Food blogger picks up gout, pride

by Tom Johansmeyer on

If you ever needed proof that bloggers do take their jobs seriously, well, here it is. Citysearch restaurants editor Joe Ozersky proudly announced yesterday that he has “the disease of kings,” on his appropriately named blog, The Feedbag. Once considered a sign of status and luxury, like having pale skin because you didn’t work in the fields, gout isn’t exactly a common ailment any more.

“What a triumph!” Ozersky exclaims before waxing on the side effects, such as a painful inflammation in his toe and lack of mobility. Of course, he blames New York for impairing the health of the people in his line of work but reminds us that “that’s why they invented long walks on brisk days, salads, and endless glasses of water throughout the day.” Maybe he should take advantage of these things.

[Via The Feedbag, photo by Steve Zak]

Spend a lot to taste a little: the $100,000 tuna

by Tom Johansmeyer on

This past week, two Tokyo restaurants shared the $104,800 tab on a 128 kg (282 lb.) bluefin tuna. If that sounds like a lot, the restaurant actually paid 9.63 million yen-same amount of money, just sounds like more. Okay, if you’re impressed by the sheer cost of this fish, it set the buyer back more than $372 per pound. Of course, it’s probably worth it. Wall Street Journal reporter Yumiko Ono describes the dish as “[s]mooth, succulent and a little on the light side.

Sushi from this pricey swimmer was available for only three days. Half of it went to Kyubey, a den of sushi delicacy in the Ginza district. A small portion came with a price tag of $22 and was also offered as part of a 10-piece, $60 lunch special.

Itamae Sushi snatched the other half of the expensive tuna. Instead of pushing customers to dig deep into their pockets, the trophy catch was included in a $32 lunch special open to the first 20 people to walk through the door. Did it make money on the win? Probably not. Bragging rights, however, are priceless.

Blow everyone off and go to wine country

by Tom Johansmeyer on
Tired of fighting crowds in malls, sparring for parking spaces and fielding phone calls from relatives you’re trying to dodge? Here’s an idea: just leave. Seriously-pack a bag, lock the door and get out of town for a while. Sonoma, CA is calling, and I’m willing to bet that wine country is much more appealing than the local big box store.

If you need a glass of wine to take the edge off this holiday season, tour a vineyard, stuff your face with cheese, and dash over to the ocean to see the seals barking. If you need a little help relaxing, visit one of the countless spas in and around Sonoma. Depending on your timing, you can still pick up some cheap seats. Right now, New York to San Francisco (which is about 30 miles from Sonoma) will set you back only around $400.

NYT Celebrates Finnish Food Revival

by Tom Johansmeyer on

Finland is famous for it’s substandard cuisine, having been ridiculed by leaders from across Europe. And, let’s face it, it’s not all that hard to poke fun at an upscale restaurant named “Grotesk.” The country is trying to repair its culinary image, though, which is no easy task for the land of herring and reindeer. Of course, the Times pitches restaurants like Juuri and Loft, not exactly bargain destinations. Don’t worry, I’m here to fix that.

If you’re going to drop a little extra cash anywhere, make it your hotel. I stayed at Klaus K Hotel and don’t regret it for a second. Sure, it was a cool spot, and as expected, the Finns there made design and style a priority. I was impressed that they spent three hours helping me try to find a wireless internet connection when I had a minor meltdown at the front desk (thanks again, guys!). Blitzen makes a wonderful breakfast. Reindeer meat is included in Klaus K’s free spread, which is both tasty and filling. A few doors down was an excellent Indian restaurant (can’t remember the name … seven months ago, sorry). It’s definitely worth a stop, especially if you want a break from seafood.

But, if you want the best dining experience in Helsinki, you have to head down to the harbor. Snellman’s doughnuts will make you forget all about Dunkins. Neither circular nor with a hole in the middle, the delights at Snellman’s are rectangular and contain an apple pie-type filling. I mean, seriously, who wants to spend 250 Euros on a dinner that includes goat cheese ice cream at Nokka when you can down almost pure sugar for a couple of bucks?

Drink up and stay the night at the old Catholic school in Bend, Oregon

by Meg Massie on

There’s something deliciously wrong about turning a Catholic schoolhouse into a pub and brewery, but in Bend, Oregon, the delicious far outweighs the wrong. When the St. Francis School relocated, Portland-based McMenamins bought up the original building, renovated it, and reopened the Old St. Francis School as a pub, theater, and hotel in 2004.

McMenamins brews are an Oregon staple, and the restaurant has some of the best pub fare there is. The School is also a great place to catch a show. This weekend, Old St. Francis is host to the BENDFilm Festival. Then there’s Monday Night Football, more movies, and live music. Coming up in November is the pub’s Fourth Anniversary Weekend Party, featuring performances from the Freak Mountain Ramblers.

The property has guest rooms starting at $114 per night and cottages that sleep up to ten people, starting at $185 per night. All reservations include free admission to the movie theater and use of the Turkish-style soaking pool on the property. You can also purchase special packages that include meals, drinks, shows, and activities in and around Bend.

Can there be a better place to party than an old Catholic school?

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