Slashfood

• Leinie's takes small town Wisconsin nationwide
  

  Filed under: Beer, Business, Midwest Rural

  A few years ago I helped a friend move to Milwaukee. When we arrived, she insisted that to get the true Wisconsin experience I had to have a "Leinie's." To be honest, I wasn't sure what the heck she was talking about until the cold bottle hit my hand. Though I can't say I did all that moving for a beer, having a new brew to try when I got to town certainly didn't hurt.
  
  Wisconsin is a state that loves their beers: They have a professional baseball team called the Brewers for God's...
  



• The New York Times Dining & Wine section in 60 seconds: Supper clubs, lavender, fortune cookies
  

  Filed under: Business, Newspapers, America, in sixty seconds, Meat, Local Eating, Food News

  
  Underground supper clubs - half dinner party, half restaurant - are in.
  
  Low alcohol beers gain popularity.
  
  Thinking of opening a restaurant? Think twice. Then think again.
  
  Memories of teenage boy food.
  
  The Minimalist shows us how to cook with lavender without making the dish smell like your grandmother's powder room.
  
  Artisanal cocktails are here. Of course.
  
  Fortune cookies are not Chinese.

  Juice, Business, Asia, Food Oddities, Non-alcoholic, Head to Tail, Summer

  A few years back, my pal Tom introduced me to the delicious, sweet taste of "Kaba-yaki," broiled eel served with a sweet sauce. As I'm always game to try new things, I scarfed down the piece that he offered me. As soon as I tasted it, I forgot about the fact that the meat came from a slithering, snakelike creature and began to focus on the flavor. It was tender, moist, and perfectly delicious. I was hooked.
  
  Although time, geography, and economics have kept me from regularly partaking of...
  




• The New York Times Dining & Wine section in 60 seconds: Mocktails, tomato jam, raspberry figs
  

  Filed under: East Coast, Business, Vegetables, Newspapers, America, in sixty seconds, Summer

  
  Eric Asimov discusses the new breed of lighter, subtler Napa Valley Cabernets.
  
  Applebee's moves beyond the riblet in an effort to save itself from Bennigan's fate.
  
  The Hamptons get real Mexican-style tacos. Yay?
  
  The Minimalist makes tomato jam.
  
  Recipes for icy summer mocktails. And not just virgin daiquiris - think homemade tonic with lavender, chamomile, fresh herbs and lime juice.
  
  Meet the raspberry fig.

  Business, Newspapers, America, Food News

  
  Flying domestically over the past few years has become increasingly more and more nightmarish. Just last week we had a post on the lack of complimentary food served on domestic flights. Last Sunday, the New York Times had an article about airlines, such as US Airways, that are charging $5 for snacks and $2 for water. Airlines no longer offering basic amenities, like luggage space and meals, is depressing. But, it's more or less expected from airlines that are all on the verge of going out of business. To...
  




• Budweiser takes a cue from politicians: Patriotism sells!
  

  Filed under: Beer, Business, New Products, America

  Anheuser-Busch would like me to believe I am reading too much into it, but around the time of the InBev buyout, Budweiser commercials began elevating the patriotism pushing "The Great American Lager" slogan like a comforting pat on the shoulder to say, "Everything will be alright." Maybe its just a coincidence: A-B reminds me the slogan was launched before InBev's bid was finalized. Or maybe marketing knew something I didn't. Either way, hammering home the "King of Beers" at this point might just come a little too close to reminding us of our new European overlords.
  
  Unfortunately,...
  



• Mrs. Field's may be filing for bankruptcy
  

  Filed under: Business, Bakeries

  
  It appears that right now is not a good time to be in the food business. First Bennigan's closed the majority of their stores and now Mrs. Field's Famous Brand is planning on filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
  
  According to Forbes, the cookie maker won't be able to make a scheduled debt payment in September. The company is currently "soliciting votes from creditors for a 'prepackaged' bankruptcy reorganization plan." That means that the people in charge at Mrs. Field's are talking to creditors to see if they'll agree...
  



• Is flavored water healthy?
  

  Filed under: Water, Business, Trends, Health & Medical

  Wow, the confusion when buying water! These days, when you enter a grocery store and look on the shelf, you can view about 10 different flavored waters, each promising to be the perfect antidote to a specific ailment. There's Vitaminwater, Propel Fitness Water, Function Drinks, Sobe Life Water, Snapple Antioxident water, 24c Vitamin enhanced water, and much more.
  
  Yesterday, I read an article from New York magazine about the entrepreneurs that started Function Drinks. And, for a brief moment, I thought that perhaps all these drinks were not bogus. Dr. Alex Hughes, one...
  



• Guinness faced with protesting farmers
  

  Filed under: Beer, Farming, Business

  
  Farmers everywhere are being squeezed by high production costs and low prices for their products. Even malting barley farmers in Ireland are being hit, but they're trying to do something about it.
  
  The Irish farmers, about 400 of them, converged on the famous Guinness brewery in Dublin to protest their situation. The farmers want the brewer to do more to support the industry (which I suppose means supporting higher grain prices?). However, Guinness maintains that they get their grain from an agricultural supplier and has little...
  



• Street cart cuisine: Details magazine determines the finest food on four wheels
  

  Filed under: Restaurants, Business, Food Quest, America, Fast Food, Local Eating, Guilty Pleasures

  Last fall, in the beginning of my first year in New York, I discovered the Vendy awards. Sponsored by the Urban Justice Center, the awards honor the city's best street vendors. I was particularly interested because of Mohammed Rahman, proprietor of the Kwik Meal cart on 45th Street and Sixth Avenue.
  
  On some days, when I had a little extra cash, I'd grab my lunch at Mohammed's stand. While his menu was, ostensibly, the same as most other halal...