In Praise of Romaine

Keep your mesclun. Gimme some crunch.

Where Not to Eat in Las Vegas

Ten restaurants worth skipping in Las Vegas.

Last to Know: Sandra Lee and Andrew Cuomo

Did you know that TV Food Network personality and cookbook author Sandra Lee is Andrew Cuomo's girlfriend?

Wine Tasting Rebooted

A new wine competition eschews swirling, gurgling, and spitting in favor of how normal people actually consume wine: drinking it.

Shovel It In

These kids eating utensils brings new meaning to playing with your food. The Constructive Eating utensil set includes a "Fork Lift" Fork, "Bulldozer" Pusher, and "Front Loader" Spoon. The utensils are designed with textured handles, made with PVC-free, phthalate-free plastic, and are dishwasher safe. $19.95 at The Spoon Sisters.

Cultural Mash-Ups: IKEA Tapas

An Australian chef creates tapas for Ikea using Swedish ingredients and techniques inspired by Ferran Adria.

Coming Up: Food and Social Media

On Friday, February, I will be moderating "Afternoon Snack," a panel discussion on the intersection of food and social media. The panel, which is part of Social Media Week, will take place from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m at the Whole Foods Market Bowery, 95 East Houston Street.

The panelists include Liza Mosquito de Guia, Founder & Chief Storyteller, food. curated, Cathy Erway, Not Eating Out in New York, Nick Fauchald, editor-in-chief, Tasting Table, Emily Fleischaker, Associate Multimedia Editor,  Bon Appétit, Amanda Hesser and Merrill Stubbs, Food52, Nicole Taylor, host, Hot Grease, Heritage Radio Network, and moderator Josh Friedland (me), Editor & Publisher, The Food Section & GastroBuzz. Milk and cookies will be served.

Word is that the (free) tickets are going fast, so reserve a spot here now before they run out (more details).

HuffPo: Gwyneth's Goop Scrutinized

The Huffington Post has questions about Gwyneth Paltrow's latest Goop: why is she making a Vietnamese salad two weeks into a three-week juice cleanse? Why is she sleeveless in January (and making a refreshing salad, to boot)? And, where's her red kabbalah bracelet? And, you were worried about the fate of health care reform.

Smackdowns: Mail Order Knife Sharpening Services Compared

The Wall Street Journal reviews several mail order knife sharpening services. Who knew?

Buy a Pastry, Help Haiti

Calling all Bay Area eaters: One time TFS guest-editor Samin Nosrat is organizing a fundraiser for Haiti.

Buy some sweets at this multi-location bakesale (Pizzaiolo, 5008 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland; Gioia Pizzeria, 586 Hopkins Street, Berkeley; Bi-Rite Market, 3639 18th Street, San Francisco) on Saturday, January 23, and help out the earthquake victims.

All proceeds will be donated to Dr. Paul Farmer’s Partners-In-Health (more details).