No costumes, unless you count chef’s coats; no comic books, unless you count the pamphlets filled with glossy food porn. But at the International Restaurant & Foodservice Show, food enthusiasts join together in a loveable geekdom that rivals Comic-Con. While many of these food enthusiasts come for the infinite bounty of free samples, the show provides an intimate (and sometimes shocking) look into the food service industry. Continue reading
Monthly Archives: February 2011
Sampling “Salad” Sandwiches at J&B Deli
Zach B., Yale University
Growing up Jewish, deli food was a staple in my house. From pastrami to tuna salad, cold cuts and various “salad” sandwiches always found their way into my lunch bag. Coming to New Haven, I found that this city does not have nearly as rich of a deli heritage as say New York, but I have found a place where I can get my fix.
Filed under New Haven, Restaurants, Reviews, Yale, Zach B.
Windsor Gives Purdue Dining International Flair
Ronit P., Purdue University
The adventurous are those who step out of their comfort zone. Eating should be about adventure. People can’t truly judge food unless they venture into the culinary unknown. Enter Windsor – the most underrated dining court on Purdue’s campus.
Windsor gained notoriety for serving an eclectic variety of foods which never fail to turn heads. Most naysayers shoot the court down because it serves a wide variety of international and vegetarian delicacies. Apart from its trademark international cuisine, however, Windsor also serves local foods like fries and burgers; this aspect is overlooked by most students. Continue reading
Filed under Dining Halls, Dining Suggestions, Purdue University, Ronit P.
Warique Peruvian Kitchen Coming to Morningside
Where Noche Mexicana once entertained students with well-crafted Mexican fare, Warique Peruvian Kitchen is opening My Upperwest reports. Continue reading
Filed under Columbia University, New York City, Restaurants
Parking the Only Downside to Parc Restaurant
Erica C., University of Delaware
With Philadelphia only 45 minutes away, it has always shocked me how little I hear of students driving in for a meal. It seems as though going out to eat in Philly has become a special occasion retreat for University of Delaware students, and special occasions only. I must admit that I fall into this trap as well, only taking the trip only a few times a semester. Finally though, I have found a reason to keep going back- Parc Restaurant. This Valentines Day, the meal I enjoyed there on Rittenhouse Square may just push me to change my attitude and stop by more often. Continue reading
Filed under Dining Suggestions, Erica C., Restaurants, Reviews, University of Delaware
Imaginary and Real, the Restaurant and the Domestic: An Evening at New York Bite Club
Although I grew up during the information revolution, the Internet always scared me— interacting with strangers in shadowy electronic alleys still feels dangerous and lurid. In order to learn more about the insular New York City dining scene though, I needed to join a community of knowledgeable food lovers. Mouthfuls, a food forum, unites a group of bloggers, chefs, food professionals, and food enthusiasts. There, pseudo/semi-anonymous posters argue about the best and worst of New York eating, chastising professional restaurant critics and ignorant amateurs alike. Although minor controversies have marked my time on mouthfulsfood.com—of particular interest, a fight over my Lotus of Siam soft-opening report—discussing the food world with my compatriots has altered my outlook on food writing. Continue reading
Filed under New York City, Theory and Criticism
Quick and Cheap Food: It Takes a Thai Village
Marc P., Princeton University
On Nassau Street, east of the Garden Theater and due north from Cloister lies a cluster of three restaurants, one of which is named Thai Village. The restaurant itself is unassuming, and the décor is what we’ve come to expect from Asian restaurants on this side of the Pacific. In any case, I was impressed by the wide variety of dishes available on the menu, from curries to noodles to rice dishes all combined with assorted meats. Continue reading
Filed under Dining Suggestions, Marc P., Princeton University, Restaurants
Tour de Hamdel: Devin’s Special Sandwich Edition
Think the Tour de Hamdel is like the Tour de France? You’re wrong; it’s much harder. To learn more, click here.
Last time I had the Godfather.
When I began this terrifying sojourn into a land of deli sandwich perversion, my friends shared their infinite wisdom: “The NYPD is the best!” “Jaws!” “Insert random sandwich!” But Devin gave me a more specific recommendation. She always orders the Stallone with mustard and jalapeños. According to Devin—and she was, after all, a former Spectator food & drink editor—Hamdel serves few better sandwiches than her custom hero. Continue reading
Filed under Columbia University, New York City, Tour de Hamdel
Top 5 Under-the-Radar Restaurants at University of Delaware
Erica C., University of Delaware
The food-scape that makes up Main Street has for generations allowed university students to have a wide variety of culinary genres at their finger tips. But this proximity also poses problems for restaurants that find themselves slightly off the beaten path. Students become accustomed to hitting the same spots- Santa Fe Grill, Klondike Kates and Cucina de Napoli, and rarely jump in their cars and try to find something new.
Restaurants right up Kirkwood Highway and even down the block in the Newark Shopping Center often crave student attention- even though the fare is usually different, and in some cases way better than what we’ve become accustomed to on Main Street.
So next time you’re going out to dinner, check into some of these options and broaden your campus food horizons. Continue reading
Filed under Dining Suggestions, Erica C., Restaurants, University of Delaware
Espresso Expeditions: Fight Grumpy with Grumpy
Lorenzo L., Columbia University
Introduction
While I realize that the vast majority of college students are only familiar with espresso beverages as a study aide (the classy alternative to Red Bull), for the passionate – the “espressohead” – a good, lovingly brewed cappuccino can erase an entire week of stress, anxiety, and sleep deprivation. No, it isn’t a miracle drug; but good espresso is nourishing, uniquely tasty, and oftentimes a form of expression.
Additionally, I would argue that coffee is a social lubricant: the alcohol of the daytime. Coffee houses bring neighborhoods, lovers, friends, and families together to share space, stories, and warm beverages.
It is unfortunate that the Morningside Heights has such a shortage of decent coffee shops, although if the new Joe is any indication, the tide may be turning. Hungarian Pastry Shop offers atmosphere but little in terms of quality coffee, Community serves a terrific latte but is clearly a restaurant (and a pricey one at that!) and Oren’s is only ideologically superior to Starbucks. But let this not deter you, brave Columbia students! There is a brave new world of caffeinated socializations and cozy study areas out there!
Every other week I will be reporting on the newly thriving independent coffee scene of New York City, and recommending locations based on their qualities as a student destination and as a purveyor of innovative, quality espresso. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
Espresso Expeditions: Fight Grumpy with Grumpy
When I emerged from the subway into the bright but cold Manhattan February, the light hurt my eyes, the wind stung my cheeks. Why on earth did I decide to go all the way to Chelsea for a cup of coffee? Continue reading
Filed under Columbia University, Espresso Expeditions, Lorenzo L., New York City, Reviews
