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Dining News Elsewhere: Finding Faux Gras, Radio Host Bobby Flay

BuzzEditor — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 16:16:00 GMT

– French pastry chef Gaston Lenôtre has died at 88. [Independent, NYT]
– Despite a recent dip, food prices ended 2008 up seven percent. [Reuters]
– PETA is offering $10k for anyone who can make a suitable faux gras. [Fork in the Road]

– LA is getting closer to nixing smoking on patios. [LAT]
– Not interested in eating squirrel? What about these other invasive species? [MP]
– Bobby Flay is a radio host too. [AP]
– DC restaurateurs are getting ready for an onslaught of business. [DC Examiner]
– Gordo needs more victims for the next round of Kitchen Nightmares. [Serious Eats]
– Starbucks are closing all over so why not buy a $45 million jet? [Seattle Times]
– Related: the Chicago public school system spent nearly $70k on 30 espresso machines, though 22 remain unopened and one has gone missing. [Chicago Tribune]
– Very possibly more than you ever wanted to know about Rocco Dispirito. [DBTH]
– Unfriend ten folks on Facebook, get a free whopper. [AHT]

Goodman's Good Deal

BuzzEditor — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:58:00 GMT

Goodman

photo: Cindy Chen

To celebrate their one month anniversary – an accomplishment in this economy – for the month of January Mayfair chophouse Goodman will be offering a complimentary bottle of their house wine to diners who order two courses each (a minimum of two diners, one bottle per couple). If your refined palate requires you to sip solely from fine labels, no problem. The steakhouse will simply deduct the price of their house wine from the bottle you prefer. To enjoy the deal, simply say "wine offer," at booking. No whispering necessary (020-7499 3776).

Obama, Critic-in-Chief?

BuzzEditor — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:12:00 GMT

Good thing Barack Obama kept his day job. Back when he was a young state senator in 2001, Obama participated in the first episode of Check, Please!, a Chicago public television program in which a group of locals compare notes on restaurants. But our president-elect's episode wound up on the cutting room floor since the producers felt he wasn't "amateur" enough (take that, Ms. Palin!). The footage was never used – until now. WTTW will air it January 16th on the show's 100th episode. In the meantime, you can enjoy Obama waxing on about Chicago’s Dixie Kitchen & Bait Shop – one of the city's Top Cajun-Creoles according to our survey – thanks to the wonders of the internet:

The rest of the video, and more Obama food news, after the jump.

Speaking of Obama and food, a decision still has not been made regarding the 44th president's White House chef (though we keep hearing whispers about Art Smith of Chicago's TABLE fifty-two and DC’s Art & Soul). That role, as our own Tim Zagat notes today on the Huffington Post, could easily be transformed into a "culinary impresario" who can help reshape the way Americans eat. On the other hand, they may all just head to ice-cream shop Ben & Jerry's – for the month of January, the company will sell "Yes Pecan" ice cream with proceeds going to Common Cause's Education Fund.

Whispering Sweet Savings at Mela

BuzzEditor — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:35:00 GMT

Sympathizing with diners who have little money to spend after the rough holiday season, Indian restaurant Mela has started off the new year with a steal of a deal. For the entire month of January, order from the à la carte menu at lunch or dinner, and receive 50% off the food bill. If you're wondering how to take advantage of this offer, the press release holds the secret: "simply whisper '50% off' to your server." Discounted food and an opportunity to seduce a waiter? Sounds ideal (020-7836 8635).

Dining News Elsewhere: Squirrel Snacks, Smoke-Free Virginia

BuzzEditor — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:24:00 GMT

– Anybody hungry for some squirrel? [NYT]
– Virginia restaurants may go smoke-free. [Washington Post]
– Your food coloring might actually be a crushed bug. [The Stew]

– No wonder sushi is expensive when a premium tuna sells for more than $100k in auction. [WSJ]
– IHOP is offering a "hungry consumer relief" plan. [NRN]
– The internet has a new food blog. [Internet Food Association]
– The restaurant in the Queens mansion once owned by Rudolph Valentino has a new operator. [Crain's]
– Vintage sodas! [Packagings of the World, via Serious Eats]

Adventurous Oenophilia

BuzzEditor — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:22:00 GMT

Marylebone's Galvin Bistrot de Luxe wants to take you on wine trip through France. A series of regional wine evenings, hosted by Phil Barnett from Les Caves de Pyrene, a leading wine importer, will be held downstairs in the intimate Le Bar. The first in the series, focused on Southern France, takes place on 19th January and begins with an apéritif maison followed by a four-course dinner with matching wines from the region (7 PM; £48 per person; to book, call Belinda Naylor, 020-7935 4007, or e-mail Belinda@galvinuk.com).

Gilmour Gives It Another Go

BuzzEditor — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:52:00 GMT

Christopher Gilmour, one of London’s most established restaurateurs, may no longer own his more famous venues (Christopher’s, The Enterprise), but he's recently opened Gilmour’s, a Modern British off Fulham Road; it’s a homely neighbourhood spot with eclectic decor, an easygoing menu that has ‘comfort’ written all over it and a well-priced, well-informed wine list.

