From painterly salads to mad-scientist cookies. (By Mark Hokoda)

Five Napkin Burger lives up to its name. (By Mark Hokoda)

At Burgers and Cupcakes, the cafe from Mitchel London Foods, blueberry-vanilla cupcakes are “oh my god amazing!” effuses haleyjen. (By C. Thi Nguyen)

Gordon Ramsay will eat you alive. (By Davina Baum)

Lamb, beautifully seasoned and broiled over charcoal, is a smart order at Ariana, the best of the Afghan places in Hell’s Kitchen. (By Mark Hokoda)

Haute sweets in Midtown, home delivery in the Village. (By Mark Hokoda)

Among Manhattan’s South Asian cabbie hangouts, Desi Deli is one of the newer entries. Skillet Licker, who’s made the rounds, says it’s also one of the best, a cut above Cuisine of Pakistan, Haandi, and Pakistan... (By Mark Hokoda)

From Bismarck to St. Paul to Madison, new high-end restaurants are embracing such local cuisine as fried walleye and wild-rice porridge. Call it the birth of northwoods chic. (By James Norton)

How to be a good weekend guest. (By Helena Echlin)

Ben Barker of Magnolia Grill relaxes with CHOW. (By Emily Matchar)

Is it OK to tell people to stop bringing in sweets? (By Helena Echlin)

CHOW’s ultimate product guide for furnishing your dive bar. (By Lessley Anderson and Roxanne Webber)

Easy? Maybe not. Rewarding? Hell yeah. (By Roxanne Webber)

Coming soon: American-grown truffles. (By Stett Holbrook)

Chef Alex Stupak’s Mexican food dreams. (By Louisa Chu)