Today's Food Pulse
Simon Kim launches three new dining concepts at New York’s 550 Madison
Chef‑entrepreneur Simon Kim’s Gracious Hospitality Management is rolling out Bar Chimera, a multi‑bar lounge, a Midtown outpost of his Michelin‑starred Korean steakhouse Cote, and the upcoming Sushi Yoshitake sushi bar inside the iconic 550 Madison building. The concepts blend upscale bar snacks, premium Korean steakhouse service, and high‑end sushi under one roof.
Also developing:
By the numbers: Nestlé divests Blue Bottle Coffee in undisclosed deal
China’s Hidden Chilli Capital, and the Birthplace of the Chilli Crisp
Guizhou province, long celebrated as the cradle of China’s chilli culture, remains the nation’s top chilli producer and the birthplace of the viral Lao Gan Ma chilli crisp. The region hosts the country’s largest chilli exchange, where growers trade millions of kilograms of fresh and processed peppers each year. Local chefs experiment with radical techniques, such as mixing charred peppers with wood ash and fermenting spices in former bomb shelters. These traditions are highlighted in SCMP’s Eat Drink Asia video, showcasing Guizhou’s blend of heritage and culinary innovation.
Don’t Limit Yourself: Try Liège Waffles Too
Respectfully, if you’re only eating Brussels style waffles and not Leige style you are missing out
Sweden’s West Coast Pushes Sustainable ‘Blue Foods’ to Attract Eco‑Travelers
Sweden’s west coast is marketing sustainable “blue foods” – oysters, mussels and seaweed – as a centerpiece of eco‑tourism. Pioneers like Lars Marstone guide visitors through low‑impact marine farms, highlighting the role of ocean‑based protein in food security and climate‑friendly...
Michelin Adds Jalisco, Puebla, Yucatán to 2026 Guide, Expanding Mexican Coverage
Michelin announced that its 2026 guide will evaluate restaurants in three new Mexican states—Jalisco, Puebla and Yucatán—bringing the total covered territories to nine. The star‑awarding ceremony will be held in Guadalajara on May 20, marking the first time the event...
Chef Aiden Byrne Debuts LI~LY, a Contemporary Fine‑Dining Spot in a 400‑Year‑Old London Building
Chef Aiden Byrne and his wife Sarah have opened LI~LY, a contemporary fine‑dining restaurant housed in a 400‑year‑old timber‑clad building on King Street, London. The venue earned three AA rosettes and a place in the 2025 Michelin Guide within weeks...
Greek‑Inspired Salford Bar Serves Stellar Bread, Dips, Canned Fish
For today’s @ftweekend I am in a fabulous Greek-inspired wine bar in Salford called Kallos where the bread game is strong, the dips are silky and they offer a beautiful list of premium canned fish. https://t.co/6Oe0sO35S6 https://t.co/JUat1PRIp9
Chef Umberto Bombana Leads Six‑Michelin‑Star Feast in Macau Celebrating UNESCO Italian Heritage
Chef Umberto Bombana convened top Michelin‑starred chefs from Macau, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Bangkok for a six‑Michelin‑star feast at 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana in Galaxy Macau last week. The event highlighted Italian cuisine’s recent UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage designation...
Cooking Japchae: Slow Steps, Deep Flavor
Some dishes aren’t about speed… they’re about how you move through them. Japchae is one of those. Sweet potato noodles tangled with vegetables, maybe a little meat, all brought together with soy, sugar, and toasted sesame oil. Simple on paper, but every...
Cooking Class Delivered Massive Savings on Meals
One of the highest ROI classes I’ve ever taken was cooking fundamentals at the Learning Annex when I was 22. I can’t begin to quantify how much I’ve saved on meals
Harvest | A Film by Heechan Lim
The short film "Harvest" follows Heechan Lim’s personal journey from a childhood steeped in his parents’ gardening dreams to his own hands‑on work on a community farm. It showcases the meticulous harvest of Valencia oranges at full color and the...
Nas Debuts Luxury Dining Venue at New York’s 550 Madison Avenue
Rapper Nas has opened a luxury dining venue at 550 Madison Avenue in New York City, marking his first foray into high‑end hospitality. The restaurant aims to fuse his music legacy with upscale gastronomy, generating buzz among both foodies and...
Lemon Ricotta Ravioli
The post walks readers through a step‑by‑step recipe for lemon ricotta ravioli, starting with a simple 00‑flour pasta dough and a creamy garlic‑lemon ricotta filling. It highlights a butter‑based sauce finished with shaved parmesan, capers, and fresh basil, and includes...
The Rise of Hastings’ Brave Brewery’s Tigermilk Ale
Brave Brewery’s Tigermilk IPA, the flagship product of the Hawke’s Bay‑based brewer, accounts for roughly 60% of its output, with an average of 2,600 litres brewed each week. The beer earned the 2025 Champion New Zealand IPA award and is celebrating its...
I Flew On Air Force One. I'm Here To Talk About The Food
The author joined President Trump on a two‑day Air Force One trip to Las Vegas and Phoenix, focusing on the aircraft’s cuisine rather than politics. While the meals on the presidential plane are traditionally flawless, the writer pledges a rigorous,...
NYC Sushi: $48 Options Outshine $300 Hype
Most high end sushi counters in NYC are screwed. There are 20+ places that have opened in the last year that serve this for $48. There's just no reason to get $300 sushi (minus a few exceptions.) The NYC eater wins...
MGM Grand Ends 30‑Year Buffet Era as Las Vegas Shifts Away From All‑You‑Can‑Eat
MGM Grand announced the closure of its three‑decade‑old buffet at the end of May, joining a wave of Strip buffet shutdowns. The move reflects rising food costs, steep property rents and a strategic pivot toward more profitable dining formats.
A Good Time
Ikigai, a Fort Greene restaurant that launched in summer 2022, serves a 15‑course tasting menu designed to be adventurous yet concise. The eatery aims to satisfy diners who crave innovative flavors without the drawn‑out, pretentious experience typical of many tasting...