From the Soviet diaspora to wine pairings with food from Africa: New cookbooks explore global tastes
Whether you're mapping out a
Here's what's new on the shelf from
Cha McCoy, a certified sommelier, and Layla Schlack, a Connecticut-based food writer, have spent the last three years writing "Wine Pairing for the People: The Communion of Wine, Food, and Culture from Africa and Beyond."
Harvest/Harper Collins Publishers
Wine Pairing for the People: The Communion of Wine, Food, and Culture from Africa and Beyond
Cha McCoy, a certified sommelier, and
Cover of 'Chesnok: Cooking from My Corner of the Diaspora: Recipes from Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia.'
Hardie Grant Publishing
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Chesnok: Cooking from My Corner of the Diaspora
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Author Polina Chesnakova.
Dane Tashima
Sex and the City Cocktails: Fall in Love with 60 Fabulous (and Official) Cocktail Recipes Inspired by the Show
Thea Engst, a Massachusetts-based author and cocktail recipe developer, has been writing a new book that will feature recipes that can transport you to glitzy parties and restaurants in Manhattan. It's a stylish collection that brings the essence of Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte, and Miranda from Sex and the City to life -- one cosmo at a time. The book will be released in early November.
Umma: A Korean Mom's Kitchen Wisdom and 100 Family Recipes
Boston-based America's Test Kitchen just published a whole recipe book about Korean recipes that were passed down from Nam Soon to her daughter,
Rhode Island Food Crawls: Touring the Neighborhoods One Bite & Libation at a Time by Jamie Coelho.
Jamie Coelho
Rhode Island Food Crawls: Touring the Neighborhoods One Bite & Libation at a Time
Jamie Coelho, the editor-in-chief of Rhode Island Monthly magazine, has spent most of her free time in the last year working on a book that will take you on food crawls throughout Rhode Island. The book will be published on July 15, but you can
Practical Pomology: A Field Guide
Sean Turley, an apple forager, historian, and photographer from Portland, Maine, focused his book on apples historically grown in New England. This field guide sheds some light on apple terminology and identification, and includes original illustrations and photographs so you can better understand what you're reaching for when its apple-picking time.
Know of another book coming out this year? Let me know by
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Eater
4 hours ago
- Eater
The Best Street Food in the West Village
New York is a damn expensive city, and no more is that evident than in the picturesque Greenwich Village and the West Village in particular. The affluent neighborhood is lined with cobblestoned streets brimming with luxe developments, high-end boutiques, and the West Village Girls fulfilling their Sex and the City aspirations. It wasn't always this way: But these changes have impacted its dining scene, where restaurants are reflecting what the newer crowds are seeking: see-and-be-seen places with stylish and often expensive food and drinks to match, much of it sit-down. But between the corner restaurants, bakeries, takeout windows, and quick-serve spots, there's plenty of excellent — and actually affordable — street food to be found. So the Eater NY team headed into the West Village for a food crawl, with a mission to find the best handheld snacks, grab-and-go bites, and under-$20 meals in the neighborhood. Lin & Daughters comes from Becky Lin, a first-time restaurant owner who opened her spot in 2023. Here, she's making home-cooked staples like beef noodle soup, grandma's peanut butter noodle salad, spicy cucumbers, and more. But it's the array of dumplings that are most satisfying – and portable – whether it's the pan-fried chicken curry number ($13.49), cumin beef, shrimp, or Lin's pork and chive dumplings ($12.49). Grab an order or two for a people-watching snack in the park. 181 W. Fourth Street, near Jones Street —Melissa McCart State fair corn dogs aren't the first food-on-a-stick that comes to mind when I think of New York street food, yet they're my go-to order when I frequent my beloved Cowgirl (formerly Cowgirl Hall of Fame), the longtimer since 1989. What amounts to a deep-fried corn muffin exterior surrounds a snappy little cocktail dog for a perfect $6 beer snack (or two for $12). There's also Frito pie and catfish fingers, but the corndogs are the best throwback, particularly when it comes to summertime savory snacks. Order some for takeaway and duck into this restaurant that's a reminder of the way the West Village used to be: quirky, eclectic, and cheap. 