The Year That Was in Ed Levine's restaurant reviews. In May of 2008, I started posting official, definitive reviews, starting with the wine bar Terroir in the East Village. It's interesting how this column has changed as the year progressed.... More

Here's yet another serving of some delicious educational opportunities for the approaching weekend and the following week. All classes listed still have openings, but if you hear otherwise, please let us know. 'A Taste of Toscana: Chianti to Vin Santo'... More

A Great NYC Restaurant Year: Frank Bruni argues that 2008 was probably the best year for new restaurants in a long time. Enormous Amounts of Food: Diamond Jim Brady is routinely cited as the foremost eater of the Gilded... More

I know I just complained about the burger at The Iron Horse in Westwood, New Jersey, earlier today, but I couldn't leave its reputation on such a low note without mentioning their brownie sundae. It's not like there's anything... More

Photograph from ext212 on Flickr I’ve been known to eat tacos standing up at one of the numerous trucks and carts that line Roosevelt Avenue in Jackson Heights, but my go-to spot for Mexican food in Queens is Taqueria... More

Prime Meats. Photograph from food in mouth on Flickr Big-ass sandwiches from Prime Meats in Park Slope. The "Sal and Mel special" has sopressata, moradella, prociutto, mozerella, and roasted pepper. "There's something really great about buying a foot long... More

We continue our Year That Was retrospective with a look back at the trends that played out in New York City, for better or worse, as chronicled by Serious Eats New York. Here's 2008, in roughly chronological order. The David... More

Photograph by Robyn Lee Oatmeal is a beautiful thing. Even people who don't know my last name or anything else about me, know I am obsessed. So when Robyn found cans of the Avena Oatmeal Shake at Fine Fare,... More

Photograph from molito66 on Flickr Public Assembly in Williamburg is gonna party like it's recession-free 2009. The bar will have a 24-hour liquor license for New Year's Eve, with tickets ranging from $35 (basic access) to $70 (open bar... More

Guilty pleasures? Bullet-proof Chinese delivery from Sunny Garden. Obviously not local or pastured but chock-full of MSG. I like them because they change their oil more than any of the other places so their egg rolls don't taste stale. Editor's... More

Spinach. Photograph from Clearly Ambiguous on Flickr Green-Eyed: Salad, greens, sprouts, spinach, herbs, and root vegetables are available at the Union Square Greenmarket [Lucy's Greenmarket Report] Mary Had a Little: Leftover lamb from Union Square's Greenmarket works well in this... More

In the mornings, I often want just a little something tasty with my coffee, not a muffin the size of my head or a cinnamon roll that’ll leave me feeling weighed down all day. So I’ve always been a fan of the mini-pastry: ideally adding a bit of sweetness to my morning and less than a dollar to my bill. More

Prosecco Protection: Today, about 60 percent of all prosecco comes from producers outside the traditional prosecco-growing region of Conegliano-Valdobbiadene. Italian wineries want to defend their newly popular product’s name. Serious Elixirs: In the San Francisco Bay Area, a growing... More

Restaurant closings don't seem like a big deal anymore, but on New Year's Eve in 2004, when iconic New York restaurant Le Cirque closed its doors, it very much was. The 78-minute documentary Le Cirque: A Table in Heaven... More

And our look back at 2008 continues with The Year That Was on our New York site, Serious Eats New York. These are the Top 10 posts on Serious Eats New York in terms of pageviews. Think of it as... More

Does your digital camera contain more glossy shots of soup dumplings and hamburger innards, than actual people or foliage landscapes? Then head to the Photojojo Food Photo Safari this Sunday, December 28 to be with fellow food photographers. Brooklyn... More

Photograph from roboppy on Flickr Addicted to the sautéed string beans from Famous Sichuan in Chinatown. [The Girl Who Ate Everything] Indonesian food from steam table-style restaurant Java Village in Elmhurst. [Fork in the Road] Boiled Hainanese chicken with... More

A New Food Policy from Obama? For those wanting a massive change in food and agriculture, Obama might be the man. Less Champagne, More Bubbly: Lower-key expressions of seasonal joy that still hit the spot include 2004 brut from... More

If you're a serious eater living in New York City, the Sullivan Street Bakery's Jim Lahey should be one of your gustatory heroes. In recent years, Lahey and his merry band of bakers have greatly expanded beyond the initial trio of dough-based things into sandwiches and other foods that play to Lahey's strengths. More

