale: Put a Fork In It
I'm happy for Stephanie, and I think all 3 made a strong showing (even, surprisingly, Lisa). Blais may not think he gave his 'best performance', but believe me, the man's a genius. One of my top 5 most memorable meals was at his dearly-departed "Blais" restaurant in Atlanta. If anyone's visiting Atlanta in the future, I suggest tracking him down.
I might even plan a trip to Chicago to try Stephanie's dishes in person. (Lisa, I'm not quite 'there' yet, but maybe in a few months...)
'Top Chef': Season 4 Finale: Put a Fork In It
How bad, in the real world, could Lisa really be if Stephanie, Antonia and Nickie all keep in touch with her today as reported in several interviews.
'Top Chef': Season 4 Finale: Put a Fork In It
@Perky - yeah, I'm pretty sure Lisa has no soul....she's negative and whiny and has been in the bottom two like 8 times, she throws people under the bus in a heartbeat and accuses people of sabotaging her even though she's a crappy enough chef without any help. Last night was really the only episode they liked everything she did, and I think the only reason they praised her was because they were so surprised she didn't drop the ball like she has every, single, episode. The only reason she wasn't eliminated earlier is that she does her best to make other people look bad and will never take responsibility for anything, even if she clearly fucked up and/or was in charge of a group. And yes, she's also ugly. But that's beside the point.
Rant over.
Website:
Location:
About:
Favorite foods:
Last bite on earth: