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Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Smorgasbord / Contributors / Kimberly Lawson The world would be a better place ...
Posted By Kimberly Lawson on Wed, Sep 30, 2009 at 12:03 PM
Van Gogh is Bipolar is a cafe ... yes, a place you eat food at ... in the Philippines. Aside from its unusual name, its appeal is that it offers food that is supposed to improve your mood.
From Springwise.com:
The cafe only serves all-natural 'happy-hormone-producing' foods, set to lift customers' moods. Its menu is loaded with foods that are believed to help balance the brain's levels of serotonin and dopamine, which in turn helps alleviate mild to moderate depression.
Don't believe 'em? Here's a link to their menu, complete with descriptions of how the ingredients are supposed to relieve anxiety, release dopamine or beat depression.
Doesn't that look good? Eat yourself happy the next time you're visiting the Philippines!
Monday, September 28, 2009
Smorgasbord / Priscilla Tsai Cook to Bang is coming to Charlotte
Posted By Priscilla Tsai on Mon, Sep 28, 2009 at 4:56 PM
Cook to Bang, a cooking blog illustrated with step-by-step photos of humorously named recipes that will keep you busy in the kitchen and in bed, is soon to be a book. To give you a flavor of what's to come in the book, just check out the names of some of the recent recipes on the blog: Coconut Cod-Piece, Raw and Raunchy Oysters, Don't be Coy, Bok Choy and Ants on My Log.
Tomorrow Spencer Walker, author of CooktoBang.com blog and book, will be coming to MY KITCHEN. The chef of "recipes to get you laid" will be stopping by to film a promotional cooking video for his new book.
His mission (and challenge): To concoct a feast from whatever he can scrounge up from my fridge and pantry.
Er, good luck with that. I've got half-blocks of cheese, lemon curd, Hoisin sauce, cranberry juice, pasta, yogurt, frozen chicken breasts, ramen, chocolates and cereal. Sounds to me like it's gonna be quite the challenge.
I'm inviting a few ladies over to taste test the feast tomorrow. Let's see if they end up in the bedroom for dessert...
Check back on Wednesday for pics!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Smorgasbord Florida inmates make, market hot sauce
Posted By Kimberly Lawson on Thu, Sep 17, 2009 at 9:58 AM
Hmm. Not sure how I feel about this.
A group of inmates from Florida's Hillsborough County Jail are making and marketing their own hot sauce. JailHouseFire hot sauce comes in three varieties—Original, Smoke and No Escape—all made from peppers grown right there onsite.
Currently available only online, all proceeds support inmate programs.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Food News / Smorgasbord Guess what these little balls are
Posted By Priscilla Tsai on Tue, Sep 15, 2009 at 11:32 AM
The State Fair of Texas has a new item on their menu. Take a gander at these little beauties of artery-clogging goodness.
Fair officials gave the dish top honors in the Most Creative category in the Big Tex Choice Awards.
Can you guess what these are? Here's a not-so-helpful tip: The item comes comes in four flavors: original, garlic, cherry and grape... and will probably give you diarrhea. Scroll down to see the answer...
Photo courtesy of State Fair of Texas
They are balls of Deep-Fried Butter.
Check out the other deep-fried food finalists of the 2009 Big Tex Choice Awards here. Can you say YUM?
Monday, September 14, 2009
Smorgasbord / Priscilla Tsai Only in Japan...
Posted By Priscilla Tsai on Mon, Sep 14, 2009 at 10:14 AM
Eat rabbit-shaped foods and cuddle with bunnies at this bunny cafe in Japan! Or if you would like, you can BYOB (Bring Your Own Bunny). Customers can pay per minute to play with the restaurant's pet rabbits (for cuddling purposes only –not for eating). Apparently this place is a hit in Japan. Anyone want to open a franchise in Charlotte?
