We’d like to thank Taquero Fusion an acclaimed food truck in Chicago for awarding Nosh shades to customers!  To all Noshers in Chicago- check out their website, and track down a truck to grab a taco with a “Latin Twist”! 

Our wonderful Nosh Select, Todor Krecu, spread some Nosh Love in Chicago at the weekly Food Truck Pop-Up Dinners @Koval Distillery. Check out the slideshow below! 

Photos by Todor Krecu

We are excited to announce we have the results for our Facebook 1000 Likes Contest! Two lucky fans of Nosh have been chosen at random and will each get an Android phone and dock!

And the winners are…

Katie Kennard…and Matthew Van Andel

CONGRATULATIONS Katie and Matthew! Please email caroline@firespotter.com so you may claim your prize. This is the first of many contests we will be having on our page so please stay tuned.

Thank you all for your support and Happy Noshing!

Matthew’s BEST EVER: Smokehouse BBQ Burger @Lucille’s Smokehouse BBQ

Just in time for the holidays, our spotlight moves to NYC as Brooklyn-devotee and co-founder of personal style blog, Broadist, Caroline Shadood gives us a peek into her favorites in the burgeoning Brooklyn food scene…

Nosh: What are your three favorite restaurants at the moment?

Do or Dine (Bed Stuy), Freemans (Lower East Side), Robertas PIzza (Bushwick)

Nosh: What is your favorite restaurant to go to before going out? Favorite bar?

Brooklyn Bowl (Williamsburg) before going out anywhere, and/or staying there if it’s a good show that night. The Narrows (Bushwick) is my favorite bar at the moment.

Nosh: What is your all-time favorite dessert?

Cannolis. Really, really good ones.

Nosh: What is something that you love to do that is specific to the neighborhood you live in?

Eat tacos while burning bodega prayer candles and gardening on my fire escape.

Nosh: Please tell us about a memorable dining experience you had while on vacation.

The Black Bear Diner in Olympia, WA is a sight to behold (bear-themed greasy diner) and a burger to be imbibed (pretty sure it was the size of my head).

Nosh: What dish reminds you of your childhood?

Spaghetti carbonara.

Nosh: Could you please share a few tips for throwing an unforgettable dinner party.

Never half-ass the veggies and never half-ass the music. Amazing salad + comfort food is my winning combo. Also, be sure to have back-up beverages (of all kinds) and ice.

Nosh: What song would be on the soundtrack of your life at this moment?

Midnight City by M83

Nosh: What websites/blogs do you visit daily?

Calivintage, Brokelyn, and my own blog, Broadist.  

THE NOSH 9

1. Sweet or savory? Right now, sweet. Gingerbread cookies! Mulled cider! Candy canes!

2. Blonde or brunette? Brunette

3. Cat or dog? The entire shelter

4. Ski or Apres-Ski? Dog-sled

5. Start-up or Corporate? DIY

6. Real Housewives or 60 Minutes? Netflix

7. Running or Yoga? Bikes!

8. Paul McCartney or John Lennon? Robert Pollard

9. Wine or beer? Red wine

Champagne at Brasserie Ruhlmann

Freemans Restaurant 

Follow Caroline on twitter @shadood and @heybroadist

Contemplate what you would do if faced with the following highly likely life scenarios…?

You sit next to a guy on the bus reading “The Help” who looks exactly like Stanley Tucci.

Swedish people

Justin Bieber covers “Like a Rolling Stone” in front of Bob Dylan after saying that he could “really relate to it.”

Someone who doesn’t understand how to use air quotes. And is really set in his ways.

“No way, Bro! I board too!” (Referring to boogie boarding)

Job Requirements: minimal 1-2 years answering phones

Queen Latifah

“Definitely send the text in literally all lowercase letters, girl…you have to play hard to get.”

The size of Russia

Job description: “Urdu/Pashto proficiency preferred.”

A hipster shouting, “Oh my god, I LOVE this song!”

