Tagged: wonkim

New Yorkers have just about everything they can imagine, and now they have 'round the clock access to cupcakes, too. The California-based Sprinkles Cupcakes are launching 24-hour "cupcake automats" in the city. "The ATMs are planned for the companies midtown, downtown and the upper West Side locations, although specifics are still being worked out." You'll see all walks of life, from yuppies to dirty greasy hipsters lined up to fix their sweet cravings and satisfy the depressed fat kid in all of us. Because bakeries, food trucks, bodegas, corner stands, and delivery services just don't [...]

Its no mystery that hip-hop and alcohol were made for each other. From passing the Courvoisier to rappers having their own vodkas, there has been an ode to almost every kind of hooch. You can now add craft beer to the list, as Dogfish Head and Dan the Automator have hand crafted a cider ale, appropriately named “Positive Contact.” It'll be packaged with a lavish reissue of the Deltron 3030 album due in May that’s being pitched as a "house party in a box." This isn't the first time music [...]

Semi-finalists for the prestigious James Beard Foundation awards have been announced, including chefs, restaurateurs, rising stars and regional standouts. Finalists for "the highest honor for food and beverage professionals working in North America" will be announced March 19, with a ceremony for the winners on May 7. A visit to any establishment on the daunting list will leave your mouth happy and your bank account empty, but you also get to make foodies jealous worldwide with Facebook and Twitter updates. Check out the opening gala video from last year.

"Whole paycheck" may statistically hold some merit when describing money spent at your strategically placed Whole Foods Market. Fast Company opines on the subtleties of its affluent customer base, drawing comparisons to Neiman Marcus. "Whole Foods’ retail model has turned this blueprint on its head by reinventing the way well-heeled consumers think about upscale goods. They’ve taken the old cues for austerity, economy, and frugality and applied them in new ways to spread their message of eco-friendly capitalism to the world (or at least to some of the better zip codes in [...]

Next time you're at a much Yelped-about sushi bar, think to yourself how authentic a "Philly roll" really is. Granted, there are renowned and authentic sushi houses all over the world, but how many boast 3 Michelin stars and are located in a Tokyo train station? That's where Jiro Ono comes in. "'Jiro Dreams of Sushi' is the story of 85 year-old Jiro Ono, considered by many to be the world's greatest sushi chef." The documentary, out worldwide March 9, will make you realize how little you know about the vast world of sushi, minus rolls [...]

It must be a blessing and a curse for a band to call it quits during the pinnacle of their career. There are a million factors when making such a huge life decision, but on the other hand, sometimes band members just want to stab each other's eyeballs. In the case of LCD Soundsystem's James Murphy, maybe he just wanted to brew a damn good cup o' joe. Forbes reports, "It turns out Murphy is looking to take his java joy to a new level with his own espresso brand, a project he’s still working [...]

If you think you've tapped your culinary audacity for consuming "obscure" ingredients, give placenta jerky a try. Jerky, soups and sauces are just a few of the many "new" offerings in a long line of culinary delights using afterbirth; animals have been doing it forever for the alleged health benefits, and now it's hip, too. "With a human gestation period of 40 weeks, the one-to-three pound organ is the ultimate slow food," The Bold Italic reports. Daniel Patterson of San Francisco's Coi reportedly taught a class on using the placenta, [...]

If eggs Benedict or frittatas are too mundane for your morning palette, Taco Bell has you covered. Their new breakfast menu, courtesy of "the fast-food chain that made its name as a favorite for the late-night crowd...introduced a breakfast menu at almost 800 of its restaurants across nearly 12 Western states," according to ABC News. So while you chow down on those healthy breakfast nachos to jump start your day (among other things), keep in mind you may be hearing "yo quiero breakfast tacos" sooner than you think. Remember when you couldn't escape this?

Wu Tang Clams are just one of the many hip-hop-based food items on the extensive Rappetite menu in Atlanta, GA. Other hilarious offerings include Lil' Kimchee, Talib Quail-i, and the devilish-sounding Ol' Dirty Custard. The unfortunate thing about this restaurant is that it's all a hoax. "A fun joke that has gone out of control!" wrote Everett Steele of Atlanta-based interactive media agency Baby Robot . This may be a good thing considering that "beef" between the Turkey Minaj and Lil' Kimchee could easily wreak havoc to your stomach. Wu-Tang member [...]

Die-hard fans of Bravo's "Top Chef " can feel like a kid again with Pee Wee Herman guest judging on an upcoming episode. Eater reports that the episode "will involve a lot of pancakes, riding bikes in 110 degree Texas weather...and the fearless judges failing to keep straight faces while hanging out with the in-character Herman." Beggars can't be choosers, but it would be great to reunite the gang, including Morpheus from "The Matrix" trilogy.

