Latest news with #California-inspired
Eater
5 days ago
- Business
- Eater
April Bloomfield Will Return to Manhattan to Take Over One of Downtown's Buzziest Hotel Restaurants
April Bloomfield is returning to Manhattan. The chef will oversee the restaurants at the Nine Orchard hotel, taking over Corner Bar, its flagship lobby restaurant on the Lower East Side. According to Community Board 3 documents, hospitality group McGuire Moorman Lambert (MML) is taking over Nine Orchard's restaurant, the lobby bar, and potentially the rooftop. Bloomfield's return to Manhattan is part of her new role with a Texas-based restaurant group. (Whether they have purchased the hotel or are taking over as operators is unclear.) MML is behind a collection of Austin restaurants that include an oyster bar, a bakery, a hamburger joint, a sushi spot, a cafe, and a Tex-Mex diner that have expanded outside of the Texas city into Houston, Aspen, Colorado, and San Francisco, with plans to expand several of these into Dallas. Bloomfield's first focus in Austin is to revamp California-inspired Pecan Square Cafe and the fifty-year-old fine-dining steakhouse Jeffrey's in Austin, as reported by Texas Monthly. The liquor license application submitted to CB3 outlines plans to operate a 'New American restaurant with an emphasis on seasonal cooking,' open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to midnight, with a maximum of 68 tables and a bar area. (The application notes the building, which includes multiple restaurant areas, seats potentially over 400, with more than one bar, too.) Bloomfield's exact menu and opening timeline have not yet been announced. Eater has reached out to the group and Bloomfield for more information. A spokesperson for MML declined to comment. The MML takeover lands in a building that has had its share of recent restaurant drama. Corner Bar opened in 2022 with chef Ignacio Mattos — behind flagship Estela, the more-casual Altro Paradiso, and Rock Center Italian Lodi — at the helm. It drew immediate buzz and a two-star New York Times review for its white-tablecloth take on downtown dining. Former Eater critic Ryan Sutton called it 'the next great steakhouse.' Less than two years later, Mattos parted ways with the hotel, and the restaurant lost its buzzy namecheck leadership. What's now called the Swan Room, also on the ground floor of Nine Orchard, was intended to be Mattos's much-awaited fine dining tasting menu restaurant at the hotel. Initially, it was called Amado, then Amado Grill. Despite being fully designed and ready to go, after several false starts, it never opened. At the time, sources told Eater that Mattos' exit followed internal tensions with the hotel's former owner, Andrew Rifkin, a managing partner at DLJ Real Estate Capital Partners. And now, MML's recent purchase clears the way for a new team — and Bloomfield — to take over. News broke in May that Bloomfield would join the Austin-based group while she would continue to steer the kitchen at the acclaimed Sailor in Brooklyn, which she runs with restaurateur Gabriel Stulman, behind restaurants like Fairfax, Joseph Leonard, and Jeffrey's Grocery. The Nine Orchard endeavor is separate from Stulman's Happy Cooking Hospitality Group. Stulman and Bloomfield are also expanding Sailor. Since the Bloomfield announcement, Sailor has installed a new executive chef, Skylar Mosca. MML has a history of taking over hotels and revamping them along with their on-site restaurants and bars. There's the storied Austin Motel, where the company opened Joann's Fine Foods in what had been the hotel's longtime restaurant space. They followed that up with St. Vincent Guest House, which became the Saint Vincent Hotel in New Orleans. Currently, the group is beginning to transform the historic Austin hotel, the Driskill where President Lyndon B. Johnson held his presidential reelection watch party back in 1964. Bloomfield will lead the restaurants there, too. 'Bloomfield will play a pivotal role in upcoming MML projects,' the hospitality group wrote in a statement announcing the partnership back in May. The chef rose to one of the city's most recognizable culinary names in the aughts with the now-shuttered Spotted Pig. She reemerged on the scene in 2023, to mostly celebration following her role in one of the biggest restaurant scandals of the #MeToo era. It led her to close restaurants, including the wildly popular Spotted Pig in the West Village, as well as others she ran in partnership with Ken Friedman. This would not be her first hotel restaurant, having also overseen the Breslin at the Ace Hotel in Nomad, which has since closed. Eater crowned Sailor as one of the year's best new restaurants in 2024, addressing Bloomfield's personal transformation as well, saying that 'it represents the return of chef April Bloomfield to New York and the British-inflected cooking that made her name.' In his three-star review of the restaurant in The New York Times, critic Pete Wells declared that Bloomfield is 'cooking the best food she's ever made.' He went on to say that the 'understanding of her craft has deepened since the crack-up. She is now one of the most expressive cooks in the city,' and that 'she's found flavors nobody else seems to know how to reach.' Nine Orchard opened in 2022. It is a landmarked former bank circa 1912, originally rumored to be an Ace Hotel, the New York Times reported. The hotel was one of the biggest real estate deals in the area, which has expedited gentrification and the transition of the border of Chinatown and the Lower East Side to 'Dimes Square.' It was purchased in 2011 for $33 million.