You watch a really pretty sunset (and you’re also pretty drunk).

“Little known fact: The song Teenage Wasteland is actually Baba O’Reilly.”

“My specialty is Cloud Computing.” (That’s right, in Capital C’s)

A song plays on your ipod by a Jewish Rapper from Canada who made his acting debut on Degrassi.

What in the world do you do when faced with one of these larger-than life moments?

The answer is Jotly.

Well, actually no, the answer to the last one is actually a person- a rapper actually…named Drake. But hey, with Jotly, not even rappers are off-limits (although I wouldn’t suggest rating Jay-Z an F…not even DJ Danger Mouse could get away a shenanigan like that).

Meet Jotly, an iPhone application that allows you to, FINALLY, rate everything. Literally, everything. Brought to you by Firespotter Labs, the same crew who brought you Nosh, it is now available for download here. 

Even your dad is going to be stoked about Jotly. Why is that?

Because that epic shot he hit on the 16th hole just became a lot more epic.  After doing the best Tiger fist-pump of his life- your dad finds his phone amongst the used tees in his pocket and Jots his beautiful shot (A+).

Despite the fact he’s playing alone and Jim Nance (unrated as a person; hair : A+) is not around to provide commentary- the greater Orlando area (D-), no wait, the WORLD (A) - knows about it in minutes.

When he walks into the clubhouse, Ty Webb (R, but confusing because his avatar is Rodney Dangerfield) hands him a Gin + Tonic (A+. Always).  Your papa thinks to himself, “These are the days.”

Thank you, Jotly.

I guess technology DOES belong on the golf course, Sorry SkyMall (C+)

So in conclusion (did you ever think the end of this post was going to come?), those unexpected moments of pure glee, dismay or hatred (hipsters, see satire; irony) now have a platform: Jotly. That European tourist in capris is no longer arbitrary. Jot it. There are no limits. 

It could make someone’s day. Or night. Depending on how far the Jotter is from Nerd Central, USA (see map).

…Seriously?

Yeah, Russia definitely get’s an…

This week we are featuring Lisa Thiele, whose blog, With Style & Grace, shares gluten-free recipes that are not only healthy, but also delicious.  The results are beautiful creations that even the most casual cook can make. There is a dish that will satisfy every palatte in Lisa’s diverse collection of recipes, so get cooking, and don’t forget to Nosh before you dive in!

Nosh: What are your three favorite restaurants at the moment?

Dosa, The Slanted Door, Nob Hill Grill

Nosh: What is your favorite restaurant to go to before going out? Favorite bar?

Cin Cin

Nosh: What is your all-time favorite dessert?

Popcorn and dessert wine

Nosh: What is something that you love to do that is specific to the neighborhood you live in?

Running the Los Gatos trails, which is literally in our backyard

Nosh: Please tell us about a memorable dining experience you had while on vacation.

We spend thanksgiving in Hawaii every year and always go to Lahaina Grill. The service is exceptional!  This last time, they greeted us all and had our favorite wine ready to serve. They also remembered I couldn’t do gluten and served my appetizers separate from others, and then surprised us with complimentary dessert! The following day, I got the nicest email from the waitress who had looked up my blog. Now THAT’S exceptional service!

Nosh: What dish reminds you of your childhood?

Macaroni with cut up turkey dogs. Very gourmet, I know.

Nosh: Could you please share a few tips for throwing an unforgettable dinner party.

Two things you don’t want to run out of, alcohol and food. Stalk up on the alcohol [beer, wine, vodka, etc.] and offer a variety of small bites. Consider those who might have food allergies, serve dishes without gluten, dairy or nuts – sweet potato fries, veggies platter with hummus, quinoa salads, veggies burgers, and so on.  Don’t sweat the small things.  Enjoy your time with friends/family.  Don’t forget to eat.

Nosh: What song would be on the soundtrack of your life at this moment?

Good Life by One Republic

Nosh: What websites/blogs do you visit daily?

Oh goodness. a lot!

