Pumpkin gnocchi. Photo: sonicwalker, Flickr.
- As wine sales have dipped with the failing economy, the results of the annual Plonkalooza, which judges 50 local wines -- half whites, half reds -- priced at $12 or less, are more promising than ever.
- L'Ecluse 16 in France's Alsace region serves "traditionally French [fare] with an inventive twist," with consideration of seasonal produce.
- An interview with Boston "Rising Star" Jiho Kim, head pastry chef at L'Espalier.
- A gallery guide on how to satisfy your "pumpkin palate," from its savory cameos in coffee and beer, to inventive pancakes, pastas and whoopie pies.
- Reminiscent of collegiate endeavors, the Boston Globe goes on an informative pizza crawl, sampling everything from cheese-loaded dive pizzas to the upscale quality-ingredients of refined Italian eateries.
- Restaurants: Jamaica Plain's Bon Savor serves French and South African cooking and is "as much about charm and personality as food;" "the coolest place in town," Trina's Starlite Lounge dishes up delicious bar fare; Barbara Lynch's flagship restaurant No. 9 "is still tops" for French and Italian seasonal cuisine.
- Recipes: A brothy, vegetarian Mexican-Style Soup; a refined Cod Wrapped in Phyllo with Pea Puree; Apple-Plum Crumble with maple syrup and oats; a spicy-sweet Vietnamese Caramelized Chicken.









