Grub Street Boston

Necco Wafers' New Flavor; More States Privatizing Liquor

Leila Cohan — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:46:29 GMT

• Necco introduced a new formula for its conversation hearts this year, featuring more assertive flavors, but opinions on the change are mixed. [WBZ]

• In an effort to solve budgetary woes, some states are looking to privatize liquor stores. [WSJ]

• Moby edited a new book on veganism. [Voracious/Seattle Weekly]

• People who drink two or more sodas a day have an increased risk of pancreatic cancer, according to a new study from the University of Michigan. [NYP]

• Canadian McDonald's have added new menu items for the Olympics, including a s'mores pie and a chicken parmesan wrap. [CityPages]

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Filed Under: mediavore, mcdonald's, moby, necco

Justin Timberlake Shows Off His Julia Impression at Upstairs on the Square

Leila Cohan — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 22:00:00 GMT

It was a star-studded week in the Hub, but no celebrities were more prominent than Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel who managed to hit four of Boston's top restaurants while in town for just a few days. Elsewhere, Alicia Sacramone and Brady Quinn were spotted in Somerville, and in perhaps the best random appearance of the week, a Japanese hip hop star got ice cream with a Harvard professor. Sure!

]]> District: Ming Tsai, Chris Collins, Ace Gershfield and Frankie Stavrianopoulos schmoozed. [Names/Globe]

Harvest: Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake dined on roasted chicken breast, a cod sandwich, the beet salad, ginger snaps, and chocolate cookies. [Names/Globe]

Henrietta's Table: Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel ate at the locavore spot while staying at the Charles Hotel. [Inside Track/Herald]

Legal Sea Foods: Dan Aykroyd and his wife supped on oysters. [Inside Track/Herald]

No. 9 Park: Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel dined together. [Inside Track/Herald]

R.F. O'Sullivan's: Alicia Sacramone and boyfriend Brady Quinn stopped in (hopefully for a burger!). [Inside Track/Herald]

Rino's: Deval Patrick dined with Anthony Petruccelli, John Nucci, Sal Lamattina, and Paul Scapicchio at their weekly lunch. [Inside Track/Herald]

Teatro: The cast of the touring production of Dreamgirls (including American Idol runner-up Syesha Mercado celebrated opening night at the restaurant. [Inside Track/Herald]

Toro: Former New York Times critic Frank Bruni indulged in a long dinner. [Inside Track/Herald]

Toscanini's Ice Cream: Japanese hip hop star Hikaru Utada popped in with Harvard Japanese studies professor Ian Gondry. [Inside Track/Herald]

UpStairs on the Square: Dan Aykroyd and his wife spent a leisurely lunch drinking wine instead of crystal skull vodka. [Inside Track/Herald]
While dining with Jessica Biel, Justin Timberlake busted out his best Julia Child impression. [Names/Globe]

Woodward: Jennifer Coolidge dined with a large group including Providence mayor David Cicilline. [Inside Track/Herald]

]]> Read more posts by Leila Cohan

Filed Under: celebrity settings, dan aykroyd, deval patrick, district, frank bruni, harvest, henrietta's table, jessica biel, justin timberlake, legal sea foods, ming tsai, no 9 park, rino's, teatro, toro, toscanini's, upstairs on the square, woodward

Inside the Bocuse D’Or USA Finals

Helen Rosner — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 21:15:00 GMT

from Grub Street New York

]]> ]]> The Bocuse D’Or USA finals yesterday in Hyde Park resembled Iron Chef. The twelve-chef tournament is a kitchen-versus-kitchen competition in front of a live audience, judged by culinary luminaries, with a limited set of central ingredients (salmon, lamb) and a stressfully restrictive time limit (3.5 hours). But the converted gymnasium at the Culinary Institute of America was no Kitchen Stadium: Instead of engaging with the audience and performing for the cameras, competitors worked in stoic isolation, separated from the audience and one another in Plexiglas kitchen cubicles, while in-house video crews caught every move for the large projection screens hanging overhead.

