"favorites" news and stories

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Is there one food about which you -- despite maybe being a food snob the rest of the time -- are not at all fussy? About which you say, "I don't care who makes it: I'll eat it!"

We realized after chomping down our second ice cream of the day that perhaps, perhaps, we are not so discerning about the stuff. It was late at night, and Häagen-Dazs Five (mint) had us rather over the moon. Then we realized that really, we've rarely met a decently-made ice cream that didn't sway our affections at least a little bit.

It's one of those foods that, as long as its basic components are intact, fails to register on the Picky Meter. Such eats are a relatively rare breed; they exist largely to answer a timeless and bottomless craving, and their combination of ingredients hits the pleasure buttons that in turn short-circuit the ability to criticize -- and to say "no."

Here are five we think might hit those buttons. Vote for yours, and if it's "other," hit the comments to let us know what it is!

Mamma mia! This morning's pasta pic has us stuck in noodle-craving mode. Comforting, hearty Italian eats never get old for us Slashfoodies, so we put together a list of our unforgettable, lick-the-plate clean faves from red-sauce trattorias to fancy-pancy eateries.

As with our sandwich post and followup (in which you continue to comment, nominating your beloved sub shops) we want your vote. What'd we miss? Which chicken parm or scallopine di vitelo should we be booking plane tickets to feast upon? Hit us up in the comments, and in a few days we'll post a master list of Slashfoodies' favorites.

Savelli's, Knoxville, Tenn.
Blink and you'll drive right past the hole-in-the-wall where Mama Savelli's Chicken Surprise, bursting with artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes and a creamy lemon sauce, will take up permanent residence in your best food memories bank. We really amore the BYOB policy. -- Gretchen Roberts
Vetri, Philadelphia, Pa.
Marc Vetri's cozy 40-seater has its share of naysayers, but with impeccable service and amazing food in a warm, intimate setting there's no better spot to celebrate a special occasion. -- Mike Pomranz
Franny's, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Known for its thin-crusted tomato, mozzarella and sausage pizza, this petite Brooklyn joint also whips up silky pastas with natural local ingredients like spinach and farm fresh eggs. -- Max Shrem
Augustino's, Hoboken, N.J.
Double-thick sautéed pork chops topped with hot and sweet peppers cause jaws to hit tables. We didn't come up for air until our plates were spotless. -- Sarah Christine (aka The Hungry Bride)
Convivio, New York, N.Y.
A well-crafted love letter to Southern Italy that is refined without being fussy with dishes like expertly charred octopus and malloreddus -- a weird, wonderful marriage of sea urchin, crab and gnocchi. -- Rebecca Flint Marx

...the final three after the jump!

So, I was browsing my local liquor store and came across a wine called Recession Red for $3.99 (this is on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, Andre is more expensive). I looked at the bottle. Merlot. Just what I was in the mood for ... but could it possibly be any good?

I asked the guys at the counter and they were like "Oh yeah, everyone loves it, it was in the New York Times even!"

So I bought it. I have yet to find that article, but you know what? It's delicious.

It's a 2006 Merlot from Recession Wine Company of Livermore & Ripon, California. The copyright is 2008, so clearly the wine came before the marketing idea.

The idea is good. The wine is good. The price is unbelievable. Imagine the smiles if you showed up to a dinner party with Recession Red. Recession Red is my new favorite wine. Keep an eye out for it!

I am a fan of the discussion board www.Chowhound.com and have been a regular there for many years. Lately I have been checking in on a thread about candy. It is about "worst tasting candy ever!!!!" but has evolved into a discussion about favorite or disliked candy from your childhood. I have chimed in several times about my likes and dislikes, and been pleased or disturbed to hear others views. The opinions are all over the map, one persons desire is another's pet peeve.

Some of my favorites as a kid were C.Howard's violets, Circus Peanuts (stale of course), Smarties, Reese's peanut butter cups (I tasted one recently and they have definitely changed the recipe, for the worse), Broadway red licorice, Twizzlers, malted milk balls, Sixlets, the original Rowntree KitKats from England, tangerine and tropical fruit Lifesaver's, the original Swedish fish, Smith Brothers honey cough drops, Hot Tamales, and many more.

Some candy I didn't care for were Jordan Almonds, Good and Plenty (but I love them now), chocolate covered cherries in syrup (gag!), Necco wafers, root beer kegs, and 99% of all gum. (I never understood gum chewing, as a kid or now. If I have a piece it is for a minute or so to clean my palate, then discard rapidly.)

It seems that this is a topic with strong emotions attached. There are even collectible books called Remember When about candy you ate as a kid. So what were your childhood favorites? What made you gag? Have your tastes changed?

When it comes to my pots and pans, I don't like to play favorites. I don't want my cast iron skillet to think that it is any less loved than my giant stock pot or the 8 inch non-stick saute pan that I always use for eggs (I realize this might sound a little nutty, but go with me here). However, there is one pot that I love above all others in my kitchen. That yellow Dansk pictured above is my very favorite vessel for small batches of soup, steaming bunches of broccoli and boiling up two servings of pasta (it also makes a mean batch of fondue). I also love the way it looks on my turquoise stove from 1966, cheery, bright and ever so vintage.

Do you have a favorite kitchen item? It doesn't have to be only a cooking vessel, it could also be a bowl, spoon, cutting board or knife (to name a few possibilities). Add your pictures of your favorite stuff to our Flickr pool so we can see your beloved objects.

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