AlwaysPartying: Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

Maryse Chevrière — July 04, 2010

Winner Joey Chestnut raises his fist in victory.

Well, folks, it’s official. Joey Chestnut has eaten more hot dogs than any other one person will this 4th of July. 54 in ten minutes, to be exact.

At the 95th Annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest this afternoon, the American favorite clinched his fourth consecutive win, edging out Tim “Eater X” Janus and Pat Bertoletti, who took second and third respectively. The result wasn’t quite near the record-breaking 70 hot dogs Chestnut had hoped to eat (he consumed 68 last year)— blame perhaps the beating sun and 95 degree heat for that.

More from the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest >>

AlwaysPartying: Happy 4th of July!

Maryse Chevrière — July 02, 2010

Patriotic Cupcake Flag from Baked by Melissa.

Freedom! Fireworks! Independence! Sure the 4th of July is all about celebrating our soverignty, but it’s also about spending time with friends and family with lots of good food. Consider, according to the Census, 76 million Americans said they took part in a barbecue in 2009. And supposedly, in this week leading up to July 4th we’ll have bought 700 million pounds of chicken, 190 million pounds of red meat and pork, and about 63.5 million cases of beer. Head swimming yet? We figure to eat 150 million hot dogs this holiday, a few of them at the 95th Annual Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest.

From left: Pork Ribs from Checkered Pig at the 2010 BABBP, Melone cocktail from A Voce, Cheeseburger from All-American.

If you’re still strategizing your holiday weekend food plans, here are a few things to consider:

• To get you in the grilling spirit, review Always Hungry’s regional hot dog and BBQ primers. And if you need an extra helping of ‘cue, revisit Always Hungry’s coverage of the 2010 and 2009 Big Apple Barbecue Block Party events. You can also check out some burger porn, and if you’re near Massapequa and feeling like a real patriot, visit All-American for a cheeseburger.
• Because a good backyard barbecue is nothing without refreshments, try Always Hungry’s fantastic Secret Sangria recipe or A Voce’s recipes for vodka infusion cocktails at your party this year. Of course, you could also draw inspiration from Pulino’s appropriately named Limoncello Sparkler or Pocha 32’s Watermelon Soju.
• Don’t forget, as suggested last year, you’ll have to order your Baked by Melissa Cupcake Flag (pictured above) by Saturday if you want to show off your patriotism with one of their epic Red Velvet, Vanilla, and Blueberry cupcake displays (150 to 630 cupcakes, $105.00-$409.50).

More 4th of July! More Food! >>

AlwaysPartying: National Hamburger Day

Arthur Bovino — May 28, 2010

Double-Double Animal Style at In-N-Out in Los Angeles, CA.

Main Entry: ham·burg·er
Pronunciation: \ˈham-ˌbər-gər\
Variant(s): or ham·burg \-ˌbərg\
Function: Fill your belly.
Etymology: German Hamburger of Hamburg, Germany
Date: 1884

1a: ground beef, b: a patty of ground beef
2: a sandwich consisting of a patty of hamburger in a split typically round bun
3: something that every chef thinks they need to have on their menu
4: something that when done right can be amazing whether eaten in a hole in a wall or in the most esteemed restaurant in the land

That’s right, today, May 28th, is National Hamburger Day. And however you define it, wherever or whoever you want to attribute its origins, whether you fuss it up or slap it between pieces of bread, the burger is wonderful. To celebrate it in all its glory, first peruse the burger archives— we’ve written about a lot of good burgers. Then check out two Burger Bash recaps, and burger-themed videos:

Amstel Lite Burger Bash Blue Moon Burger Bash Burgers in the Boardroom Inside LaFrieda Meats

But wait, there’s more! It’s also almost the end of National Hamburger month, so we’re going to send May out the right way. To inspire your Memorial Day Weekend burger-making, here are burgers Always Hungry, kitchen-sink style: an all-inclusive burger archive photo display. Lamb burgers, goat burgers, Indian burgers and Italian burgers, butter burgers, fast food burgers, mini-burgers, duck burgers. Burgers with eggs, chips, bacon, peanut butter, and corn. It’s all here. Burger-topia!

"I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today..." >>

AlwaysPartying: National Buttermilk Biscuit Day

Arthur Bovino — May 14, 2010

Chicken Biscuit at Pies ‘n’ Thighs.