]]> The four chefs cooking in the first heat of the finals began their day at the ungodly hour of 6 a.m., so when we strolled on to the CIA campus just past 10, competition was already well underway. The real action came later, during the tastings at the end of each heat, when the fifteen chef-judges took their seats (arranged alphabetically, Achatz to Ziebold), whipping the crowd into a cheering, live-tweeting, camera-brandishing frenzy. White-gloved porters marched platters of proteins down the line and Café Boulud executive chef and former Bocuse competitor (2007) Gavin Kaysen provided a Miss America–style voice-over on each dish’s composition and the competitor’s professional background. Only eleven chefs served their food — Philadelphia's Jim Burke, of James, was disqualified after he didn't finish his platters in time. James Kent, the sous-chef at New York's Eleven Madison Park, won the opportunity to represent his country in France next year.

Watch our slideshow to see the real draw of the day for starstruck CIA students: the staggering amount of culinary wattage.

]]> Read more posts by Helen Rosner

Filed Under: bocuse d'or, cia, daniel boloud, slideshow, thomas keller

Boston Beer Works Expands Southward

Leila Cohan — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:00:00 GMT

Chilli and chips at Boston Beer Works]]> Boston Beer Works will open its fifth branch in Hingham, reports the Patriot-Ledger. The new location, which will actually be called Hingham Beer Works, will open this summer in the same Shipyard complex as ~~Johnny Drama~~ Paul Wahlberg-helmed Alma Nove. Between Hingham Beer Works, Alma Nove, and the Summer Shack outpost that opened this fall, Hingham is fast becoming the South Shore's biggest dining destination.

Boston Beer Works Owner is Opening a Restaurant in Hingham [Patriot-Ledger via Boston Restaurant Talk]

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Filed Under: boston beer works, empire buiding, hingham, openings

Alice Waters’s Lazy Sunday

Jay Barmann — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:09:39 GMT

from Grub Street San Francisco

]]> Alice takes idyllic Sunday strolls into the Berkeley hills.]]> "I sometimes come by the restaurant and talk to the cooks. I sometimes walk to a bookstore... Mostly I just stay home. It’s the one time I feel like I can exhale, and just get ready to begin again." — Slow-food evangelist and Chez Panisse proprietor Alice Waters in the Times' Sunday Routine column. [NYT]

]]> Read more posts by Jay Barmann

Filed Under: quote of the day, alice waters, chez panisse, new york times

Mayor Menino Isn't on Team Shake Shack

Leila Cohan — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 19:00:00 GMT

New York's original Shake Shack]]> Boston could be one step closer to a Shake Shack now that Mayor Menino has proposed legislation to allow fifteen year leases at the Pink Palace on the Common and the Duck House in the Fens, a move that the Parks Department hopes will encourage potential tenants to invest in the spaces. But don't get too excited for the Shack yet. "Pink Palace and Duck House are unique locations that a local chef or entrepreneur could potentially improve for the enjoyment of thousands of park visitors annually,” says Menino in his press release on the new legislation. Local chef or entrepreneur? Sounds like the Mayor is on Team No Shack.

With Menino's Backing, Park Makeovers on Tap [Official Site]

Earlier: Do Bostonians Want a Shake Shack?
Could the Fens Get Its Own Park Restaurant?

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Filed Under: waiting game, duck house, pink palace, shake shack

Bill Murray and Anthony Bourdain Go on a Man Date

Daniel Maurer — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:08:00 GMT

from Grub Street New York

]]> ]]> Bill Murray tends to show up in unexpected places, and his appearance on tonight’s aforementioned Hudson Valley episode of No Reservations is no exception. Here's a clip of Bourdain and Murray at X20 in Yonkers, and check out Tony’s blog for his story about riding shotgun with Murray (in an SUV, not a golf cart).

