Aboard the L Train

Photo: Yana Paskova (The New York Times)

Brew that coffee! Pour that OJ! And settle in this morning to catch up on what's happening in the world of food. Here's what we're reading (and watching) this week.

Shop the Story

• Life is filled with "the cool kids" -- but it's safe to say dining on the subway is about as cool as it gets. We've always wanted to eat a six-course lunch on the L train! (The New York Times) 

• Speaking of insidery, here's a bit of industry fodder for ya: Chez Panisse's David Tanis to write for the NY Times. Something tells us it may take more than a platter of figs... (SF Gate) 

• Will David Tanis still spend half the year in Paris if he's writing for an American paper? We would! Here's an au courant look at the 10 Best Restaurants in Paris, according to Brits we trust. (The Guardian)

Do You Live in a Food Desert?  10 Best Restaurants in Paris

Map: USDA (via Alex Howard for Good.is) and Photo: The Guardian

• With Amanda's wise words on cooking time and Google's new recipe search still on our minds, we were thrilled to see Michael Ruhlman mount a similar soap box and explain What Thirty-Minute Meals Really Mean. (Huffington Post)

• You always wondered why your neighborhood felt foodless? Well, we ask you: do you live in a food desert? A nifty map gives visual meaning to your food community. (Good)

Let's Get La Empanada Truck on the Road!  Let's Get La Empanada Truck on the Road!

• Many chefs dream of ditching their restaurant post in favor of a food truck. A lucrative but now equally competitive proposition, these Floridians turned to Kickstarter to make their dream a reality. Throw in a handful of empanadas, of course (check out their video below).

• Last, but not remotely least, an update from the James Beard Awards: we are super proud to announce that last night (after work, of course), our very own Amanda Hesser took home the win in the General Cooking category for The Essential New York Times Cookbook: Classic Recipes for a New Century (W.W. Norton & Company)! A huge huzzah to Amanda and her contribution to culinary history. 

See what other Food52 readers are saying.

  • betteirene
    betteirene
  • Bevi
    Bevi
  • Lori Lyn Narlock
    Lori Lyn Narlock
  • thecrabbycook
    thecrabbycook
  • Fairmount_market
    Fairmount_market
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34 Comments

betteirene May 9, 2011
Receiving an award for birthing a cookbook with Merrill as the midwife and Tad as the coach. . .what a great way to kick off Mother's Day Weekend! Congratulations! And I bet the twins made Sunday an award-winner, too.
 
Bevi May 9, 2011
Congrats Amanda! My daughter, my niece, my sister, and of course Moi were all recipients of your cookbook this year!
 
Lori L. May 9, 2011
Congratulations, Amanda! It is a much deserved award for a fantastic book.
 
thecrabbycook May 9, 2011
Go Amanda! It's one of my current favorite books...always obsessively read the NYTimes recipes and love having millions of them in a collection...Congrats!
 
Fairmount_market May 9, 2011
Congratulations Amanda! I love your cookbook and as a longtime NYT reader, appreciate all the flashes from the past as I've reconnected with forgotten recipes. I hope you post some pictures from the award ceremony!
 
Daphne May 8, 2011
Such fabulous news, Amanda! Even though my kitchen is out of order presently, that hasn't stopped us from continuing to try out your amazing cocktail selections. Thanks for an amazing book representing such love and dedication from so many!
 
mcs3000 May 8, 2011
Congratulations, Amanda! Your book is a masterpiece. It's perfect - an instant classic: design, font, headnotes and recipes. I've learned so much from it and love cooking out it. It's so awesome you and Merrill were able to celebrate with your husbands. Btw: wear that gorgeous medal to your next cocktail party :)
 
happycao May 8, 2011
Yay Amanda, that book is the on my to-buy-very soon list!
 
Robin O. May 7, 2011
Congratulations Amanda! I love your book and I look to it for inspiration several times a week! I've got my eye on that almond cake for later this week! Cheers!
 
Amanda H. May 7, 2011
Thank you -- I make that almond cake at least 10 times a year.
 
lapadia May 7, 2011
Cheers to a job well done!!! Congratulations...
 
Amanda H. May 7, 2011
Thank you!
 
WinnieAb May 7, 2011
Congrats on your award Amanda!
 
WinnieAb May 7, 2011
ps I honestly love love love the book :)
 
Amanda H. May 7, 2011
Thanks Winnie!
 
Oh! And I meant to add that we just got back from Ecuador and fell in love with all the empanadas there, so I really enjoyed the story on La Empanada truck. Next, a search through Food 52 to find empanada recipes!
 
What fabulous news! Huge congrats to you Amanda (and Merrill too!) for all your hard work on this amazing cookbook. I will be happily cooking my way through it for many years to come.
 
Amanda H. May 7, 2011
Thank you!
 
fiveandspice May 7, 2011
YAY Amanda!!! (And Merrill too, of course :)! ) What a well-deserved honor for all your hard work. Your cookbook is truly inspirational.
 
Amanda H. May 7, 2011
Thanks!
 
boulangere May 7, 2011
Such fantastic news, and richly deserved. I hope you all have a celebration planned!
 
Amanda H. May 7, 2011
Thank you -- Merrill, my husband, and I were at the awards together, cracking each other up and raising many a glass!
 
boulangere May 7, 2011
Oh so great to know!
 
drbabs May 7, 2011
You buried the lead!!!! Amanda and Merrill, Huge congratulations! I'm so happy for you!!!!!!!!
 
Amanda H. May 7, 2011
Thank you -- a sweet finale to years of working together.
 
Merrill S. May 8, 2011
Thank you! It was so much fun to be there and get to see Amanda receive the award. She was incredibly gracious.
 
Burnt O. May 7, 2011
What wonderful recognition for a labor of 6 years in the making! Destined to become a classic, this was well earned and well deserved. The entire Food52 community takes great pride in your recognition. Enjoy the accolades - they're legitimate and heartfelt.
 
Amanda H. May 7, 2011
Thank you, thank you!
 
hardlikearmour May 7, 2011
Big congratulations, Amanda! How wonderful to see you win such a prestigious award; your (and Merrill's) hardwork has really payed off. You must be extremely proud!
 
Amanda H. May 7, 2011
Thanks -- we had so many fun times in the kitchen along the way.
 
Hooray Amanda! Glad to see that you have been recognized by your peers. Congratulations!!!
 
Amanda H. May 7, 2011
Thanks -- was glad to be nominated with friends whose work I admire.
 
monkeymom May 7, 2011
Way to go Amanda! Woohooooooo!
 
Amanda H. May 7, 2011
Thank you!