Where Swallows Return Each Spring
Posted on December 31, 2007 - Filed Under Food News | Leave a Comment
If you’re new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!If you live in California, you’ve probably heard how the swallows return each spring to the San Juan Capistrano Mission, the seventh such mission founded in the state (when it belonged to Spain) by Frey Junipero Serra.
It’s a charming little [...]
Steak Perfection at Dal Rae
Posted on December 26, 2007 - Filed Under Food News | Leave a Comment
Dal Rae is not in Beverly Hills or in the trendy Westside of Los Angeles, where all the stars and stars (Michelin and otherwise) go, but it’s a popular place, and mong Zagat guide biggies, it scores a 26 while the more pretentious establishments with their French and Asian flavors go no higher than 28.
The [...]
What I’d Love to Hear on ‘Iron Chef America’
Posted on December 24, 2007 - Filed Under Food News | Leave a Comment
At the start of each Iron Chef America segment, after the challenger walks through that ridiculous smoke-filled tunnel, the even-more-ridiculous and miscast Chairman asks the challenger something to the effect of, "Are you ready for the challenge?"
I’d love to hear one of them reply, "No, it’s impossible to beat any of the five greatest chefs [...]
Carl’s Jr. Huevos Rancheros Burrito: Not Artfully Done
Posted on December 19, 2007 - Filed Under Food News | Leave a Comment
I decided to follow up on Carl’s Jr.’s challenge to McDonald’s McSkillet–the Huevos Rancheros Burrito–and I was again reminded why the Yum Brands chain is sucking hind tit to Ray Kroc’s brainchild.
They don’t copy well enough.
First, when I got to the place, it was virtually empty as opposed to the overcrowding at my local McDonald’s [...]
If You Can’t Beat ‘Em, Copy ‘Em Part II
Posted on December 17, 2007 - Filed Under Food News | Leave a Comment
McDonald’s has been enjoying success with its new McSkillet breakfast burrito, so Carl’s Jr.–not to be outdone–has whipped up its own version called the Huevos Racheros Breakfast Burrito.
The $2.69 McSkillet contains potatoes, red and green bell peppers, sausage, egg and cheese.
The $2.39 Huevos Rancheros Burrito contains refried beans, scrambled eggs, shredded jack and cheddar cheeses, [...]
If You Can’t Beat ‘Em, Copy ‘Em
Posted on December 15, 2007 - Filed Under Food News | Leave a Comment
That seems to be the motto over at [tag]Taco Bell[/tag], owned by Yum Brands.
Weakened by health scares this year and in 2006, Taco Bell has seen its sales plummet while McDonald’s has increased its average unit volume (per-store sales) 30 percent by "getting focused [and] by making their brand more contemporary and more relevant to [...]
David Rosengarten’s Tastings: Copywriter Express
Posted on December 12, 2007 - Filed Under Food News | Leave a Comment
Now, I’m not saying I disagree with anything David Rosengarten writes in his e-letter called Tastings, but after reading the latest incarnation about il Buco in New York City, I have the distinct feeling that some Internet marketing copywriter has his hands all over it.
I deal with this Internet//SEO stuff everyday, and I can tell [...]
Ahhh, Nuts*: What’s Spam Doing on Iron Chef?
Posted on December 10, 2007 - Filed Under Food News | Leave a Comment
Spam was a kind of welcomed sustenance in the Great Depression and World War II, and to this day it’s a breakfast treat in Hawaii. I’ve even encountered spam sushi.
However, to Google spam is a serious effort to game the search algorithms and cheat the system to get a high ranking when your Web site [...]
Alaea Sea Salt, Cassoulet and Turkey
Posted on December 5, 2007 - Filed Under Food News | Leave a Comment
A friend returned from Hawaii this past summer and presented me with a gift of Alaea sea salt, which was considered the salt of the gods by the native Hawaiians. The bottle set in my cabinet for several months until I got the idea to make some cassoulet with leftover Thanksgiving turkey.
I must say the reddish salt crystals [...]
No Comeback If No One Ever Heard of Them
Posted on December 4, 2007 - Filed Under Food News | Leave a Comment
Ever imbibed a Stinger, a Rob Roy, a Bronx, a Black Velvet or a Hot Toddy?
I confess to having taken to hot toddies as a 20-30something everytime I’d come down with a cold, but nowadays, I just use vodka on the rocks to knock me out.
However, the other four drinks are mysteries to me, and [...]
