The Slanted Door Vietnamese restaurant in San Francisco offers a choice of floral or smoky tea. Opt for floral, and you get an elegant wine goblet containing a bouquet of actual flora. I haven't tried it, but I'm so curious. Would you down this earthy drink?
Yesterday before heading to the Nordstrom Fall Preview Fashion Show, I whipped up a quick batch of my signature nachos for FabSugar and I to enjoy. With no time to run to the store, I used ingredients leftover from last week's Greek nachos to make a vegetarian, Mediterranean-inspired appetizer. 
The pita chips were crisped in the oven before being topped with a Spanish sheep's milk cheese. Once the cheese melted, I garnished them with an easy salsa of grilled cherry tomatoes, green pepper, and kalamata olives. The final result was an incredibly satisfying snack. To learn how I made these, read more
Francophiles, take note: Monday is Bastille Day, which means there might be a French food festival in your neck of the woods. This weekend also presents a fine selection of wine and beer tasting opportunities, not to mention a few of the more bizarre food fests I've found this Summer, including one surrounding the "world's largest catsup bottle." Check out my guide below, and tell me about any I've missed in the comments!
To see the rest, read more
When hosting a pool party, stock up on plenty of ice and water to ensure that guests stay hydrated. For easy access, place coolers around your backyard and fill with refreshments.
Since beer bottles inevitably get broken at any party, purchase beer cans and plastic bottles. Barefoot guests won't have to worry about stepping on glass shards.
Offer one fresh-fruit cocktail. This recipe for pineapple mango rum cocktails is cool and delicious. To learn how to make it, read more
News flash! July is Lasagna Awareness Month. Personally, I question why this oven-baked dinner special is being honored in the middle of Summer.
Still, it's delicious, can be easy to make, and is one of America's most beloved classics — so I've put together a few questions to test your knowledge.
Take the Quiz
In an attempt to make herself more likable, Lisa Fernandes, the Top Chef runner-up who everyone loves to hate, has made her first cooking video for Time Out New York. Sporting her fabulously boyish haircut, Lisa takes viewers inside the kitchen of the New York City restaurant where she works, Mai House. She promises to teach us how to make an entire Asian meal, complete with five dishes, for less than $20.
Although she's a little cold to the camera, I can't help but admire her culinary expertise, cooking technique, and confidence despite what others may think. What do you think? Watch the video below and let me know, is Lisa more likable now outside of the competition?
Many of you were disappointed by the outcome of the Hell's Kitchen season finale. Gordon Ramsay chose the young, inexperienced blonde over the seasoned, bearded male. I wasn't surprised by his decision, but I was bummed for Petrozza. Over the course of the fifteen episodes, he's the one character who I actually admired and enjoyed. Yesterday morning I spoke with the optimistic caterer, who chatted with me while he sat on his front porch nursing a soda. To see what he had to say, read more
A great staple to incorporate into your weekly diet is the grain quinoa. Like couscous, quinoa takes on the flavors of its surrounding ingredients. In this recipe, the quinoa is tossed with crunchy peppers, cool cucumbers, and salty olives. Although cheese is not one of the components, crumbled feta or goat cheese would be delicious stirred in with the vegetables. To experiment with quinoa tonight, read more
These days, it seems as though food prices are creeping higher on everything from corn to sushi. Since I'm no stranger to a budget, I've increased the amount of time I spend shopping by heading to different stores for certain items.
For instance, I frequent Chinatown and farmers markets for produce, a large-scale grocery store for packaged foods, and a gourmet shop for seafood and specialty items. What about you?
In Summer, salads become a regular part of my diet, but I must admit that sometimes it's hard to get excited about eating the same Cobb salad, chicken Caesar, or any other garden variety (pun intended).
That's why I've compiled ten Summer salads that are as original as they are satisfying. If you're looking for international influence, rustic classics, or an eclectic combination of flavors, look no further.
