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Top Chef Quiz: Strip Around the World

partysugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:15:58 -0800

From breakfast in bed to big top-inspired soup, last night's episode of Top Chef had the chefs cooking up some crazy casino-inspired dishes, but not everyone's gamble paid off.

Emotions were high, and, of course, someone went home. Did you get too wrapped up in the drama to pay attention to the details? Take my quiz and test your savvy.

Photo courtesy of Bravo

Take the quiz

Top Chef Vegas: Episode 5

partysugar — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 23:06:42 -0700

In what may be the world's first pairing of chuck wagons and ceviche, the Top Chef gang went camping this week. In 100-plus degree heat on a dusty dude ranch, the chefs prepared meals over fire pits for a group of hungry ranchers. It looked simultaneously horrible and highly entertaining.

Who do you think looked most home on the range? Let's talk about it when you read more.

Do you like the "high stakes" quickfires more when they win money or immunity?
I feel like we're finally getting to know the contestants; did this episode give you a new perspective on any of the chefs?
Is ceviche this season's scallops?
Is Michael V. too cocky, or does he deserve to be?
Which challenge seemed harder: cooking cactus or cooking at the camp?
Would you want to eat fish on a dude ranch?
Does Tom Colicchio seem to be getting tougher and less polite with each season or is it just me?
How odd was it that Ron made mojitos even though he doesn't drink?
Whose dish would you most want to eat? I'm curious to try Kevin's, since I'm fixated with watermelon and tequila right now.

Did I forget an important point of discussion? Bring it up in the comments.

Photo courtesy of Bravo

Top Chef Vegas: Episode 3

partysugar — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 00:30:03 -0700

For the first time this season, the Vegas theme was played down on this week's episode of Top Chef. Instead the cheftestants worked their magic with potatoes and had an emotional experience while cooking for members of the US Air Force. Did you catch the show? Want to talk about it? Well - warning spoilers ahead - please read more.

Was Mark Peel a judge because Bravo hoped he would go further on Top Chef Masters?
Do the quickfire challenges seem easier this season?
Who did you side with in the boiling water mishap: Preeti or Ashley?
How clever was Ash to change his ice cream into a custard?!
Gosh there are a lot of contestants! Did anyone else feel like the quickfire tasting went on forever?
Wasn't it interesting that the cheftestants selected an executive chef and broke into teams without Padma ordering them to do so? Or did Bravo edit that out?
If you were told you could only cook one type of food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
How gross did the pasta salad look?! I felt like I could have made a better pasta salad.
How fun is the brotherly competition? I'm totally caught up in the drama of it all! (But, I'm on Team Mike.)
Did the judges get rid of the correct chef?

In general what did you think? Which chefs do you like? And not like?

Photo courtesy of Bravo

Top Chef Vegas: Episode 2

partysugar — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 00:30:30 -0700

With Top Chef Masters officially over we can finally turn our attention to getting to know the 16 remaining chefs on Top Chef Vegas. The second episode aired last night and after watching, I've come to several conclusions. Mike might be the world's biggest douche, Kevin's beard and Jesse's lip ring are distracting, and Jennifer scares me. To discuss all the delicious details, read more.

Todd English: hot or not?
Re: Jennifer - Does a female have to be mean and tough to succeed as a chef?
Do you enjoy the behind-the-scenes videos Bravo airs during the commercials?
My favorite line: "It's true, gay guys grow flowers better than straight guys." What quote stood out in your mind?
Was Ashley being too sensitive or does she have a right to be offended?
Isn't it weird that the bachelor/ette parties are in the exact same place?
Did the producers choose the boys vs. girls challenge because they knew it was easy drama? The boys put down the girls, the girls put down the boys. The boys think they are better, the girls think they are better. The boys act stupid and jump in the pool, the girls act superior and annoyed. It seemed scripted.
That being said, don't the boys' dishes seem way more sophisticated than the girls?
Could the brothers make it to the final three?
Overall, how do you feel about this season so far?

Did I forget something? Please bring up more discussion points below!

Photo courtesy of Bravo

Top Chef Vegas: Episode 1

partysugar — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 00:31:07 -0700

Well folks, the moment we've all been waiting for has finally arrived! The latest season of Top Chef debuted last night. There were showgirls, bright lights, deep-fried steaks, lobster, and Wolfgang Puck. Did you watch? Let's discuss this exciting episode after the break.