• How Sweet It Is,  Oh She Glows, Eat Live Run, Yes, I want Cake

THE NOSH 9 

1. Sweet or savory? Popcorn, extra salt

2. Blonde or brunette? Highlights

3. Cat or dog? Monkey

4. Ski or Apres-Ski? Beach

5. Start-up or Corporate? Entrepreneur

6. Real Housewives or 60 Minutes? Dexter

7. Running or Yoga? Body Pump

8. Paul McCartney or John Lennon? Wilson Philips

9. Wine or beer? Champagne

Red and White Tabbouleh Quinoa Salad

We wanted to send a reminder that you can Nosh on the web in addition to your iPhone and Android! For those of you who don’t have an android or iPhone, please join the Nosh community today through our website. 

Check out your computer library and get uploading so we can see hidden gems on the Nosh feed!

Here is a reminder on how to Nosh on the web:

1) Log-in (or create a Nosh account if you haven’t already!)

2) Enter the restaurant name in the search box in the right-hand corner and click on your desired location.

3) Click on “Nosh it”

4) Upload a photo and rate and review the dish.

5) Finally…Nosh it! And remember you can always edit your review later from the web or app.

A Blank canvas…Ready for review:

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Noshing! 

Our second foodie spotlight is on Gianna Dalla Gasperina, who has been around the world and back. Her wanderlust, as well as her love of all things travel, fashion, wine and food is apparent on her blog. Gianna grew up in Seattle (and undoubtedly has an appreciation for the lovely city like our first Foodie), but chose to go abroad to Switzerland for university. She now resides in San Francisco where she continues to play a role in her family’s beloved winery in Napa, DG Family Wines. She is also the founder of the organic t-shirt company, Farm Fresh Clothing. 

Nosh: What are your three favorite restaurants at the moment?

Lolo’s, Seven Hills, The House

Nosh: What is your favorite restaurant to go to before going out? Favorite bar?

Bar Agricole or any dive bar on Polk.

Nosh: What is your all-time favorite dessert?

Affogato (great gelato and an espresso shot over it & a biscotti)

Nosh: What is something that you love to do that is specific to the neighborhood you live in?

Walking to brunch with friends on a Saturday morning.

Nosh: Please tell us about a memorable dining experience you had while on vacation.

There is a restaurant called Osteria Gallo D’oro that is up in the mountains near where I went to university in Switzerland. I went all the time with friends; it was that place we all loved. The tagliatelle ai porcini pasta and the bistecca alla fiorentina were always my favorites but anything on the menu is to die for. The wait staff is made up of iconic Italian gentleman that have been there for years, perhaps decades. It was always that perfect evening, filled with friends, Italian wine and great dishes.

Nosh: What dish reminds you of your childhood?

My nonna’s homemade lasagna

Nosh: Could you please share a few tips for throwing an unforgettable dinner party.

Music is key, good wines are essential, and the simpler the menu, the better. That way you you can spend time with your guests rather than working in the kitchen all night.

Nosh: What song would be on the soundtrack of your life at this moment?

Lovely Day by Bill Withers

Nosh: What websites/blogs do you visit daily?

The obvious social media sites and here are a few blogs I follow: http://whatkatieate.blogspot.com/, http://apartment34.com/, http://blog.mrslilien.com/, http://swirlsmellslurp.com/, http://goodgrape.com/

THE NOSH 9

1. Sweet or Savory? Carrot Cake

2. Blonde or brunette? “Whatever I can get” (remember that from facebook?!)

3. Cat or dog? Goldfish

4. Ski or Apres-Ski? Tropical island

5. Start-up or Corporate? Freelance/Writing a book

6. Real Housewives or 60 Minutes? Sportscenter

7. Running or Yoga? Real Housewives

8. Paul McCartney or John Lennon? Mick Jagger

9. Wine or beer? Diet Coke

The DG Family Vineyard- Harvest 2011

Who knew pancakes could be such a delicacy?  Thanks to Cory for sharing this very cool Pancake Flight from Orange Restaurant in Chicago.  Looks like they have Frushi (fruit sushi) and some other interesting things there as well.