9 Park Walk, SW10; 020-7349 6800

See a menu
Gone to Gilmour's? Write a review
Discover more new restaurants around London

Dining News Elsewhere: Rainbow Room Razes Grill, Trans Fat–Free Boston

BuzzEditor — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:51:00 GMT

– Amidst the recession and rising rents, the beleaguered Cipriani family is closing New York's venerable Rainbow Room's Rainbow Grill. [AP]
– Restaurateurs are looking for relief this year in rent and commodity costs. [NRN]
– Expect your food advertisements in '09 to be leaner, meaner. [WSJ]

– Trans fats are nearly extinct in Boston restaurants. [Boston Globe]
– After a Chicago Trib story, Whole Foods has pulled three "gluten free" products that weren't. [Chicago Tribune]
– When you aren't allowed the stuff as a kid, bad foods can look really good. [NYT]
– One night at New York's Eleven Madison Park in two minutes and 40 seconds. [Eater]
– When a puppy meets its cupcake clone. [Cute Overload]

Food and a Flick

BuzzEditor — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 16:57:00 GMT

Electric Brasserie

photo: Courtesy of Electric Brasserie

If you're low on cash after the holidays, but don't want to sit at home twiddling your thumbs, Electric Brasserie is offering a blockbuster of a deal. Mondays through Wednesdays, the Notting Hill restaurant and its neighbor, the Electric Cinema, are offering a three-course dinner and a movie ticket for £28.50 per person (020-7908 9696; reserve online).

Dining News Elsewhere: Milk Surplus, Restaurant Stocks Steady

BuzzEditor — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 16:17:00 GMT

The Buzz is on break until January 5, 2009.

– The recession has curiously led to a milk surplus. [NYT]
– And restaurant stocks are actually doing ok. For now. [NRN]
– 2008 was a banner year for New York restaurants. [NYT]
– And a big one for food media as well. [Serious Eats]
– Even so, enough with the 2008 wrap-ups. [Serious Eats]
– U.K. food firms are helping sponsor a massive new anti-fat drive. [Independent]
– Except for The Olive Garden, restaurant wait times are down at most restaurants. [NRN]
– So far, this is arguably the best food feud of 2009. [Eat Me Daily, via Grub Street]
– Quasi-trend watch: minor celebrity chef endorsements. [Eater]
– Wait, so maybe Diamond Jim Brady didn't eat as much as we've been led to believe? [NYT]
– Old advice still worth remembering. [Scouting NY]

Best of the Buzz, 2008 Edition

BuzzEditor — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 15:43:00 GMT

The Buzz is on break until the new year.

Chicago deep-dish pizza

photo: Emily Capo

From the historic U.S. election to the roller-coaster world economy, calorie counts to baconnaise, 2008 has been a tumultuous year. Here’s a look at some of the things we were Buzzing about over the last 12 months:

how to survive next year's inauguration
the best of Chicago's deep-dish pizza
12 must-see Manhattan murals
a trip to el Bulli
budget-friendly foodie staycations
behind the scenes at Top Chef
chatting with Joël Robuchon
the world of sustainable seafood
secrets of New York's sushi chefs
the ins and outs of shochu and sake
New York restaurants that weren't and never will be
how a restaurant menu is designed
Zagat turned 30

And that's just a sip of the soup! Here's hoping that 2009 will be just as exciting.

Dining News Elsewhere: Guac Shortage Coming, Prosecco's Popularity Problem

BuzzEditor — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 17:04:00 GMT

The Buzz is on break until the new year.

– An avocado shortage, possibly the biggest in 20 years, is looming this spring. [LAT]
– Prosecco is very popular these days. But without a defined region, like champagne has, everybody is making the stuff. [NYT]
– A Korean study may show a link between food additives and lung cancer. [BBC]
– Danny Meyer gives TV-style commentary while cooking. At home. Alone. [Bitten]
– Another stab at finding the hair of the dog. [WSJ]
– The short-lived pre-bottled Jamba Juice is dead. For now. [NRN]
– Early man didn't just hunt, he cooked out too. [LAT]
– Now you can eat like a Darwin. [Independent]
– McDonald's paid 1,000 people to line up for the release of the quarter pounder. [Japan Today]
– Eating champ Kobayashi failed to break the fruitcake record. [NYDN]
– Trying to return two-month-old salmon. [NYT]
– There is free chili waiting for the Obamas in DC. [Politico]

The Buzz Goes on Break

BuzzEditor — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 17:07:00 GMT

photo: Lalofont

Dear Readers,

Zagat Buzz is on break until January 5th, 2009, when we’ll be back with all the latest news and openings. Until then, we'd would like to wish you and yours happy holidays and a healthy, safe new year!

In the meantime, if you're still looking for places to go for the holidays, don't forget to check our Christmas and New Year's listings!

The Zagat Buzz Team

Outtake of the Week

BuzzEditor — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 16:43:00 GMT

Trying to be edgy, they fell off.

Dining News Elsewhere: Starbucks' Union Troubles, Celeb Chefs in the Kitchen

BuzzEditor — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 16:31:00 GMT

– Even restaurateurs have gotten wrapped up in the Madoff mess. [LAT]
– Starbucks lost its first round in court against a trio of baristas who wanted to start a union. [NYT]
– Most celebrity chefs don't really cook in their restaurants. [Forbes]

– Except when they do. [NYT]
– Craft distilleries of the U.S., mapped! [The Stew]
– The 2008 Presidential election, in food quotes. [Examiner]
– A new video game wants to teach you to cook. Sort of. [epi-log]
– It isn't too late to run out and get one of these absurd foodie gifts. [Endless Simmer]
– Would you like to try a McKielbasa? No? Then what about these other regional McDonald's meals? [Serious Eats]
– Truly, everything is better with bacon. [Diner's Journal]
– On Boxing Day competitive eating legend Takeru Kobayashi will try to eat five pounds of fruitcake in ten minutes. [SE: NY]