YumSugar

Let's Dish: What's the Most You've Ever Spent on Food?

Susannah Chen — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 03:30:38 PST

In Taiwan, it's not uncommon to go far for a bowl of perfectly-cooked beef noodle soup. But apparently, some aren't just willing to travel the distance; they're also willing to pay a steep price - 10,000 New Taiwan dollars, to be exact.

At Niu Ba Ba in Taipei, Taiwan, noodle-slurpers shell out the equivalent of $324 US dollars for a bowl of the world's most expensive noodles. Though I love niu rou mien, and I read owner Wang Cong-Yuan's explanation for the high cost, I don't think I'd ever spend that kind of dough when I could get a meal at The French Laundry for the same price.

The concept left me recounting the most I've ever paid for a meal. I think it might've been the $250 bill I footed while dining at Bryan Caswell's Houston restaurant, Reef. What's the most you've ever spent on food?

Source: Flickr User vixyao

Ming Tsai, Among Others, to Star in Next Iron Chef 3

YumSugar — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 10:30:29 PDT

Hot off the heels of Aarti Sequeira's win on The Next Food Network Star comes announcement of new contestants slated for season three of The Next Iron Chef, and the lineup is a little surprising.

Those hoping to become the next Kitchen Stadium superstar include none other than Ming Tsai, who is already an established television personality on PBS, as well as Food & Wine Best New Chef Bryan Caswell. Another notable participant is Marco Canora, owner of New York hotspots Hearth and Terroir. See all 10 chefs who will be competing - as well as my thoughts on the roster - when you keep reading.

Houston's Reef Restaurant Makes a Splash

YumSugar — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 04:30:36 PDT

I've got roots in Houston, TX, home of some of the world's best steak and Tex-Mex. But on a recent return to Bayou City, I was eager to check out some dramatically different local fare that's garnered a lot of national attention. That would be the refined Gulf Coast seafood served at Reef, the brainchild of 2009 Food & Wine Best New Chef Bryan Caswell.

Although I was expected to be impressed by the food, I was absolutely blown away. Every dish - from the raw appetizer to the sides to the bread - was absolutely spectacular. To say it is my new favorite restaurant experience is an understatement! Read on to scope out one of the nation's best new eateries.

Sandal Flask: Love It or Hate It?

partysugar — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 01:18:51 PDT

A couple of years ago I was at a crowded party in desperate need of a bottle opener. I laughed when some guy offered to open my beer with his flip flop sandal. However, much to my amazement, he could! His sandal was equipped with a standard bottle opener embedded in the sole.

Recently Reef - the creators of the bottle opener flip flop -released the flask flip flop. Nestled in the sole of this marvel is a fun, little flask. I think these sandals are a wonderful gift for a whiskey-drinking, flip-flop wearer. What do you think of them?

Source

Totally Geeky or Geek Chic? Sandals With Built-in Flask

GeekSugar — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 09:04:50 PDT

Okay, so maybe this isn't your typical geek paraphernalia, but if you geeks are like most of the folks I roll with, you'll probably be into it. The new Reef sandals feature a James Bond-meets-frat boy function that cannot be ignored - the heel is home to a polyurethane encapsulated canteen with a screw cap. Are you planning on crusin' the boardwalk or camping with your friends and want to store the rest of that drink until later? Slip it into your shoe. You can get your own for $45. Liquid of your choice not included.

Mary Katrantzou Spring 2012

Chi Diem Chau — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:30:05 PDT

It was an early 9 a.m. showing during London Fashion Week, but we're sure no one was dozing off during Mary Katrantzou's Spring runway show. The season's bold prints trend couldn't come at a more fitting time for the designer known for her signature bold graphic patterns. The collection, based off of Katrantzou's nature-versus-nurture theme, was exemplified through bold floral, bird, and coral reef prints splashed on structural one-shoulder and asymmetric dresses made in modern high-tech fabrics. Printed pants and colorblocked blazers provided even more partywear inspiration; as did the bright lipstick and metallic shoes provided by Christian Louboutin. We can't wait to see which celebs will wear her designs on the red carpet. More details from the vibrant collection below.

Trends: structural print dresses, asymmetrical hemlines, printed trousers.
Colors: red, orange, blue, green, yellow.
Key Look: we loved all of the short printed dresses.
Accessories: a colorful array of metallic peep-toe sandals by Christian Louboutin.
Who Would Wear It: girls who crave unique prints with a twist like Keira Knightley and Diane Kruger.

Modern Family's Ariel Winter Offers Up Green Earth Day Tips For Kids

Rebecca M Gruber — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 05:15:04 PDT

Ahoy mate! Fans of Disney Junior's new Jake and the Neverland Pirates know that Captain Hook and Smitty are often up to no good, and this week is no different. On Earth Day (April 22), the animated series is offering up a show designed to teach tots about our endangered coral reefs, featuring a frequent guest voice on the show, Ariel Winter (better known as Alex Dunphy on our favorite parenting show – Modern Family).

I spoke with the teen star about her involvement in the episode and she offered up some tips for introducing kids to environmental awareness. See what she had to say!

LilSugar: Tell me a little bit about Marina and what is happening to her character on the Earth Day episode of Jake and the Neverland Pirates.
Ariel Winter: I voice Marina the Mermaid. She’s the cheerful and bright fishtailed mermaid in Mermaid Lagoon. Our Earth Day episode is titled "Save the Coral Cove" and it’s where Jake and the crew save Marina the Mermaid and Sandy the Starfish’s underwater habitat when it’s threatened by Captain Hook – he’s searching for sunken treasure in the Coral Cove.

LS: Was it your idea to involve your character in an Earth Day story, or Disney’s?
AW: It was all mutual. We all said we need an Earth Day episode so kids can learn they need to be green and help the environment. I think it’s really cool that I get to be part of the Jake and the Neverland Pirates Earth Day episode.

LS: What’s it like voicing a mermaid? I take it you didn’t do much research in the water!
AW: It’s funny. I’m Ariel and everyone always thinks I’m named after the mermaid. It’s pretty cool to voice a mermaid because when you see her on the screen she’s so adorable and she’s got like the big blue eyes and the big fishy-tail. It’s just so cool because she’s just got an amazing aura and she just wants to help and she’s always there for Jake and the crew. I didn’t do a lot of underwater training through!

Keep reading to see Ariel's Earth Day tips for kids, and how the Modern Family set keeps green.

Come Party With Me: Valentine's Day - The Look

Tara Sharp — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 04:42:14 PST

For a truly romantic dinner for two this Valentine's Day, create a regal, Moroccan-inspired setting with luxe gold and red details. Set the mood with this Red Sea Reef No. 20° Candle ($50) and Jodphur Red Lantern Candleholders ($15), then pour some vino into these gold-rimmed glasses ($28). Use Le Creuset's heart-shaped casserole ($160) for the herbed potato gratin and DWR's Hungry Bowls ($175) for the arugula salad with blood oranges and fennel. To shop the rest of the look, click on the above images!