Editor's note: This concludes our 12 Days of Hot Chocolate series. We end on the classic Jacques Torres. From left: "Classic" hot chocolate and "Wicked." Hardly distinguishable. ">Photograph from wallyg on Flickr Price: $3 (for eight ounces), $4 (for twelve... More

From left: Takeru Kobayashi photo from Wikipedia; fruitcake drawing from richardmasoner on Flickr Have you ever actually seen someone eat a fruitcake? Want to make up for lost time and watch professional eater Takeru Kobayashi stuff as many as... More

Despite the President-elect's disappointing pick of a pro-biotech, factory-farm-friendly Secretary of Agriculture, it does feel like change is afoot across this great land. And, more and more, people are using food to change the world around them. Because wrapped... More

If you like your sweets from an automobile, get on over to the Treats Truck (38th Street and 5th Avenue) between noon and 3:30 p.m. or the Dessert Truck (52nd Street and Park Avenue) between noon and 2:30 p.m. for... More

Photograph from specialkrb on Flickr Piles of meat, rye slices, the pickle plate, and a Dr. Brown's from Katz's Deli. [SE Flickr pool] Yum nam kao tod, the salad with pork, chicken skin, and crispy rice at Zabb Queens... More

Photograph from Eating In Translation on Flickr With a nibble of gingerbread here, a snowman-shaped sugar cookie there, my cookie tolerance is wearing thin. It's weird to be a borderline cookie hater right now, but I just need a... More

Editor's note: Every weekday until Christmas, we'll have a daily hot chocolate report for you. 'Tis the season. Today, the Shake Shack. Price: $4 for a nine-ounce cup The Deal: This remains one of my favorites throughout the hot chocolate... More

Wreath. Photo by littlerottenrobin. Meat and Eat: While many market regular farms have departed for the season, meat, in the form of lamb, poultry, and liverwurst, are up for grabs at the Union Square Greenmarket. [Lucy's Greenmarket Report] Season's Eatings:... More

I didn’t realize how polarizing panettone could be until this post two weeks ago. “A joyless mass of dry cake polluted with unpleasant bits of dried fruit”? Harsh words from the Guardian. I’ve always been a fan of panettone,... More

This is the last weekend to pick up Itzy Bitzy Patisserie's December line of French-style macarons from the Gifted holiday market in Fort Greene, Brooklyn. This month's flavors are chestnut, chocolate cranberry, double chocolate, rose raspberry litchi, gingerbread, and... More

The only proper way to celebrate the opening of a new butcher shop? A meat cake, clearly. In lieu of actual meat, this exceptional work of art was made of three layers of red velvet cake iced with buttercream,... More

Editor's note: Every weekday until Christmas, we'll have a daily hot chocolate report for you. 'Tis the season. Today, City Bakery near Union Square. Price: $4.50 for a regular (8 ounces), $5 with a homemade marshmallow, $2 for a shot... More

My search for the perfect farmers' market is never-ending and ever-changing. Sometimes I just want produce in a local parking lot; then again, I could go for a stand in some rural corner; other times, I look for something... More

There is something very warm about Les Halles on Park Avenue South. Maybe that it is always brimming with people and their accompanying body heat. Maybe it is the warm wooden shade of the walls. Maybe it is the fact... More

Woorijip. Photograph from nycblondieandbrownie on Flickr Pork soup with kimchi, pork, rice cakes, ramen, Spam, and hot dog pieces at Woorijip. [Blondie and Brownie] Tomato soup from Bread. [LUNCH] Arugula and ricotta salata salad in a vinaigrette dressing from... More

Chinatown dragons. Photograph by Tam Ngo 2nd Annual East Meets West Christmas Parade Saturday, December 20, 2:00 p.m. Celebrate the holidays cross-culturally, where Chinatown and Little Italy meet. Parade features dragon dancers, puppeteers, acrobats, and Italian and Chinese opera... More

Editor's note: Until Christmas, we'll have a hot chocolate report for you. 'Tis the season. Today, the fancy Vosges shop in SoHo. From left: Parisienne, Aztec Elixir. Price: $5 for eight ounces The deal: Vosges is responsible for Mo's... More

My friends I weren't planning to add a dessert to our already Chinese food-filled bellies at King Star Restaurant in Bay Ridge until I spied a waiter bring a plate of deep-fried mantou and condensed milk to a neighboring... More

Editor's note: We're back with another Happy Hour report from our happy hour bureau chief Linnea. On tap this week, the Levee in Williamsburg. The Levee could be considered a dive bar, save for the extensive line of single malt... More

