Vile Eats

From the McGriddle to the Volcano Taco, the "most vile looking fast food menu items of all time.

Banh Mi Bliss Continues

A Robert Sietsema gem of an article: "The best sandwich at An Choi, though, isn't the regulation banh mi, but actually an invented variation called "banh mi thit heo quay" ($8), featuring roasted pork belly that alternates layers of garnet meat and crisp fat. Never has a banh mi been so thoroughly lubricated."

Restaurant Menus, Dollar Signs, and Spending

A new study by the Center for Hospitality Research at the Cornell University School of Hotel Administration reveals that the way in which prices are displayed on restaurant menus has an impact on the amount of spending by diners.

Working with St. Andrew's Café at the Culinary Institute of America, the Cornell research team tested responses to menus with three different price formats: dollars and cents numerical format with a dollar sign ($00.00), a numerical format without a dollar sign (00.), and scripted prices (zero dollars).

gas·tro-lounge

gas·tro-lounge (noun): A nightclub for eating and drinking. No bar, maybe some moving lights, but no dance floor.

According to Jada Yuan, writing in New York magazine, nightlife impresario Noah Tepperberg says he is launching a gastro-lounge, a new genre of nightlife destination combining elements of a gastropub, lounge, and "ultralounge":

Best Burgers

The best burgers in America, according to Travel + Leisure magazine.

T&L's Top 50 New US Restaurants

Frannie Von Furstinshow Strikes Again

Agenda: Coffee 101, Chili Championship, and Valentine's Day Dining

FEATURED EVENT

Coffee: Tasting and History
Francine Segan's "World of Tasting" series will be exploring the history of coffee. Discover how it was eaten in ancient Africa, learn to brew the perfect cup, and sample several different types of roasts. The event will take place at the 92nd Street Y (Lexington Avenue at 92nd Street) on Wednesday, February 4th from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Tickets: $40/person.

Agenda: Year-End Edition

With so little time left, now is the perfect opportunity to plan out how you will be spending your final days of the year. Whether you're looking for a last-minute Christmas dinner reservation or a crazy New Year's Eve extravanganza, here are a few ideas to help you say goodbye to 2008 your way.

Eric Ripert on Los Angeles

"There are great restaurants in L.A. It wasn't like this 10 years ago. There's great respect for the quality of ingredients -- I'm talking about the produce -- here. I think in New York, you have to use more tricks, maybe manipulate a little more to get the full flavor of vegetables sometimes."