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Backstory [Tony's Travel Blog/Travel Channel]

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Filed Under: tony tony tony, bill murray, no reservations, x20, yonkers

Todd English Tries to Forget 2009

Leila Cohan — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 17:00:00 GMT

]]> "It’s been a year of reinvention," understates Todd English in a massive Globe profile of the celebrity chef. To recap: English was named in no fewer than five lawsuits, including one filed by the landlord of his D.C. Olives; the owner of a Soho apartment he leased; the florist for his aborted wedding, a New York publicist; and, most bizarrely, a New York recording studio, which charges that English rented the studio and never paid. Are we missing out on a Todd English album?

]]> His wedding to Erica Wang was canceled, bringing with it tabloid accusations on both sides. He shuttered three restaurants: the aforementioned D.C. Olives, as well as the chain's Aspen outpost, and Fish Club in Seattle. Perhaps most damningly, his once stellar reputation as a chef has been tarnished. "The man is a near-genius as a chef. And yet people who are near-geniuses are often the ones whose food is hardest to translate into mass production. I think his restaurants are okay...I just get disappointed by seeing a truncated version of what a great chef might do," says GQ critic Alan Richman, who calls himself English's "greatest fan."

So how does English plan to recover from his terrible, horrible, no good, very bad year? With more projects, of course! In addition to Boston's forthcoming Curly Cakes, he's planning a food court in New York's Plaza, a restaurant in Vegas, a line of children's food, a TV show pilot, and a line at Club Monaco. One project that's off the table: his long awaited (since 2007!) Boston burger bar.

Plenty Cooking in Todd English's Kitchen [Globe]

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Filed Under: back of the house, todd english

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que’s Expansion May Be Low and Slow

Daniel Maurer — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:42:00 GMT

from Grub Street New York

]]> ]]> Don’t get too excited about Dinosaur Bar-B-Que’s expansion just yet. After getting the latest from John Stage about the waterfront location that opens upstate this summer, the Troy Record informs: “As for whether there will be any further expansions of the chain in the future, Stage said that remains unclear. ‘I never say anything until I feel it,’ he said, noting that, with the Troy opening and moving his Harlem location across the street in New York City, he couldn’t see himself opening another location right away.”

The man behind Dinosaur Bar-B-Que [Troy Record]

]]> Read more posts by Daniel Maurer

Filed Under: empire building, dinosaure bar-b-que, john stage, troy

Andrew Zimmern Endorses Cambridge Candidate; Ocean Spray Creates Cranberry Spectacular

Leila Cohan — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 14:00:00 GMT

• Bizarre Foods host Andrew Zimmern endorsed childhood friend Mike Albano for State Senate. [Cantabrigia]

• Ocean Spray will create a "cranberry spectacular" at the Olympics — thirteen million berries floating in the shape of the Olympic logo. [Herald]

• MTV is desperately trying to rein in the Jersey Shore cast's club appearances, but to little avail. [NYP]

• Health's December issue recycled recipes from Real Simple. [NYT]

]]> • Consumers are responding favorably to ads touting the health food benefits of fast food chains. [NRN]

• The Chinese government is searching for 100 tons of tainted milk powder that's already on the market. [WSJ]

• Wal-Mart may launch a line of private label spices, which could be a big problem for McCormick. [WSJ]

• The FDA may change standard serving sizes to more accurately reflect how much Americans eat. [NYT]

• In an effort to combat the Northeast's crumbling dairy industry, some dairy farmers are banding together in co-ops. [NYT]

• Houston has recently developed a world-class food scene. [NYT]

• New Albany, Mississippi, William Faulker's hometown, is about to legalize the sale of beer for the first time in over fifty years. [NYT]

• The USDA will tighten requirements on companies that provide meat for school lunches. [USA Today]

]]> Read more posts by Leila Cohan

Filed Under: mediavore, andrew zimmern, china, health, ocean spray, real simple, snooki, spam, walmart

Sportello’s Serving Donuts, Duck Hash at New Brunch

Leila Cohan — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 23:00:00 GMT

]]> Starting tomorrow, you can spend weekend mornings feasting in Fort Point once Sportello launches brunch. The menu includes homemade donuts, eggs Benedict with prosciutto cotto, and corned duck hash with a slow-cooked egg. Brunch runs fro 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. every weekend. Now if only Drink would open at the same time.

