Left at the Fork

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Author: Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle (Page 12 of 61)

Hot Chicken and Waffles, served at Joella's Hot Chicken of Louisville, KY. A second location is coming to Lexington next week.

Is Nashville Hot Chicken Going Viral?

January 20, 2016 / / 0 Comments

Super-hot-spiced fried chicken has been percolating along quietly in Nashville, TN for, oh, about 80 years. Through the decades the fiery bird received little national attention nor, for that matter, all that much local attention. Suddenly, within the last two or three years, the yardbird has flown the coop and is nesting in spots like New York City, Lexington, KY, and Birmingham, AL. Why now? Or, more to the point, what took so long? All it takes is a taste for a lifelong love affair. We know; we’re addicts as well. Continue reading

Dalessandro's has been on the short list of candidates for the title of best cheesesteak for ages.

Villanovan Names Dalessandro’s Top Cheesesteak

January 19, 2016 / / 1 Comment

A story in the student-run Villanova paper performed a taste test of Philly cheesesteaks. Dalessandro’s was chosen as the best of the four they sampled, which also included Pat’s, Geno’s, and Jim’s (we like all four of these spots but there is stronger competition around the city, guys). They like how Dal’s finely dices the meat, leaves the onions in large pieces, adds a generous smear of Cheez Whiz, and lays it all on the largest roll of the four. (Hopefully, by the time writers Molly and Austin graduate Villanova they’ll have learned the difference between compliment and complement.)

French toast with blueberries at Newtown, CT's Blue Colony Diner

Challah and Matzoh Ball Soup

January 18, 2016 / / 0 Comments

You probably don’t expect to find superlative challah and matzoh ball soup at a Connecticut diner, but here it is at the Blue Colony in Newtown. The Fairfield Daily Voice is running daily profiles all this week of the five diners that are finalists in their reader poll to determine Fairfield County’s best diner. Today’s look at the Blue Colony also praises the Reuben, giant cookies, and Belgian waffles, as well as the attentive, longtime waitstaff. Voting will run through the 25th.

“Pizza, A Love Story” – Movie About New Haven Pizza Due Out in 2016

January 17, 2016 / / 0 Comments

Last year we had Deli Man, a movie about Jewish delis, and Famous Nathan, a film about the founding of Nathan’s in Coney Island, NY. In production for release this year is Pizza, A Love Story, which will tell the story of pizza in New Haven, CT, focusing on the big three: Pepe’s, Sally’s, and Modern. We’re excited! Have a look at the first trailer (is that actual footage of Frank Pepe kneading the dough??? Sure looks like him!): Continue reading

A half-sausage pie at Sally's. Perfectly round pies in New Haven? Not likely.

More on the Potential Sale of Sally’s Apizza in New Haven CT

January 16, 2016 / / 0 Comments

Sally’s Apizza of New Haven is for sale, sort of. We wrote a bit about the subject last month because New Haven pizza fascinates us and, although we’ve never dined at Sally’s (we’re Pepe’s white clam fanatics), we recognize that it holds a significance in the story of American pizza almost equal to that of Pepe’s. Well, the Sally’s drama has made it to the pages of The New York Times and, while there’s very little substantive information in the story that we did not already know (save for the fact that a judge has freed Sally’s owners to find a new buyer if they choose), Sally’s current state of affairs is summed up nicely. Continue reading

"All Baking Done On Premises" proclaims Newtown's Blue Colony Diner.

Vote for Fairfield County CT’s Best Diner

January 15, 2016 / / 0 Comments

Do you love the 24-hour 2007 diner Elmer’s in Danbury? Or are you a regular at Westport’s Sherwood Diner? Maybe your diner is the 1921 Orem’s of Wilton (one of our favorites)? Or is it the 1973 Blue Colony in Newtown (another favorite of ours)? If you are like 39% of the Fairfield Daily Voice’s poll respondents, your favorite Fairfield diner is the Monroe Diner of Monroe, currently the poll leader. Those five diners are the finalists. If you have an opinion on the subject, head over to the poll website and register your preference. One vote per day is permitted. The Daily Voice will be running profiles of all five diners next week.

Shake Shack will be taking their act to L.A. for one night only.

One Night Only Shake Shack Pop-Up in LA

January 14, 2016 / / 0 Comments

Shake Shack announced last year that they would be entering the Los Angeles market sometime in 2016. That first area Shack should be open in West Hollywood by late spring. But there’s no need to wait! On Monday, January 25th, from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m., the restaurant Son of a Gun, at 8370 West 3rd Street in Los Angeles, will host a Shake Shack pop-up. ShackBurgers, crinkle-cut fries, and a whoopie pie dessert will be on the menu that evening. Mark your calendars if you want to see what all the fuss is about.