Bundle recently released its most expensive restaurants in the country-expect to dole out upwards of $550 for two when eating in some of the top dining destinations. Thomas Keller's The French Laundry tops off the list with an average of $957. It'll make you appreciate that slice of Ray's from your 2 bedroom apartment that's really a studio you rent with three other people. So while you may have to dole out a whole paycheck to eat there, this cooking lesson is compliments of the chef.

The Hideout Bar is a frequent tour stop in Chicago, and with the increasing cross-pollination of food and music, bartender Martha Bayne saw a philanthropic opportunity to make some cash and break up the monotony of wintry midweek nights. The Soup & Bread series started in January 2009 and runs every Wednesday during the winter months. Some serious talents have offered their skills, including Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard , Doug "Hot Doug" Sohn , and Paul Kahan , plus occasional contributions from local musicians, artists and writers. One [...]

Move over hardcore narcotics and fake Gucci bags-you may see truffles being peddled in the streets soon. Truffles are heralded as a rare delicacy in the culinary world, with prices averaging $6,000-$10,000 per pound! The value of this mysterious ingredient requires the use of a specially trained pig or dog to seek out its distinct aroma. Grub Street recently covered the dark side of the truffle trade after an expose aired on CBS. The evidence is clear-you best keep that truffle hidden out in them streets or it may get took by some [...]

Watching what you eat is a top priority when it comes to New Year's resolutions, but maintaining those goals can be a huge pain in the ass with the tedious policing you have to do. Not to fear- Huffington Post has 11 food resolutions that won't leave you crying in a bathtub fiending for a donut. Attainable food goals such as using a whole bird or reading ingredient labels are examples of things everyone should be doing. There's nothing militant or drastic about the list, which makes it very approachable and even fun, with resolutions like hosting [...]

Charlie Trotter is throwing in the towel on his famed Chicago institution for fine dining. Trotter's is legendary in having paved the way for upscale dining, introducing "ever-changing multi-course menus, ingredients sourced from around the world and hyper-attentive service." Trotter's has also spawned some serious talented chefs, including Grant Achatz of Alinea,  the restaurant awarded 3 Michelin stars last year. In an exclusive interview with the Chicago Sun - Times , Charlie Trotter stated that grad school and traveling with his family are the main reasons in his decision to close. No need to fret though-his casual [...]

Chicago has long been one of the best food destinations in the world, and its goods go way beyond deep dish pizza and hot dogs. Time Out Chicago has released its "100 best things we ate and drank" from the year, and the all-inclusive list categorizes everything from food trucks to beers found across town. If you're still celebrating, top on the drink list includes an "old-fashioned injected with a syringe into an orb of ice." And if craft cocktails aren't your thing, maybe a Mathias Imperial IPA from brewpub Haymarket [...]

Next time you're hungry and on the run or want to impress a date with your culinary prowess, look to your phone. Browsing for food apps that fit your lifestyle in an endless list can seem like an eternity, especially when you're hungry, but check out the  Washington Post's top ten for a distilled version of the best. The comprehensive list covers it all, from recipes, restaurants and bios on your favorite culinary personality to specialty cocktails and how to choose the right fish. Since most apps are for the iPhone, here's a little something [...]

Revived Thai? Boutique doughnuts? Bloody everything? The James Beard Foundation has taken to task the painstakingly long process of researching food trends, carefully digesting them all, and predicting what's ahead for 2012. There's always a fear with trends lists that the foodie reader will be a pretentious dick-the cognizant type who has already consumed animal blood in every form and has been to Thailand just for authenticity. But the open-minded and curious types will appreciate this very approachable list without cringing at the thought of what "Nordic Food" would entail. Take it from [...]

Wine has long ruled fine dining establishments with its refinement in a 750 milliliter bottle. The common formula was always reds with red meat and whites with lighter meats and vegetables. Beer was never invited, likely for its association with keg stands and pizza (still one of the best combinations). Beer advocates such as Stone Brewery's Greg Koch and Brooklyn Brewery's Garrett Oliver are purveyors of beer pairings, redefining where beer is allowed. Koch went as far as setting up international "Beer vs. Wine" events to show beer's superiority over wine for food. Oliver [...]

The culinary world came to a standstill when famed restaurant/science lab elBulli closed its doors last summer. Head chef and former co-owner Ferran Adriá can be considered the godfather of "molecular gastronomy," which in my opinion is a super bloated title to explain a technique of applying scientific methods and equipment to food. Chef Adriá is simply a genius for serving anything from dust that tastes like fried chicken to a combination of gels that may taste the way a forest smells. Unfortunately for us normal folk, we may never get to taste or experience such [...]