SyracuseDiners.com praise, Best of ‘Cuse 2010, Saranac Fall Offerings and National Coffee Day

Food Links | Compiled by Nathan Mattise

• One more round of praise to share for SyracuseDiners.com: Syracuse.com was a big fan, Syracuse University too. Today we received the biggest bit of journalist praise as the Online News Association nominated the site for a 2010 Online Journalism Award.

• The Syracuse New Times announced the winners of their “Best of Syracuse 2010” poll (their most participated poll ever). In the “best diner” category… Stella’s? Didn’t see that coming (and I don’t necessarily agree).

• Yesterday was “National Drink A Beer” day.  In honor, here are the tasting videos Saranac produced so you’re familiar with their seasonal offerings.

• Finally, today is National Coffee Day. Many places are having specials and online coffee banter is high (for instance, five pros and cons to the drink). In Syracuse and looking to celebrate? I’ll still take a People’s Place Austin Powers for my money.

Live coverage: Man V. Food in Syracuse

Review | Compiled by Nathan Mattise

Man V. Food in town is such an epic event, I had to resort to CoverItLive for instantaneous commentary. Check out my moment by moment thoughts (watch it again on your DVR with my written commentary, like a DVD extra) simply by clicking below.

Is this the biggest food week in CNY history?

Food Essay and Links | Compiled by Nathan Mattise

In my other blogging escapades, I like taking a hard stand by creating comparative greatness arguments. I’m not as well-versed over time with Diner Without Frosted Tips’ subject (food happenings in CNY) as I am with others, but this week has me thinking:

Is this the biggest food week in CNY history?

Allow these links to speak for themselves:

• To start,  Man V. Food will air its Syracuse episode this week (well timed with host Adam Richman’s State Fair appearance I might add).  I understand that some of the locales involved have had major media coverage before, but for places like Heid’s and Mother’s Cupboard you can bet a major influx of new diners is on the horizon.  I’m not sure I can say the Salt Museum will get the same traffic, but moving on…

• Next, one of the best TV Chefs currently owning a restaurant, Mario Batali, made an appearance at the State Fair today. I like Bobby Flay as a TV personality, but from a cooking perspective… upgrade, right?  (Not to mention, Batali and Iron Chef inspired a cool competition in the Finger Lakes coming up soon).

• Speaking of the State Fair, this could be a banner year for fair food due to the heightened amount of food press and various social medias that allow instant Fair content. Some of my favorites have been @mmccormickcny’s quest for healthy Fair fare and local rap sensation ToTs‘ guide to fair food.  With his royal highness Bieber scheduled to perform, all the extra attention will be accompanied by loads of extra people (visit the butter scuplture Biebettes!).

• Finally, less about national attention but more local-business oriented, SU students in the class of 2014 returned to campus this week. The class is bigger than ever (more opening weekend dinners with mom and dad before they leave) and also they are now directly exposed to Armory dining within their orientation.

I’m having a hard time thinking of a more active CNY food week during my six years in town. Anyone have other candidates?

4th Grilling, Wes Johnson, Man V. Food (again) and the e-mail diet.

Food Links | Compiled by Nathan Mattise

• In time for the 4th, 10 grilling tips from Wegmans.

• SU’s own Wes Johnson not only had the best pants at the NBA Draft (just Google it), he’s also the most diner friendly pro due to his love of pancakes.

• If you missed it, Man V. Food is coming to Syracuse… again (this time for a State Fair demo).

• Finally, I’ve recently heard of folks e-mailing their daily diet to others in order to lose weight through group psychology. Here’s a restaurant critic laying out his own diet for such public display.

It’s been confirmed: “Man V. Food” was in ‘Cuse recently

Food Links | Compiled by Nathan Mattise

…and I wasn’t. My brother is a senior in highschool and good ol’ Valley View in Archbald, Pa. graduated this Wednesday.  Nevertheless, largely in part to Twitter, news and documentation of Adam Richman’s visit was plentiful.

Twitpic user neidl32 found him at Heid’s of Liverpool.

SU Lacrosse player Dan Hardy let the world know he played some stick with Richman yesterday.

YNN viewer Nick Finlayson sent in his photo of Richman walking towards the Dino.

Finally, Richman himself found a way to get face time with Coach Boeheim… host your own national television show.

That means Richman has spent time at SU and then also Heid’s and the Dino. He usually hits at least three food locales, one with a challenge, and to the best of  my knowledge neither Heid’s or Dino BBQ offers a true food challenge. Here’s hoping Mother’s Cupboard is still in the running…