All t-shirts available at Brooklyn Kitchen. From left: Soup, Turducken, and Pie-themed Pie Chart. We love our food-inspired apparel at Serious Eats, and believe they make great holiday gifts. Brooklyn Kitchen has these in stock, which are $20 and... More

Author's note: The Italian word sorella literally means sisters. No surprise then, when we approached the team behind the newly opened Sorella, owner/chef Emma Hearst and general manager Sarah Krathen wanted to do their interview together. This pair traveled together... More

As Lost City points out, the Egg Custard King Cafe in Chinatown and Ice Cream House in Borough Park are on the same wavelength. Whether it's a gargantuan cup or gargantuan ice cream cone, the goals here appear to... More

Hummus Kitchen. Photograph from nycnosh on Flickr Roasted cauliflower with green tahini and the super-simple, super-savory feta and beet salad at Hell's Kitchen's new Hummus Kitchen. [NYC Nosh] The New York Times chocolate-chip cookie recipe. [Ricestein on Flickr] Xiao... More

Every Wednesday we post delicious educational opportunities in New York for the approaching weekend and the following week. All classes listed still have openings, but if you hear otherwise, please let us know. What you can strive for at the... More

Rice Krispie treats are good, homemade ones are even better, and homemade ones topped with smooth layers of chocolate and peanut butter—wow, um, swoon. Robyn and I were on a 12 Days of Hot Chocolate mission at Baked in... More

Editor's note: Everyday weekday until Christmas, we'll have a daily hot chocolate report for you. 'Tis the season. Today, One Girl Cookies in Carroll Gardens/Cobble Hill nabe. Price: $2.25 for a small (10 ounces), $3.25 for a large to-go cup... More

In 2006, I was fortunate enough to study abroad in Mar del Plata, Argentina. Between Spanish classes and group excursions, I found myself filling the hours lying on the beach, eating and drinking wine. Not one of these things... More

Midtown Lunch is running a "Best ___ in Midtown" readers poll series as we round up the year, and today's topic: falafel. I know voting can get personal, but Ed told me his, and now I'm telling the world—Moshe's Falafel... More

It's All About the Butter: The most common mistakes made by home bakers have to do with the care and handling of this one ingredient. Hanukkah in a Paris Restaurant: Daniel Rose, whose tiny Paris restaurant is a runaway... More

Hasidic funeral nextdoor. The new but old-timey-looking sign went up at Marlow & Daughters yesterday, which is gearing up for a soft opening tonight at 5 p.m. and official opening tomorrow, according to Brooklyn Based. The space used to... More

I had not heard of or read about El Cocatero. Even googling it shed virtually no light on the restaurant. But Serious Eater Michele Humes shamed me into paying a visit there for the crispy green plaintain sandwich, patacones maracuchos, and goat. Even better, it was a mere ten minutes from Serious Eats World HQ. More

In the "Year in Ideas" issue of the New York Times Magazine, Amy Cortese informs serious eaters that, according to a credible published report, within 50 years China will be the leading wine-producing country in the world. Before I start... More

Editor's note: Everyday weekday until Christmas, we'll have a daily hot chocolate report for you. 'Tis the season. Today, the Dessert Truck, which scoots around Manhattan all week long. Price: $5 for eight ounces (there's only one size) The deal:... More

Lula's Sweet Apothecary opened back in October, but aside from a mention in Super Vegan, this vegan dessert parlor has remained under the radar. Tucked away on 6th Street in the East Village, the shop was empty on chilly... More

Craft brewer Phil Markowski of the Southampton Publick House. Burkhard Bilger’s recent New Yorker narrative on the extreme exploits of Dogfish Head breweries—including the recreation of an ancient ale with the aid of an archeological chemist—inspired me to reconnect... More

While I've known about the bacon-wrapped hot dogs from Crif Dogs for years, I never felt compelled to eat one. It's a combination of two things I only mildly enjoy: hot dogs and bacon. But brought together with the... More

This gift guide is for the New York food lover. Recipients can be New York expats or those who've never actually lived in the city but have come to appreciate quintessential Gotham foods. This year we've added a Brooklyn element, since there are so many skilled bakers, picklers, and cheesemakers opening shops and popping up at neighborhood farmers' markets, contributing to the budding artisan food scene in the borough. More

Photograph from Midtown Lunch on Flickr The only salad Zach will eat, aka a Greek salad from the cart on 55th St. between Park and Madison Ave. "The part that makes me smile the most: feta and 2 grape... More

Greenleaf Dollhouses In a New York Times Week in Review story Mark Bittman implores home cooks everywhere not to use the size of their kitchen as an excuse to not cook or to stop them from cooking altogether. Says... More