519 Hudson Street, at West 10th Street — Melissa McCart Cariñito Tacos is a fusion-y taqueria hailing from Mexico City for a summer pop-up in an empty storefront — which, as these things go, I have to assume is a preview of something longer-term they are exploring in New York. As far as other hot new taco spots go, this is one of the more expensive ($7.50 to $9 each), with tacos ranging in varieties like a play on Katz's with pastrami, as well as Thai-flavored tacos with shredded pork belly, mint, and rice powder — all served atop a cornhusk blanket. Not all of them are worth it, bhe best value is the take on the Taco Bell Crunchwrap Supreme (one of a handful of places that pay homage to the original), which comes with Sichuan-spiced brisket and pork, Oaxacan cheese, avocado, fermented beans, and cabbage slaw. It's eat at the standing counter here – or on the street. Grab plenty of napkins. 86 University Place, near East 11th Street — Emma Orlow It seems like there's a gelato shop on every corner of the West Village, and debating which is best is like trying to decide who wrote the summer's best beach read. So instead of recommending a favorite gelato flavor, let's take a look at Gelateria Gentile's granita. Much like the corn dog, granita transports the person eating it, in this case, to an Italian summer. Stick with classics like lemon or coffee, in a cup or with brioche ($8.50). And if there's cantaloupe as the flavor of the day, order that, too. (This location of Gentile is so tiny that it's a given you're going to eat it on the street.) 43 Eighth Avenue, between Jane and Horatio streets — Melissa McCart What is there to say that hasn't already been said about the burrata slice ($5.50) at L'Industrie? This second location of the famed slice shop in Williamsburg has lines that have followed from Brooklyn. Yes, this is New York City, so yes, you can get a decent, cheaper slice without waiting in line in pretty much every neighborhood. But L'Industrie isn't about decent; it's about excellence. If you are interested in a taste of one of the standard bearers for pizza's new wave in New York, then it's worth queuing up for. It's crispy in all the right ways, but creamy from a bountiful serving of burrata. It's a total coincidence that it opened just down the street from the second location of Mama's Too. Together, this has made for one of the most important pizza corners in New York. And, possibly — not to be dramatic — the world. 104 Christopher Street, near Bleecker Street — Emma Orlow The motto here is rice-free burritos, which means none of the filler and all of the goodies. Takeout-only Son Del North first opened on the Lower East Side, before expanding with a second location in the West Village, and immediately catapulted to one of my favorite all-time New York burritos, doing justice to flour tortillas (yes, they make them themselves). I like the carne asada and the shrimp burritos, but at $9, the gooey bean and cheese is a filling and affordable move. Pre-order to beat the wait, and then post up at a bench at Demo Square across the street. 26 Carmine Street, at Bleecker Street — Emma Orlow Is this some of the best Indian food in Manhattan? Not necessarily, but the order-at-the-counter Taco Mahal has been really important to me over the years as one of those reliable, easy spots that have become all too rare. Taco Mahal provides naan and roti folded like a taco for a quick bite you can snarf down. Their best deal is a three-roti deal for $14 with filling options like chicken malai, sag paneer, and channa masala. There are seats both indoors and outdoors, which makes it easy to get in even at primetime on the weekend before a night out, no matter the weather. Ignore the fluorescent lighting. 73 Seventh Avenue South, West Village — Emma Orlow Wandering around NYU territory, I ducked into this tiny deli to grab the $12 chopped cheese sandwich. It's a very long sandwich on a sesame seed hero — enough for two meals for me — making the price well worth it. Co-owner and chef Antonio Barbieri knows what he's doing when it comes to food — he had been the executive sous chef at the fancypants Eleven Madison Park, before switching gears with this sandwich shop. The well-structured sandwich is evenly proportioned with cheesy, saucy chopped beef, crispy shredded lettuce, and slices of tomatoes. I was also glad for the bottle of Crystal hot sauce that was readily available because I needed just a little more spice in the sandwich. While there's minimal seating — two sets of double stools along the window — the tables make for a fun activity because you can browse through all of the pop culture stickers on the counter. 