Bakersfield, California. That's where you'll find the last Woolworth's Luncheonette in America — and it's still serving food!
Eater Los Angeles:
Step into the Five & Dime Antique Mall in Bakersfield, California, and that rarity becomes reality. There, in the back corner at the ground-floor level of the four-story building, is a fully functioning former Woolworth luncheonette counter, complete with 22 counter seats, Formica tables ringing the room, and an open kitchen for griddling burgers and making milkshakes. But this well-protected bit of ephemera isn’t cordoned off with Do Not Touch signs — it’s still a real, thriving luncheonette counter called the Woolworth Diner, serving police officers, antiquers, and locals daily.
Head over to Eater Los Angeles to see lots of photos of this fifties time capsule.
screenshot via NorCalCorsello Read the rest
Tokyo-based art collective Chim↑Pom has opened a two-week pop-up restaurant that serves up the last meals once requested by real death row inmates.
For example, before being executed by firing squad in 1977, Utah double murderer Gary Mark Gilmore ate a burger, a hard-boiled egg, and mashed potatoes, and drank three shots of whiskey. Here is Chim↑Pom's version of Gilmore's pre-execution eats:
The Ningen ("Human") Restaurant is located in Kabukicho, Tokyo's red-light district, and is open until October 28 (2 PM to 9 PM).
(Spoon & Tamago) Read the rest
Architecture firm Snøhetta released its design concept for Under, a restaurant planned for the coast along Norway's southernmost tip. Read the rest
Oh, Denny's.
How many meetings did you have before you decided on using an anthropomorphic poop-like sausage for one of your Grand Slam breakfast mascots?
Not enough, clearly. I feel a little sad for you right now.
Good job on the tiny fedora though.
photo by Mike Mozart
(Mashable) Read the rest
"The Sheriff likes Stelly's restaurant. And so do I. The food here is good. And the folks are friendly. We're going to identify you, arrest you, and put you in a small cell. After that, I'm going to have a cheeseburger here, with fries and a coke." Read the rest
The World's 50 Best Restaurants 2015 announced its winners Monday night in London, with El Celler de Can Roca (Girona, Spain) landing the #1 spot. Six US restaurants made the list, including Eleven Madison Park (NY) at #5, and Le Bernardin (NY) at #18. Started in 2002, the World's 50 Best is controversial with some chefs, who say the voting process is flawed. But for fanatic foodies, the list makes for a fun road map to some of the best dishes in the world.
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When I visited Hiroshima, Japan with my family, I expected a lot of tough questions about the atomic bomb from my daughters. But I didn't expect to stumble upon one of the best restaurants I've ever eaten at.
If other restaurants follow Alimento's lead, you'll soon start tipping the servers and the kitchen staff. Next time I dine at Alimento, I'll just fill in the TOTAL amount and then let the servers and kitchen staff fight it out.
Restaurants across the country have begun to address the disparity by building in 18 or 20 percent service charges, or, as is the case with local establishments like Mélisse, A.O.C., and République, adding a 3 percent surcharge that goes toward employee healthcare. Alimento’s additional gratuity will only be divided among dishwashers, line cooks, and prep cooks. “My sous chefs aren’t getting a cut,” says Pollack, “and, of course, neither am I.”
How does the waitstaff feel about the idea? “They are actually excited,” says Pollack. “I’m guessing people will still default to giving service 15 to 20 percent, but even if they give only a few bucks to the guys in back, it will make a huge difference.”
Alimento Adds Line for Kitchen Gratuity to All Checks Read the rest
Last weekend, my family had a wonderful meal at Casa de Fruta, an RV resort, motel, candy shop, wine store, gas station, and restaurant in the Pacheco Valley of Northern California. There is also an operational scale model train for the kiddos to ride. The terrific painting at right hangs in the restaurant. I posted it to my Instagram feed and included the full caption of the plaque above it: "Eugene A. Zanger, co-owner of Casa de Fruita, flipped over 3 million cups 1969-1999. Appeared on David Letterman Show 12/23/87. Enjoying retirement." Above is video of Mr. Zanger's appearance on Letterman. Read the rest
For some reason, this delightful chickenery in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand underwent an image makeover in recent years. Its now called "H-ler." (Time) Read the rest
Yesterday I spotted Bisou, a new Libyan restaurant, which opened earlier this year here in Pittsburgh. At Reddit, Val_Holla reports that the proprietor claims no knowledge of his logo's origin, which may in turn indicate that he is a master troll. Here is the menu. Read the rest
