Yummr

From PAGE SIX TODAY (THIS IS WAYYYYY TOOOO GOOD!) GO BOURDAIN!!!

October 11, 2007 -- RACHAEL Ray is getting a royal dunkin' from Anthony Bourdain for her big-bucks endorsement deal with Dunkin' Donuts. The prickly chef and "Kitchen Confidential" author says of the Food Network cutie in next month's Outside magazine: "She's got a magazine, a TV empire, all these best-selling books - I'm guessing she's not hurting for money. She's hugely influential, particularly with children. And she's endorsing Dunkin' Donuts. It's like endorsing crack for kids." Bourdain adds: "I'm not a very ethical guy. I don't have a lot of principles. But somehow that seems to me over the line. Juvenile diabetes has exploded. Half of Americans don't have necks. And she's up there saying, 'Eat some [bleeping] Dunkin' Donuts. You look great in that swimsuit - eat another doughnut!' That's evil." Ray's rep shot back: "Anyone who knows Rachael and watches her on TV is aware she promotes balance and moderation, instead of living life in extremes. Her work addressing kids' and families' nutritional needs speaks for itself so we respectfully disagree with Anthony's opinion."

I'm sorry but this is just way too good not to post.

Glad recently held a photo shoot for the steamiest chefs which include Dave Lieberman, Sam Mason (of course) and Aaron Sanchez (hahahaaha).

 Directly from the gospel according to food, www.eater.com, Mr. Batali weighs in: 

Take the following quote from yesterday's summation of the battle between landlord and tenant, our restaurant Del Posto, at 85 10th avenue. I quote:

Since we've haven't mentioned this story in a while, let's review: In January of 2006 it became clear that Del Posto had violated their lease agreement by building in spaces not expressly listed in their least agreement (the extent of these violations wasn't clear) and that Somerset Partners intended to use these violations to get rid of the Batali/Bastianich restaurant and the sweetheart lease they'd negotiated on the space...

Even a cursory examination of the facts would have landed anyone -- such as all of the courts who ruled in our favor -- with the conclusion that it was nothing more than a classic shakedown. The Somerset Partners, after spending more than $1.3 million of their principals' cash unanswered and unsupported by even a morsel of gain, backed way down and off of the field to lick their wounds in their $40 million townhouses. What you did not read yesterday is that they sold the building 14 months later for something like a hundred million smackers in profit. So the reader has no option to assemble a version of the story that includes the Somerset partners' gain. Nobody is served in the end.

My broader point is that the casual and serious reader alike cannot possibly hold the anonymous blogosphere accountable. I think, in fact, many of the readers know this and enjoy the fun. But the blog is now a new partner, and this bit of shoddy journalism will be picked up and promulgated by the rest of the gray zone and march its merry way toward the center of the road. Eventually these blog posts become factual information lost in the sauce.

But, in the end, I do not hate the blogger. I just expect, and want, more from many of them.

—Mario Batali

Thoughts? 

So...I went to the Big Apple BBQ yesterday to see one of my TX favorites, the Salt Lick...It made me miss Austin (and Texas in general) So much I can't even stand it.

The highlights were: Chris Lilly (from Food Network) and his Big Bob Gibson BBQ and the Salt Lick.

Low points: TABLA BBQ..Danny Meyer, are you serious? And Blue Smoke, again Danny Meyer...I love 11 Madison but this man doesn't know anything about BBQ. 

Yes, you heard it right, kiddos.

The Starbucks gods have awarded Manhattan dwellers FREE Iced Coffee (12 oz, Tall) to any patron (1 per person, of course) tomorrow between 10 a.m. and Noon.

Go get them, you coffee nuts!

Note: Starbucks spends the most $$ annually enforcing, researching, and supporting FAIR TRADE. This makes them winners in my book, even if they are a chain. 

As for those of you in NJ...well...what can I say, the grass is always greener =)

As disgusting as they are by concept, I must admit they reign supreme in my heart..or at least my belly.

If you've been to NYC (or are lucky enough to live here) you have likely heard of the Corner Bistro. Nestled in the heart of the West Village, it is home to greasy burgers, even greasier fries, a jukebox that is 90 percent jazz/blues, a bartender who has more stories than your grandmother, and super cold, super cheap draft beer.

If you DON'T happen to live in NY or visit it, I am sure there is a burger spot just like this somewhere on a corner near you.

Probably isn't a good idea at 10 p.m. on a Saturday but it sure tasted good ;) 

I'm in search of the best place to grab a drink and a bite outdoors.

Any suggestions?

Citysearch is sooo not helpful.

I stumbled upon this site (again courtesy of the Eater boys--they are seriously on top of it!)

Anyhow you can link from there to buy really cute 'don't 86 #86" Chumley's gear (the profit of which goes to helping Chumley's rebuild).

Chumley's is in my neighborhood and a GREAT place, also one of the oldest bars in the country. It began as a speakeasy during prohibition and remains over 100 years later.

The chimley crumbled into the dining floor and as of now it is closed for months leaving employees and regulars (and troves and troves of tourists) without their beloved Chumley's. 

So buy a t-shirt and help save part of West Village (and really all of our) history.

Yep, it is that time of year again....the second annual Dining for Darfur event is happening. 

This SUNDAY, April 29th, you can go to any of the restaurants on this list and help the Darfur/Sudan causes:

http://www.diningfordarfur.org/restaurants.php

Not only are there yummy restaurants on the list, but they are donating 5% of their total sales to the Darfur cause. 5% isn't a lot...but it is a start. NYers have no excuse, there are like 40 awesome restaurants including Kuma Inn (an underground favorite!) and Tribeca Grill and the only decent mexican on 7th Avenue, Mercadito Grove (with 10 tacos for $20, why not?!)

Anyhow, there are restaurants participating from Boston and Tokyo and even one in Hawaii! So there are no excuses. What a great cause =)