How did I not know that Gran Forno had a second location on Las Olas? I did not. I’d been going to the bakery the past four months I’ve lived here, unaware of Gran Forno Pronto table service down the street. Why should it matter? Because the menu, the setting,…
When the thought of yet another leftover turkey, mashed potato, and pumpkin pie sandwich makes you green around the gills, it’s time to travel outside the house for sustenance. This week, you can officially start getting your Christmas on with holiday activities in Fort Lauderdale — including a cookie showdown…
Oceana Coffee debuted last week in Tequesta, one of the only local roasters in the area. It’s the brick-and-mortar result of three years of work for Amy and Scott Angelo, who spent time tasting beans, learning sourcing, experimenting with roasters, and building the cash to start the shop. The couple…
Though November restaurant openings were not as prolific as earlier this year, a couple of restaurants that made their debut inspired speculation and commentary from readers, in particular Tundra and Tap 42 in Fort Lauderdale and Kapow! Noodle House. Have you visited yet? Let us know your thoughts in the…
Chef Factor, a cooking contest in Ireland, recently has a call for entries. The prize? A 12 week cooking course, complete with tools of the trade for one lucky winner.When Dee entered her legendary chocolate biscuit cake, her husband decided to do one better than download the required photo. He…
Eclectic food news from around the internets. Presidential contender Herman Cain told GQ that veggies are for sissies: “A manly man don’t want it piled high with vegetables! He would call that a sissy pizza.” Read more about sissy pizzas here. On the other hand, New York Times’ Sam Sifton…
We promise that this is the last Thanksgiving post for 2011, but we had to share this Saturday Night Live skit which made us feel really good about our completely weird family holidays.Remember the Aunt who kissed too much? We remember running under the table, hiding in a closet, climbing…
First there’s Black Friday, then there’s Cyber Monday — the shopping day that’s devoted to letting you shop in your underwear (assuming that you’re not taking advantage of the deals at work).After you snag the latest cameras, tablets, and TV’s online, take advantage of some cyber savings on food:…
Author Peter Meehan and New York chef David Chang have unveiled issue two of McSweeney’s Lucky Peach, the magazine of gems among which is a primer on miso varieties, scientific proof of the sweet spot, and recipes for one of the finest turkey leftover concoctions, The Hot Brown. First assembled at…
Why come up with a creative, health-conscious concept when what we really want are burgers and fries that don’t kill us? This appears to be strategy behind Energy Kitchen, whose recent signage highlights ostensibly healthy burgers and fries under 500 calories.Energy Kitchen touts grass-fed beef and wheat buns as better for you…
Chelsea and Fred Marando opened Marando Farms two years ago with the intention of serving as a Fort Lauderdale hub of locally grown, organic produce. I’m smitten with the charm of the place, from the potted gardens to the chicken coop to the boiled peanuts to the visual feast of…
You might think that domestic diva Martha Stewart doesn’t consider herself part of the OWS 99 percent, but apparently she does.On a recent Today Show segment, Martha is asked to cook a turkey. When Matt Lauer asks if he should salt and pepper the bird before placing it in the…
It’s the day after Thanksgiving and you’re fridge is stuck with what seems like ten pounds of leftover turkey. You could make a sandwich, but why not try something much more awesome? Since Clean Plate Charlie was all about pizza this week (when we weren’t talking turkey), we decided to…
It happens every Christmas: I look at my bank account. I cry. I decide that, instead of buying real presents, I will instead venture to Michael’s Craft supplies, pick up some beads and glue sticks, and make something really special for people instead. Hence, the picture frames with glued-on fortune-cookie…
You’ve finally cooked the perfect turkey. It looks brown, juicy, and delicious. Now what? Are you really going to butcher the beast with a butter knife? Before you tear apart that poor bird, watch Alton Brown’s video on how to deconstruct your holiday turkey. Yes, deconstruct. In this three-minute video,…
So it’s Thanksgiving, the turkey’s in the oven, and you’re about to start the sides when you realize you’re out of cream and you totally forgot the cranberries! Don’t panic. Though most stores are closed, we’ve compiled a list of stores that are open for any last minute items, whether…
Here are a list of things we thought would never happen:Wildebeest found on MarsMcDonald’s turns all-veganLady Gaga Hosts a Thanksgiving SpecialGuess McDonald’s is going veg and NASA’s going to find animal tracks any day now, because Lady Gaga’s A Very Gaga Thanksgiving is airing tonight (Thanksgiving) at 9:30 p.m. on…
It seems that I have fallen into a relationship of convenience with PL8. Part of it is because the restaurant is down the street from my house. And since it changed over from Himmarshee Bar & Grille to PL8 this past September, it has become a default go-to among friends…
The 49th-annual Christmas on Las Olas celebration on November 29th is next week. Five blocks of Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale will be festively decorated with lights, decorations, and snow for the occasion.The family event will feature music, entertainment, and new this year — the first annual Christmas Cookie…
Robyn Lindars, a Clean Plate Charlie contributor also known by the handle “Grill Grrrl,” recognizes how intimidating the grill can be for novices, including women who may traditionally cede that territory to the males in their lives. In fact, Lindars first got into the grilling game professionally after attempting to…
The other night, I was talking with a bartender who reminded me how many of my friends and colleagues have drinkin’ rituals: a first round sipping drink, booze for the duration, then a nightcap. Mine are situational. This past weekend in DC, I started with bubbles, switched to a spicy…
Start stocking up on Altoids, and mark your calendar for February 10 to 12, when the iconic Garlic Fest returns to Delray Beach, once again rendering the town safe from vampires…