Today, May 14th, is National Buttermilk Biscuit Day, time to celebrate the biscuit. Whether you use a recipe passed down through generations, or follow directions on the back of the Bisquick box, eat them hot with butter fresh from the oven, under poached eggs brunch-style, cover them with whipped cream, or strawberries, biscuits are gravy, baby.

And for a place way up here in the Northeast, New York actually has quite a few good biscuits. Though one of the best is currently out of the rotation due to the kitchen fire at The Brooklyn Star last February. We’re looking forward to their return. Meanwhile, check out some of our other favorites.

AlwaysPartying: Cinco de Mayo

Maryse Chevrière — May 05, 2010

Happy Cinco de Mayo, time for a shot!

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Last year, we celebrated with a four-stop Mexican restaurant crawl. Today we’re going bigger, compiling photographs of our favorite south-of-the-border dishes at some of the best Mexican and Latin restaurants in the City. From burritos, quesadillas, and guacamole to churros, and of course, margaritas— we’ve got it all.

Photographs of Some of the City's Best Mexican and Latin Dishes >>

AlwaysPartying: Earth Day

April 22, 2010

From left, Ramps from the Union Square Greenmarket, the farm at Blue Hill Stone Barns.

Today, April 22nd, is Earth Day, a day to celebrate greenmarkets, and seasonal ingredients. And not just ramps, we’re talking fiddlehead ferns, nettles, and spring garlic too.

Of course, you could always have a meal at one of New York’s many seasonal and market-driven restaurants, like Roberta’s or even Blue Hill at Stone Barns, if you can make the trip. In fact, several restaurants are offering special deals in honor of the day:

-Both Dell’anima and L’Artusi are donating fifty percent of the profits from today’s special Off-Ramp cocktail to the Community Seeds organization.
-Each of Mario Batali’s restaurants is celebrating with a special dish or menu created by the chef.
-For great Earth Day value, Il Buco is reducing customers’ total lunch bills by 15%, and 20% for the late afternoon lunch menu through the 24th. Proceeds will benefit the protection of the Amazon rainforest.

AlwaysPartying: It’s 420, Time For Hash

April 20, 2010

Short Rib Hash with Sunny-Side-Up Eggs, Toast and Organic Greens at Buttermilk Channel.

It’s officially 4:20pm on 4/20, folks. You know what that means— time to bust out the hash. Prime Rib Hash. Shrimp Hash with Poached Eggs. Hash Browns.

Pass through the slideshow below for photographs of some renditions we’ve enjoyed munching on.

AlwaysPartying: Easter Egg Hunt

Maryse Chevrière — April 02, 2010

Where to go for egg dishes this Easter.

Let’s be honest, the egg hunt is arguably the best part about Easter. While those hollow plastic eggs filled with chocolate and candy are great, New York has so many fantastic dishes featuring actual eggs that you could have a real egg hunt at restaurants this Sunday.

Omelets, poached eggs, frittatas. Eggs on burgers, on pizzas, in soups, and in sandwiches. Check out the slideshow for photographs of some our favorite egg dishes throughout the City.

Always Hungry's Easter Egg (Dish) Hunt >>

AlwaysPartying: April Foods’ Day

Maryse Chevrière — April 01, 2010

Caviar? Nope. That’s Lobster “Begula” Pasta from Citronelle in Washington, D.C. Fooled ‘ya.

April Fool’s Day, a day to punk and be punked. Whether it’s the intended result of creative presentation or just a coincidence, we’ve definitely come across some dishes that betray what meets the eye. Cake that looks like steak, Beef Short Rib that looks like a candy bar, just to name two.

Check out the slideshow for photographs of various foods that are not quite what they appear to be.

Are These Foods Fooling You? >>

AlwaysPartying: Tater Day

Arthur Bovino — March 31, 2010

Tater tots. Fried, salty, cylindrical, grated perfection.

Today, March 31, is National Tater Day, which gives reason to celebrate Tater Tots. Whether eaten as bar food or breakfast, while creating a hangover or recovering from one, there’s something comforting about Tater Tots. Fried, salty, cylindrical, grated potatoes — perfection.

Not too long ago, we sought out the City’s best rendition. In honor of this taterific day, check out Always Hungry’s Top 5 Tater Tots.

