Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

Sugar Rush: Morir Soñando from Reben Luncheonette

@Jack_Barbed : Everyone makes their own "discoveries". If only one person could "discover" somewhere, it's unlikely anywhere would stay in business long.

timruddell at 5:05PM on 01/27/09

In Videos: Cadbury Eyebrows Dance Commercial

This reminds me of: http://hazzamon.co.uk/roger.html

timruddell at 2:14PM on 01/27/09

Reverse Trick-Or-Treating with Fair Trade Chocolate Politicizes Halloween

@Clay - Thanks for your detailed response. Your experience and analysis is impressive. I am one of the (presumably, majority of) people who do often take these things at face value. I'm not sure it would be feasible to get kids to go door-to-door ready for a full ethical discussion (and I'd be quite concerned for any kids that wanted to!), so agree that without a balanced view it's perhaps better left for debate away from the doorstep.

We're still left with a problem: if a "one size fits all" stamp such as "Fair Trade" is not a great solution, what is? I wonder whether the average consumer will ever do enough research of their own to avoid putting their trust in the hands of fair trade, organic and other such marks when doing their grocery shopping.

timruddell at 12:43PM on 10/03/08

Reverse Trick-Or-Treating with Fair Trade Chocolate Politicizes Halloween

"If Fair Trade was all it was represented to be, the number of Fair Trade-certified cacao co-ops would be far greater than it is."

I don't think that's fair comment. The demand also needs to be there, which is exactly what this campaign is trying to promote. At the very least, raising awareness of exploitative labor and environmental practices is surely a good thing, even if the model isn't perfect.

Regarding the "cynical use of small children to politicize Halloween": is allowing children to go door-to-door begging really any less demeaning?

timruddell at 3:56PM on 10/01/08

From A Hamburger Today

Photo of the Day: Bison Burger from Ironside

That is a seriously good looking burger. Now how about a recipe for that smoked onion jam? Damn, that looks good!

sticky wicket at 1:16AM on 10/22/09

From A Hamburger Today

Hamburger Warming Mouse Pad

@timruddell: But The Serious Hut sounds like SO MUCH FUN!!!

Robyn Lee at 7:41PM on 10/21/09

What Londoners Think of New York Food: The 'Madison Avenue Bagel'

I ate at several different "Mexican" places in Germany back in '91, and shockingly enough they were run by Latinos from El Paso and other places in the US. I have no idea what I was served, but it didn't resemble anything like any iteration of Tex-mex or Mexican food I've ever had. It was much closer to Greek & Turkish food and kebabs. I asked the guys what they thought they were doing and they said they'd caved to bizarre local expectations.

If my weird "tacos"/Mexican gyros (not even vaguely close to a taco, burrito, or gordita - they were entirely new foodstuffs) actually tasted any good, I couldn't have cared less about authenticity. These restaurants think that wrapping themselves in a flag will make people overlook the horrid food they're serving.

Big Guy at 4:24PM on 10/15/09

What Londoners Think of New York Food: The 'Madison Avenue Bagel'

Reminds me of a menu item I saw in West Virginia, under the rubric "New York Deli" or something similar: Cream cheese, grape jelly and bacon on a "bagel."

Lippy at 5:37PM on 10/14/09

What Londoners Think of New York Food: The 'Madison Avenue Bagel'

I always stay away from restaurants here in Canada that advertise "English-style Fish and Chips". For some reason these places seem to think that by just putting the "style" in there, then this makes their food authentic.

My wife and I were once in Manchester, U.K. and decided to give Pizza Hut a try, just to see if there was any difference in taste and quality. We were pleasantly surprised and enlightened to the fact that these huge chains do take the trouble to try and replicate their products wherever they may be!

Turtlewax at 4:19PM on 10/14/09

What Londoners Think of New York Food: The 'Madison Avenue Bagel'

i think its impossible to generalise as there are great bagels in London and New York,but in both cities it pays to search them out,but the best i have had is in 'Harrods' coffee house,just opposite the store.

secrets at 2:39PM on 10/14/09

The Nasty Bits: Duck Tongue

First I cant stop laughing cuz I keep thinking about the AFLAC duck. Second they look really funny stacked up like that. But I figure anything fatty and fried cant be to bad, I like cracklins. If anyone in Atlanta has a heads up on where to get some post it so I can quack my friends up!

flavorkings at 10:52AM on 10/14/09

What Londoners Think of New York Food: The 'Madison Avenue Bagel'

When I was a child, my parents would take us to India for the summers, and about a month or two in, we would crave pizza, McDonald's, and all sorts of other representatively American foods. We would whine until my parents buckled and took us to the "Pizza Hut" (total knock off). And of course, every year, we would be terribly disappointed by the Indian version of American pizza. Tomato ketchup instead of tomato sauce, and not nearly enough cheese.

atammal at 10:19AM on 10/14/09

What Londoners Think of New York Food: The 'Madison Avenue Bagel'

When I was living in London, I was in a small play that was right next to a shop that had a sign out--for the entire rehearsal period and run--'Bacon Bagel.' (I assume it was buttered, too). I commented how ironic this was, but none of my British friends seemed to get why I found it so hilarious.

