Bourdain Gets Wonky, Celebs Tip Poorly, and Other Weekend Links

There’s a mid-August languor in food news. Despite the slow going, here’s a handful of link-worthy stories on food and drink from around the internets. Not just for garnishes anymore, herbs are apparently the new vegetable, though the article isn’t very convincing. In the Sunday Times Magazine, Mark Bittman suggests that herbs…

Half-Baked: Hard Lessons From the Line

Patty Canedo is a chef in Palm Beach. She writes frequently about her kitchen exploits in this column, Half-Baked. As I look back on my posts, perhaps I portray chefs in a more favorable light while being harder on our amazing cast of servers. It’s not intentional, but what can I say in the long-standing FOH versus…

Vegan Cooking Series: Dreamy Desserts

​What do Oreos, 7-Eleven apple pies and those Dollar Store staples Mrs. Freshley’s Oatmeal Creme-filled Cookies all share in common? Besides their empty wrappers stuffed between my car’s backseat? That’s right, all three are vegan. But while these PETA-approved snacks can satisfy a sugar craving in a pinch, calorically, they can be…

Biergarten Boca Raton Slated for October Opening

South Florida is flooded with temples to craft brews. Next up? Biergarten Boca Raton, a casual Tyrolean restaurant conceived by Arturo Gismondi of Cannoli Kitchen. Slated to open October 1st, the restaurant concept- for now, anyway- is German-inspired interior with an international menu…

Fort Lauderdale Likes Sandwiches as Big as Your Head

I’ve been sampling dozens of sandwiches around Fort Lauderdale the past two weeks and it seems that Lauderdalians like their portions huge. Take the sandwiches for example. My first fore into Florida Eats Big was on my first day of work when I went with my editors to My Market,…

Q&A With Chef Jim Leiken of Cafe Boulud in Palm Beach

After checking out Bill Citara’s review of Palm Beach’s Cafe Boulud — our Dish coulmn this week — Clean Plate Charlie followed up for a debrief with executive chef Jim Leiken. We talked about his new gig, settling in, and what’s to come at Cafe Boulud by Daniel. Clean Plate…

Che Grill Serves Argentine Fare at J.M. Lexus Food Truck Pile-Up Tonight

In Argentina, “Che” pretty much means “hello buddy.” It’s typically used when greeting a friend, which is why Che Grill is such a fitting name for this friendly little food truck that serves authentic Argentine food.Start off with a house-made empanada in your choice of beef, chicken, ham and cheese,…

Food Trucks and a Movie Tonight at Seminole Hard Rock

Go on an adventure to seek out the perfect dinner and the Lost Ark of the Covenant tonight at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, where more than two dozen food trucks will convene for your dining pleasure. As an added bonus, tonight’s movie under the stars is the…

Five Sex Toys Brought to You By Williams Sonoma

Tacky toys made for getting off are downright depressing. For example, a lady can try and please herself with a corpse-like shaft or she can go for the cheery purple, pink, or blue equivalent that’s about as hot as a Muppet’s member. It’s enough to make a girl want to…

Field of Greens to Open in Palm Beach Gardens

There may not be many gardens in Palm Beach Gardens (not many beaches, either). But there is a new Field of Greens (11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Dr., 561-340-1600), scheduled to open tomorrow in the resurgent Downtown at the Gardens mall.  The family-owned chainlet of local eateries (West Palm Beach and…

Chef Shakeup at DIG in Delray?

Though Eater Miami reports on a chef change-up at the organic-focused DIG in Delray Beach, owner Robert Greenfield told New Times today that Chef Joey Giannuzzi was never a partner, but rather a consultant. That’s funny, since it’s reported here, here and here the two were partners.”If things would have worked out, he would…

Nick’s Brings New Haven-Style Pizza to Boca

After struggling through a tough stretch in downtown Lake Worth and then a long wait for his new space to be built out, New Haven-style pizza maven-slash-restaurateur Nick Laudano has finally opened his showpiece eatery, Nick’s New Haven-Style Pizzeria & Bar (2240 NW 19th St., 561-368-2900).  The spacious (4,600 square…

Free Papa John’s, Dunkin’ Donuts, Champps For Everyone

Apparently you can buy your friends. That’s at least the thinking of some restaurant chains and food manufacturers, who dole out coupons for free and cheap food in exchange for being “friended” on Facebook or joining their email list.We’re down with the concept. And while some of the better dining…

Yo Cuz! Steve Martorano on Jimmy Kimmel Live

I have a new food-related crush. It could be because he reminds me of my first boyfriend, Eddy Marsala (that’s his real name, I swear), who worked in the pizzeria close to the 7 Train in Queens. It could be because he talks like everyone who lived in my neighborhood…