218 Thompson Street, near West Third Street, Greenwich Village — Nadia Chaudhury The baked empanada mini-chain has a location right near the IFC Center, making it a good stop for a budget meal before seeing an indie movie. At $18.45 for a box of three, you can pick whichever empanadas you want. I got the classic Argentine malbec beef (which had a nice zip from the olives), the ooey-gooey ham and mozzarella, and, my favorite of the bunch, the smoked pulled chicken empanada made with well-balanced barbecue sauce. The empanadas themselves are flavorful enough that the extra order of chimichurri sauce for 50 cents isn't needed. On a nice day, it's pleasant to dine at one of the two tables out front. The 333 Sixth Avenue, near West Fourth Street, West Village — Nadia Chaudhury The Japanese bakery had been on my radar since it opened last year, so I was happy for the excuse to stop by. For my savory option, I went for the chicken katsu sandwich, which is $13 for the whole thing and $7 for half. The sandwich is filling, with fluffy milk bread and juicy breaded chicken, and everything is gluten-free. The cute, vibrant pop-colored setting doesn't hurt either — it's good for a photo or two. 31-33 Carmine Street, at Bleecker Street, West Village — Nadia Chaudhury I've been a fan of the Iraqi-owned Moustache Pitza since it was at its old location in the West Village (the original first opened in Brooklyn in 1988). A couple of years ago, it relocated to a bigger spot where there's plenty of space for dining in. If you're ordering for a group, shareables like labne and pita will go over well, but for takeout solo dining, the move here is the merguez sandwich, with spicy lamb sausage, lettuce, and tomato, which is very portable ($18); there's also a vegetarian-friendly falafel sandwich version at $12, a fraction of the cost. 29 Seventh Avenue South, near Bedford Street, West Village — Emma Orlow The splendor that is Tashkent's first Manhattan location will astound anyone feeling the weight of rising food costs in New York — as it's very easy to get out for under $10 here. This one-of-a-kind Eastern European supermarket has five locations in New York, including its famous Brighton Beach one, making it a well-oiled machine that still puts a lot of care into its food (there's a whole kitchen in the basement that keeps food moving and fresh upstairs). The by-the-pound salad bar, which includes items like plov and carrot salad, is fun. But the best street food item for a picnic in nearby Washington Square Park, probably their samsa, a Central Asian pastry with a variety of halal-friendly meat fillings and vegetarian options (like one with pumpkin). 378 Sixth Avenue, at West Fourth Street — Emma Orlow See More: Cheap Eats Dining Out in NY
Miami Herald
6 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Sarah Jessica Parker Shares Reaction to Learning Fans Didn't Like ‘And Just Like That' Character Che
Sarah Jessica Parkeradmitted she was surprised to learn that fans didn't like And Just Like That…character Che Diaz, played by Sara Ramirez. While speaking to The Guardian on June 6, Sarah, 60, said she had no idea that so many fans didn't like the controversial nonbinary character until a friend brought it up to her. "A friend of mine brought it up to me, and it's like: 'What are you talking about?'" she recalled. "And he said: 'Yeah, there's all this conversation.' I've been an actor for 50 years, and I've almost never paid attention to peripheral chatter." Sarah added that she "loved working with" Sara, 49, who is also nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns. It was revealed in February 2024 that Sara would not return as standup comic Che after appearing on And Just Like That… for the first two seasons. Shortly after the show's debut in 2021, Che quickly became a meme and the butt of the joke among many viewers. The Grey's Anatomy alum reflected on the backlash while speaking to Variety in June 2022. "Other people's opinions of a character - that's not something I can allow into my process," they said. "I choose what I receive, right? That's the beauty of being grown - I don't have to receive everything!" Che was romantically involved with original Sex and the City character Miranda Hobbs (Cynthia Nixon), while they also worked on a podcast with Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker). In addition to discussing the backlash surrounding Che, Sarah also reflected on Sex and the City's popularity among Gen Z. "It's curious, because their lives are so different – the language they use around dating is different," she told The Guardian about the younger generation. "They're less patient. They're more punitive. They're not as forgiving of people's shortcomings. I'm not condemning it, it's just what I've heard. So it's really interesting that they feel so spirited about it." One topic that the younger viewers