USA Today
6 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
Top fast food restaurants for breakfast, burgers, and more
Grabbing a quick and affordable bite to eat certainly has its appeal, especially when you're traveling. And given that fast food restaurants are usually easy to find, convenient to access, and offer a variety of options for different tastes and dietary preferences, they're a natural fit for groups on the go. Not to mention, some fast food chains offer regional specialties, allowing you to try new dishes and cuisines. To find the best restaurants, USA TODAY 10BEST editors and a panel of quick-service aficionados made their top picks for fast food and fast casual restaurants across 11 categories. Then, our readers decided the winners by casting their votes. Click on each category below to see the full winners list: Advertisement Best Fast Casual Restaurant: Habit Burger & Grill Habit Burger & Grill claims the title of Best Fast Casual Restaurant for 2025 – Photo courtesy of Habit Burger & Grill Since 1969, Habit Burger & Grill has been offering a diverse array of menu items spanning from chicken clubs to Caesar salads to ahi tuna filets, but the restaurant chain really shines when it comes to red meat. Charburgers are a particular menu highlight thanks to their method of preparation, with each individual sandwich chargrilled over an open flame before serving. Full list of winners: Best Fast Casual Restaurant » Best Fast Food Breakfast: Biscuitville Biscuitville wins Best Fast Food Breakfast for third consecutive year – Photo courtesy of Biscuitville Who doesn't love a delectable biscuit-based breakfast? With locations in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, Biscuitville's fresh-baked biscuits can be enjoyed a number of ways, from simple bacon, egg, and cheese or fried chicken biscuits to more elaborate breakfast sandwiches like their Spicy Chicken & Honey Biscuit. Advertisement With breakfast platters and sides of grits, hash browns, or country gravy, plus indulgent sweet treats like their blueberry muffin, it's no wonder folks return again and again. Full list of winners: Best Fast Food Breakfast » Best Fast Food Burger: Double Char - Habit Burger & Grill The Double Char at Habit Burger & Grill features that fresh-from-the-grill charred flavor that's difficult to find elsewhere – Photo courtesy of Habit Burger & Grill Charring burgers over an open flame since 1969, Habit Burger & Grill started in Santa Barbara, California, and has grown to include over 350 restaurants. Order the Double Char from the Habit's California-inspired menu and get ready for two freshly chargrilled beef patties, caramelized onions, fresh lettuce and tomato, pickles, and mayo on a toasted bun. You can also add cheese. Advertisement It's tough to top the fried chicken at Jollibee – Photo courtesy of Jollibee Group With around 100 stores in North America, and more than 1,700 stores internationally, Jollibee is the largest and fastest-growing Asian restaurant company in the world. They're best known for Chickenjoy, the signature juicy, flavorful fried chicken. Order it in buckets or accompanied by sides — and don't forget to dip it in their silky gravy. Full list of winners: Best Fast Food Fried Chicken » Advertisement Best Fast Food Fries: Del Taco The fries at Del Taco can't be beat, according to our readers – Photo courtesy of Del Taco Known for its Mexican-inspired menu, Del Taco racks up plenty of fans for its crinkle cut fries. The shape holds salt and crispiness which really helps if you order them covered in chili, queso, or carne asada. Full list of winners: Best Fast Food Fries » Best Fast Food Restaurant: Del Taco Del Taco wins Best Fast Food Restaurant for 2025 – Photo courtesy of Del Taco This popular taco stop, which serves all kinds of satisfying Mexican fare including burritos, quesadillas, and nachos, also offers burgers and fries. In addition, Del Taco has a dedicated breakfast menu, as well as a vegan and vegetarian menu. Advertisement Full list of winners: Best Fast Food Restaurant » Best Fast Food Sides: Tempura green beans - Habit Burger & Grill Don't miss out on the tempura green beans at Habit Burger & Grill – Photo courtesy of Habit Burger & Grill The tempura green beans at Habit Burger & Grill are a popular complement to the beloved chargrilled burgers at this bicoastal fast-food chain. Made by dipping fresh green beans in a tempura batter and then deep-frying them, this