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Food News / Mouthful / Smorgasbord / Priscilla Tsai Enso opens in the EpiCentre
Posted By Priscilla Tsai on Thu, Aug 27, 2009 at 10:54 AM
Enso Asian Bistro & Sushi Bar has opened at the EpiCentre uptown. The posh restaurant, located across from CVS on the lower level, threw their V.I.P. grand opening party Wednesday night. Guests were treated with a red carpet entrance, a looooong sushi bar, an open bar that included high-end liquors, small plates of appetizers, and a bottle of pear sake as a take-home gift.
The restaurant's decor features luxe red and gold colors. Upon entering the restaurant, you will find dark wood floors, stone walls, red crocodile print stools, velvety lounge chairs, high-backed red upholstered dining chairs, and red bars flecked with metallic pieces. Glass lotus flower votives illuminate the bar area with a rosy glow.
The sushi was exceptional and served with pickled ginger arranged into rose buds and wasabi molded into little leaves placed on radish slices. Among the small plates that were passed around were dumplings which Enso calls "dim sum," Kobe beef with fried rice, impressively large rock shrimp, lamb shanks, sea bass, and more. All were beautifully presented and served by attentive wait staff (many of which were Asian!).
Watch out Nikko ... there is a new hip sushi restaurant in town. I anticipate Enso to become the new chic place to see and be seen on the weekends prior to a night of schmoozing uptown. Check out these pics:
Friday, July 17, 2009
Smorgasbord Red Bull Energy Shot: A load of bull
Posted By Christian Yoder on Fri, Jul 17, 2009 at 2:53 PM
- The Red Bull Shot
Red Bull recently released its latest creation to the growing energy drink market: The Red Bull Shot.
The 2 oz. concentrated version of the original looks to compete with other, new alternatives to energy drinks such as "5-Hour Energy." The plastic bottle is around the same size, and with its lack of carbonation, contains that same syrupy, medicinal tastes.
Red Bull Energy Shot also costs more at than its original cousin. At $2.79 a pop (compared to $2 per 8oz. can), the Shot will seem hardly worth the money.
As for the lasting energy? The Shot contains 80mgs of caffeine, the exact same amount as the original. The only people who might benefit from this new marketing ploy are those who don't have time to chug 8oz. bottle and need the 2oz. alternative.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Smorgasbord Video montage of Sandra Lee
Posted By Priscilla Tsai on Thu, Jul 16, 2009 at 12:49 PM
Check out this crazy video montage of Sandra Lee, host of Food Network's show Semi-Homemade with Sandra Lee. This video is slightly suggestive and makes her look like a seductive lush.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Food News / Smorgasbord McDonald's to have electric car charging stations?
Posted By Web Editor on Tue, Jul 7, 2009 at 3:44 PM
I am still deciding whether to accuse McDonald's of blatantly pandering to the green consumer or applaud them for one of their most recent initiatives to open what it bills as the "first green restaurant" in Cary, North Carolina on July 14th. It has the potential to be industry changing, or also just another joke aimed at fat people.
Gizmodo reports McDonald's says the facility will not only be built using all green construction materials, but will be complete with free-to-use charging stations for your electric vehicle. That's right, while you wash down those tasty, salty chunks of charred animal flesh and yummy, deadly fried potatoes with your favorite sugary beverage, you can help the environment by charging up your eco-friendly car simply by pulling up, plugging in, and pigging out.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Smorgasbord A Little Taste of Independence
Posted By Priscilla Tsai on Thu, Jul 2, 2009 at 2:24 PM
A young blogger made this impressive flag cake for the Fourth of July. How cool is this? 
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The Pioneer Woman's apple dumplings 8
These were embarrassingly easy to make for being so good.
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Dish on this: Charlotte-based chefs join ACF Culinary Team USA 2016
As fall approaches, local chefs prepare for a culinary battle in Germany.
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Back of the Box: No Boil Classic Lasagne 5
Not having to boil the noodles rocks!