have strong opinions on is Carrie's relationship with Mr. Big (Chris Noth). The couple dated on and off throughout the original series, and they faced several obstacles before they wed during the first Sex and the City movie in 2008. Big eventually died during the season premiere of And Just Like That… The relationship has faced backlash, with many viewers believing that they didn't have a healthy dynamic. "It doesn't mean they aren't objecting to Big and Carrie's relationship, or the way he treated her, or choices Carrie made," Sarah continued about the younger fans' views of the show. "But people had those strong feelings back then, too." When asked if she was disappointed by any of the original show's plot lines, Sarah admitted that viewers could sometimes be "disheartened" by seeing what the characters went through. "But the show is also about finding home and contentment, whatever home means to you," she continued. "I feel that 20- and 30-year-olds should be searching. There should be something in the distance that's important and exciting, and worth the wait. Part of it is rather dreary that great women of all ages are still incredibly frustrated by the dating scene, but I also see a lot of happy endings." Copyright 2025 A360 Media. All rights reserved.
Los Angeles Times
8 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
America is moving backward on climate. Here's how Hollywood can help
An unprecedented heat wave is baking Seattle, and Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital is overwhelmed. Doctors scramble to treat people with heat stroke and pregnant women going into early labor due to triple-digit temperatures. The emergency room runs out of ice. Elective surgeries are canceled. Grey Sloan is so inundated — partly due to power outages at another hospital — that it's forced to turn away patients. In one scene — because this is all happening on the latest season of 'Grey's Anatomy' — several doctors operate on a young man who tried to rob a convenience store, only to wind up shot with his own gun during a scuffle. 'We should invite the lawmakers voting against background checks to assist,' says Teddy Altman (Kim Raver), the hospital's chief of surgery. 'Well, violent crime rises along with the temperature,' responds intern Jules Millin (Adelaide Kane). Fact check: Accurate. There's real research linking gun violence to above-average temperatures. There was also a real heat dome that inspired the writers of 'Grey's Anatomy.' Portland hit a record 116 degrees in 2021; between the U.S. and Canada, 1,400 people died. Global warming made it worse, researchers found. If President Trump and other politicians keep doing the oil and gas industry's bidding, the climate crisis will only get deadlier. But Hollywood can play a leading role in turning the tide. Not by preaching. By entertaining. I'd never seen 'Grey's Anatomy' before watching the heat wave episodes; soap operas aren't really my thing. But the long-running ABC drama got me invested right away. The characters are sympathetic, the dialogue sharp and funny, the medical plotlines rife with tension. And I was impressed by how the writers kept the heat front of mind: a coffee cart running out of cold drinks, patients fanning themselves, several references to cooling centers. In one of the final scenes of the two-episode arc, which concluded in March, surgical resident Ben Warren (Jason George) says the hospital needs an emergency plan for heat domes. It isn't prepared for wildfires, either. 'They're only increasing with climate change,' he says. Some of you may be thinking: Who cares about a bunch of fake doctors running around a fake hospital? We have real climate problems in the real world. Trump and congressional Republicans are eviscerating clean air rules and revoking clean energy grants. Let's focus on politics and policy, not pop culture. Thing is, people don't form opinions in a vacuum. The media we consume inform our politics — fiction included. Studies have shown, for instance, that the sitcom 'Will & Grace' reduced prejudice against gay men, and that on-screen violence can increase the risk of violent behavior. Researchers found that a scene from HBO's 'Sex and the City' reboot 'And Just Like That ...' made viewers more likely to say eating less meat is good for the environment. Millions of people watch 'Grey's Anatomy.' The impact is clear to producer Zoanne Clack, an emergency medicine physician who spoke at the Hollywood Climate Summit this month. 'In the ER, I could tell two people about diabetes. They might tell two people, and they might tell two people,' she said. 'But I do a story on [diabetes] on 'Grey's Anatomy,' and 20 million people have seen it.' 