A Schwartz's Deli smoked meat sandwich

When You Think of Montreal Cuisine You Think of Jewish Food. Why?

January 13, 2016 / / 0 Comments

Quick, what foods do you identify with Montreal? You probably named poutine, that French fry, cheese curds, and gravy amalgam but, unless you have an intimate knowledge of the city, everything else you thought of is probably Jewish food, like bagels and smoked meat. Why is that? Given that only two percent of Montreal is Jewish, how did so much of Montreal’s culinary identity come to mean the city’s Jewish culinary identity? Continue reading

Mr. Goerdt's country pate begins with coarse-grind Berkshire pork. He adds his own bacon, onion, Berkshire pork liver, brandy, and herbs and spices.

Northern Waters Smokehaus Spinning Off Restaurant in Duluth

January 12, 2016 / / 0 Comments

Perhaps you’ve been fortunate enough to sample Eric Goerdt’s house-smoked salmon or whitefish, or some of his smoked ham and bison pastrami. Even if you’ve never been to Duluth, Minnesota, Northern Waters Smokehaus‘ reputation may have spurred you to place an order by mail. Or maybe you’ve paid a visit to his place in the DeWitt-Seitz Marketplace and enjoyed a Banh Faux Mi (smoked Berkshire ham, country pâté, quick pickles, Smokehaus kimchi, cilantro, hoisin, chili sauce, and butter on a hero roll) or The Big Dipper (smoke-roasted MN Berkshire porketta, provolone, peperoncini, green olives, and butter on stirato) – all meats made in house. You may have wondered, could it possibly get any better than this? Well, we’re all about to find out! Continue reading

"Inspired by the culture of the 1960s," The Mercury opens tomorrow in Atlanta's Ponce City Market.

’60s Cuisine Coming to Ponce City Market in ATL

January 11, 2016 / / 0 Comments

Ponce City Market is rapidly evolving into one of Atlanta’s major culinary destinations. Opening tomorrow: The Mercury, “inspired by the culture of the 1960s.” Chef Mike Blydenstein will be offering “perfectly executed classic American entrees.” (Lobster fritters with cheddar cheese and tarragon mayo? Grilled asparagus béarnaise? He’s got our attention!) Atlanta’s Bartender of the Year for 2015 (says Eater), Julian Goglia, is heading up a bar program “inspired by the relaxed glamour of mid-century cocktail culture featuring house made ingredients.” Dinner only this first week; lunch will be added next week.

Duff's, of Amherst NY, slogan: Medium is hot! Medium hot is very hot! Hot is very very hot!

Duff’s or Anchor?

January 10, 2016 / / 4 Comments

The show aired for one season, 22 episodes in 2010. The Travel Channel’s Food Wars would pit a city’s two big players in a local signature food item against each other, and, amazingly enough, name a winner. Perhaps that’s why the show lasted only one season: it’s hard to see how any iconic restaurant would allow itself to be named a loser on national TV. The inaugural episode took place in Buffalo, NY, where Anchor Bar faced Duff’s in a Buffalo wing competition. Anchor is generally thought to have invented the hot wing, while Duff’s is Anchor’s most famous competition in the region. Continue reading

Tamarack farms Lamb Burger topped with fresh baby arugula, smoked feta, fire roasted red peppers, and pickled red onions - from Worthy Burger, named the source of the best burger in Vermont

Top Burger in Every State

January 9, 2016 / / 4 Comments

Hubcap burgers at Cotham’s in Arkansas… the original burger on toast at Louis’ Lunch in Connecticut… thin, crisp-edged burgers at The Workingman’s Friend in Indiana…green chile cheeseburgers at the Buckhorn Tavern in New Mexico… these are four of the 51 burgers selected as the best in each state by Business Insider. The selections are apparently a research and compilation job, in which most of the burgers were named in a previous local media poll or competition. Nonetheless, it’s a mouthwatering project to peruse for American burger lovers.

If the Steelers win, Gold Star coneys and chili will be part of the package delivered to the mayor of Pittsburgh.

It’s Graeter’s vs. Primanti on Saturday

January 8, 2016 / / 0 Comments

Our fascination with mayors’ wagers over sporting events continues: the Cincinnati Bengals play the Pittsburgh Steelers in an NFL playoff game Saturday, and the mayors of both cities have put up their towns’ signature foods in support of the home teams. Cincinnati’s buffet is headlined by Graeter’s ice cream, which will be accompanied by chili and coneys from Gold Star and unspecified food from the Montgomery Inn (known for their ribs). The Pittsburgh cache features Primanti’s sandwiches and other items from Heinz, Dream Cream ice cream, and Smiley Cookies. We’re giving the edge to Cincinnati, food-wise.