Top 5: Matzoh Balls

Jeff Zalaznick — March 29, 2010

An unexpected contender, and a forgotten favorite have finally established a Top 5 Matzoh Ball list.

Last year’s Top 5 quest to find New York’s best matzoh balls, uncovered an amazing and disturbing discovery: some of the City’s supposed best Balls were no longer living up to their reputation. New York had only three contenders. A host of issues sunk classics like Barney Greengrass, Blue Ribbon Bakery, Bubby’s, Carnegie Deli (the worst in class), and 5 Napkin Burger. Most were plagued by underseasoning, and/or bad texture. It was a sad state of affairs for both the City and the Jewish culinary community.

But, the clouds have parted, and in the last year, the addition of an unexpected contender, and the reminder of a forgotten favorite, have finally rounded out a list worthy of exalting this Passover. We have a Matzoh Ball Minion!

Happy Passover! Now go do like the Persians do and smack each other with some scallions!

Click here to find out Always Hungry’s Top 5 Matzoh Ball Soup

Have an idea for a Top 5? We’d love to hear from you. Go to the bottom of a Top 5 page and enter your suggestion into the “Suggest a Top 5” field along with your rankings and your email address.

AlwaysPartying: Something on a Stick Day

Maryse Chevrière — March 26, 2010

Chocolate Covered Bacon from 675 Bar at 2009 NYWFF’s Bacon & The Blues.

Kebabs, yakitori, spiedini. Cheesecake, meatballs, chocolate-covered bacon— all served on sticks. We’ve certainly enjoyed a lot of skewered food of late, and what better day to celebrate them on March 28th, National Something on a Stick Day!

Check out the full slideshow for a look back at the somethings-on-a-stick we’ve sampled recently at restaurants, events, and on the road. Stick it to the man! Eat something on a stick this Sunday.

More Photographs of Foods on Sticks! >>

Featured Dish: Paella Socarrat

GutterGourmet — March 26, 2010

Socarrat Paella Bar’s eponymous Paella Socarrat.

As is the case in sports, the difference between culinary brilliance and disaster is the experience and skill the chef brings to the task at hand. Burnt rice is the stuff of kitchen nightmares: ruined cookware, and a lingering stench more difficult to get rid of than wet dog. In the hands of Lolo Manso at Socarrat Paella Bar, burnt rice becomes legend. Scraping a pan has never been so much fun, delicious, or appropriate considering that tomorrow, March 27, is National Spanish Paella Day.

Lolo is also the owner of La Nacional in the Spanish Benevolent Society club on 14th Street where he perfected his paella craft. Socarrat Paella Bar and its wine bar focus on perfecting the sticky caramelized burnt bits that collect at the bottom of the paella pan— the socarrat.

More About Socarrat's Paella >>

AlwaysPartying: National Lobster Newburg Day

Arthur Bovino — March 25, 2010

Delmonico’s Lobster Newburg.

Today, March 25th, is National Lobster Newburg Day, the celebration of a classic American dish that features lobster in a creamy sauce made with butter, cream, cognac, eggs, Cayenne, and nutmeg. It is said to have originated with a sea captain named Ben Wenberg. Supposedly, in 1876, Wenberg shared his recipe with Charles Delmonico, the manager of Delmonico’s Restaurant, where it is still served today.

Click here to learn more about Lobster Newburg, and another classic, Lobster Thermidor.

AlwaysPartying: National Poultry Day

March 19, 2010

The Label Rouge Roasted Chicken Special at Del Posto.

National Poultry Day, a reason to celebrate duck, turkey, and egg dishes everywhere. And of course, chicken. Recently, New York Magazine picked Maialino as having New York’s best roasted chicken. It’s true that it is a great rendition. Jeff has been eating it for lunch on an abnormally regular basis. But, the most incredible chicken we have tasted in the last few months was a Label Rouge Roast Chicken at Del Posto that is on occasion available as a special. This is something that you need to look out for, and our pick for National Poultry Day.

If you’re lucky enough to be dining at Del Posto on a night when the Label Rouge Chicken is being offered as a special— order it. Words like tender, juicy, well-seasoned, they all apply. Yes, it was tender. Like a perfectly-cooked, medium rare pork chop. Juicy, as in, this meat self-bastes-juicy. Salty. Sure, but that good salty— as if suddenly, chicken had a bacon-like quality to it.