'And if 10% of those people get something out of it, that's a lot of people,' she added. Already, researchers are studying viewer responses to the heat dome storyline. The conservation nonprofit Rare surveyed 3,600 people, showing some participants the first heat episode and others an unrelated episode. Although the study isn't done yet, Anirudh Tiwathia, Rare's director of behavioral science for entertainment, told me it's clear that viewers came away from the heat episode more concerned and better-informed about extreme heat. The nonprofit is still testing whether those effects persisted several weeks after watching. Rare also showed some viewers the heat dome episode plus a social media video reiterating the health dangers of extreme heat. Those viewers may come away even more informed. Rare released a study last year finding that people who watched 'Don't Look Up' — a disaster movie with intentional climate parallels — were far more likely to support climate action if they also watched a climate-focused video starring lead actor Leonardo DiCaprio. 'People see stuff on screen, and then they see stuff on the second screen,' Tiwathia said, referring to phones and laptops. 'The second screen is an opportunity to really pick up the baton from the main narrative.' The videos used by Rare for its 'Grey's Anatomy' study were commissioned by Action for the Climate Emergency, which paid social media influencers to create 21 videos tied to the show. Rare chose four videos, including one by a gardener with 234,000 Instagram followers and one by an artist with 2 million followers. A survey by Action for the Climate Emergency found that social media users who saw the videos were more likely than typical 'Grey's Anatomy' viewers to understand the links between heat, health and global warming. 'It's an opportunity for us to reach outside the echo chamber,' said Leah Qusba, the group's chief executive. Fortunately, there's a small-but-growing ecosystem within Hollywood that's increasingly able to support this kind of partnership. A few major studios have started teams to advise creatives on climate storytelling. Environmental groups, consulting firms and universities have stepped up to provide expertise and research. The 'Grey's Anatomy' heat dome storyline might not have happened except for Adam Umhoefer, an executive at the CAA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Creative Artists Agency, one of Hollywood's top talent agencies. He co-founded Green Screen, an effort to connect CAA clients and others in the industry to sustainability experts. 'The idea is that I'm kind of operating as an agent for climate,' Umhoefer told me. When Umhoefer heard from a friend in the 'Grey's Anatomy' writers' room that the writers were looking to tell a climate story — after ending Season 20 with a massive wildfire — he connected them with the Natural Resources Defense Council, whose Rewrite the Future initiative consults with studios to improve climate storytelling. 'We were very interested in continuing that [fire] story, and the effect on the community of Seattle,' showrunner Meg Marinis said at the Hollywood Climate Summit. 'We just didn't want to pretend that never existed.' To foreshadow the heat dome, they started the season with climate protesters blocking a bridge, causing several characters to get stuck in traffic. One of them, Link (Chris Carmack), scolds his partner Jo (Camilla Luddington) for getting annoyed, since the protesters are fighting for a worthy cause. Tick populations are exploding, he reminds her, increasing the risk of Lyme disease. And the last 10 years have been the 10 hottest on record globally. 'When Camilla and Chris Carmack were in that car, it was like 95 degrees near Long Beach. ... They were putting ice packs on their heads in between takes,' Marinis said. 'It was all very relatable. We were all living through it.' Lived experience aside, it's hard to know how much appetite entertainment executives will have for more climate stories while Trump is in office. He's flouted democratic norms by threatening and even pursuing lawsuits against media companies that irk him, including Paramount, Comcast and the Walt Disney Co., which owns ABC. But the fossil fuel industry won't stop winning the culture wars, and thus the political wars, until a much broader segment of the American public demands climate solutions, now. Hollywood can help make it happen. The folks behind 'Grey's Anatomy,' at least, say they aren't planning to back down. Stay tuned. This is the latest edition of Boiling Point, a newsletter about climate change and the environment in the American West. Sign up here to get it in your inbox. And listen to our 'Boiling Point' podcast here. For more climate and environment news, follow @Sammy_Roth on X and @ on Bluesky.
