YumSugar

Philadelphians Are the Highest Tippers

YumSugar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:00:55 -0700

The City of Brotherly Love is also the city with the most-tipping love. Based on Zagat's newly released Philadelphia survey, the city's residents leave a generous 19.6 percent tip on average, compared to the countrywide average of 19 percent. Diners in New York - long considered the most expensive place to live in the US - only tip equal to the countrywide average, while those in Los Angeles tip below average at 18.4 percent.

Do Philadelphians really possess more love for their fellow citymen? Or is it because of Philadelphia's large number of BYO restaurants? I'm most surprised by the fact that New Yorkers tip such a meager amount. When I lived in Manhattan more than five years ago, it was considered standard to tip 20 percent due to the high cost of living there, and the fact that so many New Yorkers make a living in the service industry. Do these numbers surprise you? Are they in line with what you would normally tip, given decent service?

Source

Yummy Link: Best of the Summer Fests

YumSugar — Fri, 25 May 2007 09:02:19 -0700

Summertime means summer fairs and fairs mean lots of eating! From the garlic festival in California to the blueberry festival in Maine, there's something for everyone to enjoy this summer. If you're looking for one in your area, be sure to check out this great list of summer food fests. - Zagat via Serious Eats

Zagat Determines Who Has The Best Fries

YumSugar — Tue, 15 May 2007 07:01:18 -0700

Yesterday the results to the Zagat/Today Show Fast-Food Survey were announced. The survey, which was taken by 5,535 people (really? that's all???), declared Wendy's, Panera Bread Company and Outback Steakhouse as their top fast-food destinations. Forty-five fast-food chains were scrutinized and then rated on their food, facilities and service - healthy options were also taken into consideration. In addition to scoring each restaurant, the survey also determined the best burger, fries, etc. So who won best burger and which fast-food place has the best fries? To find out the answers, read more

Best Burger: Wendy's
Best Fries: McDonald's
Best Shakes: Dairy Queen
Best Chicken: Chick-fil-A
Most Child-Friendly: McDonald's
Favorite Mascot McDonald's
Top Food Mega-Chain: Wendy's
Top Facilities Mega-Chain: Wendy's
Top Services Mega-Chain: Subway
Top Overall Mega-Chain: Wendy's
Top Food All Chains: Panera Bread Co.
Top Facilities All Chains: Panera Bread Co.
Top Services All Chains: Chick-fil-A
Top Overall All Chains: Panera Bread Co.
Top Food Full-Service Chain: Outback Steakhouse
Top Facilities Full-Service Chain: Cracker Barrel
Top Services Full-Service Chain: Cracker Barrel
Top Overall Full-Service Chain: Outback Steakhouse

Visit Zagat.com for the top five restaurants in each category.

Source: Zagat

YumSugar Gift Guide: The Bachelor Gastrosexual

YumSugar — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:30:03 -0800

Is your brother or your best friend a perpetual heartbreaker? If his gastrosexual self already knows that the way to a woman's heart is through her stomach, browse the options below, which fit in perfectly with his impossibly smooth pad.

His George Foreman deserves a long-overdue upgrade; try this indoor grill. If he's a serious gourmet, he'll love an at-home meat grinder. For those last-minute dates, Zagat to Go is a perfect reference.

Want more gift ideas? Browse the selection below or check out all the gift guides on HolidaySugar.

Zagat

rhymeswithkenny — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 15:24:40 -0700

Yummy Links: From Tastespotting to Top Chef

partysugar — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 06:45:07 -0700

I regret to report that one of our favorite foodie websites, Tastespotting, has shut down. - Tastespotting
Watch this insane video of a man smashing 40 watermelons with his head! - Serious Eats
Learn how to reduce balsamic vinegar. - Cookthink
Do you know any kids who would eat scorpions for breakfast and snails for dinner? - The New York Times
To die for: BLT sandwich with basil aioli on grilled flatbread. - Family Style Food
Speaking of bacon, has anyone tried bacon salt? - Blogged Arteries
What to do with those pesky, empty pizza boxes. - CasaSugar
Ilan Hall on Los Angeles and the season finale of Top Chef. - NY Daily News
Tim Zagat talks about his experience as a judge on Top Chef. - Zagat

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Yummy Links: From Mario Batali to CornNuts

YumSugar — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 08:01:03 -0700

Mario Batali now has a regular online column. Does this mean he's become one of those food bloggers that he hates? - Serious Eats
Celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito shares his family recipes. - Secret Sauce
Learn more about Ani Phyo, a true life raw foodist. - Culinate

The alstroemeria flower (aka Peruvian lily) will look great as your next floral centerpiece. - CasaSugar
When ultra cheap comfort food becomes gourmet, the prices go up too. - Will Work For Food
Don't put away that grill! If you do, you'll miss out on grilled pork tenderloin with herbed cornmeal rub. - Apartment Therapy: The Kitchen
According to Zagat, London tops the list of most expensive cities to eat in. - Yummr
Sick of fresh food going bad? Here are some food storage tips. - Fit Sugar
You've been eating them for years, but what exactly are CornNuts? - Chow

Yummy Links: From Ratatouille Wine to Travel Chopsticks

YumSugar — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 11:28:39 -0700

Looks like Disney's cashing in on Ratatouille by launching their own branded wines and cheese platters. - Serious Eats

Cooking hot dogs just got a little bit cuter thanks to the barking hot dog cooker. - Baking Bites
PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has given the title of "sexiest vegetarian" to Carrie Underwood and Kevin Eubanks. - Slashfood
I love sushi, but even I might think twice about horse meat sushi. - Chow
If you're interested, here's a list of restaurants where this season's Top Chef contestants worked. - Zagat
Harold McGee's amazing On Food and Cooking is now fully indexed online. - Apartment Therapy Kitchen
Three new Chinese cookbooks will let you bring authentic recipes home. - Culinate
If you're planning a trip and want to take your own chopsticks, here are six sets of travel chopsticks to choose from. - NotCot

What's Yummy This Week - YumSugar Weekly Recap

YumSugar — Sat, 19 May 2007 07:58:32 -0700

Need to whip up some simple appetizers? Try out our super simple roasted garlic and dates stuffed with goat cheese.
Stressed about germs? Learn how you can get your kitchen sponges 99.9999% bacteria free.
For those of you that read food labels, you may be interested to hear that there is now such a thing as a healthy vending machine.
If you live near a Stop & Shop or Giant Food store, be sure to get your free ice cream today. Speaking of ice cream, Baskin Robbins was slapped with a consumer lawsuit for underpacking their pints.

This week we gave you everything you need in order to plan the perfect bachelorette party, including risque drinks and homemade or store bought invites.
Not interested in a bachelorette party? How about a simple bridal shower instead?
It's official, Gordon Ramsay is everywhere - several books, three television shows, and now a movie deal. The folks at PETA don't seem too happy about it.
Don't be afraid to take a chance, elegant madeleines look difficult, but even self-professed non-bakers can handle it.
If madeleines aren't your thing, why don't you try a coconut cream cake or a too easy to be true berry dessert?

Learn how to pick the perfect cherries, fix wilted lettuce, and what to do when you make too much sauce.
Can you taste the difference bewteen Diet 7Up and other lemonlime sodas? How about the difference between real and "fake" soy sauce?
Is Wendy's really the best fast-food restaurant? A new Zagat/Today Show survey thinks so.
And finally, we want to know:
- Do you share your food?
- What foods do you eat to keep things hot in the bedroom?
- Have you ever swallowed your gum?