unique side combines the crispiness of tempura with the fresh flavor of green beans and is served with ranch dipping sauce. Full list of winners: Best Fast Food Sides » Advertisement Best Fast Food Taco: Taco Bravo - Taco John's The Taco Bravo at Taco John's offers the best of both worlds with both a soft and hard shell – Photo courtesy of Taco John's Taco John's unites two tried-and-true favorites with their Taco Bravo, a savory dish that combines beef, cheddar cheese, and lettuce in a hard shell. The dish kicks it up a notch with a refried bean-slathered soft tortilla wrapped around the exterior. Full list of winners: Best Fast Food Taco » Best Regional Fast Food: Skyline Chili If you're near a Skyline Chili, you've got to try their incredible menu – Photo courtesy of Skyline Chili Skyline Chili, a chain of Cincinnati-style chili eateries, started up in Ohio over 75 years ago but has spread over time to a few neighboring areas (and the not-so-neighboring Florida). While you'll certainly find its namesake on the menu — a meat-based sauce served over a plate of spaghetti topped with tons of cheddar cheese — they also serve hot dogs, salads, wraps, burritos, and chili bowls. They even have a few vegetarian-specific menu items. Advertisement Full list of winners: Best Regional Fast Food » Best Restaurant for Quick, Healthy Food: Jason's Deli Jason's Deli has an enormous menu of quick, healthy food – Photo courtesy of Josh Blaylock Independent, family-owned Jason's Deli offers vegetarian and gluten-sensitive menus, which are not always easy to find on the run. These menus feature all manner of healthy soups, salads, sandwiches, pasta, and potatoes, making it easy to find something delicious that also meets your dietary needs. Full list of winners: Best Restaurant for Quick, Healthy Food » Advertisement Best Sandwich or Sub Shop: PrimoHoagies PrimoHoagies wins for third year in a row – Photo courtesy of PrimoHoagies PrimoHoagies isn't just a sandwich shop — it's an East Coast staple built on bold flavors, premium meats and cheeses, and recipes rooted in Italian American heritage. With 10 distinct categories on the menu, there's something for every craving; from the fan-favorite Italian Classics like the Sharp Italian, to Philly Cheesesteaks and signature Schwartzies, each hoagie is handcrafted to perfection. Even the Meatless options, like Nonna's Veggies with eggplant and broccoli rabe, deliver that same Primo flavor. Full list of winners: Best Sandwich or Sub Shop » Advertisement
Daily Mirror
09-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mirror
Add a tropical twist to your garden with a large palm tree that's got £100 off
Perfect for adding a tropical flair to any space, these XXXL palm trees are set to be a perfect addition to any garden, patio, conservatory or interior - and now they're £100 less Green-thumbed shoppers keen to elevate their outdoor, or indoor, space with an exotic plant this summer should look no further than this Gardening Express deal, where a giant palm tree is up for grabs for a massive £100 less. Whether you're looking to elevate your office, spruce up your conservatory, or transform your outdoor space into a tropical paradise, this XXXL Date Palm is just the ticket, and it won't break the bank either. Normally retailing for a steep £159.99, shoppers can now add this tropical tree to their outside area for the reduced price of £59.99 while this sale lasts. What's more, if you want to secure multiple, Gardening Express is offering a pack of two for £49.99 each, or a pack of six at £45 each. This Phoenix Roebelenii, or Pygmy Date Palm, is a super stylish and elegant palm that adds an exotic look to any setting. It boasts delicate, feathery, arching fronds of foliage held on a robust, slender trunk. This Date Palm is a popular pick for brightening up any room in the house, conservatory, or as a California-inspired piece on the patio. The Phoenix roebelinii, which originates from the tropical forests of Africa and Asia, adapts quickly and easily to its surroundings and really thrives during summer in the garden or in the home all year. Standing out for its ability to air purify, this plant's graceful arching foliage elevates any area with a tropical twist that's sure to turn heads and blend with any interior or exterior aesthetic. It's recommended that this palm tree be grown in a planter so that it can be moved to a frost-free place during the winter if you choose to