Category Archives: Something Else

It’s pretty lame to name a category Something Else. But tell us what is your better idea. Here be random thoughts on Yelping, writing about food, deceptive restaurant discount programs and whatnot.

Walla! Kenji Lopez-Alt exposed.

A kind reader corrected our use of “walla” to convey “there you have it” when executing a culinary tour de force. The correct spelling/usage is “voila” and of course we know that. We use walla in solidarity with all the … Continue reading

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Yelp vs Google

I am a Yelper. This comes as a surprise to chefs I meet, who typically hate Yelp because they see it as the source of sour grapes write-ups by amateur reviewers who want to bring a restaurant down. But for … Continue reading

Posted in Eating, Something Else | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Why do refrigerators have freezers on the top?

Every time I have had the option to purchase a home refrigerator in my life, I have chosen a refrigerator with the freezer on the bottom. It’s only logical since you will access the refrigerator many more times in a … Continue reading

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The Divisive Herb: Unraveling the Curious Case of Cilantro Detestation

Introduction: In the culinary world, one cannot underestimate the power of herbs to ignite passion and divide opinions. Among these, cilantro, a verdant and pungent herb, has emerged as a perennial lightning rod, evoking intense love from some and vehement … Continue reading

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Taste test: How to keep bean sprouts fresh

In the frozen tundra where I live, it’s a half hour drive to the nearest Asian market selling fresh bean sprouts. Consequently, I always buy more than I need. And the unused portion slowly turns into a sad puddle in … Continue reading

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Is an electric stove in your future?

We have been cooking on a four-burner Hotpoint range, and it’s not bad. The coils heat up quickly and cool down almost as fast, and the dials to control temperature are accurate and consistent. As a result, we’re abandoning our … Continue reading

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The Hmong Aunties of Angel Cruz Park

Angel Cruz Park is a public park in Stockton, CA where a number of Hmong vendors set up each afternoon to sell traditional foods. Some offer pickled veggies and tropical fruits, others set up grills and cook meats over charcoal, … Continue reading

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Clynk makes container recycling easy

In New York we have a 5 cent deposit on recyclable containers for beer, soda, fortified seltzer and water (but not tea, energy drinks, cider or wine, go figure). I’m sure that most folks simply toss the empties in the … Continue reading

Posted in Eating, Food for Thought, Something Else | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Winning (eating) strategies for Saratoga Race Course

Today was opening day of the 2022 meet at the Saratoga Race Course, and it’s time to update this post from 2015 about where to eat in Saratoga during the racing season. Key strategy: bring a cooler to the track, … Continue reading

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Questionable recipes and threatening aspics

The pandemic makes strange bedfellows, as evidenced by three Facebook groups we’ve been following recently. Each is an attempt to explore an obscure avenue of our current and former foodways, and each features roughly equal quantities of commentators who like … Continue reading

Posted in Food for Thought, Something Else | Tagged , , | 4 Comments