Alabama’s Barbecue Kingpin Nick Pihakis and his father, Jim, opened the first Jim ‘N Nick’s barbecue joint 25 years ago in Birmingham, Alabama. Known for the slow-hickory-smoked pork and an everything-made-from-scratch mentality, the meaty empire has now grown to 28 restaurants across the South (even the James Beard Foundation has taken note, consecutively nominating Nick as… Read More →
She’s Got Your Goat Located in the heart of the West Loop restaurant corridor, Girl & the Goat is one of Chicago’s most popular eateries, and for good reason. Chef/owner Stephanie Izard, the energetic always-smiling winner of Top Chef season 4, is taking an iconic alternative protein and putting at the top of her menu, with… Read More →
Calling All Bourbon & Pork Lovers Jack Riebel’s stunning gastropub is a welcome addition to downtown Minneapolis. The industrial, masculine decor creates a rustic-meets-chic vibe that echoes the meat-centric menu and the scent of smoked pork wafting through the dining room. The best way to approach the menu is family style, ordering sausages and meat a la… Read More →
True Thai Cuisine Andy Ricker’s obsession with Thai food was born out of a backpacking trip he took in the 80s, when he discovered that the gloppy noodles he’d been eating stateside were not representative of the diverse culinary traditions he found in Thailand. In 2005, Ricker opened his first restaurant in Portland, Pok Pok.… Read More →
Meat Inventory If you think I keep a stash of bizarre animal parts on hand, you are correct. Duck balls and tongues, cockscomb, sweetbreads and even a pig’s head could be in my freezer at any given moment. Where do I get these fantastic products? My friends at D’Artagnan keep me stocked. If you’re looking to… Read More →
Nothing but Noodles Portland chef Andy Ricker expanded his acclaimed Thai food empire to New York City last year with Pok Pok Ny and the noodle-centric Phat Thai, a pint-size spot on the Lower East Side with a stripped-down menu dedicated to pad Thai. This isn’t the popular noodle dish you’re used to eating in… Read More →
A Wild Weekend in New Orleans You knew you were in New Orleans and you knew it had to be Super Bowl Week: elevator to baggage claim, 200 limo drivers holding up signs for corporate types and A-List celebs. Background music provided by a Second Line band, all set to the staccato backbeat of the… Read More →
A Wild Weekend in New Orleans You knew you were in New Orleans and you knew it had to be Super Bowl Week: elevator to baggage claim, 200 limo drivers holding up signs for corporate types and A-List celebs. Background music provided by a Second Line band, all set to the staccato backbeat of the… Read More →
A Timeless Neighborhood Eatery Chef/owner Jimmy Bradley opened The Red Cat 12 years ago,with a simple concept: a less is more approach to food, melding seasonal American ingredients with a bit of Parisian je ne sais quoi. On my last visit, over a plate of roasted tomatoes and striped bass, I realized I eat here nearly… Read More →
Devoted to the Art of Preservation One of Chicago’s most celebrated chefs, Paul Virant has been pickling and preserving produce at his award-winning restaurant Vie since 2004, expanding the program to his second restaurant, Perennial Virant, when he took the reigns in 2011. In his new cookbook, The Preservation Kitchen, Paul shares his wisdom and… Read More →
Microscopic Turkey I was a guest at HUGE Theater‘s Show X on Monday, Dec. 10, 2012. I shared stories from my life based off of audience suggestions. The cast of talented improvisers then created scenes based off of my stories. It was very fun and very funny. This is the final segment. To see the rest check out… Read More →
Savoring the Seasons Located just outside of Chicago in Western Springs, chef Paul Virant’s celebrated Vie restaurant is a great choice for solid farm-to-table cooking. Virant, a preservation expert with an everything-made-in-house philosophy, is known for preserving and pickling produce at its peak and incorporating those bright seasonal flavors into almost every dish. The cuisine… Read More →
Airports Best Eats Before Take Off Andrew and Molly talk about the best airports in the U.S., and where to eat while you are waiting for a flight. Plus, they discuss food fraud, MasterChef for kids, and the new trend of restaurants banning photos at the dinner table. Questions We want to include your listener… Read More →
Comfort Food Redefined By Bob & Sue Located in a refurbished Nabisco factory, New York City’s new gastrobar features creative comfort food by executive chef Todd Macdonald, who ran the kitchens at Cru and Villa Pacri. Among his many specialty dishes are spicy lamb burgers with a cilantro and sumac aioli, mac and parmesan cheese… Read More →
Amateur Schmamateur Adam Roberts took a big risk when he quit law school to start an amateur food blog in 2004. As it turns out, he’s pretty good at it. Seamlessly weaving recipes and photographs with personal narratives and humor, Adam transformed his a hobby into a full-fledged career (jealous?). For his new cookbook, Secrets of… Read More →