As Nosh grows we are seeing more and more cool stuff from all over. We plan to highlight more of these dishes in our top nosh area of the site, so its easier for everyone to see. 

Here are some of the other cool dishes from top Nosh users the past week. You’d need to be careful not to get carried away with this Voodoo Doll donut from Sitha or these Fried Oreos from Ivan-jan. Either could be dangerous :)  

This photo of Eggs Benedict from Fenchurch photo is pretty amazing, and these are some great looking Sopapillas from Jason. Very cool. 

What influences the influencers of the food world?  Nosh has launched a new series called “Foodie Spotlight” to find out!  We are excited to announce that Scott Heimendinger is our inaugural spotlight for the series.  Scott explores new frontiers of the food world in his blog, Seattle Food Geek.  From french toast made with a centrifuge to fried chicken and waffles ice cream, Scott is constantly enlivening the dining world with his creations.  Explore his blog to find out how to use a Sous-Vide (and what it is!) and how to integrate modernist cooking techniques into your own kitchen.  

Nosh: What are your three favorite restaurants at the moment?

Spur Gastropub, Canlis, and any dive barbeque place I can find.  I’m a sucker for barbeque.

Nosh: What is your favorite restaurant to go to before going out? Favorite bar?

For bars, I really like Rob Roy and Tavern Law.  They’re both places that take cocktails seriously, and where there is a distinct and important connection between the bartender and the guest.  If you want a Jaeger Bomb, go somewhere else.  If you appreciate your bartender hand-carving a clear block of ice with a 10-inch chef’s knife for your craft cocktail accented with house-made bitters, these are good choices.

 Nosh: What is your all-time favorite dessert?

Pecan pie.  Bourbon, specifically.  With whipped cream and a killer espresso.

Nosh: What is something that you love to do that is specific to the neighborhood you live in?

I live a few blocks from a dog- and jogger-friendly lake.  Though I haven’t jogged (soft “j”?) in years, my wife and I love to take our dog, Doppler, for a stoll around the water.

Nosh: Please tell us about a memorable dining experience you had while on vacation.

The food on our Honeymoon in Mexico wasn’t terrible, but the best part of our meals were the poorly translated menu descriptions.  One menu actually read, “The chef has prepared adequately combined flavors…”.  We thought that was pretty hilarious… and accurate.  Another memorable experience was our dinner at The Inn at Langley, a small B&B and restaurant on an island near Seattle.  I wrote up the story here. 

Nosh: What dish reminds you of your childhood?

Lamb Osso Bucco with polenta and wild mushrooms.  I had a pretty cushy childhood.

Nosh: Could you please share a few tips for throwing an unforgettable dinner party.

The most important thing about throwing a great dinner party is being in a great mood and spending time with your guests.  As food people, we put so much emphasis on making complicated, fantastic food.  The truth is, your guests will remember the fun time they had much more than they’ll remember the fried saffron garnish you put on the sous vide halibut cheeks.  Don’t be a stress case.  Relax.  Don’t apologize for your food.  Make jokes.  Be present.

The second most important part of throwing an unforgettable dinner party is alcohol.  I don’t have a stick up my ass regarding wine.  There’s a $4.00 bottle from Trader Joes called Nero D’Avola that I’ll drink all day long (those aren’t very productive days).  I’ve also had $100 reserve, single-vineyard vintages that were fantastic, but I feel like serving expensive wine at a dinner party forces everyone to get very serious and pretend like they appreciate the “forest floor, tannic notes” instead of laughing at my sophomoric jokes.  I typically serve prosecco with appetizers, wine or cocktails with dinner, and port or espresso after dinner.  In the summer, I set out a bucket of beer and make fruity blended drinks.  It gets everyone nice and jovial.