Not only was NYC's Calexico Cart a favorite among judges at this year's Vendy Awards, type-design team Nick and Adam Hayes name it as one of their favorites—but for reasons other than its food: We’ve also found this strange... More

From left: Marcus Samuelsson, Ed Levine, Gael Greene. After work tonight, Ed will be heading uptown to the 92nd Street Y to discuss "Food Finds and Trends" with Aquavit executive chef Marcus Samuelsson, the insatiable critic Gael Greene, and... More

Cured olive shortbread This cookie is the underdog of cookies. In terms of looks alone, Abraço's cured olive shortbread doesn't have the chocolate bacon hoo-haa New York confections have taken to tarting themselves up with lately. Like its more... More

Upstairs the Chelsea Market pavilion, the Food Network studios and test kitchens will no longer be off-limits. General public tours (about 45 minutes for $20) will start this Wednesday, December 17, with eight lined up before Thursday, January 15. To... More

Editor's note: This is part of the 12 Days of Hot Chocolate series over on Serious Eats: New York. Every weekday until Christmas, we're reporting on a different hot chocolate in New York City. 'Tis the season. Today, Dunkin'... More

Author's note: Reports on farmers' markets are scarce in December, so we had to rely on Lucy's Greenmarket Report for all the news this week. Thanks, Lucy! Maple. Photograph from SuziJane on Flickr. How Sweet: Syrups of every flavor are... More

As of a few months ago, Patisserie Claude was the sort of independent shop that hardly existed in Manhattan anymore—especially in the West Village, where skyrocketing rents have displaced many mom-and-pop operations. While the sometimes ornery, sometimes charming Claude... More

Potato Dumpling. Photograph from Food in Mouth on FlickrShang's steamed and crusted dim sum vegetable potato dumplings with swatow chili and soy juice are "booty soft." [Food in Mouth]Edwards Country Ham, sliced razor thin and topped with pickle Pear and... More

When Momofuku master David Chang goes to culinary bookstore Kitchen Arts & Letters (1435 Lexington Avenue, New York NY 10128; 212-876-5550; map), he unleashes his love for cookbooks. My favorite string of Chang words: "I mean, this is just... More

Le Tour du Chocolat: A decadent, two-wheeled tour of the best chocolate boutiques in Paris will take you to a molten chocolate fountain and to cocoa-dusted ganache. Helsinki’s Food Revival: It's all about local produce, fish and meat and... More

Dickson's Farmstand, Rick's Picks, and Itzy Bitzy Patisserie. Want to do some holiday shopping this weekend and buy local foods? Here are some markets to check out. Park Slope Holiday Market Saturday, December 13, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.... More

Editor's note: Everyday weekday until Christmas, we'll have a daily hot chocolate report for you. 'Tis the season. Today, the Chocolate Room in Park Slope. Chocolate-chip almond cake amuse-bouche Price: $4.50 for the "classic hot cocoa" (38% milk chocolate) and... More

Editor's note: Intern Linnea Covington proves her Serious Eats (and drinks) cred by finding bars with cheap bites and booze. She'll be chiming in regularly with intel on where to find a happy hour. Or many happy hours. Take it... More

Those who are steady readers of Sugar Rush on Serious Eats New York know of my great affection for Otto's gelato copettas. I keep a sharp eye out for menu changes and make sure no gelato flavor or copetta... More

"Food Coloring" design As mentioned earlier this week, the Architecture for Humanity New York is trying to save the future of the Red Hook ball field vendors by hosting "an open call for ideas" competition. The latest update: five... More

I always seem to hear about people asking each other where they should stop on the way from New York to Washington, D.C. and getting all sorts of lopsided advice. Yes, there are big diners here and there, but how... More

New York Times' City Room reports that celebrity chef Tom Colicchio was sued by a former Craftbar waitress in Federal court on Thursday. The waitress, Nessa Rapone, is accusing his company of "misappropriating employee tips, withholding some overtime pay and... More

Otto's Linguine Siciliani from roboppy on Flickr. Whether it's in or out, I don't know—and I don't care. To me, Mario Batali's Otto on 5th Avenue and 8th Street is the mecca for cheap, al dente Italian eats. I... More

Photograph of lunch at Soba-ya from roboppy on Flickr The generously portioned $17 lunch box from Soba-ya is worth every penny. [Fork in the Road] Yerba Buena serves a cubano sandwich in pizza form featuring Berkshire ham and pulled... More

