October 2009


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To Please the Mouth

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Is there anything better than getting an amuse-bouche?

You sit down at the table, order your drinks and menu items and kick back and relax, thinking that your best-case scenario would be some freshly-baked bread and olive oil for dipping.  Then, much to your amazement, out comes a small plate of deliciousness prepared by the kitchen especially to whet your taste buds.  And you didn’t even have to ask!

I bring this up because it happened twice in the past few weeks.  Mrs. TVFF and I were out and about in Philadelphia, seeing the sights, when we were able to snag an early seat at Chifa, a popular Peruvian/Chinese tapas bar.  After ordering our five plates, out came a bowl of bite-sized pastries and a small dish of spreadable topping…manchego puffs with spicy guava butter.  It was a highlight of the dinner and the meal itself hadn’t even started yet.

Then, the following weekend, we decided to take it easy after splurging and headed out to our neighborhood Italian place.  We’re used to getting the complimentary bread and salad, but we were presented with a plate of grilled vegetables — cauliflower, green beans, peppers and more.  Mrs. TVFF hardly put a dent in her pasta, having enjoyed the various appetizers along the way.

Hell, getting anything for free is great.  (OK…I know it’s priced into the cost of the overall meal, but don’t burst my bubble.)  But there is something more to the amuse that elevates it above the other freebies like the fortune cookie or starlight mint…

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in Restaurants 1 comments
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Top Chef Exit Interview: Episode 7

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High stakes indeed! This week, the Top Chef Las Vegas contestestants had to cook for not one, but five A-list dinner guests. Out chat with the eliminated gambler (spoiler alert!) after the jump.

BUT FIRST, in our continuing round-the-clock coverage of Padma Lakshmi’s hostile takeover of the entire media world, we’re pleased to bring you the latest music video from indie rockers The Eels, starring Ms. Lakshmi herself (watch for the not-so-subtle Tangy, Tart, Hot and Sweet plug):

OK, on with the exit interview…

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in TV 3 comments
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Cheflebrity Smörgåsbord: “I’m Your Number One Fan, Food Network”

misery

The latest and greatest news about celebrity chefs, served up buffet style.

– Ego or smart marketing? Super Chef takes a swipe at the new “I Love Food Network” fan site, which was created by Food Network itself.

– Always thinking ahead…auditions for the next Top Chef are coming soon. Also on its way, a show called Chef Academy, which promises to be nowhere as entertaining as Tool Academy.

After the jump:  foodie concert groupies, Padma’s lazy Sunday and world domination featuring Alton Brown and Rachael Ray.

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in Celebs 2 comments
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Burns My Bacon: Jewish Deli Bread

corned beef sandwich

Britannia got our mini-rant series going last month with his admonishment of the salt and pepper shaker filler-uppers, and now I’d like to tell you yell about something else that burns my bacon, er…pastrami.

I think we can all agree that an old-school, New York-style Jewish deli is just about the best place in the world to get a serious sandwich. Pastrami from Katz, corned beef from 2nd Avenue Deli — wherever it is, you know the deal: some form of exquisitely cured beef product piled far beyond reason and then shoved between two slices of bread; mustard, pickles and slaw on the side.

But there’s one thing that has always bugged me about Jewish delis, and I’ve been afraid to ever say it, fearing an outpouring of anger from the traditionalist eaters. But I just can’t stay silent any longer.

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in Rants & Raves / Sandwich 9 comments
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Eye Scream

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That’s right. Fuck pumpkin. Don’t get me wrong. The only vegetable I loved at age 12 was found in DAD GANSIE’s homemade pumpkin pie. But at this point, I appreciate some originality.

Here is 2941‘s valrhona white chocolate, pistachio mousse and raspberry-lychee coulis made into frighteningly scary Halloween eyes. And this Halloween treat is sans pumpkin. How refreshing. How delicious. And how scary!

How are you cooking for Halloween?

On Halloween:

Top 10 Sexiest Food Halloween Costumes

Top 10 Weirdest Food Halloween Costumes

Top 10 Cutest Food Halloween Costumes

Top 10 Food Pun Halloween Costumes

Food Costumes Gone Famous

Yes, We Can Carve


in Desserts / Holiday / Photos 4 comments
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Smallest Kitchen Contest: The Winners

Lyndsey’s recent rant about her teeny tiny kitchen inspired us to see if ES readers could do her one better (or worse, as the case may be). Thanks so much to everyone who had the good humor to send in shots of their comically tiny cooking spaces. May we present the best of the best:

Runner Up: Jenn (of Peanut Butter and Jenny)

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Jenn:

We kept the microwave, george forman grill, and toaster on our kitchen table (which was in the living room). I’d like to add that no more than 1 person could physically be in there at once, or else you’d get stuck… kind of like a big kid in a tiny tube slide. Unpleasant.

I have to say Jenn has it set up so that it actually looks kind of pleasant — in a dollhouse sort of way, not in any sort of functional cooking capacity. Her teeny, tiny stove really puts this one over the top.

Runner Up: Nicholas (of My Inner Fatty)

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Nicholas:

I’m a student at Columbia… doesn’t that automatically make my kitchen the smallest?  it’s literally a 3’x6′ nook in our suite.

Damn, that is small. Technically the smallest, but our pity is limited by the fact that Nicholas has a dishwasher in college??? Son, in my day…

And the winner is…

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in Contests 7 comments
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Market Style: Pimping the Plastic

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Nope, as far as I know credit cards still aren’t accepted at the farmers market (pictured here: Dupont Circle). But an even sexier plastic is encouraged: tupperware.

This week I was stumbling around, trying to select the perfect 2-inch okra, while balancing another 10 okra (what’s the plural of okra?) in my not very large hands. It was an ugly scene. Forget about grabbing that golden tomato across the next aisle—no way that could survive in the makeshift basket between my wrist and elbow. And then I saw genius.

A woman grabbed a bunch of green beans and dropped them in her tupperware. She then dropped another handful in AND grabbed that last-of-the-season, golden tomato. My mouth dropped.

Instantly I grabbed my iPhone and asked if I could photograph her plastic. She backed away from the scale, but the foxy market attendant faux-humbly asked if I wanted him to slide in for the picture.

This saves plastic bags, lets the farmers keep their cardboard cartons (ie, for berries) and keeps smashable fruit from surrendering to the heavier contents of the rest of the market purchases. I know I always forget about the grape tomatoes in the bottom of my tote; there’s always a few that burst from the pressure of the heavier peaches on top.

Forget those spotted on-the-go, street-style fashion columns, here’s market style.

in Trends 4 comments
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