here. Doesn’t end up being cheap with good margaritas, but portions are huge and you can keep the price down if you want to. Ali Baba, E. 34th St. between Second and Third Aves. Turkish joint that originally got a rave from...

"It is alot easier to get a good quality eggplant than a good quality steak or chicken." Not to quibble, but as someone who devoted years of my life to sustainable agriculture—teaching, seed collecting, managing an organic...

Eric Ripert (Le Bernardin) did, too.

toasted goma/sesame seeds on it. Lovely. Natch – he doesn’t do it for a stranger walking in. I felt very special and appreciated it and still remember it (obviously). He’s also made, as a treat – no asking,...

garlic under the Quick Chop, showed her how to use it, and she went to town. After the garlic was pulverised she did the same to the seeded tomatoes. She had a blast, I didn’t need to worry about her fingers, and she got to...

. There is a reason why kids as young as 16 are having heart surgery, and it’s not genetics (check out Eric Schlosser’s new book if you don’t believe me). Personally, I was raised to believe that convenience beats out health, and...

seeds.

in cold climates, while soft cheeses do well in warmer regions), which varieties to raise from seeds and which from cheeselings, etc. If you can’t find that :) try CheeseNet (http://www.wgx.com/cheesenet/), the New England...

I’d like to put in a good word for Pacific, as I think it is a fine place to shop for Asian snacks. I don’t buy my fish there, but they have some other goodies. On my last trip: >Shin Shin seasoned anchivies with sesame...

seed oil, masaharina, bulk spices, dried maize husks, cookware, fish sauce, oyster sauce, maple syrup, peanut butter, cheeses, dried meats, dried fish, and more. In the years I’ve been here things have improved: we can get...

Deep frying? Ah, of course I do that. Else, how to make spring rolls, lotus seed filled sesame balls, shrimp toast and other such tasty bits? Beignet? Oh, these things are fun once in a while. Homemade pasta? Of course, it is not...

On my 3 visits, Eric, the soup/broth has not varied so much as the quality and amount of lamb chunks. The first time, there was more lamb, and the meat was very tender and flavorful, perhaps more fat there. The ensuing visits...

French/NW restaurant. High quality meat on a soft house-made sesame seed bun. Order it medium-rare with choice of swiss or blue cheese (the cheddar is useless) and bacon. There are better bistro burgers, but the excellent fries...