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The London Opens in LA, No HK Chefs in Sight

partysugar — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:15:15 -0700

Gordon Ramsay's Los Angeles restaurant, the London, opened last night with a star-studded dinner service. However, the cheftestants from Hell's Kitchen were nowhere in to be found. This makes me wonder if the HK prize - to be chef of the London - is a little exaggerated. Perhaps they merely get to be a line cook there? Items from the menu are far more sophisticated than the dishes made on the reality show. The menu includes:

Baked foie-gras custard, crispy duck tongue, micro greens
Monkfish with crispy chicken skin, lemon-thyme consommé
Smoked pork belly with roasted Scottish langoustine, celeriac, and apple

For some reason I can't imagine Bobby, Jen, or Corey making any of these dishes. What do you think? Does one of the HK contestants really work at the London?

Source

Off to Market Recap: Wine Opener

partysugar — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 02:58:22 -0700

Last week when I was opening a bottle of wine, my corkscrew broke! It was a cheap wine opener, but nonetheless, I was disappointed. Before I can enjoy another bottle of wine, I'll need a way to pop the cork. So I asked you to help me find a new wine opener.

You looked for any type - simple, complex, or gadget-like - of corkscrew. You bookmarked your discoveries in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag, wine opener.

I've heard good things about the Rabbit Wine Opener ($50) bookmarked by Jspeed, and the price isn't bad for something so lovely. Check out the rest of the selections below.

Interested in bookmarking? Read GeekSugar's explanation of this feature to learn how to participate.

Retro Bottle Opener: Love It or Hate It?

YumSugar — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 04:00:17 -0800

If you have a weakness for retro wares, then perhaps you'll want to mount this Restoration Hardware Starr Bottle Opener ($4) on your kitchen wall.

The upside: Never having to hunt for a bottle opener again, and it's cute!

Downside: Will it make me look like a capital D drinker?

Off to Market: Wine Opener

partysugar — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 03:00:41 -0700

Last night when I was opening a bottle of wine, my corkscrew broke! It was a cheap wine opener, but nonetheless, I was disappointed. Before I can enjoy another bottle of wine, I have to get a new wine opener. Can you help me find one? Look for any type - simple, complex, or gadget-like - of functional corkscrew. Bookmark your discoveries in the Yum Market on TeamSugar with the keyword tag Wine Opener. Thanks for your assistance!

Interested in bookmarking? Read geeksugar's explanation of this feature to learn how to participate.

Find out where I like to shop online for food and entertaining accessories when you read more.

Bed Bath & Beyond
CB2
Cooking.com
Crate & Barrel
Ikea
Linens 'n Things
NapaStyle
Pier 1
Plum Party
Pottery Barn
Sur La Table
Target
Restoration Hardware
Williams-Sonoma
Wishing Fish
World Market

Bobble Opener: Love It or Hate It?

YumSugar — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 03:31:11 -0700

These Bobble Openers ($8) wobble around but won't fall down. And his two buck teeth will open up your beer bottles. I think it's sort of fun, and like that there are a few options to choose from, but I can't imagine carrying one of these guys around. Maybe for the right kind of party or something. What do you think, do you want a bobble opener?

DinoBite Bottle Opener: Love It Or Hate It?

partysugar — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 01:11:19 -0700

I'm not really into reptiles. I never understood why my best girlfriend in college had a huge lizard as a pet. However, when I saw this dinobite bottle opener, any disgust I formerly held for the creepy crawly creatures completely disintegrated. I love this open mouthed dinosaur shaped bottle opener. The solid bronze beast would look great resting on a sleek bar. Am I the only one who thinks it's quite cute, or do you love it too?

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?

Top Chef Producers to Create NBC Restaurateur Show

YumSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:10:49 -0800

From Magical Elves, the producers of Bravo's Top Chef, Top Chef Masters, and the soon-to-air Top Chef: Just Desserts, comes yet another reality TV show, tentatively titled United Plates of America.

