Entries categorized as ‘Curiosities’

A Very Hot Dog Interlude

November 26, 2008 · No Comments

I know I’m still severely behind on posts, but I just had to put this up.

Best marketing ever? Yes.

Categories: Curiosities · Philadelphia
Tagged: , , , , , ,

$1 Fruit

October 7, 2008 · No Comments

I bought an apple today. It cost $1.00.

That is way too much to pay for a piece of fruit.

Categories: Curiosities · NYC · Opinion · Problems
Tagged: , , , ,

A Wine Ferments in Yonkers Part II: The Unwhite Wine

September 28, 2008 · No Comments

I know you’ve all been eagerly awaiting the conclusion of the wine saga that started with this post.

Who am I kidding? No you’re not.

But in case you’re wondering how homemade Chardonnay turns out in the hands of two suburban retirees and their food-blogging son, that picture tells it all.

Although the darn thing wouldn’t clarify (even after many attempts at filtering) it went down fairly smoothly. I swear. It tasted like a decent white wine, despite its odd coloring.

And when you get down to it, wouldn’t you rather have a better tasting wine than a better looking wine? I thought so.

* By the way, that’s my wife’s hand, not mine.

Categories: Curiosities · Drinks · Problems · Products
Tagged: , , ,

Mmmmm, cheesy

September 18, 2008 · No Comments

Pop quiz! This is what happens to a pizza when:

A. I use the whole mozzarella ball

B. I happen to have extra ricotta laying around

C. Nobody stops me

I think you know the answer.

Categories: Cooking · Curiosities
Tagged: , , , ,

I don’t get it

August 29, 2008 · 2 Comments

Anybody remember this unfortunate creation?

It’s the ultra-PC, non-offensive mascot from the Atlanta Olympics of 1996. He/she is named Izzy, short for Whatizit, which is an ironically unhip version of the question everybody would be asking: What is it?

Just as confusing was my visit to the Flirt Sushi Lounge in Allendale, New Jersey. And just as people scratched their heads when Izzy made its debut, I am at a profound loss in understanding this place. Here are some of its random qualities:

  • It serves sushi.
  • It looks like a brothel.
  • It plays Latin pop… loudly.
  • The rolls have names like “Big Balls” and “Viagra.”
  • The clientele is majority female.

What is the heck is going on here? Am I missing something or do none of these elements relate to each other?

I guess I just don’t get it.

The rolls were interesting and delicious. But still, they were not enough to distract me from the swirling weirdness that played out around me: slick-looking waiters, impressionable teenagers, lots of red and black.

And it’s BYOB.

Can anybody tell me what’s going on with this place? I’m dying to know.

Categories: Curiosities · Restaurants · new jersey
Tagged: , , , ,

Wacky Wedding Cookies

July 24, 2008 · No Comments

Although everything was beautiful, the highlight of a recent wedding I attended was the endless amount of cookies. I can count at least 12 varieties in this picture alone, but there had to be more than 20 kinds continuously replenished at the dessert table all night.

It was truly a legendary feat by the mother and aunt of the bride, who must have been baking cookies for nearly a month. The only problem: sickness induced by washing down too many of these treats with open-bar alcohol. Ughhhhhhh.

A couple of my favorites were:

The Mouse

  • Hershey’s Kiss face
  • Almond ears
  • Oreo base
  • Chocolate-covered cherry body and tail

The Hamburger

  • Shortbread bun with real sesame seeds
  • Frosting condiments
  • Mint chocolate cookie burger patty

Categories: Baking · Curiosities · Dessert · Events · Travel
Tagged: , ,

Is it art, or will it just kill you?

May 2, 2008 · No Comments

If this were inside my chest, I’d eat my heart out every day.

More artistic chocolates and candy sculptures are compiled at Dark Roasted Blend.

Maybe not as artistic, but no less fascinating, is Mental Floss’ Best of the Worst Foods Ever.

These “edibles” - like the above-pictured In ‘N’ Out 100×100 burger - just might kill you. But come on, it would totally be worth it!

Categories: Curiosities
Tagged: , , , , , ,

The most disgusting thing ever (updated)

April 19, 2008 · 4 Comments

Wow, take a gander at this monstrosity. Only in Japan, a land virtually untouched by obesity, can the marketing wizards at Pizza Hut peddle a 646 calorie per slice (per slice!!!) food to kids without the least demonstration of conscience or remorse.

According to Gizmodo, Pizza Hut’s “exclusive” Double Roll pie includes bacon-wrapped wieners, mini hamburgers, pepperoni, three kinds of cheeses, and a few veggies.

And because that’s not hurl-inducing enough, how about adding a little ketchup and maple syrup? Because, ya know, that other stuff just doesn’t have the thick, viscous quality that’s driving all the kids nuts these days.

Honestly, when food becomes this kitschy, it’s more sad than cute.

Thanks to Meghan for the heads-up on this article.

Update 5/9/08

More crazy Asian pizza crusts here!

Categories: Curiosities · To Go · Travel
Tagged: , , , , , ,

Marsala Massacre

April 13, 2008 · 4 Comments

Riddle me this: what do you call Chicken Marsala that doesn’t include any Marsala?

This was my dilemma last weekend when, halfway into the cooking process, I discovered a distinct lack of Marsala wine in the apartment. (I had also run out of mushrooms, but that’s another issue.)

During my extensive search for a substitute alcohol, I retrieved a tall blue bottle from the back of the pantry that had long since faded from memory. The liquid, dubbed Attitude III, was described on the bottle as “Blueberry Wine with grape spirits added.” Hmmmmmm…

I tried a little and, tasting a slight resemblance to the sweetness of Marsala and port wines, decided to throw it in. I almost immediately regretted my decision as strange, blueberry fumes rose from the pan. In a desperate attempt to save the sauce, I grabbed some refrigerated chardonnay and poured in a healthy splash.

Then, as a final cover-up, I doubled the amount of lemon juice I normally add. If there was going to be an edge to it, I thought it better to err on the side of citrus.

The result? Surprisingly, not bad.

Although it took a bite or two to get used to the less-familiar taste, the wife and I both enjoyed the experiment.

I can’t say it was the best meal I’ve ever had, but I can’t say it was the worst either. It was just a happy accident… but one I hope not to repeat anytime soon.

Categories: Cooking · Curiosities · Problems
Tagged: , , , , , ,

For all you monkey lovers

April 3, 2008 · 3 Comments

I’m all for snarky, pseudo-intellectual T-shirts - like the ones currently on sale at the Mental Floss store - but I draw the line at monkey-eating innuendo.

Categories: Curiosities
Tagged: , , , ,