Food and restaurants

As I get older and balder, I have come to appreciate the t-shirt legend that proclaims, “Only a few heads are perfect – the rest are covered with hair.” Something similar is true of barbecued ribs – the best way to serve mediocre ribs is smothered in sauce – but to serve ribs naked, they have to be done just about perfectly. MORE »

Philippa Clayton grasped a pitcher of milk, frothed and steamed it to 140 degrees, ground espresso and locked the mechanical arm into her Cimbali espresso machine, all while stirring chocolate syrup. MORE »

This month, you’re getting two reviews for the price of one. Not my fault: It’s just that husband-and-wife Erin Ungerman and Hector Ruiz have been opening places faster than I can eat. MORE »

My how time flies. It is almost August, the days are getting shorter, and the evenings of patio dining will soon be a distant memory. I still haven’t made it back to my all-time favorite outdoor dining spot, the patio at the Black Forest Inn, for a mug of Pilsner Urquell, a pair of bratwurst with sauerkraut and potato salad, and a big slice of Apfelstrudel. Speaking of which, next Sunday, August 3, the Black Forest will be celebrating National Bratwurst Day (who knew?) with brat specials, brat prizes, and a special bratwurst day menu cover contest. Accordionist Mark Stillman will play from 6:30 to 9 p.m., which make it worth the trip even if you are a vegetarian. MORE »