Azul in ‘Forbes’; ‘Miami Times’ Best of 2007

Forbes Traveler forbestraveler.com recently asked asking a panel of food and travel experts for their take on the top hotel dining in the country. The top 15 chosen include: The Peabody Memphis and its upscale restaurant, Chez Philippe; Four Seasons Hotel and L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon restaurant in New York City; Jean Georges, Trump International [...]

Azul in ‘Forbes’; ‘Miami Times’ Best of 2007

Forbes Traveler forbestraveler.com recently asked asking a panel of food and travel experts for their take on the top hotel dining in the country. The top 15 chosen include: The Peabody Memphis and its upscale restaurant, Chez Philippe; Four Seasons Hotel and L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon restaurant in New York City; Jean Georges, Trump International [...]

City Pushes For McCormick & Schmick’s

IN THE NEWS: The Louisville Arena Authority Inc. hopes to reel in McCormick & Schmick’s, an upscale seafood restaurant chain based in Portland, Ore., as the anchor dining tenant for the planned riverfront venue, Business First of Louisville reports. Talks are ongoing with the chain, according to authority officials, and Louisville Metro Mayor Jerry Abramson [...]

Olmos Soda Fountain Reopens

IN THE NEWS: Mark Jones’ The Fast Foodie column in the Current goes behind the scenes as Food Network cameras invade Taco Taco Café and La Hacienda de Los Barrios. sacurrent.com … The Express-News‘ Bonnie Walker gives three and a half stars to Silo 1604 (434 N. Loop 1604 W.), while John Griffin visits Presa [...]

Chef Cuts Thai, Moves to Hukilau Sports Bar

IN THE NEWS: MidWeek.com interviews Jason Takemura, who has spent the past four years working as executive chef at Chai’s Island Bistro. He’s leaving the world of fine Thai dining behind to become executive chef at the newly opened Hukilau Sports Bar and Grill at The Executive Center Downtown. Takemura says he likes to eat [...]

5 O’Clock Steakhouse Gets ‘Saveur’ Nod

Saveur magazine’s saveur.com July 2007 issue includes the piece “Our 7 Favorite Steak Houses”,” which include:
1. Bern’s Steak House, Tampa2. Craftsteak, Las Vegas and New York3. Five O’Clock Steakhouse, Milwaukee4. Gene and Georgetti, Chicago5. Gorat’s Steak House, Omaha6. Pacific Dining Car, Los Angeles7. Peter Luger, Brooklyn, New York
The mag also garners steak-grilling tips from Mario [...]

Activists Protesting Fois Gras at Eateries

IN THE NEWS: The Inquirer’s Craig LaBan awards two bells to the Belgian restaurant Zot (122 Lombard St., Philadelphia). … Michael Klein reports that activists are protesting at restaurants in an effort to rid them of the French delicacy fois gras. … Klein also notes: new owner Russ Cowan’s expansion of the familiar menu at [...]

Chocolata Cocoa Bar To Open June 9

IN THE NEWS: From the Chronicle’s chron.com Alison Cook’s Cook’s Tour blog: “New at Ibiza is Julie Hewitt, a pastry chef who has taught at Central Market here, as well as serving on the opening team at the new Tony’s, working under chef Olivier Ciesielski. She once trained for six months at Spago LA under [...]

Restaurant Smoking Ban Nears Reality

IN THE NEWS: As expected, the Tennessee House and Senate has approved a watered-down bill to ban smoking in restaurants and some workplaces May 31 but allow it in bars and certain small businesses, the Nashville City Paper nashvillecitypaper.com reports. Gov. Phil Bredesen was expected to sign the measure into law. Starting Oct. 1, 2007, [...]

Manning’s Cafe Celebrates 75 Years

IN THE NEWS: The Star Tribune’s Rick Nelson awards three stars (highly recommended) in his review of Broders’ Pasta Bar (5000 Penn Av. S., Minneapolis) and in his Counter Intelligence blog notes the 75th anniversary celebration June 2 of Manning’s Cafe (2200 Como Av. SE., Minneapolis), during which owner Larry Manning (grandson of founder Ralph [...]