Bite of the Best

Smartfood Popcorn Clusters

Bryan Leblang — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:30:00 +0000

I do love Smartfood, something about air-popped popcorn, lightly dusted with that cheese… I could eat bags of it! I’ve talked about the benefits of popcorn before, it’s actually not bad for you and is even a good source of…

Purista Caipirinha Cocktail Mix

Bonnie Tandy Leblang — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:05:36 +0000

Bonnie: “Cachaça?” asked the puzzled bartender.

It was the early ’90s in Beaver Creek, where I was skiing fresh powder with a German restaurateur. Exhausted from skiing, we skied to our lodging for an après-ski drink where Klaus ordered us caipirinhas.

The bartender said...

Bryan: I only really heard about cachaça (Brazil’s prized national liquor) a few months back, when I received an email about National Cachaça Day (insert link). So if you are like me and a bit unfamiliar with the word “caipirinha,” it refers to Brazil’s national cocktail, a beverage made with cachaça, sugar and lime. Cachaça is by far Brazil’s most popular alcoholic beverage. Though it is consumed in massive...

Eric: When facing most challenges in life, preparation is the key to success. Two years ago, I learned this lesson all too well while holding a bowl of limes, a bunch of mint and standing behind a bar surrounded by a crowd of thirsty people. “Cut, rip, muddle, pour” is a sequence synonymous with the painstaking...

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Food Network’s New York City Wine & Food Festival: The Good and the ….

Bonnie Tandy Leblang — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 04:54:37 +0000

The New York City Wine & Food Festival had more events than a person could attend. I know as I tried. Some were fabulous, some good with one having me note on my calendar, “Skip in 2010.”

Chelsea Market After Dark hosted…

Grill Daddy

Bryan Leblang — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:30:51 +0000

I know, it’s a little late for BBQ season, but I recently fired up my grill to make a few grilled pizzas, and I got the chance to use a newer product to the backyard chef’s arsenal. The Grill Daddy…

New York: Chez Josephine, Good for Pre-Theatre

Bonnie Tandy Leblang — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:31:07 +0000

As I walked down 42nd Street toward 9th Avenue it felt so honky-tonk that I tightly clutched my purse as I wondered what I had gotten us into when I recommended Chez Josephine for a pre-theatre dinner.

As a dapper French…

Surry Farms Surryano Sliced Dry-Cured Ham

Bonnie Tandy Leblang — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 04:01:02 +0000

Bonnie: Think of Surry Farms Surryano sliced dry-cured hams as the American versions of the European prosciutto and serrano ones — produced from Six-Spotted Berkshire hogs that are pasture-raised and free of antibiotics or added hormones. That, and the fact that Surryano ham has a rich...

Bryan: Surry Farms Surryano ham, a sublimely clever play on words for “Surry” and “serrano,” is a culinary European classic. Surry Farms introduced Surryano ham a few years back. The product is a domestically produced version of Spain’s jamón serrano, literally “mountain ham.” Serrano refers to...

Eric: In 2002, I visited the Vatican. Words cannot describe the beauty of the architecture and the insignificant feeling that comes over you when you walk into the main hall. I vividly remember a statement my brother made upon first entering the main hall. He had eloquently (in his standard...

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$1 Spices…

Bryan Leblang — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:30:41 +0000

It’s not a thimble full of saffron, I’ll tell you that!

The country is faced with tightening wallets everywhere. Food lovers are having to either forgo their gourmet cravings altogether or come up with creative ways to afford them (Oh god,…

New York Edition: Aquagrill For Seafood

Bonnie Tandy Leblang — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 04:19:29 +0000

Aquagrill in SoHo became the choice in looking for a restaurant, walking distance from the Classic Car Club where we went for a Maccallan single malt Scotch tasting with Eden Algie, a brand ambassador.

Our starters included an exceptionally fresh Bluefin…

Win a Wilton Cookie Exchange Book

BOTBassistant — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 04:01:08 +0000

Hosting or attending a holiday cookie party this year? Let the experts from Wilton be your inspiration! From creative invitation ideas, exceptional recipes, cookie designs and festive packaging tips, Cookie Exchange is the only guide you’ll need to make the…

Susta Natural Sweetener

Eric Leblang — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:00:28 +0000

SUSTA is a natural, low calorie, low-glycemic, antioxidant sweetening system that supports healthy blood sugar levels & energy. The SUSTA sweetener is available online and in select supermarkets and retail stores nationwide.