The third tip is nibbles.  Have food out before people arrive and let them snack until dinner is ready.  My go-to spread includes assorted cheeses or cheese curds, uncured olives, prosciutto and cornichons.  I love salty snacks, and none of these require a minute of prep.  Honestly, though, your guests will appreciate Ritz crackers and bean dip.  They’re hungry, and by letting them nibble, you can also get a head start on drinking. 

Nosh: What song would be on the soundtrack of your life at this moment?

Stop This Train by John Mayer.  Or, Booty Wurk by T-Pain. 

Nosh: What websites/blogs do you visit daily?

Ideas In Food, the Modernist Cuisine Blog, Eater Seattle, and (who am I kidding) Seattle Food Geek J. 

THE NOSH NINE

1. Sweet or savory? Carrot Cake

2. Blonde or brunette? “Whatever I can get” (remember that from facebook?!) Redhead.  Have you seen my wife?

3. Cat or dog? hermit crab

4. Ski or Apres-Ski?  tropical island

5. Start-up or Corporate? Freelance/I’m writing a book

6. Real Housewives or 60 Minutes? Sportscenter, Reading a book NOVA

7. Running or Yoga? Real Housewives : )

8. Paul McCartney or John Lennon? Mick Jagger, Jimi Hendrix, Thom Yorke

9. Wine or beer? Diet Coke, Kombucha

< >< ><—>

In celebration of being featured in the Android store and reaching over 1M people we are giving away two Android phones!  When our facebook page reaches 1000 likes, we will give away two phones at random to any of the 1000 who liked our page!

SF Taste will be taking the Food and Wine World by storm on November 17th with an evening of colorful hor d’oeuvres, tasty samples of entrees and what is sure to be a slew of decadent desserts. This delicious showcase of the SF culinary world will be complemented by enlivening wine tastings chosen by Jason Moore’s Modus Operandi.  Guests will enjoy food and wine pairings in the Julia Morgan Ballroom while taking in unmatched views of the city and listening to ambient music. Firewater Partners and Pinchit have partnered up to bring you this exciting quarterly event. 

Buy discounted tickets for the event here.  Be sure to download Nosh on your Android/iPhone in advance so you can start Noshing as soon as you take your first sip of champagne.  We will be giving out an Android phone for the BEST NOSH just like at SF Dish so we hope you are ready to share your favorites!

Let Nosh show you how smartphones can make your dining experiences more enjoyable.  Please spread the word so even friends who are busy that night can have a taste of the city! 

San Francisco’s acclaimed restaurant, Jardinière, provided the backdrop for a night of unforgettable food and wine on Thursday, November 3rd as five contestants from Bravo TV’s Top Chef Masters, Season 3 presented a sumptuous array of culinary creations to benefit Share Our Strength’s national No Kid Hungry campaign.  Hosted by resident Executive Chef Traci des Jardins, Mary Sue Milliken (Border Grill), Naomi Pomeroy (Beast), Suvir Saran (Devi) and the eventual winner of the show, Floyd Cardoz (North End Grill) each took turns in the kitchen to create a once in a lifetime multi-course experience.

Benefitting Share Our Strength’s national No Kid Hungry campaign, the Jardinière Top Chef Dinner was just one example of the ways in which local and nationally acclaimed chefs are teaming up to help the No Kid Hungry campaign reach their goal of ending childhood hunger in North America by 2015.  Nearly 17 million children in North America are unsure of where their next meal will come from.  To combat this disheartening problem, Share Our Strength, a 26 year-old organization, works to make sure children are being placed in the right federal programs and invests in efforts that will help make ending childhood hunger a sustainable reality. Other programs include hunger messaging and educational courses to promote healthy and affordable eating. Eager to support such a worthwhile cause, auction paddles rose all over the beautiful two-tiered restaurant as more bottles of wine were uncorked to raise an impressive $70,000+ for the cause.

Please think of Share Our Strength when giving gifts this holiday season! What could be a better gift than contributing to the fight against hunger?