In contemplation of cookie. Photograph by little miss amanda on Flickr. Cookie Takedown Saturday, December 13, 4:00 p.m. Enjoy cookies and cocktails at a boozy cookie-baking contest. Those competing are encouraged to bring two dozen or more. Prizes include... More

Earlier today, Tam filed a report about "crack chicken" at UiUi. But wait, cried fellow Serious Eater Alaina. "It's not UiUi, it's ViVi." The place has two Yelp profiles, one for each letter. "We been done wrong by the bubble."... More

Editor's note: For the next twelve weekdays until Christmas, we'll have a daily hot chocolate report for you. 'Tis the season. Today, the Roasting Plant in the Lower East Side. Price: $3.23 for small (eight ounces), $3.70 for medium... More

I'm a big fan of dark chocolate truffles, but they hardly get Sugar Rushed because it's rare that a truly fantastic one comes along. Decent ones are a dime a dozen, but finding those in the league of Kee's... More

Canto-pop stylin's, chicken crack, and Homer Simpson (the patron saint of takoyaki). Heading to dinner in Chinatown, I spied a paunchy Homer statue holding up a sign for takoyaki. Though unsuccessful in coaxing my boyfriend onto Homer's lap, I... More

Author's note: Joe Campanale has accomplished quite a bit for someone who hasn't even reached the tender age of 25. When he became a sommelier at Babbo, he was one of the youngest in the country. He holds an M.A.... More

Photograph from Kathy YL Chan on Flickr As a Park Sloper, I'm nervous about local businesses shuttering. It feels inevitable at this point. Earlier this year, the Tea Lounge on 7th Avenue poured its last Earl Grey, and yesterday,... More

Nicholas Kristof of the New York Times editorial page called on President-Elect Barack Obama to name a Secretary of Food instead of a Secretary of Agriculture. Amen, brother, amen. We need a cabinet post that is dedicated to bettering the... More

"I might wind up eligible for honorary Indonesian citizenship by virtue of eating here so often." Java Village, the latest addition to Elmhurst's vibrant Indonesian restaurant scene in Queens, was once a Chinese take-out. Not much has been done to... More

The Momofuku restaurant family is now offering restaurant-specific gift cards. The Ssam Bar ones can only be used at Ssam Bar (and Milk Bar), the Noodle Bar ones only at Noodle Bar, and same for Ko. But if you choose... More

The design professionals behind Architecture for Humanity New York must secretly love huaraches, ceviche, and other favorites from the Red Hook ball field vendors. The group is organizing a competition called, “Call for Ideas: A New Marketplace for the... More

Photograph from nycblondieandbrownie on Flickr Limited time only: candy cane cupcakes with a "great minty kick," from the Treats Truck. [Blondie and Brownie] Sopaipilla-like fried dough pillows, occasionally served at the Condé Nast cafeteria. [Chowhound] Smoked goose breast is... More

Every Wednesday we post delicious educational opportunities in New York for the approaching weekend and the following week. All classes listed still have openings, but if you hear otherwise, please let us know. 'Rabbit, Italian Style' at ICE Friday, December... More

Editor's note: For the next twelve weekdays until Christmas, we'll have a daily hot chocolate report for you. 'Tis the season. Today, Mario Batali's pizzeria Otto in Greenwich Village. Price: $8 for a ceramic Italian coffee mug's worth The... More

"Psst...that woman...she's taking our picture!" "Oh! The nerve." With that, the gaggle of fur-clad society blondes edged away from my table. Now, if I were a gossip reporter, Forty Carrots, the frozen yogurt source tucked inside Bloomingdale's seventh floor... More

Jean-Georges Vongerichten doesn't want us penny-pinching diners to fear the white tablecloth meals this holiday season. In a blog post titled "My Gift To You This Season," he says: "I'm offering prix-fixe lunch for $24 and prix-fixe dinner for $35... More

Drinking wine at Le Refuge des Fondus. New fondue restaurant La Cave des Fondus in Soho will serve wine and beer in a unique way: out of baby bottles. La Cave des Fondus is modeled after the famous Le Refuge... More

"Squawk, squaaawk." Photograph from Mark Wiewel on Flickr Marlow & Daughters—the butcher sibling of the Williamsburg meat-focused diner Marlow & Sons—isn't open yet (next Wednesday is the goal), but they will be taking pre-orders for Christmas geese once they... More

Great Meals for Two, Under $100: Frank Bruni eats out without breaking the bank and rhapsodizes about cheap meals. Bottom Up: A good wine list should offer thoughtful and exciting choices at every price level. Discount Lobster: Why eat... More