“Burro” I was a guest at HUGE Theater‘s Show X on Monday, Dec. 10, 2012. I shared stories from my life based off of audience suggestions. The cast of talented improvisers then created scenes based off of my stories. It was very fun and very funny. This is part four. Here’s part one, part two and part three. More stories and improv… Read More →
Austin’s Favorite Neighborhood Bistro Opened in 2010 by Ned Elliott, this 47-seat small bistro is celebrated for creative seasonal cuisine and unforgettable pastries and desserts. A golden-winged pig adorns the outside of the building, so it’s no surprise that pork plays a vital role in the menu, but it’s not the only praiseworthy protein—the expertly… Read More →
Thoughts on the Tasting Menu The Tasting Menu: Is it Tyranny or Theater? We’re back and ready for a brand new year of Go Fork Yourself. This week Andrew and Molly discuss Corby Kummer’s article in the February issue of Vanity Fair, Tyranny-It’s What’s for Dinner. Responses: Chefs Weigh in on the ‘Tyranny’ of Tasting Menus (Eater) The… Read More →
Embracing the South Edward Lee’s 610 Magnolia is Louisville’s most sought after reservation, well at least until Lee unveils his next restaurant, MilkWood, which is expected to open this February. Although the Korean-American chef was raised in Brooklyn, he’s a natural with Southern cuisine, celebrating Kentucky’s rich agricultural fabric with dishes built upon local ingredients. The… Read More →
A Tastemaker with Southern Sensibility Leading a group of chefs changing the country’s perception of Southern cuisine is Chris Hastings, chef/owner of Hot and Hot Fish Club in Birmingham (one of the best restaurants in the South, if not the whole country). Chris and his wife Idie have been serving modern Southern/French cuisine that celebrates Alabama’s… Read More →
A Tastemaker with Southern Sensibility Leading a group of chefs changing the country’s perception of Southern cuisine is Chris Hastings, chef/owner of Hot and Hot Fish Club in Birmingham (one of the best restaurants in the South, if not the whole country). Chris and his wife Idie have been serving modern Southern/French cuisine that celebrates Alabama’s… Read More →
“Helicopter” I was a guest at HUGE Theater‘s Show X on Monday, Dec. 10, 2012. I shared stories from my life based off of audience suggestions. The cast of talented improvisers then created scenes based off of my stories. It was very fun and very funny. This is just part three. Here’s part one and part two. More stories and improv… Read More →
Birmingham’s Hottest Table When Chris and Idie Hastings opened Hot and Hot Fish Club in 1995 they were ahead of the farm-to-table craze, using locally sourced ingredients and supporting Alabama fishermen and foragers in their refined Southern cuisine. The James Beard award-winner changes the menu frequently based on what’s available, with dishes such as red… Read More →
For Adventurous Tapas Chef Michael Smith owns two of Kansas City’s most lauded restaurants, his eponymous fine-dining eatery and the adjacent Extra Virgin, a more casual spot with a playful atmosphere (think jewel tones, oversized paintings and a central wood-and-iron bar) and a creative menu of Mediterranean tapas. Go with a crowd and share family-style, making… Read More →
An Alpine Retreat By Bob & Sue At France’s newest (2012) Michelin 3 star restaurant located in the French Alps, Emmanuel Renaut offers delicious fresh fish from the local lakes, as well as vegetables and meats seasoned with mountain-grown herbs. The polenta in truffle sauce and Lake Geneva char with pea sauce was followed by quenelles of pike and… Read More →
An Ambassador of Southern Cuisine “If it ain’t Southern, it ain’t walkin’ in the door,” says Sean Brock. The James Beard award-winning chef is passionate about his Southern roots, even going to the extremes of resurrecting antebellum grains and sourcing heritage breeds for his Charleston restaurants, Husk and McCrady’s. He’s the most visible force behind the current… Read More →
An Ambassador of Southern Cuisine “If it ain’t Southern, it ain’t walkin’ in the door,” says Sean Brock. The James Beard award-winning chef is passionate about his Southern roots, even going to the extremes of resurrecting antebellum grains and sourcing heritage breeds for his Charleston restaurants, Husk and McCrady’s. He’s the most visible force behind the current… Read More →
“Porcupine” I was a guest at HUGE Theater‘s Show X on Monday, Dec. 10, 2012. I shared stories from my life based off of audience suggestions. The cast of talented improvisers then created scenes based off of my stories. It was very fun and very funny. This is just part two. Here’s part one. More stories and improv to come.… Read More →
Saving the world, one cricket at a time In this video, I talk with Maggie Rulli of Channel One News about entomophagy and how eating bugs can save our food system.
“Puma Kola” I was a guest at HUGE Theater‘s Show X on Monday, Dec. 10, 2012. I shared stories from my life based off of audience suggestions. The cast of talented improvisers then created scenes based off of my stories. It was very fun and very funny. This is just part one. More stories and… Read More →
