Showing posts with label Time Out New York. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Time Out New York. Show all posts

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Chefs Speak Out in Time Out New York

The Time Out New York "Kitchen report 2008" (October 30-November 5, 2008) offers some insights into the mindset of 40 Big Apple chefs.

One question was
What’s the worst thing about New York restaurantgoers?
The biggest complaint from chefs is that New Yorkers are too discerning, too picky and too bitchy. Some put it politely: "They’re very demanding, they really know what they want. They’re really knowledgeable and have high expectations." Some cut to the chase and called you "elitist and high maintenance." One particularly pissed-off chef hates it when you order sauce on the side.
What customer "faux pas" pisses off the chefs the most? Answers included "Saying they are allergic to something when they’re not." and "Bad tipping and impatience if the restaurant is busy and slammed." One chef also suggested that "If you can’t tip 15 to 20 percent, don’t go out to eat. Everyone is in a financial crisis, and I’m tired of listening to my servers complain."

And then there's "Are your vegetarian dishes truly vegetarian?" Eight percent said "yes" but one chef said "Yes. Well, we use chicken stock, but no one can tell the difference."

So be honest, not too demanding, and generous with your tipping. And wary.

Here's a glimpse at the food prep process.

Monday, July 30, 2007

THE GLUTEN-FREE SIMPSON OF STATEN ISLAND

This weekend I visited the Kwik-E-Mart on 42nd Street, just north of the Port Authority.

Homer Simpson greeted me at the door. Somehow I don't think those were Poughkeepsie Soul Dogs in his hands. And way in the back? That's Apu keeping an eye on the guy.


















I found Marge over by the freezer. For some reason I couldn't see any Gaga's Sherbetter inside.


















I even caught a glimpse of Maggie, who seemed content chomping on her gluten-free pacifier.


















I looked for Bart and Lisa, but they must've been out. I hear Bart gets a kick out of skateboarding the Guggenheim, and I imagine that Lisa might've been blowing saxophone duets on the Staten Island Ferry with Allyson Fabes.

Identified as the Big Apple's equivalent of Lisa Simpson in the current Time Out New York, Allyson is a talented ten-year-old Staten Islander who likes math and plays saxophone. And she also has celiac disease, according to Caitlin Hogan in the Staten Island Advance.

A funny thing about this is that the character of Milhouse Van Houten, who has a major crush on Lisa, is allergic to wheat. I'm glad I didn't catch him eating any donuts at the Kwik-E-Mart!


















The next time things sour with Lisa, Milhouse should give Allyson a call and meet her at the Staten Island Outback. I bet she could give him some good advice over a serving of gluten-free Chocolate Thunder from Down Under.

Photos: David Marc Fischer

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

GLUTEN-FREE MEDIA: TIME OUT NEW YORK

Last month Erin at Gluten-Free Fun wrote that she was a source for an upcoming Time Out New York article on gluten-free beer. Lo and behold, TONY covered gf beer at least twice in March!

In "Out pouring" (Issue 598/March 15-21, 2007), a roundup of favorite wine and beer bars, Kirk Miller cites midtown bar The Ginger Man (11 E. 36 Street between Fifth and Madison Avenues; 212-532-3740) as a source of New Grist Beer.

And in "Barhop" (Issue 597/March 8-14, 2007), TONY tackled the question "Where can I get gluten-free beer?" as posed by Vera Blum of Red Hook, Brooklyn. The magazine's answers: Heathers (506 13th St between Ave A and Ave B, 212 254-0979), Rhythm and Booze (1674 Tenth Ave at Prospect Ave, Windsor Terrace, Brooklyn; 718-788-9699), and the Hook and Ladder Pub (611 Second Ave between 33rd and 34th Sts, 212-213-5034).

But good news, Vera: There's even more gluten-free beer to be found close to your home! Bierkraft in Park Slope (191 Fifth Avenue; 718-230-7600) carries Bard's Tale and New Grist. And according to the Redbridge website, you can quaff the Bud brew at nearby Angry Wade's (224 Smith Street, 718-488-7253) and also get it in Brooklyn at
MET FOOD
486 Henry Street (11231)

AMERICAN BEER DIST. INC.
252 Court St. (11231)

COBBLE HILL MINI MART INC
159 Baltic St. (11201)

COBBLE HEIGHTS DIST.
216 Pacific St. (11201)

KEY FOOD #882
169 Atlantic Ave. (11201)

AMI'S FOOD & DELI CORP
230 4th Avenue (11215)

AROUND THE CLOCK
215 4tb Avenue (11215)

5TH AVENUE FOOD MART
185 5tb Avenue (11217)

EL NUEVO FARO SUPERMARKET
617 5th Avenue (11215)

AROUND THE CLOCK GROCERY
70 4th Avenue (11217)
Cheers!