We got confirmation from Kenny himself this morning that Shopsin's is not moving. But after this post on Talk yesterday, we were a little bewildered: Friends were down at the Essex Street Market for the inaugural Sunday opening, and claim... More

City Bakery savory chef Ilene Rosen's focus on local, sustainably grown ingredients is laudable in theory but often falls short in execution. So when they announced they were extending City Bakery hours to 8 p.m., and serving what they are calling the New Bad Economy Beer Menu, I was intrigued. Could they make the transition from hot-chocolate mecca to lounge? More

Veselka Bowery, the institutional Ukranian diner's third location if you count the Little Veselka at First Avenue and 1st Street, won't open until next fall, but they will be serving booze. Last night at the Community Board 3 meeting, the... More

Over an evening meal with friends at Black Iron Burger Shop, we agreed that the burger was subpar, the fries were pretty awesome, the grilled cheese was even better, and the vanilla malted milkshake: nothing short of spectacular. With... More

Photograph from Adam "Slice" Kuban on Flickr Life isn't even good for cabbage these days. The Great Lakes Kraut Company in Shortsville, New York, is in danger, and will likely close by 2009, reports the New York Times. According... More

Remember Thu Tran? The 27-year old Brooklynite with an out-there online cooking show called Food Party, where fuzzy ice cream sock puppets rule? She's putting the finishing touches on a fourth webisode (sneak preview here), which will be more dramatic—have... More

To keep us warm and buzzed (the caffeinated kind), 'wichcraft is offering a half-off happy hour on all coffees between 3 and 6 p.m. daily. Sadly, this doesn't include the Bryant Park, Herald Square, or Greeley Square locations. Just the... More

Editor's note: For the next twelve weekdays until Christmas, we'll have a hot chocolate report for you. 'Tis the season. Today, the upscale SoHo chocolate shop, MarieBelle. Price: $6 for a small (4 ounces), $8 for a medium (8... More

We were curious about the new "naughty" and "nice" waffle additions at Wafels and Dinges, but alas, the truck is in the shop. Since it's a 1968 model, finding parts can be tough, so the wheels might be out... More

Brooklyn Flea will move indoors to 76 Front Street in Dumbo starting January 10 until March 29, 2009, and will stay open Saturday and Sunday between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Though "one or two interesting food trucks” will be... More

Photograph from jasonlam on Flickr Soy "fish" sandwich and barbecue "steak" sandwich on coco bread at Red Bamboo. [Me So Hungry] The caponata, full of soft eggplant and tomatoey flavor, at Kashkaval. [Life with Food and Drink] The 95¢... More

While it might seem sacrilegious to remove the stick part of the stick-pierced marshmallow step in roasting s'mores, it's allowed when you have a pizza peel baking stone (and a mobile wood-fired oven). Dave Sclarow of Pizza Moto added... More

Editor's note: For the next twelve weekdays until Christmas, we'll have a hot chocolate report for you. 'Tis the season. Today, we start with the gelateria Grom. Price: $5.00 for a regular (12 ounces), $6.50 for a large (16 ounces),... More

Editor's note: We hear again from Serious Eats community member BaHa, aka Barbara Hanson, who checks with us in now and again about the various little one-of-a-kind food stores and markets in New York. Here is her recipe for stuffed... More

Shake Shack's Madison Square Park location is now taking phone-ahead orders at 212-889-6600 with credit card payment. Every morning, phone lines will open at 9:30 a.m. (they don't officially open for lunch until 11 a.m.) and close at 8:30 p.m.... More

Crosnes. Photograph from @rgs on Flickr Environmentally Friendly Bulbs: Bulbs and roots, from fennel to potatoes, abound at the Union Square Greenmarket, as do winter squash and Brussels sprouts [Lucy's Greenmarket Report] Green Salad: Not Eating Out in New York... More

"Cross-cultural pollination at its best?" There are many things to love about little Panya Bakery in the East Village— its wide array of Japanese confections; its fluffy, milky white bread sold by the half-loaf; its almost eerily cheery counter girls.... More

Crispy pig, photograph by Tam Ngo. Sarah DiGregorio at The Village Voice's Fork in the Road blog has uncovered an easy alternative for holiday hosts and home-cooks: lechones! Lechones are suckling pigs, whole-roasted over charcoal and the toast of... More

Remember David Fishman, the 12-year old kid from the Upper West Side who got written up in the New York Times for being an aspiring food critic? Paramount Pictures has acquired the rights to the story to be adapted as... More