Eva Longoria to Expand Beso Empire

partysugar — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:30:27 -0700

Desperate Housewives star and successful restaurateur Eva Longoria is taking her eatery national. Longoria opened Beso, a Mexican restaurant in Hollywood, with chef Todd English back in 2007. The popular joint quickly became a celebrity hangout. Last Summer she announced her plans to expand and open a second restaurant in Las Vegas.

Now, the establishment finally has an opening date: New Year's Eve 2010. Beso Vegas will diverge from its LA counterpart, with "different specials and drinks." The actress told People that she's "so excited about opening Beso Vegas." She described the city as having "the most energy in the world. It's a great foodie city, which is great for us because of our menu. Everything we offer is pretty unique. Nobody in Vegas has anything similar."

Also in the works? Besitos - a series of airport eateries that will feature a limited menu. The first will debut at an undisclosed Los Angeles airport. Have you eaten at Beso? What did you think? Would you grab some Mexican food from a Besito while traveling?

Emeril to Open Las Vegas Sports Restaurant

YumSugar — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 03:30:27 -0700

File this under random news of the day: in addition to his stints with Martha Stewart, Discovery, and the Fine Living Network, celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse is getting ready to open his own sports-themed restaurant.

Nation's Restaurant News reports that the sports restaurant, aptly named Lagasse's Stadium, will take over a space in Las Vegas resort The Palazzo. In addition to a lounge, the 24,000-square-foot spot will have stadium-style seating, luxury boxes for private events, and custom viewing walls with 100 HDTV screens. “I’m happy to team up again with our friends at The Palazzo to create the ultimate sports establishment," Emeril said in a statement. "At Stadium, we’ll be serving serious food for serious fans.”

As for the menu, the chef plans to feature game-day favorites, several New Orleans-style dishes, and updated takes on American classics. Does this sound like a restaurant that would interest you?

Do You Care About Michelin Stars?

YumSugar — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 10:15:19 -0700

This past week, the Michelin Guide announced its 2009 starred restaurants for New York and San Francisco. The Michelin Guide, Europe's best-known restaurant guide, is released annually in the form of a series of books organized by city. The red books award restaurants zero, one, two, or three stars, and the stars are arguably the most well-regarded rankings in the global restaurant industry, with three being an extraordinary honor.

Every year since the Michelin Guide debuted stateside in 2006, there have been shakeups over restaurants that gain stars and others that are stripped of stars. For instance, Tom Colicchio's restaurant Craft was stripped of its sole star in a big upset last year; this time, the big surprise was David Chang's new restaurant Momofuku Ko receiving the honor of two stars. Do these designations affect your dining selections in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, or Las Vegas?

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Eva Longoria to Expand Beso Empire

partysugar — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 12:15:01 -0700

Desperate Housewives star and budding restaurateur Eva Longria has announced her plan to open a second Beso restaurant. This time her sights are set on Las Vegas.

The actress (who partnered with chef Todd English to open the VIP hot spot, Beso, in Los Angeles last March) has been spotted spending quality time at Caesar's Palace. The Vegas branch of Beso would be more of a loungey nightclub with small bites from English's Mexican-fusion menu.

I have yet to dine at Beso, but I find the Vegas expansion interesting. Could more Besos be on the horizon? Also, I enjoy seeing a celebrity's take on the restaurant industry.
What do you think of celebrity-owned restaurants?

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Sin City Opens Its Hottest Coffee House

YumSugar — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 12:28:33 -0800

Las Vegas, the home town of sex and sin, has a new place to grab a cup of coffee. While the rest of us have to head to a place where the baristas are fully-clothed, the fine folks of Las Vegas can head to Sexxpresso, an erotic coffee shop where the baristas are in lingerie. Instead of settling for small, medium and large drink sizes, the "Bodacious Baristas" will fill cup sizes A, B or DD. The drinks also have ridiculous names like Erotic Pleasure (White Chocolate Mocha), Wet Dream (Caramel Macchiato) and Porn Star (Chocolate Covered Cherry Latte).

I suppose if there is a restaurant with "hot nurses" trend, then why can't there be a trend of coffee stands with ladies in lingerie? In fact, there are other erotic coffee shops in Seattle.

Personally I think it's horribly tacky and could never imagine ordering a DD Cup of Erotic Pleasure. But then again, I don't think I'm in their target demographic...

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