A Cornish pasty as made at Cousin Jenny's is about a pound of meat and vegetables wrapped in crust, guaranteed to sate any appetite.

The Cornish Miner’s Friend

January 7, 2016 / / 0 Comments

Cornwall, England had been known for their tin and copper mines for centuries. When the Cornish mining industry eventually declined starting in the mid-19th century, Cornish miners, known as Cousin Jacks, went overseas looking for work in mines all over the globe. And where they went, their famous Cornish pasties followed. The pasties were made by miners’ wives, known as Cousin Jennies. These pasties, a hefty dough-wrapped pocket of meat and potatoes, served as a convenient and calorific meal down in the mines. The pasties are also delicious, which you can find out for yourself if you visit a part of the U.S. that is, or once was, known for mining. Continue reading

The mammoth open-faced Reuben at the Carnegie

Hopeful Signs at Carnegie Deli?

January 6, 2016 / / 0 Comments

The first positive signs of progress at NYC’s Carnegie Deli have emerged: workers have been seen cleaning the restaurant’s interior and sprucing the place up. Con Ed has also said they’ve approved the redone gas lines. The tenants who live upstairs have, thankfully, also just had their hot water turned back on (it was off since April!). Is it possible – is Carnegie Deli’s rebirth imminent?

Eat up, Buffalo Bills!

Primanti’s Thanks the Bills

January 5, 2016 / / 0 Comments

It took a victory by the Buffalo Bills Sunday against the New York Jets to enable the Pittsburgh Steelers to qualify for the AFC playoffs. Don’t think that Pittsburghers aren’t grateful. To express their appreciation, the original, Strip District location of Primanti’s (as in, fries and slaw in the sandwich) shipped a thank you package to the Bills’ front office yesterday, complete with a couple of Terrible Towels. Maybe one day Anchor Bar will have the chance to return the favor.

Chili cheese fries at the now-defunct Soul Dog

Poughkeepsie, NY’s Soul Dog Closed

January 4, 2016 / / 0 Comments

The scruffy urban dog house turned hipster, gluten-aware hot dog emporium known as Soul Dog, of Poughkeepsie, New York, closed in October and is unlikely to reopen in the city. There’s talk of possibly reopening at some point outside of the Poughkeepsie area. When we paid Soul Dog a visit in 2014, during its hipster incarnation, we were delighted with the inventively topped tube steaks and hand-cut fries. Thankfully, gluten-free was only an option, not de rigueur.

Chicken and waffles at the Bread and Ink means two Belgian pearl sugar waffles topped with a spicy buttermilk-battered chicken breast, served with lemon Parmesan cream sauce and genuine maple syrup.

The Story of Portland’s Bread and Ink Cafe

January 3, 2016 / / 0 Comments

It’s hard to imagine, looking at today’s thriving Hawthorne Boulevard in Portland, Oregon, that when Bread and Ink Cafe put down roots here in the ’80s, they were urban pioneers. Today, it’s a comfortable and welcoming stalwart in the neighborhood, with a menu that offers something for everyone, whether it’s Grilled Black Bean Cakes at breakfast, a burger with thick cut bacon and Tillamook cheddar at lunch, or rainbow trout and local white wine at dinner. Read more about the Bread and Ink in this local story.

Sam Jones BBQ serves the same chopped whole hog barbecue you'll find at Skylight in Ayden.

Skylight Inn BBQ Plus

January 2, 2016 / / 0 Comments

Pete Jones began smoking hogs over wood in Ayden, NC in 1947. The sorcery that combines hogs with the smoke from oak to produce whole-hog barbecue is still practiced today at Skylight Inn BBQ by three of Pete’s descendents, one of whom is his grandson Sam Jones. Today, there’s also chicken and a couple of sides and desserts but whole-hog Carolina barbecue is what it’s all about. When Sam Jones, who runs the pits at Skylight, became interested in expanding his offerings, he wisely chose not to tamper with Skylight’s success. Instead, he opened Sam Jones BBQ ten minutes away in Winterville. Continue reading

Carla Hall's Southern Kitchen is now serving up Nashville hot chicken in Brooklyn, NY.

A Brooklyn Love Letter to Nashville

January 1, 2016 / / 1 Comment

If Nashville hot chicken is your passion, and you live in NYC, you’re in luck because, come February, Carla Hall’s Southern Kitchen will be serving their signature spicy fried bird in Brooklyn. Carla Hall’s description of her new restaurant: “a slow-cooked, fast-served neighborhood eatery serving up old-fashioned southern comfort goodness.” Hot chicken is the star but the menu will feature much more from the Southern kitchen. Carla Hall’s Southern Kitchen is already dishing up hot chicken and sides at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center arena; the real restaurant will be found at 115 Columbia Street, between the Red Hook and Cobble Hill neighborhoods.

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