As promised yesterday, we got the lowdown on the City Bakery happy hour menu, which started today at 4 p.m. The menu includes $4 items (Old Bay butter popcorn, deviled eggs, and pimento-horseradish cheese with fried bread heels), $5 items... More

The newest addition to the line up of sweet fried dough at Doughnut Plant on the Lower East Side is none other than a crème brûlée-inspired creation. The doughnut was first brought to note in mid-November in the New... More

A map of New York City bars with fireplaces. A hot toddy would be so apropos.... More

Queens has so many ethnic eateries that it’s hard to keep track of new prospects. Sometimes I return to a restaurant only to find that it’s disappeared, as if I’d imagined the whole thing. Such was the case with... More

The search for a great loaf of bread is one that all of us serious eaters constantly engage in—one with the perfect crust, the right grain, and is just chewy enough. Does it exist? Yes. In a place as... More

Delmonico’s is the oldest restaurant in the country. It is also one of the most expensive. In fact, one of its most expensive dishes, the famous Lobster Newburg, was invented in the restaurant in 1876. A decadent dish of lobster... More

Photograph from Fork in the Road The best torta in New York may be one of the 22 tortas on the menu at Puebla Mini Market in Sunset Park. As evidence: a very long paragraph about one sandwich. [Fork... More

Brooklyn Flea vendor. Photograph by Kathy YL Chan Gifted: A Holiday Market (Sponsored by Brooklyn Flea and Time Out New York) Every Sunday now through December 21, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Shop for holiday sweets and savories as... More

Tom Mylan and pink-haired helper at a pig roast earlier this summer. Normally when Tom Mylan (the butcher for Diner, Marlow & Sons, and Bonita) is spotted in public, a roasted pig is involved. But this Sunday, he's embracing... More

New York food bloggers using Twitter » Savory Cities put together a "NYC food Twitter starter guide" suggesting NYC food bloggers to follow if you're a Twitter user. We won't argue with any list that @seriouseats and @slice are... More

To celebrate our second birthday today, we had what Raphael so accurately called "chocolate burritos." Coated in a chocolate shell, the little rolled-up swirls of chocolate cake and whipped cream are Bouchon Bakery's take on Ho Hos. Best of... More

Photograph from nycblondieandbrownie on Flickr Blondie was just looking for a virgin hot chocolate when she noticed the beer taps at City Bakery. Say whaa? Starting tomorrow, they'll have a happy hour menu with wine and beer (like Brooklyn-bred... More

As far as MSG goes, I'm with Jeffrey Steingarten. There's no such thing as “Chinese restaurant syndrome.” I'll be sure to report back if I experience chifa syndrome though.. Before anyone gets the wrong idea about this place, I should... More

Editor's Note: Our pal Laren Spirer is bringing us the latest edition of Meet & Eat. She is yet another lawyer obsessed with food. When she's not eating, drinking, cooking--or thinking about what to eat, drink, or cook--she can be... More

Times are tough with our current economy. Need cash more than you need satiation? Bring a sandwich, taco, or other foodstuff to Stavenhagen's Food Pawn Shop in Park Slope, Brooklyn, where they'll buy your food for cold, hard cash.... More

icanhansdowntown is a blog devoted to hipster musings, multiplied by LOLspeak. When they're not wearing high fashion leotards or dancing ironically, the hipster brigade sweats the taco trucks. They worship the ground that the Calexico Cart brothers in SoHo,... More

Photograph from NYC Food Guy The $19 Mexican breakfast skillet combination at Shopsin's: three Hatch green chile egg sliders, fried hash browns, three smushed-up fried plantains, and three pancakes with lots of shredded coconut and Vermont maple syrup on... More

Photograph from Front Studio Ground beef patty topped with special sauce, a fried egg, iceberg leaf salad, and potato salad at Hiroko's Place. [LUNCH] Homemade rice milk at Roosevelt Food Mall's new dumpling stall (the last stall on the... More

Every Wednesday we'll be posting delicious educational opportunities in New York for the approaching weekend and the following week. All classes listed still have openings, but if you hear otherwise, please let us know. The Wine Snob's Dictionary Tasting and... More

Noodles at Saigon Grill. Photograph by Robyn Lee Simon Nget and his wife Michelle, the couple behind the city's popular Vietnamese mini-chain Saigon Grill, were arrested this morning. The two were charged on more than 200 counts—potentially worth four... More

