(End of) Weekend Reading

Carrots Wellington at Narcissa

Hope you had a great weekend! A few great reads for your Monday morning commute:

The NY Times had a spectacular bread issue out last week, with Pete Wells calling for the return of bread baskets and Jeff Gordinier speaking to some of the top bakers in the nation about their obsessive craft.

Are you also dreaming of summer? BuzzFeed rounds up 44 frozen treats you need to try when it finally rolls around.

This insider's guide to Ho Chi Minh City is why Vietnam is on the very top of my travel list.

My latest for Zagat: 10 amazing vegetable dishes in New York City. Believe me, you won't be missing the meat.

Finally, we're just a week away from the NYC Bake Sale for No Kid Hungry. Check out what the bakers are making and don't forget to swing by on Saturday!

Weekend Reading

Chocolate cream pie at Robicelli's

What are you up to this weekend? Perhaps off to grab a slice of that delightful chocolate cream pie or any of these — shameless plug — decadent cocoa desserts? I'm kicking things off with midnight ramen at Takashi this evening, followed by a trip to Smorgasburg on Sunday. Excited to see what's new this year.

Hope you have a great one!

I first read about Peter Chang — the elusive Chinese chef who has garnered a cult following — in the New Yorker and was happy to hear from NYT critic Pete Wells that he's settled down... kind of. 

Speaking of Chinese food, the General Tso's chicken documentary is set to premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival and it sounds like a very fascinating look at the evolution of Chinese-American cuisine.

When Eater announced that they were bringing on three full-time restaurant critics — all of them men — many wondered why there was such a big gender gap in the world of food criticism. This week, Grub Street interviewed female critics past and present on why they think the divide exists and whether the media should consider it when making new hires.  

As old New York continues to disappear, a group of NYC-born photographers have taken on a project to document the city's old-school pizza joints.

Finally, one of my favorite finds in Italy was cacio e pepe, an extraordinary simple pasta made with just a handful of ingredients, so I was thrilled to see Food Republic's illustrated guide on how to make the Roman specialty at home.

Weekend Reading

Creme brûlée French toast at Green Eggs Cafe

It's been a pretty hectic week — I spent two days running around New York City shooting some desserts for an upcoming story — and tomorrow, I'll be off to Philly for an early birthday weekend with two lovely ladies. Lots of good eating to look forward to, including creme brûlée French toast at Green Eggs Cafe and pastries at Federal Donuts. If you have a favorite spot I shouldn't miss, let me know!

The final season of Mad Men kicks off on Sunday. Check out my contributions to Zagat's round-up of 50 places to go retro in the United States: Alaska, Delaware, New Hampshire, Vermont and Washington.

Grub Street has a fascinating look at how the front-of-house staff at Eleven Madison Park has modernized old-school service. 

Kat Cole — the president of Cinnabon — isn't your typical fast food CEO, according to this fascinating profile by Fast Company.

A comic book-inspired banner, gyoza-making GIF, plus Justin Warner's guide to molecular gastronomy — if you're a curious cook, be sure to check out Cooking Channel's latest package of kitchen adventures.

Finally, I'll always be a Brooklyn girl, but Thrillist says Queens is the best borough — they do have superior dumplings.