]]> Read more posts by Leila Cohan

Filed Under: game changers, brunch, fort point, sportello

What to Eat at Raymond Southern's Stanhope Grille

Leila Cohan — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 22:00:00 GMT

The Stanhope Grille]]> Raymond Southern has taken the helm at The Stanhope Grille, spokesperson Nicole Russo tells us. Southern comes to Boston by way of Vancouver, where he's an alum of restaurants Umberto Menghi, Bruno Marti, and William Tell. His new menu at Stanhope is (shock!) locavore and seasonally influenced and the dishes are pretty elaborate: think duck confit with Concord grape jelly cabbage (!) and foie gras brown butter caramel (!!), or flat iron steak with lobster hash.

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Appetizers
Winter Soup of the Day
Lobster Bisque with Cognac Cream
Stanhope Grille Signature Item
*House Cured Whiskey Salmon
K. E. Farm’s maple syrup-mustard drizzle,
black bread crouton and pickled red onion
Roasted Pumpkin and Rosemary Risotto
Irish bacon, spiced walnuts and
shaved Pecorino, Sangiovese foam
Mussels and Frites
Chorizo, fennel and cherry tomatoes
in Garnacha Tinta broth, crispy sweet potato frites
Brandt Farms Sirloin Cut Steak Tartare
Burgundy jus, anchovy and flat leaf parsley gremolata,
organic brown egg yolk, grilled brioche
Cheese and Charcuterie
Locally procured and family produced

Salads
Brussels Sprouts and Frisee Salad
Meyer lemon and Gorgonzola dressing,
crispy lardons and savory baguette frites
Roasted Beet and Winter Squash Salad
Arugula, radicchio, aged balsamic and toasted pumpkin seeds
Charred Radicchio Salad
Glazed pears, Twig Farm’s Goat Tomme,
reduced balsamic and carrot greens oil
Romaine Hearts Caesar Salad
House made dressing, soft poached egg with Reggiano
and aged black garlic, crispy focaccia crouton

Main Dishes
and Foie Gras *
Yellow cauliflower purée, sautéed sweetbreads and chanterelle
cream, port macerated cherries
Seared Yellowfin Tuna *
Smoked paprika, chipotle and roasted pimento aioli, yellow turnip
mash, flash fried bitter greens, crispy fried capers
Olive Oil Poached Chatham “Day Boat” Cod *
Plum tomato and caperberry stew, quick fried winter vegetable slaw,
artichoke purée
Crispy Skin All Natural Duck Breast
and Leg Confit *
Concord grape jelly cabbage, savory stock reduction,
foie gras brown butter caramel
Grilled Brandt Farms Flat Iron Steak *
Lobster hash with root vegetables and Burbank potatoes,
green olive chimichurri
Pan Roasted Misty Knoll Half Chicken
Tomato confit with eggplant, capers, and lentils, broccoli rabe,
Manchego basil pesto, roasted pine nuts
Roasted Bone-In Brandt Farms Fillet Steak *
Red wine and charred marrow pan sauce, lemony garlic
mashed fingerlings
Colorado Lamb Chop and Braised
Vermont Shoulder *
Wilted kale and Swiss chard, sage and garlic cranberry beans,
cherry tomato confit
PT Farms Grilled Pork Chop *
Vermont thick-cut chop with apple and sour cherry compote,
roasted parsnips, mulled cider mayonnaise
Roasted Foraged Mushrooms and Ricotta Ravioli
Toasted hazelnut and brown butter sauce, crisp
fried spinach leaves

Sides
Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Chèvre cream, crispy pancetta, aged balsamic reduction
Fire Grilled Portobello Mushroom
Manchego fondue
Creamy Quinoa
Seasoned winter vegetables, grated Romano
Mashed Fingerling Potatoes
Cabot Creamery's Clothbound Cheddar

]]> Read more posts by Leila Cohan

Filed Under: menus, back bay, raymond southern, stanhope grille

Is Molecular Gastronomy Here to Stay?