Unlike its sister productions, United Plates will air on NBC. The premise: aspiring restaurateurs compete in a number of challenges involving the restaurant's concept, cuisine, management, and marketability. The judges' panel will include wealthy investors in the culinary and business world.The prize is being called "among the biggest in reality show history" - the winner will receive a restaurant chain that opens in four locations across the US - funded by the investors themselves. "It's a culinary competition that anybody can take part in," said executive producer Dan Cutforth. "All you need is a great idea for a restaurant."

Finally, a different foodie reality TV concept. This show could be wildly captivating and educational, because the average American viewer doesn't have an inkling of knowledge about the operations behind a restaurant. I would definitely tune in to check out the show. What about you?

This Saturday, Uncork That Cherished Wine

YumSugar — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 03:30:37 -0800

Chances are you've got at least one bottle you've been saving for a special day, but what if you don't know what that significant occasion will be? That's the idea behind Open That Bottle Night, a dedicated evening when wine aficionados proclaim there's no time like the present to open a meaningful bottle of wine.

2009's event takes place this Saturday, Feb. 28, marking the 10th anniversary of the celebration created by Wall Street Journal Tastings columnists Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brecher. As the two wine writers have put it: "You should worry less about what is the perfect moment for the wine than what is the perfect moment for you."

I've been celebrating OTBN for years, because I couldn't agree more with the message. It's important to enjoy life in the present. Isn't it time to take a moment to relax, pull the cork, and enjoy life by the sip? I'm looking forward to opening a bottle of 2006 Bella Vineyards Late Harvest Zinfandel that I've been holding onto. It's not about the monetary worth of the wine, but rather its sentimental value: I have nostalgic thoughts about years past when I drink it.

This weekend, what wine do you look forward to opening and why?

'Wich of the Week: Open-Face Ratatouille Sandwich

YumSugar — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 14:00:13 -0700

Sometimes even a sandwich lover needs a serious serving of vegetables, so the other night, I turned my nutrition attention to these yummy open-face ratatouille sandwiches, made with roasted eggplant and red pepper, among other hearty things.Initially, I made the sandwiches according to the recipe, and they were perfectly delicious with just a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and a dusting of herbs. But I thought they needed something to close up their open-facedness, so I also made a version with melted provolone, which I preferred. For more details and to get the recipe, read more.

Roasting makes the veggies very moist, and the balsamic vinegar helps hold them all together. I definitely endorse the fresh thyme garnish, which makes it more interesting. Since the veggies are somewhat mild, I recommend using a high-quality artisan bread with a strong flavor, such as olive bread; I found a delicious chili bread at Trader Joe's, and the spiciness was a nice touch. I didn't have zucchini, so I left it out, but that doesn't mean you should. Check out the recipe below.

Open-Face Ratatouille Sandwich
Modified From Better Homes and Gardens

Ingredients

1 small eggplant, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 small zucchini or yellow summer squash, cut into 3/4-inch slices
1 medium red pepper, cut in strips
1/2 of a small red onion, cut in 1/2-inch wedges
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon herbes de Provence, crushed
6 cherry tomatoes, halved
4 large 1/2-inch slices artisan bread, such as chili bread or olive bread
1 clove roasted garlic, halved
2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
4 slices of provolone cheese
Fresh thyme sprigs (optional)

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Coat a large shallow roasting pan with nonstick cooking spray. Add eggplant, zucchini, red pepper, and onion to prepared pan. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with herbes de Provence, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon black pepper. Toss to coat.

Roast vegetables 30 minutes, tossing once. Add tomatoes to roasting pan. Roast 15 to 20 minutes more or until vegetables are tender and some surface areas are lightly browned.

Meanwhile, rub bread with cut sides of the garlic clove. Place one slice of the bread on each of four serving plates. Sprinkle balsamic vinegar over vegetables; toss gently to coat.

Spoon warm vegetables on bread. If desired, garnish with fresh thyme sprigs. Cover each sandwich with a slice of cheese and return to oven until bread is toasted and cheese is melted, about 5 minutes.

Makes 4 sandwiches.

Nutrition Facts (without cheese): Calories 250, Total Fat (g) 7, Saturated Fat (g) 1, Cholesterol (mg) 0, Sodium (mg) 328, Carbohydrate (g) 43, Fiber (g) 8, Protein (g) 7, Vitamin C (DV%) 90, Calcium (DV%) 5, Iron (DV%) 14

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