use it outside during the summer months. This will keep it in pristine condition when the UK gets icy weather during the colder seasons. Supplied in approximately 12-litre containers, these amazing chunky plants will really impress, whether it's family, friends, or neighbours. Providing instant tropical vibes, these trees are roughly 1.5 to 1.8 metres tall and ready to be placed straight outside or positioned in your conservatory. If you prefer to shop elsewhere, Living Social is offering this Giant 6-7ft Canary Island Date Palm Tree for £59.99 down from £129.97. Or, head over to B&Q to find this Direct Plants Phoenix Date Palm Tree 6ft Plant in an 8 Litre Pot for £109.99. And You Garden has Canary Island Date Palm for £24.99.
Eater
20-05-2025
- Business
- Eater
Celebrated Chef April Bloomfield Will Lead a Texas Restaurant Group
One of New York's most famous chefs, April Bloomfield has dazzled critics and diners alike in her soulful cooking at Fort Greene's Sailor from restaurateur Gabe Stulman since it opened in 2023. Now, the chef has announced she is headed to a restaurant group in Austin, Texas while she continues to steer the kitchen in Brooklyn. In Bloomfield's new role, she'll also oversee the McGuire Moorman Lambert Hospitality group, which is behind a collection of restaurants that include an oyster bar, a bakery, a hamburger joint, a sushi spot, a cafe, and a Tex-Mex diner in locations around Austin, Houston, Aspen, Colorado, and San Francisco. Her first focus will be revamping California-inspired Pecan Square Cafe and fifty-year-old fine-dining steakhouse Jeffrey's in Austin, as reported by Texas Monthly . The company also announced that it would be taking over historic Austin hotel the Driskill and its two dining rooms — currently the Driskill Bar and 1886 Cafe & Bakery — which is owned by Hyatt Hotels Corporation. 'April has a true sense of hospitality that's behind the cooking,' McGuire told Texas Monthly . 'It's not just cooking for ego or cooking for what looks good on the plate.' Eater has reached out to Bloomfield and Stulman to learn more about the position and what's next for Sailor. Stulman issued a statement on Tuesday morning. 'This June, Bloomfield joins MML Hospitality, one of the country's most successful and influential hospitality groups, as Executive Chef. In her role, Bloomfield brings exceptional expertise and experience to the group's nationwide operations. Bloomfield will play a pivotal role in upcoming MML projects, including the multi-dimensional development, Sixth & Blanco, designed by Pritzker award-winning firm Herzog & de Meuron, that encompasses luxury retail and hospitality in Austin's Clarksville neighborhood. Longtime admirers of Bloomfield's cooking, MML's partners demonstrate a similar intuition for knowing what diners want. Bloomfield brings her deep understanding of seasonal produce and tip-to-tail butchery to MML, while mentoring its roster of rising culinary talent, initially focusing on Pecan Square Cafe, Jeffrey's, Josephine House, Howard's and Rosie's. Her role as Chef Partner of Happy Cooking Hospitality's celebrated Brooklyn restaurant Sailor will continue and she will remain a presence there. Bloomfield's return to Sailor was a big deal for the New York restaurant world. Known for her memorable meat-centric fare, Bloomfield steered the opening of Sailor — part of Happy Cooking Hospitality, which includes West Village staples like Joseph Leonard, Jeffrey's Grocery, and Fairfax — a lower-key affair than her Manhattan restaurants from years earlier. In opening in Brooklyn, she reemerged on the scene to mostly celebration after being caught in the middle of one of the biggest restaurant scandals of the #MeToo era, leading her to shutter restaurants including the Spotted Pig and others she ran in partnership with Ken Friedman. When Sailor was deemed one of the year's best new restaurants in the country its debut year, Eater noted that 'despite being billed as a simple neighborhood bistro, Brooklyn's Sailor has been a destination since the day it opened: It represents the return of chef April Bloomfield to New York and the British-inflected cooking that made her name.' It's been celebrated for its 'unfussy elegance, coaxing complex flavors from humble ingredients.' In the announcement this week, Texas Monthly wrote 'New York City's April Bloomfield is one of the most talented chefs in the country. Period — no qualification.' Sign up for our newsletter.