Helen Rosner — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:30:14 GMT

from Grub Street Chicago

]]> El Bulli's galletas de arroz y parmesano: just a fad?]]> Living, as we do, in the oh-em-gee game-changing moment in which Ferran Adria is temporarily shuttering El Bulli means that it's the perfect time to pause and reflect on whether molecular gastronomy is here to stay. Which is exactly what the Wall Street Journal does, checking in with chefs across the world for their take on the scientifically manipulative style of cooking. Fergus Henderson doesn't really get the appeal; British chef Hélène Darroze finds it creative and meritorious; outspoken Adria critic Santi Santamaría thinks it's "a byproduct of a sick society." We're assuming Tom Colicchio's staying far away from this one, having said plenty in that infamous Diet Coke ad.

The State of Molecular Cuisine [WSJ]

]]> Read more posts by Helen Rosner

Filed Under: trends, el bulli, fergus henderson, ferran adria, helene darroze, molecular gastronomy, santi santamari, tom colicchio

What to Eat at Cutty's, Opening in Brookline Village Next Week

Leila Cohan — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 20:00:00 GMT

]]> Cutty's, the sandwich shop from former Gourmet staffer Charles Kelsey that we told you about in October, will open next week and we've got a sneak preview of the menu. The focus here is on classic sandwiches with creative touches, like egg salad topped with radishes and oven-dried olives. Kelsey tells us, however, that if all that sounds a little too creative, the Cutty's staff will be happy to make you a plain egg salad sandwich. There's a nice selection of soups and snacks (including pimento cheese spread!), but the menu's most exciting entry may be the porchetta sandwich with garlic confit and pickled fennel that will be served each Saturday. Cutty's is slated to open at 284 Washington Street on Wednesday.

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BREAKFAST MENU
egg-potato sandwich with housemade pork sausage
new york-style crumb cake
morning buns
muffin of the day
greek-style yogurt with honey
housemade granola
seasonal fruit
bagels and toast
hand-squeezed orange juice
drip and pour-over coffee
freshly brewed hot tea

LUNCH MENU

Sandwiches
chicken breast, aged provolone, red pepper tapenade
roast beef, caramelized onions, real thousand island
swiss chard, toasted garlic chips, fried haloumi
mortadella, sopressata, provolone, olive salad
ham, pimento cheese, bread-n-butter pickles
turkey, swiss, shredded iceberg, bell’s mayo
egg salad, radishes, oven-dried olives
classic chicken salad with cracklins
porchetta, garlic confit, pickled fennel (only on saturday)

Soups
roasted cauliflower with curry
chicken with dill noodles
rancho gordo heirloom black bean
carrot with saffron

Salads
simple field greens
wheat berries, beets, walnuts
chickpeas, carrot, cilantro
white beans, tuna, shaved celery
israeli couscous, olives, tomato confit

Snacks
cutty’s handmade potato chips
pimento cheese spread
roasted artichoke dip
the best chocolate chip cookies
fully loaded rice krispies treats

Drinks
hand-squeezed lemon limeade
freshly brewed iced tea

Earlier: Goodbye Franky's, Hello Cutty's

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Filed Under: menus, brookline, brookline village, cutty's foods, openings

New Doc Details Tool Frontman as Winemaker

Hadley Tomicki — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 18:27:00 GMT

from Grub Street Los Angeles

]]> ]]> Wine devotees and fans of demonic noise-rock finally have a reason to unite. Next week, the documentary Blood Into Wine will debut in a few small theaters, chronicling the journey of Tool and Perfect Circle front-man Maynard James Keenan after he abandoned Los Angeles to become a winemaker in Arizona. The trailer shows Keenan digging in dirt, looking intensely at his own wine bottles, Mila Jovovich, and just about everything else that could bring warmth to his tortured soul, including a quick sesh with comedians Tim and Eric. The whole show appears to portray wine-making as an earthy extreme sport dominated by sweaty men of powerful egos. Just like rock and roll! Check out the trailer here.

]]> ]]> Read more posts by Hadley Tomicki

Filed Under: video feed, arizona, caduceus cellars, maynard james keenan, oenophile, perfect circle, tool, wine