| The scoop on Cool Scoops (4/5)
What ever happened to the cling-clanging of the bell from the ice cream truck? The Good Humor man? It used to roll through my neighborhood, selling all kinds of summery treats to us kids, who would follow the mini-truck like fruit flies flocking together on over-ripened bananas. There were fudgesicles, fruit-flavored popsicles and all kinds of far-out treats that made us deliriously happy. Life was simple and good.Not long ago I managed to see an updated version of a mobile ice cream vendor in an upscale Nashville, Tenn., neighborhood; however, she was not selling simple ice cream treats. This hip vendor offered pro-health smoothies, lattes, baby chocolate Tolberones and all sorts of gourmet treats. The flavors for her micro-shaved ice slushes were exotic, such as “green tea-watermelon" and “zesty lemon meringue." The prices far exceeded what I would have been able to pay as a kid, or would be willing to pay today as an adult.
Openings: Weird Name Edition
FR.OG -- This sleek space in SoHo brings together Chef Didier Virot and his partner from Aix Brasserie, Philip Kirsh, in a tribute to parts of the world that had at one time been colonized by the French and influenced by French cuisine. The name stands for French Origin (it has nothing to do with amphibians), and the menu provides a global culinary romp with stops in Vietnam, Morocco, Lebanon and, of course, France. The sleek, trendy space (pictured above) seats 120 on two levels including some seats with a view into the open kitchen. Be sure to try the FR.OG martini -- vodka with a touch of cardamom and star anise. 71 Spring Street, between Broadway and Lafayette, 212-966-5050. P*ONG -- Chef Pichet Ong, formerly of 66 and Spice Market, has created a cozy space for small dishes and desserts in the West Village.
'Quick-prep' cookbooks offer dishes both easy and pretty
Photos by Richard Drew / AP Sandy Gluck, left, food editor of Everyday Food magazine and Allie Lewis, the publication's deputy food editor, display Indian-spiced chicken burgers with sliced cucumber, cilantro sprigs, whole wheat pitas and cumin yogurt sauce in the Martha Stewart test kitchen. .
You Taste Like a Burger
While growing up in Saudi Arabia, I would watch our cook as he prepared complex, gourmet meals. It was not only a distraction in a place without neighborhood parks or television, but also a cultural adventure into his native Filipino culture, as well as romps to Italy, France and home to the U.S. I'd watch, fascinated, as he would remove the meat and bones from a whole chicken's skin, mixing the meat with vegetables and seasoning, and then somehow get it all back into the skin before stitching the floppy bird back together and roasting it. I have never understood how a person could not know how to cook. Friends ask me to teach them a recipe or two, so before dinner parties, I call them into the kitchen. They are inevitably more concerned about what we are drinking, and are often back in the living room within five minutes.
Country Parish Offers Up Down-Home Goodness
THOMSON—If you're in town Wednesday evenings during Lent you're invited to the soup suppers at Queen of Angels Church, but don't forget to bring your soup bowl. Clam chowder, chicken noodle, gumbo—and meatless soups on Ash Wednesday—are the fare at the gatherings of the small community in the country. Parishioner Bob Kiel came to Queen of Angels in 1977 when the parish was still a mission. He escaped the Midwest, where he grew up, and enjoys living “out in the boondocks." He's learned to say “y'all," but admits that he hasn't taken yet to grits. “Our parish is a very small, close-knit family. I know about everyone in the church," he said. “Once in awhile there's a new face, and we go and speak to them." That is happening more frequently, Kiel says, recalling that in earlier days Catholics were scarce and somewhat considered “strange." “Today Catholics are a big part of the community." The Oblate Fathers were serving in the area when Kiel arrived, he said and added, “We've only had five priests in 25 years.
Toast to the Coast set for April 19
"Skoal! Prosit! Salut! And Cheers!" The Hampton and Exeter Area Chambers of Commerce invite you to the third annual "Toast to the Coast" to be held the evening of Thursday, April 19 at the Ashworth by the Sea in Hampton Beach. The night commences with a sampling of wine, beer, and hors d'oeuvres, chocolate, and more at 6:30 p.m. lasting until 9 p.m. Two area chambers of commerce will present the 2007 Toast to the Coast. Serious foodies will sample hors d'oeuvres and other culinary delights from some of the Seacoast's finest restaurants. The Ashworth, Boardwalk Inn and Café, the Galley Hatch, Tavern on the River's Edge, the Old Salt at Lamie's Inn, Widow Fletcher's Tavern, the Purple Urchin, and Hickory Pond Inn will all be there competing for the "Best of Toast to the Coast" award. Who will be "Top Chef" of the evening? It's going to be difficult to choose among superb appetizers like lobster and wild mushroom sauté, Southwestern pork satay, crab and artichoke cake with lemon aioli, chicken tartlet with avocado cream, prime rib with horseradish cream sauce, marinated tuna with wasabi, succulent lamb chops, soufflés, brochette, and more.
What's New in Tucson, Arizona in April 2007
New ExpressJet Flights-ExpressJet Airlines has expanded its service at Tucson International Airport (TIA). On April 2, the airline began nonstop service to five new destinations: Austin and San Antonio, Texas; Kansas City, Mo; and Ontario and Sacramento, Calif. By June 4, the airline will be up to 10 nonstop flights a day to the five destinations, and will have one-stop direct flights to New Orleans and Raleigh-Durham, N.C. Tickets are available through the airline's website, www.xjet.com and www.AirTucson.com Tucson International Airport is now served by 12 airlines and provides nonstop service to 24 destinations in the continental United States and Mexico. For Tucson air travel information, visit the website of Tucson International Airport, www.tucsonairport.org New American Cuisine in the Old Pueblo-Four award-winning chefs recently opened VINTabla, a kitschy restaurant with an on-site wine and gourmet food store in Tucson's fashionable Catalina Foothills shopping, dining and gallery district.
Mother's Day Unique Gift Idea Features Lobster Feast For Mom
"Mom's Magnificent Lobster Feast" gift package makes a unique gift just in time for Mother's Day. New gift idea features sweet lobster tails, crab cakes and chocolate cake. Chicago, IL (PRWEB) April 24, 2007 -- Mother's Day just got a little tastier with a great new gift idea from Lobster Gram - "Mom's Magnificent Lobster Feast". Featuring sweet, cold water South African lobster tails , luscious Premium Crab cakes, and even a Chocolate Heart cake for dessert, "Mom's Magnificent Lobster Feast" is a unique and delicious gift for your Mom, special someone or seafood lover. Sales of this very limited-time offer are expected to be high for Mother's Day, especially with the extra coverage it is getting as a feature on the Lobster Gram website. "Lobster Gram is continually striving to achieve fun and unique gift ideas of a variety of gourmet baskets for its customers, to ensure we have something to offer for every occasion, and our "Mom's Magnificent Lobster Feast" is a great example.
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