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Time of India
Offbeat adventures: Quest for California's hidden treasures
California beckons with hidden gems beyond its famous landmarks, inviting exploration from north to south. Discover unique experiences like moon tears in Lake County, a disguised WWII radar station, and floating campsites on Lake Oroville. Unearth geological wonders, Native American history, and vibrant wildlife preserves, creating unforgettable road trip memories. The Golden Gate Bridge and the Hollywood sign are icons in the Golden State. But beyond the gateway cities, there is a world of hidden gem experiences tucked away in unassuming corners waiting to be explored. The diversity and abundance of options from the north to the south of California are best explored by road with your very own California-inspired playlist. Northern California North Coast A True Hidden Gem- North Coast is home to many off-the-beaten-path treasures alongside epic coastal views and breathtaking redwood forests. Lake County produces 'moon tears' – semi-precious, gem-quality quartz stones that are unique to the area, thanks to the special volcanic soil in the region. You can find your own as a souvenir at Wild Diamonds Vineyard. War Stories- History buffs must head to Del Norte County near Klamath to visit a still-standing WWII radar station disguised as a farm. During the war, it contained some of the most sophisticated early-warning radar defence technology available. Hike to nearby Hidden Beach for a peaceful sunset. Unique Stays- Stay in a yurt at a 50-acre outdoor stone art gallery at the Mendocino Stone Ranch, and enjoy exploring over 30 stone installations on the property. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trending in in 2025: Local network access control [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo Or relax and unwind at Orr Hot Spring Resort nestled near the Montgomery Woods. Bigfoot Sightings- The Willow Creek China Flat Museum in Humboldt County is home to the original 1967 sighting caught on film by Patterson Grimlin where you can view casts of the impressive 16' footprints and many original photos and artifacts. Shasta Cascade Region Waterfalls & Volcanoes- Adventurers looking to explore the rugged and remote West Siskiyou region will be rewarded by hiking the trail to Ukonom Twin Falls, a 1.5-mile journey to witness the 25-foot falls dropping into a picturesque pool. Medicine Lake Volcano is the largest volcano in the area with four campgrounds serving as a base for hikers and offering fishing, boating, and hiking experiences. Natural Wonders- Located in Lassen Volcanic National Park, Boiling Springs Lake is one of the largest active hot lakes in the world. The lake is easy to access from Willow Lake Campground or the Devil's Kitchen trailhead. In the Humbug Valley, Soda Springs is a rare, accessible, naturally carbonated groundwater source first used by the native Mountain Maidu and later by European settlers. Floating Campground- Lake Oroville in Butte County offers 10 floating campsites, each with enough room for 15 people and three vessels like personal watercraft. The sites also offer picnic spots, barbecues and, of course, bathrooms. Lake Hikes- The Shasta Cascade region offers lake hiking for every level of fitness. If you are looking for an easy day hike, Lake Eleanor and Trinity Lake fit the bill. For a bit more of a challenge, head to Granite, Hidden Lakes, or Ward Lake. Adventure Seekers- Explore Subway Cave in the town of Old Station, formed 20,000 years ago when an explosion drained away lava and left tube-like caves. For an above-ground adventure, hikers will love the challenge of getting to Potem Falls. Gold Country California Poppies- California is famous for its explosion of poppies and other wildflowers. To see Mother Nature's show, head to Auburn State Recreation Area and hike Windy Point or Stevens Trail. Column of the Giants- Open from May to December, the Columns of the Giants is a geologic site in Stanislaus National Forest featuring hexagonal basalt rock formations created by lava from volcanoes over 100,000 years ago. Today, you can hike to the