HeartofGlass at 6:34AM on 10/14/09

What Londoners Think of New York Food: The 'Madison Avenue Bagel'

apologies for the grammatical errors

wthrop at 10:44PM on 10/13/09

The Nasty Bits: Duck Tongue

Mmmm duck tongue, how delicious art thou.

I have a small plastic container of duck tongues stewed in soy sauce in the fridge right now. Perfect tv snacks!

They actually had duck tongue as one of the ingredients presented to a challenger on The Next Iron Chef. Unfortunately, I didn't stay tuned to see what they did (the show was annoying after a while as most "reality" shows tend to be) with them.

@NWcajun: Lol...but also, the bone isn't normally eaten, but you sure can if you want. It's not splintery or hard, its kinda spongy and papery. Sometimes I chew on the little nub of bone to get all the extra flavor out.
I personally think the best part is the tiny bit of cartiledge on the end of the bone. It's a great texture contrast to the crispy-fatty meat!

@chanterelle: aww c'mon, live a little!

fuuchan at 10:41PM on 10/13/09

What Londoners Think of New York Food: The 'Madison Avenue Bagel'

@Carey Jones: Argee it's all pretty amusing. My point is it's just dumb marketing that's amusing, it's not some (the article presumes naive) culture's underlying misunderstanding of our food culture. In the same way we are under no impression that an onion blossom is some Australian delicacy. Yes, funny how stupid some corporation market's their product, not how stupid this assumes other cultures are about American cuisine.

wthrop at 10:39PM on 10/13/09

The Nasty Bits: Duck Tongue

Mmmmmmm.....no.

chanterelle at 9:44PM on 10/13/09

The Nasty Bits: Duck Tongue

@NWcajun: That has to be the comment of the week.

Lorenzo at 9:24PM on 10/13/09

The Nasty Bits: Duck Tongue

Hi guys, I've only ever seen duck tongue sold at Chinese markets. Whenever I get a chance I buy several packs to squirrel away for a rainy day.

Gastronomeg: Let's see, I like to nibble on a dozen or so tongues per sitting, so I'm thinking that a pound would be 5 people, give or take?

With regards to the bone issue, you gnaw around the bone in your mouth - like a savory sunflower seed :)

Chichi Wang at 8:56PM on 10/13/09

What Londoners Think of New York Food: The 'Madison Avenue Bagel'

@shoneyjoe: Yes, my comment is indicative of why the rest of the world thinks of Americans as loud, boorish, and unrefined. Yeah, I think you're stretching there a bit for your point, but nice try.

wthrop at 8:34PM on 10/13/09

The Nasty Bits: Duck Tongue

Funny, I was in a fantastic gastropub in London, England and this was one of the bar snacks. My mother didn't look impressed but I was wowed. My dad and I just had fresh home-made Scotch egg (still slightly soft) and black pudding-lined sausage roll instead. What a pub, the Bull and Last in case anyone is in the area (Highgate / Hampstead). I wish I'd tried the tongues now.

wicheda at 6:40PM on 10/13/09

The Nasty Bits: Duck Tongue

@NWCajun - I don't eat the bone. But I didn't realize the interior was fat?!

hungryhungryhippo at 6:30PM on 10/13/09

The Nasty Bits: Duck Tongue

YES YES YES! Chichi, you are the best. I have so many wonderful memories tied to duck tongue. When I would visit my dad in Hong Kong he would always take me to Shenzhen for my favourite, duck tongue! I would love to recreate this, but has anyone seen duck tongue for sale in Toronto?

catmistress at 5:54PM on 10/13/09

The Nasty Bits: Duck Tongue

Okay, I'm sold. Chichi, I love your posts!

BangieB at 4:56PM on 10/13/09

The Nasty Bits: Duck Tongue

I am headed to H&M mart now!!! You say there is a bone down the middle, do you eat the bone or suck the meat off. (I'm talking about the duck tongue)

NWcajun at 2:47PM on 10/13/09

The Nasty Bits: Duck Tongue

I've seen plates of these at Deluxe Food Market in Chinatown (NY) and wondered how to cook them. So odd yet so cute. Thanks!

chanbny at 2:33PM on 10/13/09

The Nasty Bits: Duck Tongue

omg yes. lovelovelove duck tongue

looloopoopie at 1:54PM on 10/13/09

Reverse Trick-Or-Treating with Fair Trade Chocolate Politicizes Halloween

Thanks for these listings! This give my teenage twin daughters a way to revitalize one of our favorite holidays. They have a "Fair Trade and Forgotten Children" Club at their high school and are starting to realize that what they choose to buy can make a difference in someone else's life.

Jane Browne at 11:38AM on 10/13/09