Zagat Still Has Love for Pastis, Hates on Meatpacking

:::New York Mag graciously gives us the the Zagat New York City Nightlife 2008/09 guide in a quaint little nutshell. The rundown:

++Pastis got top ratings, followed by Buddha Bar, Balthazar, Spice Market, and Blue Water Grill. Among those that are strictly bars, the winners were Hudson Hotel, then 230 Fifth, Divine Bar, and Campbell Apartment
++The ladies’ choice was Stanton Social; guys gave Brother Jimmy’s top honors
++Top after-work uptown spot: Bemelmans
++After-work midtown spot: King Cole Bar
++After-work downtown spot: Church Lounge
++Cocktail experts: Milk & Honey
++Dive: Jimmy’s Corner
++Frat house: Half Pint
++Gay: Therapy
++Hookahs: Le Souk
++Meat market: Touch
++Newcomer: PDT
++Punk bar: Manitoba’s
++Rooftop: Rise
++Wine bar: Stonehome
++Top décor: Megu
++Outdoors: Central Park Boathouse
++Romance: Allen & Delancey
+Service: Daniel

Le Burger

:::Apparently, hamburgers are all the rage in Paris! With exception to the disgustingness they sell at fast food joints, there's nothing I love more than a big, juicy diner-style cheeseburger. Deelish!

:::In this NYT article, restaurant consultant Hélène Samuel says that “It has the taste of the forbidden, the illicit — the subversive, even.” Yea...it's called cholesterol. And trans-fats. Leave it to America to make even the French fat!

101 20-Minute Dishes for Inspired Picnics

:::Here's the NYT Style Section's 101 yummy picnic foods! Easy, cheap, and delicious.....just how I like it. Check it out here, then go have a fab summer picnic of your own!

:::The Thai gazpacho sounds a-ma-zing