South End openings

Offal is having a big moment in the food world, which prompted Guillermo (a self proclaimed offal lover) to visit chef Jeremy Salamon (one of NYC's youngest LGBTQ rising star chefs) at The Eddy, right on time to celebrate Pride month. Jeremy's critically-appraised, mostly Hungarian menu, was inspired by his grandmother’s recipes. Offal is a staple of Eastern European cuisines, so it made sense to make delicious pastrami beef tongue. Let's tongue for Pride! PS: The Eddy will be closing it's doors this Monday 6/17 after dinner service - New Yorkers: the restaurant will be offering all guests a 25% discount on their check (no minimums, no maximums, no questions asked).

Café Gratitude, a small vegan chain from California, has an interesting concept to improve the future of our planet. Meatless Monday deals and offerings across the country show no signs of slowing down. Growing concern over both the quality of mass-processed meats along with climate change and the humane treatment of animals, is inspiring folks to adopt vegan habits, at least part-time anyways. The café took a step ahead by offering 50% off on their most popular dishes every Monday for a limited time, as an incentive for diners, while trying to motivate other restaurants to follow the model. Café Gratitude’s motto “Be plant rich” means they want you to live a rich life mostly on plants.

Chef Michelle Doll shares her tips on how to pack a cooler the right way. Check Chef Doll's book for more tips and techniques for home cooks.

Anna Francese Gass joins our Table Talk series. In this interview with our Executive Editor Hana Asbrink, Anna, a native of Rhode Island living in New York City and alumni of the French Culinary Institute, talks about her passion for authentic immigrant cooking and the surrounding stories. She has spent much of her time traveling the country cooking with grandmothers and learning the true and complicated fabric of this country, one kitchen at a time. Her hope is that by transcribing these cherished recipes, they will continue to be shared and loved for generations to come.