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Ben Fishner

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Ben has been blogging about food over at Ben Cooks Everything since 2008, and contributing to Serious Eats since 2010. He writes Apps Only, a guide to fine dining on a budget, and Market Scene: NY, where he reports on the goings-on at New York's Union Square Greenmarket.

Location: New York, NY
Favorite foods: Hot dogs, chicken wings, cucumbers, tacos, matzo ball soup, noodles of all shapes, sizes and ethnicities.

Comments

How to Make the Best Deep-Fried Jalapeño Poppers

What is this, a mellon baller for ants?

The Food Lab: How to Make Pull-Apart Stuffing-Flavored Rolls

To @etu001's question, would it be okay to actually proof and cook it in the aluminum tray?

Italian-Style Eggplant Parmesan (Melanzane alla Parmigiana)

Ohhhh I want to make this as soon as it gets cool enough to turn on my oven. Could you fry the eggplant a day or two before and keep it in the fridge?

Lunch near Columbus Circle or Puck

Down by the Puck Building, I think a great crowd pleaser is Five Points.

Uptown, Cafe Boulud would also be good, it's up by Lincoln Center. Or Bouchon Bakery inside the Time Warner Center.

Kid Friendly in Brooklyn

I think Buttermilk Channel would be good! Always lots of kids in there, and the food is good, and most importantly to my mind (esp. on Mother's Day) the service is great.

Spring trip to Kennebunkport, Maine...

A bit south of Kennebunkport is Chauncey's! Great lobster pier with steamers, lobster rolls, and a really great view of the creek. You can also bring your own beer, wine, and other food. It's a great place.

Behind the Scenes in Daniel's Home Kitchen

My mom used to write the spice's name in sharpie on the top of spice jars so they could be identified from above. Problem solved?

Dinner Tonight: Sloppy Jessica, or Mac-and-Cheese-Chili Pizza on a Bun

Cat doing Home Alone face!

What's in Your NYC Care Package?

The list could go on forever, but at the top is whitefish salad from Russ and Daughters. Actually the first five or so slots are all from Russ and Daughters. Bagels from Terrace Bagels, though.

Ask the Critic: The Best Bars for Birthday Parties

11th Street Bar! They'll let you set reserve a table or two in the back, it never gets too too crowded, the beer list is solid, and it doesn't have games or anything, but it's far from soulless.

Can't Get Into Balthazar? Where to Eat Instead

Hey, what about Lucien?

Ask the Critic: The Best of Alphabet City

Right next door to Bobwhite on Ave. C is Alphabet City Beer Company, a really cozy beer bar with friendly, knowledgable staff that also sells bottles to go.

I would not like to meet singles in my area

@Adam Kuban, I am not a woman but I am very interested in that date, FWIW.

Look at These Talking Eggs. Just Look at 'Em.

Great, now I have to make this noise every time I fry eggs. Thanks a lot, Robyn.

A Day in the Life: Nick Kindelsperger, Chicago Editor

I'm confused, Nick. Did you leave Clinton babysitting Mira when you went to lunch? If so, I don't know if I am appalled or impressed.

Helpful hints for make-ahead gravy?

There's some info on using turkey stock to make gravy ahead of time on this post: http://www.seriouseats.com/2013/11/sauced-five-turkey-gravy-variations-for-thank.html

Happy Thanksgiving!

Ask The Food Lab Anything, Thanksgiving Edition 2013

Do I really need to cut the crusts off of the bread for stuffing? Why? (I'm assuming you said yes and it seems like a lot of extra work)

I myself don't keep kosher, but my cousin who hosts Thanksgiving in our family does. So this means no dairy at Thanksgiving, and no pork. It's easy enough to sidestep the pork, and the meal is plenty indulgent without it, but I do miss all the butter. My question, then is about margarine and other butter replacements. What's your opinion of them? Are there times when margarine is acceptable, and times where it's totally out of the question? In this past I've just stuck with neutral and olive oils. I feel like the prevalent notion is that margarine is the worst, but maybe that's a myth?

What Do You Drink When You're Sick?

Water, water, water, water, and more water. Also tea. Usually that Yogi brand tea. I can't resist the pseudo-medicinal promises they make!

New York Restaurants Near City Hall

Hey, there are some good suggestions in this Ask the Critic post: http://newyork.seriouseats.com/2013/01/ask-the-critic-celebrate-lunch-vegetarian-friendly-good-for-groups-restaurants.html

Where should I eat a great weekday breakfast?

Definitely Maialino.

Ads with sound

Hi Insuni, sorry to hear this! Do you recall what the ads that played sound were for? To my knowledge we are not running any ads that play sound without being initiated by the user. And we never plan to!

What's Your Favorite Ramen in New York?

I think Hide-Chan is my favorite, but most often I go to Minca, because it's close to home, the service is great, there's rarely a long wait, and it always hits the spot. Then again you never forget your first, and mine was Men Kui Tei (the one in midtown), which I still love. I am excited for the return of ramen weather!

First Look at Flat Top, a New Morningside Heights Bistro from the Jin Ramen Team

That mural is gorgeous.

Sugar Rush: Manhattan Special Affogato at Nicoletta

GIMME.