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Lauren Rothman

Lauren Rothman

I'm a freelance chef, dedicated cook and passionate eater. I write about food in my free time, and think about food all the time.

  • Website
  • Location: Brooklyn, NY
  • Favorite foods: Super dark chocolate; cheap and "ethnic" food like tacos, banh mi, and pho; homemade ice cream; anything fresh and veggie-heavy; anything spicy.
  • Last bite on earth: I'd feel ok venturing into the underworld if I were armed with one square of perfect, bitter chocolate.

A Sandwich a Day: P.W.C.D. Roll at Biryani Cart

In addition to the delicately spiced rice dish from which it takes its name, midtown Halal cart Biryani Cart (which, yes, we love quite a bit) offers up several very respectable kati rolls: addictive wraps of meats, vegetables, and eggs stuffed inside buttery griddled paratha, a stretchy, whole wheat flatbread, or leaner roti. We tried the strangely titled P.W.C.D. Roll ($3), a vegetarian option stuffed with scrambled eggs and a mound of creamy, perfectly cooked cubed potatoes. More

9 Sweets for Your Cinco de Mayo Fiesta

It's that time of year again, folks: Cinco de Mayo is here. Many of us associate this day with tequila and cheap Mexican beer—and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that—but there comes a point when you've got to put down the bottle and sober up with some spicy eats and then, as a finale, some Latin-inflected desserts. From sugar covered wedding cookies to a beautiful coconut tres leche cake, here are 9 options for your holiday table. More

A Sandwich a Day: Eggplant Parmigiana Roll at Famous Ben's Pizza

Sometimes you walk into your favorite slice joint and, faced with the sheer number of options, become paralyzed, and your interior dialogue becomes muddled: do I want plain? Pepperoni? A Grandma slice? That crazy-looking fried chicken strip and jalapeño creation over there by the register? Maybe I don't want pizza at all, but a calzone or even a hero? Never fear: in times like these, Famous Ben's Pizza has got you covered: not only do they offer a selection of gut-busting heroes, but they also have a selection of "rolls," which are definitely not as dainty as the name might indicate. More

The Wolf Attack at Wolfnights: A 20-Ounce Late-Night Monster Snack for $6

Upon opening the to-go box at Serious Eats HQ we quickly realized that were in over our heads. These are tots for the most extreme late-night indulgences, preferably when you're more than a few drinks ahead of yourself. How to describe this thing? For starters, it's an enormous amount of food. We were struck by how heavy it was, so we decided to weigh it. It's One pound, four ounces. That's right, folks. That means that for each dollar you pay, you're getting 3.33 ounces of greasy, meaty, potato tot love—not too shabby. More

New Wheat Thins Flavors: Spicy Buffalo and Zesty Salsa

We tried the two new Wheat Thins flavors: Spicy Buffalo and Zesty Salsa. Wheat Thins are one of those snacks that many of us have strong opinions about. Many of us had a box in our cupboard growing up (or still do today), so our flavor expectations are pretty strong. Here's what we thought of the new ones. More

A Sandwich a Day: Pork Belly at Cochon Butcher in New Orleans

A must-visit for all sandwich lovers passing through New Orleans, Cochon Butcher is Cajun chef Donald Link's artisanal butcher shop/sandwich joint/wine bar, located right next door to the more upscale Cochon. It's a meat lover's dream: Cured hams hang from the rafters, and refrigerator cases are filled with silky terrines and pâtés, as well as—true to the restaurant's name—an entire roasted suckling pig. More

New Spring Flavors from Popbar

The offerings from the West Village's Popbar combine the best qualities of gelato—its dense creaminess and purity of flavor—with the self-contained convenience of a popsicle. Sorbet pops, also available, hew closer to the standard fruit ice flavor normally associated with frozen treats. Pops range from $3.99 to $4.99 in price, and a variety of "poppings," such as granola and chopped pistachios, are available, as are white, milk, and dark chocolate dips. We tried Popbar's two new spring flavors: peanut butter gelato and kiwi sorbet. More

Easter Egg Doughnuts at Krispy Kreme

Calling all Krispy Kreme aficionados: the revered doughnut chain is throwing its hat, or rather its egg-shaped doughnuts, into the ring this Easter season with two glazed ovoid treats. But buyer beware—you need a seriously developed sweet tooth to appreciate these guys. More

A Sandwich a Day: Fried Chicken at Bobwhite Lunch and Supper Counter

East Village newcomer Bobwhite Lunch and Supper Counter styles itself as a casual Southern café, but its commitment to quality food is a little more serious. The Southern classic fried chicken ($8.50) is served on a soft, lightly toasted bun with a smattering of sweet pickles. It tastes a lot like a fast food fried chicken sandwich—fitting for when that craving strikes—and elevated, all at the same time. More

The Best Inexpensive Steak For The Grill Part 4: Flap Meat (Sirloin Tip)

Mmmmmm yes. Flap meat has been my favorite steak since childhood, when my mom used to buy it in vast quantities from Costco.

