When I was a child, I asked my mom why there wasn’t a Kid’s Day. She answered, “Every day is Kid’s Day.” I didn’t really buy that back then, but in hindsight it is apparent that truer words have neve been spoken. So, this Mother’s Day, do right for the mother in your life by treating her to a terrific meal on her special day of the year. According to the National Restaurant Association, one quarter of Americans will be dining out in celebration of mom’s special day, which means that not only are we a nation of foodies, we’re also a nation of appreciative children and spouses.
The wild-caught uni at The Slanted Door in San Francisco.
Uni, or sea urchin, has typically been a staple on fine sushi menus, but it is fast becoming ubiquitous at restaurants serving all types of cuisines. Its rise in popularity, however, doesn’t mean it is beloved by all. In fact, uni can be downright divisive. Go ahead and ask your friends if they like uni. You’ll likely hear one of the following responses: “Love it!” or “Ugh!” or “Only if it’s fresh.” or “What *is* it?” That sums up much of what we heard when we asked the OpenTable Facebook community their opinions on uni. There are different grades of uni and a sole experience with a lesser grade could make you swear off the stuff forever; however, fresh (as in just-harvested from the sea urchin) uni is highly regarded by chefs and foodies alike and could make even the most cautious of diners into converts. Find out what your fellow OpenTable diners are saying about this rumored aphrodisiac in recent restaurant reviews.
* 15 East Restaurant, New York, New York: “The second course was the grilled gindara (koji sake-marinated black cod in uni sauce), which was amazing!”
* Arami, Chicago, Illinois: “ Don’t miss the uni shooters.”
* Bestia, Los Angeles, California: “Outstanding meal. Diver scallops, veal tartare, calamari salad, and uni pasta were all unbelievably delicious. Making another reservation right now.”
* Chef Mavro, Honolulu, Hawaii: “Unbelievably food and wine pairings; appetizer was one of the best ever (basmati rice, raw ahi topped with uni sauce, and uni).”
* JoLe, Calistoga, California: “Each dish had the right amount of flare and sauces to offset, complement, and highlight the flavor of the main ingredient. We chose the Kampachi with uni and olive tapenade, snapper with chilled mussels, the sweetbreads, and some veggies to share. All terrific.”
* Kata Robata, Houston, Texas: “I would definitely come back for the live uni, ramen, and pork belly bun.”
Last night, the2013 James Beard Foundation Awards, otherwise known as the “Oscars” of the food world, were held in New York City. New York OpenTable team members Vince Chiaramonte, Mark Cornell, Samantha Cleaves, Alicia Gomes, Brian Maiorana, and Matt Touron were on hand to cheer on the nominees. You can peep a few pics below and view a list of winners after the break.
For many foodies, mom will always be their top chef.
It may be your mother’s mac and cheese. Or her Sunday gravy and meatballs. Perhaps it’s her chicken empanadas. Whatever the dish, many folks have a favorite meal that mom made best. In honor of mom and her culinary gifts, we’re giving away five $200 gift cards, May 6-10, 2013. To enter for a chance to win, follow @OpenTable on Twitter, tweet us the dish that nobody makes as great as mom — and then name a restaurant that serves the next best thing. For example:
* ‘#Nobodymakesitlikemom @OpenTable but @Craft_NewYork roasted chicken comes close.’ * ‘#Nobodymakesitlikemom @OpenTable but @ArtisanalBistro mac and cheese is pretty great.’ * ‘#Nobodymakesitlikemom @OpenTable but @DelPosto lasagne is my 2nd favorite’ * ‘#Nobodymakesitlikemom @OpenTable but @suenoschelsea tortilla soup is amazing.’
Be sure to use @OpenTable and #nobodymakesitlikemom in your tweet!
One entry per person per day, please. For full rules and regulations, see below. Continue reading…
In celebration of Mother’s Day, we are pleased to release our rankings of the Top 25 Mom-friendly Dining Cities in the U.S. This list represents the best cities for moms who are also fun-seeking foodies.
The results are spread across 16 states and point to the places where it’s terrific to be both a mom and a foodie. Florida, California, and Texas cities are well represented, as is North Carolina, which boasts wins for Charlotte and Raleigh.
In order to provide this ranking, the OpenTable Mom-friendly Dining Index was calculated using four variables based on OpenTable reservation and diner reviews data from 2012: the percentage of people who dined out for Mother’s Day; the percentage of restaurants rated “kid-friendly;” the percentage of restaurants rated “romantic;” and the percentage of restaurants rated “hot spots.”
To quote a line from the movie Tombstone, “I ain’t got the words.”
Celebrity sightings at restaurants on OpenTable…
* Politico Senator Chuck Schumer had a midday meal at ABC Kitchen in Manhattan. [NY Post]
* Former first kid Chelsea Clinton revealed that she and her hubby met the parentals at the Big Apple’s Babbo early in their courtship. [NY Post]
* Erstwhile BossKelsey Grammer dined with his wife at BOA Steakhouse in Beverly Hills. [Daily Mail]
* Hot Topic enthusiast Axl Rose held court at NYC’s Catch Roof with Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Jonah Hill, and Michael K. Williams (Omar lives!). [NY Post] Continue reading…
