A week’s worth of food spawning a week’s worth of links

Food Links | Compiled by Nathan Mattise

Today’s trivial links courtesy of my last week of eating…

• Finally had the immense pleasure of eating at Wylie Dufresne‘s wd-50 this weekend. Not only did it blow away the hype (any breakfast junkie needs his eggs benedict) but it’s also mindblowingly affordable considering the prestige. Make sure to keep an eye out on Print Magazine next month as he talks food design, turn an eye on these menu pics or the recipe redesign contest he judged for now

• While in NYC, I also found my way to a small Astoria place called The Kebab Cafe. Hardcore Bourdain fans may remember it because of Ali and co.’s quick spot on No Reservations. It’s expensive but a well-worth it experience. Ali personally delivers and introduce his hand-selected menu of authentic Egyptian cuisine… which may often include parts most don’t eat regularly (testicle, sweetbread, tongue, liver, etc.). Not exactly a hot spot for vegetarians, though NPR recently said bacon could be their gateway so to speak.
  

• Finally, a few days earlier I provided some videography work for the March of Dimes Signature Chefs event here in CNY. That good deed got me access to all the good feed (? sorry).  The list of restaurants represented was a who’s who of the area’s highend cuisine. A few of the better dishes from the night are in the brief slideshow below.

Bourdain quotes, a new reviewer, the best local coffee shops and upcoming holiday posts

Food Links | Compiled by Nathan Mattise

• In case you missed this week’s No Reservations holiday special, Eater served up the best 15 Bourdain quotes from it.

• One of the new Post-Standard restaurant reviewers recently penned her first piece on Namu. My favorite part: abiding by the reviewer ethos of anonymity.

• With the semester winding down over at SU and holidays from work just days away, the NewsHouse offers up the best places for some caffeine to help you press through the work.  (It’s missing some essentials – People’s Place – so you can always check out Pure Coffee to cover your bases).

• Finally, in honor of the year being almost up and the holidays upon us, a quick few announcements:

1) Diner Week 2010 is coming up in late December!

2)… so is the Diners Without Frosted Tips year-end list!

3) The best part of the holidays online, the Last Christmas blog, found a version that combines the loveable Wham! tune with..McDonalds… and bacon.

The McRib, Bourdain’s holiday special, leftover recipes and a food podcast.

Food Links | Compiled by Nathan Mattise

• The McRib was brought back by McDonald’s recently, spawning great McRib news such as the invention of the McRushmore and a McRib how-to.

• No Reservations may be in between seasons, but Bourdain is sneaking in a special holiday edition that follows his meal preparation adventures among other celeb chefs.  (Semi-related: Bourdain also announced the winner of his essay contest recently. Check out the short and sweet piece that was Bourdain’s favorite but only 843rd among voting fans?)

• Speaking of the holidays, leftover recipes are in high demand. Check out this gnocchi you can make from my personal fav Thanksgiving element, sweet potatoes.

• Finally, an interesting food podcast to mull over while recovering from any food induced inactivity. IFC.com discusses the elements of a good food movie and how’ve they’ve changed throughout the years.

 

SyracuseDiners.com, Eggs in Heat, Bourdain needs a contributor and Tasty (Travel) Tweets

Food Links | Compiled by Nathan Mattise

• If you haven’t checked it out yet, SyracuseDiners.com officially launched this past week. We wrote positively about it here long before it was even finished, but now unbiased praise is flowing. too.  See what a former newspaper food editor, one of SPJ’s Top 20 Industry Thinkers and a leading multimedia blogger had to say about the project.

• Not that the heatwave in CNY seems to have passed, can we all agree this was awesome.

• Anthony Bourdain has a new book coming out. The exciting news is that someone will be a featured contributor to it (Note: I apologize in advance. If I pen a piece I’m proud of, it will be self-promoted like crazy for votes).

• Finally, I’ve had some great travel recently between San Diego, Georgia and NYC. Despite a girlfriend who insisted on a no-camera clause during our meals, I managed to squeeze out a few Tasty Tweets that can cover these places:

Few quick notes on The Lady and Sons: this place has a buzz about it. I was so excited I had multiple misspellings in my tweet even (Deen*, restaurant*). You need to go as soon as the place opens to guarantee a seat, you get free Deen-esque starters like cheesy biscuits and something that equates to a fried butter pancake. I was also told by a well-traveled professional it was the best steak he’s ever eaten.

I think it’s hard to find a good, appetizing rendition of hash. Malibu hit the spot however, especially on the night after a 21st celebration. Interior reminds you of a cheesy local place really trying to hard for fancy, prices are on par for NYC.

This was a gem in Astoria. Tasty’s prices were lower than most, the menu was diverse (even has a healthy options section), the interior is legitimately pleasing (brick, clean) and any place that offers hamsteak for breakfast is worth a return trip. Wish I had more time to try and sample all the various nationality breakfast options they were advertising.

More local foodie love, more odd foods, more pancakes and more Bourdain.

Food Links | Compiled by Nathan Mattise

• As previously featured here (then added to our blogroll), local baker Ian Chin is a fun foodie to follow in CNY. The Daily Orange finally caught wind of him and offered a profile.

• Two types of food even Ian probably hasn’t yet tried to make: Fruit Inside Other Fruit and Selleck Waterfall Sandwiches.

• If you forgot to celebrate National Pancake Day at IHOP on Tuesday, don’t fret. Read up on the cakes’ history, eat at Mother’s Cupboard and then check back here later in the week.

• Finally, if you’re on Bourdain withdrawl due to the Olympics, check out some unique Bourdain situations below.

Dr. Tony?

A 2014 Olympic hopeful?