Snapshots from Foodstock, Wesleyan University's Food Conference

I was super sad I didn't get to go to Foodstock--why didn't this exist when I was at Wes?! I LOVE those T-shirts--is there any way to buy one online?
- Lauren, fellow Wes alum and SE contributer

The Urban Gardener: How Not to Kill Your Plants

@franko: I've just been judging my seedlings' readiness by size, but yes, I've heard they should have two sets of true leaves before transplanting.

@jareddee: If the weather's going to be hot I'd avoid the upside down pot. Is it supposed to be very windy, too? If not, the tomatoes should be fine. Make sure you plant them deep, covering with soil up to the first set of leaves.

@akay1: LOL!

Pie of the Week: Boston Cream Pie

OMG yes! My favorite dessert as a child--oft requested for my birthday--was Boston Cream Pie. My mom's version never got dry or soggy, but that's probably because it only lasted in our house for about an hour. Maybe I'll make this for her on Mother's Day!

Meet and Eat: Will Gibney, Serious Eats Summer Intern

It takes a confident man to admit to loving the Eagles on the Internet. Welcome, Will, you're going to have a blast!

The Urban Gardener, Part One: An Introduction

This is wonderful! Sounds like you guys are starting some great gardens.

@phanmo: I lived in Toulouse, France working as an English teacher last year and really wanted to join an AMAP, but it wasn't practical as I was doing a lot of traveling that took me away from home. Where in France are you located?

@jareddee: I just planted out my tomatoes today, and I spaced them about 9 inches apart. I wouldn't go any shorter than that, because you want those roots to spread out and grow strong!

The Urban Gardener, Part One: An Introduction

@Everyone: thanks for all the wonderful comments and information! Keep it coming!

The Urban Gardener, Part One: An Introduction

@karmafree: If you're talking about window gardening (ie, no outdoor space at all), then I have to admit I'm a bit ignorant on the topic, but I'll definitely think about it for a future installment. In the meantime, this link might help you: http://www.gardendesign.com/how-to-design-a-window-garden

@mantisbog: Excellent, let us know what plants you pick up!

@lemonfair: It's true, I did just start my cukes and squashes outdoors. We'll see how they do. Great resource you provided--thanks!

@missmochi: Sorry to hear about your prison courtyard, but happy it will be a green prison courtyard! I'm also making use of vertical space: having my pea vines climb up the iron garden fence, and growing my cukes up a "trellis" (an abandoned baby gate I found on the street that I secured to my garden wall).

This Week at Serious Eats World Headquarters

How cute is it that Alex's outfit matches her pie?!

See You Saturday at the Sweetlife Festival!

A Sandwich a Day: Shrimp Po' Boy at Domilise's in New Orleans

@BP: Sorry there wasn't enough description for you. This is a delicious, filling sandwich that tastes like New Orleans to me: impeccable seafood, impeccably prepared.
@TB: "Fully dressed" with the condiments I described is a NOLA po'boy standard--I've never seen prepared tartar sauce on a sandwich there, and trust me, you don't miss it on this one!

The Wolf Attack at Wolfnights: A 20-Ounce Late-Night Monster Snack for $6

Tee hee hee. Love the animation, Robyn! Burp.

Daily Slice: My Little Pizzeria

Oh yay! This was my childhood slice joint--I grew up around the corner. The pizza tastes just as good now as it did then.

Scooped: Orange Buttermilk Sherbet

Mmm. Creamsicley sherbety goodness. Looks delish!

A Sandwich a Day: Pork Belly at Cochon Butcher in New Orleans

@bklynbaker: I feel you. I showed a lot of restraint but it was difficult! Didn't get a chance to try any of the cocktails (only the unlimited sweet tea!), and I definitely commented to my friend on how cool the T-shirts were.

Springtime at McDonald's: We Try The Limited-Edition Strawberry & Creme Pie

@seeker: Yup, $1.19 for one--that's NYC for ya. I don't know where you're located, but McDonald's varies its prices regionally.

Easter Egg Doughnuts at Krispy Kreme

@rwoody, shoneyjoe: the photo was fixed, but I must admit I didn't find the doughnuts too "egg-shaped," either--they look like normal, filled doughnuts.

Gwynnett St.: Young Ambition and Modern Technique Work Together for a Great Meal

This place has been at the top of my list to try for a while now, and this post has sealed the deal.

Afternoon Snack: Hong Kong-Style Rice Rolls in Elmhurst

This looks delicious! Oh, the never-ending variety and tastiness of Chinese cuisine...

This Week at Serious Eats World Headquarters

@CJ, Leah: I'll take this one! We all pitch in to help clean, but the finely-tuned fleet of interns (such as myself) have specific clean-up duties: emptying the drying rack, consolidating food items, takin' out the trash.

This Week at Serious Eats World Headquarters

:sob: SO bummed I missed the Girl Scout Sundae! Damn these end of winter sniffles...

The Vegetarian Option: Der Kommissar

I love this place. Great beer, great food, and great service.

Cookie Monster: Spiced Biscoff Sandwich Cookies

I love love love Delta's Biscoff cookies--I always ask the steward(ess) for extra packets, so I can hoard them for the coming weeks.

Isa in Williamsburg: Ambition Alone Does Not A Great Restaurant Make

A lovely review of an unlovely dining experience.

Welcome Our New Editors!

Exciting times at SE! Hurray editors!

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