Great Links « AfterTaste (by Sherry)

Great Links

Menupages - An extremely useful resource for checking out menus (and even prices) of restaurants ahead of time so you can get somewhat of an idea of what to expect. Restaurants are grouped by neighborhoods and food type, so you can find suggestions for restaurants in if you are visiting a specific area, as well.
Epicurious.com- Amalgamation of recipes from various publications, most notablely Bon Appetit. Always reliable for “legitimate,” “sophisticated” recipes with a “fork-rating” system and users who post suggestions for adjustments to recipes.
Food Network- Food Network, my original instructor in the culinary arts and all things food (aside from my mom, of course). As commercialized and silly as it’s gotten recently (you’ve gotta be wary of any network that has given Rachael Ray FIVE different shows), it will always have a very special place in my heart. You can find a wide range of recipes here from Superbowl-type food (i.e. nachos, buffalo wings, etc.) to more elegant fare. Keep a special eye out for any recipes from bona fide chefs/hosts such as Giada Di Laurentiis (I am completely in love with her and her disproportionately GIGANTIC…head), Mario Batali, Ina Garten (the Barefoot Contessa), and Alton Brown. You can also find some useful tips for restaurants to visit in other cities for when you travel (i.e. London, Las Vegas, etc.).
Travel Channel - Check this site out for restaurant tips and suggestions for other cities and countries. The best shows in which to find these are Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations and one of the eight million shows hosted by the spastic, yet strangely charismatic, Samantha Brown.
OpenTable.com- Easy way to make reservations online for many well-known restaurants in NYC when you just don’t want to deal with the attitude of that Gucci wearing, eyebrow arching hostess who probably has not eaten in a couple of months (oh yeah, you know the one). Just enter in the date and time you want to dine and the number of people, and it’ll show you what time slots are available at that particular restaurant. Don’t worry about its accuracy either, I’ve never shown up to a place and have the restaurant claim they never got my reservation. Also, the restaurants on the site are not holding out on you with the time slots. I’ve tested this many times in the past by calling the restaurant right after checking OpenTable.com and the hostess listed the same available time slots.
New York Magazine: Restaurants - Wonderful restaurant section with insightful reviews on an extremely large range of restaurants in NYC. Also has great “Best” lists (i.e. Best Place for Dim Sum, Top 5 Best Egg Dishes), a handy annual “Cheap Eats” issue, and entertaining articles such as interviews with Top Chef rejects and Two for Eight where they see at which “hot” restaurants they can get reservations for two people at 8pm when calling at 4pm that same day.
Seamless Web- An online food delivery website that shows you what restaurants will accept online orders and deliver to your location. Depending on what area you live in, this website could be more useful at work/in a heavily commercial area when you become sick of the corner deli than at home/in a more residential area where there may already be many restaurants that deliver.
HopStop.com- An online search mechanism where you can enter in the starting point and destination of your trip and it will tell you the best/quickest way to get from point A to point B either by walking or by public transport. A must-bookmark site for those new to NYC.
Chowhound - An incredible resource where, as a major foodie, you can consult and talk to others like you at the same time as looking up recipes and information on restaurants in major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. The message boards hold a wealth of information and opinions from very knowledgeable posters on topics ranging from where to find Vietnamese beer in NYC to what constitutes authentic huevos rancheros.
Foodist Colony- Aside from the cute name, it provides the tools to create your own restaurant guide online (and check out others’ like mine!). Keep track of where you’ve been, what you hated, and where you’re dying to go.