Das Racist: Rapping Foodies?

At the end of last year, Courant rock critic Eric Danton gave me a copy of his 2009  Listen Dammit compilation. On it was perhaps one of the most entertaining songs I’ve ever heard: Das Racist’s “Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell,” an ode to the fast-food chains that share store facades.

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February 6th, 2010 | | 1 Comment »

Pho Shizzle: Review of Vinh Chau, Springfield

Pho Ga at Vinh Chau

Vietnamese is making its way up to the top of my ‘favorite cuisines’ list. It’s fresh, exotic, intriguing, incredibly flavorful and best of all, so affordable.

My friend Cindy and I went out Wednesday in search of pho, spring rolls and more. Originally we planned to head to Pho Saigon, but pulled up to see the storefront empty and dark. (We obviously didn’t do our research – that’s their only day closed during the week.)

But lucky for us, Vinh Chau was open across the street. Inside, it was warm, well-lit and clean, and the employees greeted us with big smiles. We had a feeling we’d happened upon a ‘good mistake.’

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February 5th, 2010 | | 1 Comment »

Food Is Sexy (And Here I Prove It)

Oysters...the ultimate aphrodisiac...

My story on young foodie couples is running on the cover of Thursday’s Hartford Courant Flavor section (and online now.) It’s a look at couples in their 20s and 30s who share a mutual interest in food, dining, cooking and wines.

The article concept was inspired by my friends Kat and Ben (pictured at left) who graciously agreed to be interviewed for this piece. In addition to cooking elaborate Sunday dinners, traveling the Connecticut Wine Trail and smoking their own meats, these two attended the Celebrity Chef Dinearound at last weekend’s Sun WineFest and finally met their chef idol, Bobby Flay. Color  me super-jealous.

This picture was taken in Ogunquit last July, when the four of us ordered a dozen oysters for an appetizer, and then six more oysters for dessert. That’s how we roll…

February 2nd, 2010 | | 6 Comments »

Travel Channel’s ‘Chowdown Countdown’ Loves New Haven

Louis Lunch: America's top chowdown spot

If you’ve been watching Travel Channel’s ‘Chowdown Countdown’, waiting for the episodes to reveal the #1 pigout spot in the United States, guess what. I’m going to ruin it for you. It’s none other than Louis Lunch in New Haven.

It’s a sweet (savory?) honor for sure. But Connecticut residents know the tiny little Crown Street burger joint was famous well before this latest accolade. It’s widely believed to be the birthplace of hamburgers in the United States.  This notation is even ‘on the books’ at the Library of Congress web site.

Louis Lunch burgers are freshly ground, hand-formed and broiled vertically in an original cast-iron gas grill. The patties are served between slices of white toast instead of traditional buns. Acceptable condiments: cheese, tomato, onion. That’s it. Aficionados know exactly what will happen if you ask for ketchup. (Hint: You’ll be out on your ass.)

Also on the ‘Chowdown’ list, at #73: Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana. AND. Sally’s Apizza. Savvy editors knew that there would be hell to pay for choosing one or the other, so instead they chose to highlight the longtime Wooster Street rivalry. Smart move. Except now the Modern Apizza lovers will start yelling…

February 2nd, 2010 | | 2 Comments »

Five Guys: The Fuss Is Worth It

They always give you too many fries...

If you’re a burger fan and you haven’t hit up Five Guys, do it now. This Virginia-based chain has elevated fast-food burgers and fries to a new level of quality.

The Five Guys Enfield store is still under construction, so we visited the new Lincoln Square location in Worcester Sunday. Truth be told, we were looking forward to this outing almost as much as the Sun WineFest.

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February 1st, 2010 | | 11 Comments »
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