Food & Wine

Diner’s Bill of Rights

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It doesn’t yet have the force of law. But a newspaper writer has penned a proposed bill of rights for diners, establishing standards for everything from the right to receive fresh silverware with each new course to a right to conversational privacy.

Written in a style that is reminiscent of the Bible’s ten commandments yet intermixed with modern-day legal language, the 25-item bill of rights by Los Angeles Times writer Leslie Brenner is a rallying cry to culinary justice.

Even in seemingly relatively minor matters, don’t give up the fight for appropriate restaurant service, the newspaper article urges diners. “You have a right to be offered tap water without feeling stigmatized. The tap water shall be filtered. Unless there are overriding drought conditions, the water shall be replenished throughout the meal.”

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Margaritaville Margarita Recipe

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Jimmy Buffett, who died on Friday at age 76, was known for his songs of paradise and affinity for margaritas.

The “Margaritaville” singer inspired devotees, known as Parrotheads, to celebrate a more laid back lifestyle with his music, including the song named after the cocktail.

“What’s most important is to please the Parrotheads, because there’s more to the music than just the music,” he told Entertainment Weekly in 1995. “It’s become a lifestyle. I wish I could take credit, but it’s fan-generated.”

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Restaurant Review: Tibby’s New Orleans Kitchen

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My wife and I go out for lunch every Saturday, a tradition that has spanned almost a decade. As residents of Central Florida the choices are plentiful, on this occasion our choice was Tibby’s New Orleans Kitchen in Winter Park. The owner ship started in the restaurant business with Tijuana Flats, a popular Mexican place, … Read more

The Real Difference Between Jambalaya And Etouffee

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If you’ve ever been to Creole or Cajun country, then chances are you’ve seen jambalaya and etouffee listed on the menus of restaurants. Or perhaps you love the uniquely spicy foods that are associated with the low country and wanted to make your favorite dishes at home. Jambalaya and etouffee are both classic staples for … Read more

Scott Joseph’s 2022 Best Outdoor Dining Foodster Award Winner

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Results are in for the 2022 Best Outdoor Dining Foodster Award for Independent Restaurants. The Tap Room at Dubsdread takes first place. Only 1 vote separated 2nd and 3d: The Tap Room at Dubsdread has been voted Best Outdoor Dining in our 2022 Foodster Award for Independent Restaurants. Maxine’s On Shine was second and The Garlic in New Smyrna Beach third. … Read more

Smoke Point – Common Oils and Fats

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Avocado Oil, (unrefined):  Smoke point: 520°F

                High in monounsaturated fat (typically touted as a “good” fat), avocado oil has a smoke point of about 520˚, which makes it an efficient pantry item: Use it for sautéing, roasting, searing, and vinaigrettes alike. There’s no need to refrigerate it when opened, although it should be stored in a cool, dark cupboard.  Use for searing, frying, grilling, roasting, baking and salad dressings. High in heart-healthy monounsaturated fat (70 per cent).

Safflower Oil:  Smoke Point 510°F

                With a smoke point of 440-450˚, sunflower oil is the pantry hero for all things sear- and sauté-related (like these hearty salmon steaks, for example). Because it is pressed from seeds, it does turn rancid quicker than other oils, so store it in a cool place and use within a year,  max. Safflower seed oil is flavorless and colorless, and nutritionally similar to sunflower oil. It is used  mainly in cosmetics and as a cooking oil, in salad dressing, and for the production of margarine

Rice Bran Oil:  Smoke Point 490°F

                Rice bran oil is the oil extracted from the hard outer brown layer of rice called chaff (rice husk).   It is known for its high smoke point of 232 °C (450 °F) and mild flavor, making it suitable for high-temperature cooking methods such as stir frying and deep frying.

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Scott Joseph’s 2022 Foodster Award Best Outdoor Dining finalists

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Big Fin Seafood Kitchen – Sand Lake Rd – Restaurant RowSear + Sea Woodfire Grill – Near EpcotIllume – Near EpcotRussell’s on Lake Ivanhoe – North Orange AveTap Room at DubsdreadSoco – DowntownKnife & Spoon – Ritz Carlton – Grand LakesTabla Indian – Park Ave Winter ParkThe 1 Cantina – Avalon Park310 Lakeside – DowntownBoVine … Read more