Whether you love or love to hate cupcakes, the preeminent web source of all things cupcake, Cupcakes Take the Cake, is blowing out four candles tomorrow. To celebrate the blogiversary, there will be free lilliputian cakes coming in from... More

I'm not a big fan of bubble tea—I get tired of chewing the tapioca balls after about five of them. But if I want a sweet drink that's just a little more substantial than straight liquid without being a... More

Our own Zach, also of Midtown Lunch fame, will now have someone to share in his street meat escapades! Little Harry Sheldon looks like the type who'd enjoy all-you-can-eat Indian buffets and the yellow rice from carts. Congratulations to... More

It was fun to read the New York Observer's fine profile of "Minimalist" Mark Bittman right after he and I had a friendly, just-catching-up lunch at the New York Times cafeteria yesterday. (At one point, he called himself a "daytime... More

White Russians: The sweet vodka, Kahlúa, and cream concoction is seeing a renaissance thanks to the cult following of The Big Lebowski. Perfect Whiskey Weather: The onset of winter and long cold nights begs for single malt Scotch. Bartending... More

The now infamous pork bun at Momofuku Ssäm Bar. Photograph by Robyn Lee I thought Ben Leventhal of Eater was crazy when he predicted the Times' Frank Bruni would bestow three stars on David Chang's Ssäm Bar in his... More

Motorino's pizza with anchovies, tomato, fior di latter, capers, and olives. Photograph by Robyn Lee "Warm ribbons of smoked Kentucky ham" with pickles and fig jam, or the house-cured pastrami with mounds of "candy-pink lamb," or the "Chiclet-size fried... More

Salumeria Rosi is a proper home for Cesare Casella's outsized Italian food personality, with its pristine display case full of hams, cheeses, and vegetables, shelves of handpicked imported Italian food, and a more than reasonably priced menu of small plates served in a small storefront dining room. More

How many times have you been in the Lower East Side's Essex Street Market on a Sunday? Never, right? That will change this month when the home of Shopsin's, Roni-Sue's Chocolates, Saxelby Cheesemongers and many other food stalls stay open... More

Dessert partners in crime Robyn and I headed to Demel this past weekend in hopes of satisfying our sweet curiosity. In business since 1786, the New York City satellite of this Viennese pastry shop opened just last week inside... More

It's not online yet, but a visit to the "original" Shake Shack today proved this menu for the next 28 days. Unfortunately, today is Tuesday, and in my opinion, the least appealing of options: Candy Cane Crunch. Friday's Prune... More

When dim sum lover Zach Brooks recommended World Tong in Bensonhurst, he warned that it was popular and gets crowded early. How did my friends and I get a table so easily? We went at 10:30 a.m. on a... More

How does a Gossip Girl make it through the cold New York winter? According to last night's episode: with a Jacques Torres hot chocolate (and cashmere stole).... More

What if you stuffed an average Gray's Papaya dog into Grandaisy Bakery's fluffy pizza bianca? We did it. More

Photograph from vittlesvamp.com Crisp duck bacon, part of the "Bacon Tasting" brunch menu at Clover Club. [Vittles Vamp] Slim, crunchy ginger cookies from Sweet Melissa. [SE:NY Talk] Soft tofu and zongzi ("Chinese tamales") sold by vendors near the Grand/Chrystie... More

Photograph from Eating in Translation on Flickr For a collapsed economy special that's slightly more upscale than the $4.45 Gray's Papaya deal (two dogs and a drink), check out Rack & Soul in Morningside Heights. The soul food/barbecue joint... More

Mediocrity creeps upon all human activity, but it is astonishing how often something simple to do in a good way, like making French Fries, is performed with what seems a deliberate mediocrity in venues that pass themselves off to the... More

Serious Eats dessert goddess Kathy Chan and I didn't plan on getting anything when we visited Hon Cafe on Saturday, but then one of the employees pointed out the bags full of end cut cake pieces—too ugly to be... More

A little while back, Ed came into the office with a Carnegie Deli pastrami sandwich and a plan. He wanted to see how many normal-sized sandwiches (still healthy portions) he could make from the usual serving size. At $14.95... More

Tomorrow, and for the next two Tuesdays between 5 and 7 p.m., Chipotle is turning their West 45th Street location into a concert venue and freebie burrito station.... More

Red Onions. Photograph from Harris Graber on Flickr Season's Eatings: As winter approaches, potatoes, onions, root vegetables, fennel, and, most appropriately, Christmas wreathes, herald in the season at the Union Square Greenmarket [Lucy's Greenmarket Report] Veg Out: Mushrooms, squash, and... More