Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

I agree - a cheeseburger, albeit fancier with bibb or some other leafy green, isn't a cheeseburger unless that leaf of iceberg is on it!

My mom used to make a side dish for us of a leaf of iceberg (as a bowl), a pineapple slice from the can, a dollop of mayo in the middle, and some shredded cheddar cheese and a cherry on top.

Anyone ever heard of that? I had to check with my mom to make sure I didn't dream it!

Can we travel back in time, too? If so, my pick would be Uglesich's in New Orleans, one of the best dive joints for oysters and shrimp and fish.

But I suppose I could make do with The French Laundry ... :)

I don't really have a favorite, as I don't eat all that much sugar but I did recently see a Bacon Candy bar at Vosges - applewood smoked bacon, alder smoked salt, milk chocolate.

I can sometimes find Vosges candy bars at Whole Foods here (Atlanta) ... but if any of you NYC'rs want to take a trip down to Spring St. and try it, I'd love to know what it's all about!

Friday afternoons I have a standing date with a friend for grocery shopping.

That said, I typically manage at least one more trip during the week. If I see a good recipe or think of something I've not had in a while I'll go pick up what I need to make it.

In addition to how often per week, I wonder how many people make lists for grocery shopping or, like me. just walk in and put whatever you find that you like in the cart!

@tart - I'd be right there with you - maybe we should ask??? The Whole Foods in Buckhead is just itching for it, I think. :)

OMG - I'm so there. The lower sodium idea sounds like a good one tho. I love salt as much as any 3 men, but that might be a lil crazy.

At home, I'm a little clean obsessed, but I am indeed a very messy cook. I consider messy and dirty two totally different issues. Now if you leave the mess sit and don't clean it up in a timely manner, it then becomes filth, in my estimation.

We dine out alot, so at some point I force myself to become oblivious to small things or I would be dining at home much more frequently. My first observation at the table is generally that of the silverware. If they are not immaculate, I ask for new. Next is the glassware, which is very obvious if not spotless and free of any gunk. It has always been my contention that the mark of a good restaurant is the cleanliness and tidiness of the restrooms. If they don't care that there is a layer of fuzzy fur on their plastic flowers and wet paper towels are overflowing onto the floor then they are not apt to pay attention to detail elsewhere either. It never occurred to me to accidentally walk into the kitchen, but that is a great idea.

This thread brings to memory very bad experiences at TGI McFunster's. Repeated, heinous experiences. I used to live fairly close to one, and it was one of the more "upscale" restaurants in the area. haha... Nonetheless, dining companions were constantly insisting on the place for convenience. One time, I found a plastic wheel from some sort of kitchen implement in my spring roll. When I complained, to their credit, they did ask if I would prefer some cottage cheese or applesauce. Then another time I ordered a BLT and the B was raw, never having seen the inside of a skillet. This is the biggie - another time I ordered a shrimp cocktail and pulled a piece of raw chicken out of the bowl. When I complained, they offered to bring me another app, so while I was waiting, (watching my companions enjoy their food and the servers go in and out of the kitchen), I could see the servers sitting on the food prep counters in the kitchen. Three of them SITTING on the counters!!! Why don't people notice that the food there tastes like a_ _?

Yeah, it's worth the risk. I've gotten sick once or twice, but that is bound to happen. One time it was from a local pizzeria that I've frequented for years, and another time it was from chicken teriyaki prepared at home by a relative. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I believe regardless of how careful I am, food poisoning is just something that happens from time to time.

Of course, if I see something that doesn't look or smell right, you can be sure I won't be putting it in my mouth.

Wow.....the animosity towards Sandra Lee in some of the comments is quite interesting. I’ve worked with and have hired professional chefs over the years and the short cuts they use in their cooking isn’t much different from Sandra Lee’s. She’s just honest about it. I know of one 5-star restaurant that opens a can of Campbell’s tomato soup, adds some garnish, gives it a fancy name and charges a ridiculous price. Anyone who utilizes a can of San Marino for a tomato dish cannot possibly sit in judgement of others.

I’ve tried some of the recipes of the highly rated “chefs” mentioned here and found them to be quite disappointing. The end result is what it’s all about....not how much one slaved in the kitchen.

Sandra Lee makes cooking fun....especially for those just starting out. And nowadays, with so many young folks working many hours in serious careers, I’m sure it’s nice to have a quick, fun recipe when one finally gets home at 7:00 pm and the kids are famished. I can’t wait to try some of her recipes with my grandson when he gets old enough.

I liked Alton Brown better before he went gimmicky and goofy.

I watch Food Network much more for technique and principles than recipes. Travel shows and food competitions are time-wasting. How about healthful cooking, vegetarian recipes, dairy substitutes, ethnic cooking other than Italian, bread baking? I can't eat pork or shellfish, or mix dairy and meat. How about cooking with those limitations.

FAVORITES: Alton Brown. More time and less clowning, please.
Giada. Reasonable recipes; fewer distractions (2), please. Maybe her body is too small.
Robin Miller. I respect her as a wife and mother. Realistic recipes. A nice lady.

WORST
Paula Dean, Ina Garten are toxic. Rachael Ray has too much TV and commercial exposure. Why does every one of her recipes have to contain cheese and pork? Emeril is generally boring, but occasionally he shows an excellent technique. His "Live" show is dreadful. Sandra Lee: I just turn off the sound and watch. I don't care what she's doing.