"diners" news and stories

• When pork ribs quit smoking, the results are surprising. (Don't worry, they don't go cold turkey.)
• "Fancy" just isn't what it used to be. (Had a Harry & David pear recently? No? Exactly.)
• Food and wine don't always go together. And maybe that's okay.
• Visit the M. Wells diner in Long Island City. "It would be terrible to miss eating the food there."

Everyone city seems to want a little authentic Brooklyn hipster edge these days – including Dubai. Or as authentic as a Brooklyn Diner can be (the original is located in the middle of Manhattan, after all). According to the Insatiable Critic, the Intercontinental Hotel will open the first outpost of Shelly Fireman's successful chain diners abroad on February 15, complete with the restaurant's signature maitre d' attire -- a tux and sneakers. (Americans excel at making a classy first impression.)

Sure, Food Network's "Diners, Drive-ins and Dives" has the greasy spoon market cornered -- but that didn't stop TLC's "Best Food Ever" series from highlighting what they think are the 10 best "Darn Good Diners" in the country.

Find a rundown of the "Darn Good Diners" in rank order after the jump.

Cafeteria rocks.

Cafeteria is a restaurant in New York's fabulous Chelsea area. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Cafeteria caters not only to its trendy local neighborhood, but to the nearby Meatpacking District where people party till all hours, and to the rest of the night owls (and jet-lagged) in the city.

P-Diddy is reportedly a fan, and celebrity spottings are not uncommon. Most importantly, the food is great. Sometimes you need meatloaf (pictured) at 6am. And that can be hard to find.

According to manager Lori Kistner, the two must-try items on the menu are the Meatloaf and Mac and Cheese. They offer three Mac and Cheese varieties: Original, Gouda & Bacon, and Truffle Oil. And don't miss the desserts. Deep fried Oreos? Breakfast of champions!

See all three, as well as some other delicious-looking items and an interior shot in the gallery below. Cafeteria is located at 119 Seventh Avenue on the corner of 17th Street in Manhattan.

Source

• Beef stews from around the world.
• The world of offal.
• A close-up look at the grill of the Deluxe Town Diner in Watertown.
• The Plonk of the Month.
• Restaurant reviews: Isaac's on the Waterfront, Georgie Ds Place, and 65 Main and Dog Bar.
• This week's recipes: Chocolate Brownie Custards, Chocolate Souffle Cakes, New Year's Rice Cake, and Molten Chocolate Cakes.