We’re always keen to know where chefs choose to dine, ostensibly because they know more about food and what goes on in restaurants than we do. But isn’t it the chefs’ inexperience, as much as their expertise, that makes their dining eatineraries so compelling? With the exception of globetrotting figureheads they generally work mealtime hours. [...]

Stumptown Coffee Roasters, Ace Hotel, 18 West 29th Street, New York

The El Doble at Txikito (pronounced “chic-kee-toe”)  - a Basque restaurant in New York’s Chelsea. The chubby double burger is draped with smoked sheep’s milk cheese and peppery salsa especial. The version seen above was requested to be on the rare side of medium rare.

The purpose of my visit to the new Yankee Stadium had little to do with a baseball game. I was there to survey the food options and rate perhaps a dozen of them. I thought this would be a valuable service for fans who didn’t wish to subject their bodies to the very abuse I [...]

When travelling across nations or neighborhoods I revel in the long detour for the indelible delight. My willingness to wreck itineraries and rile companions for a nibble of potentially life-changing apple strudel partly explains my reputation amongst those who know me best as a deviant.