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Yummy Links: From Toby Young to Chopped
- Get to know Toby Young, Gail Simmon's replacement judge on the second half of Top Chef 5.— Metromix New York
- Eat less by making mini desserts. — The Kitchn
- Start planning now for the ultimate foodie Super Bowl. — The Epi-Log
- Is it OK to answer your cell phone during dinner?
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What Would You Do?
We've all been in crazy situations, and I want to know how you handle entertaining fiascoes and bad restaurant behavior. I'll present a situation and you tell me what you would do. Here's today's scenario:
Your parents are visiting from out of town.
Do You Call to Cancel Reservations?
I dine out with friends and family all the time, and inevitably there are always scheduling changes. When I need to cancel a reservation, add or subtract a party member in a way that would affect table count, push dinner back, or am running late, I always make sure to call the restaurant — and more often than not, they thank me for calling. Do you do the same?
Do or Don't: Putting Your Napkin on the Plate?
Yesterday DearSugar and I got into a debate about what you should do with your napkin when finished eating a meal. She said it was tacky and rude to put your napkin on the plate, but I told her I've done it before. What do you think?
Let's Dish: Have You Had a Birthday Dinner Nightmare?
Yesterday I came across a hilarious and poignant column in Slate discussing the drawbacks of the dreaded birthday dinner. "I hereby propose that the birthday dinner go the way of the $4 cup of coffee, the liar's mortgage, and the midsize banking institution," its author proclaims.
The truthful description of his birthday dinner nightmare includes awkward small-talk, excessively-ordered appetizers and drinks, and inequity when it comes to paying the hefty tab.
How to Request a Separate Bill When Dining in Groups
Last week I was out to sushi with a large group of people. When my friend suggested that we share a bunch of rolls and equally split the bill at the end of the meal, I hungrily agreed. The majority of the table was in, but the lovely couple seated to my right preferred to order on a separate bill.
Do You Text at the Dinner Table?
Modern society has widely embraced technology in every aspect of life, from music and shopping to reading and cooking. But have we gone too far? A recent New York Times article weighs in on the issue of texting, emailing, and tweeting while eating — something that etiquette expert Cindy Post Senning calls "texting anarchy."
How Do You Feel About Toothpicks in Restaurants?
Toothpicks may be the perfect utensil for bite-sized appetizers, but many restaurants still offer them for another purpose: to keep food out of one's teeth. In my experience, trays of toothpicks have always been ubiquitous at casual restaurants, yet I've always felt iffy about publicly picking something out of my teeth. How do you feel about toothpicks being offered at restaurants?
Do or Don't: Bringing Outside Food/Drink Into a Restaurant
Last week, New York Times critic Frank Bruni broached the question of whether it's kosher to bring outside food or drink into restaurants. I've noticed at some places — most recently at a popular neighborhood coffeehouse — that a growing number of establishments have barred customers from bringing items (such as water) inside. Bruni cited an example of a friend getting turned away from brunch at a New York diner for arriving with a Starbucks coffee in hand, and argued in favor of the establishment.
Tales From The Darkside
Last weekend I had a wonderfully unique opportunity to dine in the dark. And when I say dark, I mean dark, as in I was blindfolded. It was an interesting experience, if not a rather difficult one.
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