Layover alert: superb roti near JFK

by Alex Robertson Textor on

Got a longish layover at JFK? Have an hour to kill before showing up at the airport? Or simply want to get in the mood for the Southern Caribbean?

Some of New York’s best Caribbean-style roti is served at Atma’s Roti Shop (127-07 Rockaway Boulevard, Queens, 718-641-1769) just minutes from JFK by car.

Caribbean roti, for the uninitiated, is a spongy, filling wheat flatbread. It is usually served with curried chicken, goat, shrimp, or vegetables. Atma’s dhalpuri roti (with ground legumes and spices) is ridiculously good, and both the chicken and goat are highly recommended. The latter, quite characteristically, requires nimble deboning. The vegetable sides are also delicious, particularly the spinach with coconut and the creamy eggplant. Pennypinchers can relax. It’s difficult to spend more than $10 per person here.

Atma’s is a sunny blast of Caribbean culture. Recorded music is sold in one corner, and packaged Trinidadian snacks can be purchased at the counter. If you’re not obviously from the Anglophone Caribbean you might be greeted with a slightly bemused smile upon entrance. The proprietors are extremely friendly.

And if roti isn’t your bag, the neighborhood might still be of interest. The commercial strip along Rockaway Boulevard near the Van Wyck is full of Guyanese specialty shops.

(Image: Flickr/stu_spivack)

Wine vending machines debut in Pennsylvania

by Melanie Nayer on

Yes, Virginia, there really is a Santa Claus… and he seems to favor Pennsylvania.

The state known for its tough liquor laws is testing out a rather casual convenience: wine vending machines. The Associated Press reports that these wine kiosks are located in two of Pennsylvania’s grocery stores and if they do well, more of these gems will be placed throughout the state.

All you need is a valid driver’s license and a credit card, and you can buy your wine. Stop off at the vending machine, take a quick breathalyzer test and smile for the camera, then pick your vintage.

While some people will certainly question the concept, I’m sure others see the brilliance in this plan. Until now, Pennsylvania law requires that alcohol only be purchased for home consumption only in state-owned stores. Now, one-stop shopping makes it easier to buy a bottle for a last minute dinner party, or let’s face it, after a long day at work.

The state hopes these new kiosks help boost the archaic laws into modern times, and allow more buyers of legal age to purchase wine at convenient locations.

We don’t know what brands are being stocked in the vending machines, or even if they are stored at the appropriate temperatures, but we do know this: Pennsylvania just got a whole lot cooler in our book.

[via @SlashFood]

FDA report claims airline food could pose major health hazard

by Scott Carmichael on

An inspection report by the Food and Drug Administration has uncovered some pretty disgusting finds after visits to airline catering kitchens. The inspections took place at U.S. kitchens of Gate Gourmet, LSG Skychefs and Flying Food Group. These three make up the majority of aviation catering.

During the visits, FDA inspectors found food stored at unsafe temperatures, unclean equipment, poor employee hygiene, flies, live roaches and other pests.

A public sanitation consultant hired by USA Today went over the findings, and had the following to say:

“In spite of best efforts by the FDA and industry, the situation with in-flight catered foods is disturbing, getting worse and now poses a real risk of illness and injury to tens of thousands of airline passengers on a daily basis.”

Naturally, when presented with the results, the three catering firms pledged to take matters “very seriously”, but the fact remains that this is not the first time hygiene and sanitation has been an issue with airline catering. One catering facility has failed to meet FDA standards for the past two years – with floors testing positive for listeria along with ants, flies and other pests.

Even though many domestic airlines stopped feeding passengers in coach, business and first class passengers still get fresh meals, and you’ll also be fed on long haul domestic and international flights. Sooner or later an entire plane full of passengers is going to become violently ill, which is probably the only way the filthy kitchens will really be “taken seriously.”

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[Image from: AFP/Getty Images]

Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa debuts “World’s Spiciest Drink”

by Melanie Nayer on

This drink is no joke.

The Fire Pit Bloody Mary is part of the Wyndham’s Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa’s new “Caliente Cocktails” and the Puerto Rico hotel is already staking claim that it’s the spiciest drink in the world.