base of the formation or climb it via routes like Delirious and Spin Doctor. Experienced climbers will love the challenge of The Pygmy Pillars, a 100-foot-tall wall of organ pipes. Soil Born Farms- Soil Born Farms in Rancho Cordova is an urban agriculture and education project that is a thriving hidden gem filled with nature and wellness experiences for all ages. Enjoy outdoor yoga, cooking classes, agriculture lessons, gardening, farmers markets and bird watching. Lake Tahoe The Powerline Trail is known as a mountain bike path, but locals also love it for its trailheads providing panoramic views and a perfect spot to watch the sunset behind Mount Tallac. Also, check out the trail leading hikers to Modjeska Falls behind Glen Alpine Falls. Central California Yosemite- Located 10 minutes from Yosemite National Park, the seasonal Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad takes your family back in time to the days of gold panning and logging with gorgeous rides through the Sierra National Forest. Additionally, the history of Native American Culture awaits at the Sierra Mono Museum & Cultural Center through its interpretive exhibits and tours. Fresno- In the spring and fall, one of the top things to enjoy in Fresno County is hiking the area's tallest waterfall, Stevenson Creek Falls in the Sierra National Forest. Lompoc- Over 100 years ago, the Sybil Marston crashed on the rocks off the coast of Lompoc. When the tide is just right in the winter, the shipwreck is visible from Surf Beach. Even when the wreck is out of sight, Surf Beach is idyllic for surfing, swimming and seashell finding. Southern California Moabi Regional Park- For an aquatic adventure and getaway, the Pirate Cove Resort-operated Moabi Regional Park in Needles on the banks of the Colorado River delivers. Bordering the California and Arizona state lines, fishing, hiking, boating, and off-road driving are popular activities at Moabi. California Route 66 Museum- Celebrate the Mother Road at the interactive California Route 66 Museum in Victorville that follows the growth of the iconic road and the pioneers who travelled on it. Historic artefacts and photographs tell the story of the road and its impact on the country. The Sycamore Inn- Stay on the Route 66 theme with a visit to The Sycamore Inn in Rancho Cucamonga. The Inn dates back to 1848 and sits along the road that was once a simple dirt strip that later became the iconic Route 66. Today, the Inn is a hidden gem steakhouse and wine bar. Diamond Valley Alpacas- Visit the adorable alpacas at Diamond Valley Alpacas in Hemet, learn about them in educational seminars, and shop for impeccably soft alpaca products. Ya'i Heki' Regional Indian Museum- Learn about the history, culture, and tradition of the Native American tribes of the Inland Empire region at the Ya'i Heki' Regional Indian Museum showcasing the experiences and achievements of the local Native American tribal members. Big Bear Dam Keeper's House- Today, the Big Bear Dam Keepers stone cabin is in ruin, but in 1931, it appeared in the iconic Frankenstein movie. During summer and fall, visitors can see the old house and get a great view of Big Bear Dam. Stanfield Marsh Wildlife and Waterfowl Preserve- Birders will enjoy exploring the 145-acre Stanfield Marsh Wildlife and Waterfowl Preserve in Big Bear. The bucolic preserve is a wetland ecosystem teaming with a diversity of birds and other wetland wildlife. Sky's the Limit Observatory- Explore the universe at Sky's the Limit Observatory, an International Dark Sky Park near Joshua Tree National Park, that hosts monthly one-night sky programs when its telescopes are out for public viewing as well as a two-day annual Night Sky Festival. Big Morongo Canyon Preserve- The Big Morongo Canyon Preserve is an important wildlife corridor known for its birds. The Preserve is designated as an Important Bird Area by the American Bird Conservancy, the American Birding Association, and the Watchable Wildlife National Program, and is featured in the National Geographic Guide to Bird Watching Sites. Over 247 species have been recorded at the Preserve. 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