The Fire Pit Bloody Mary’s key ingredient is the fiery Indian bhut jolokia chile pepper. It boosts a ranking of more than one million Scoville units (the measurement of ‘spicy’ heat) and the pepper has been ranked by Guinness World Records as the world’s hottest.

“If you think you’ve already tasted the hottest Bloody Mary in the world, you’re wrong,” said Danna Holck, general manager of Wyndham Rio Mar. “If you’re man-or woman-enough to drink one, we’ll give you a second Fire Pit on us.” It’s a nice offer, but after you use the fire extinguisher (which comes courtesy of the hotel when you order a drink) to put out the blaze in your mouth, can you really stand another one? For only $10, maybe you’re brave enough…

For those of you not quite ready to taste this spice of life, the “Caliente Cocktails” menu also includes an assortment of $10 drinks including the Volcano (a concoction of brandy, sweet and sour mix and orange juice); Fire Ball (cinnamon schnapps and Tabasco); and the Fire and Ice (rum, grenadine, vodka and blue curacao).

Caliente Cocktails are only available at the hotel’s new fire pit – the inspiration for the new drink menu – which is located at Wyndham Rio Mar’s Tiki Grill overlooking the beach. If you’re brave enough to taste this concoction, let us know how it was (and how you’re feeling).

Where to dine in Sydney: VAustralia employees dish on their favorite joints

by Melanie Nayer on

Virginia Woolf said, “One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.” So, where does one dine when in a new city? What’s the best cuisine the city has to offer and where can you find it? Where do residents go on a Saturday night when they need to break free from the week and still feel the comforts of home?

The tourist attractions, museums, tours and of course, the shopping, are all great ways to see a new city, but if you really want to experience the flavor of a new city, dine with the locals and indulge in the delicacies that make each restaurant special in its own right.

On a recent flight to Australia, I caught up with the men and women who spend their down time down under at Sydney’s best restaurants and bars. Next time you find yourself in Sydney, take these suggestions from the flight attendants of VAustralia (and a few from me), and don’t forget to let us know your favorite spots.

Breakfast
If breakfast is the most important meal of the day, Jo from VAustralia recommends the following three places: Bill’s, Surrey Hills; Barzura, Coogee Beach; and Jed’s Cafe, Bondi Beach.

Lunch
After a long day of beach walks and surfing, VAustralia’s flight manager, Annie, recommends Cafe Sydney in Circular Quay.

Annie also suggests Icebergs, along the Coastal Walk from Coogee Beach to Bondi Beach and Hugos at Manly Beach.

If you find yourself in the Blue Mountains, make sure to stop by Common Grand.
Dinner
Sally-Ann’s favorite restaurant in Sydney is Ripples, located directly under the Sydney Harbour Bridge at Milsons Point. “It’s an institution,” she says. But be warned: Ripples is BYO, so if you go, go with your drink of choice.

Seafood
Among other things, Australia is known for its fresh seafood. While you’re here, don’t miss Oyster Bar on Circular Quay, Fishface at Darlinghurst and the Raw Bar at Bondi Beach. My first night in Sydney I stopped into the recommended Fish at the Rocks, located in The Rocks, and treated myself to dinner and wine – fresh Mulloway and a glass of Shiraz.

You can’t beat the nightlife in Sydney. The girls at VAustralia suggested the following must-stops for late-night cocktails, and I can confirm that these picks were prime:

Head to The Horizon Bar on the 36th floor of the Shangri-La Hotel at dusk. Watch the sunset over Sydney with a champagne cocktail and you’ll feel first-class the rest of the night.

The Ivy is five floors of nightclub and a great place to spend the evening after drinks at Zeta Bar, located on level four of Hilton Sydney.

For those wanting a cold beer (or a few), head to Lord Nelson Brewery Hotel in The Rocks. Lord Nelson brews its own beers and has, at minimum, a dozen to taste at a time. I recommend the Three Sheets and a side of potato wedges for a mid-afternoon break.