Phaidon’s “On Eating Insects” Guide + Matching Snacky Tunes’ Playlist

A holistic approach to critter-nibbling with recipes from the Nordic Food Lab

Centuries of civilizations have relied on insects for sustenance or flavor. And yet, the gourmet-driven resurgence of critter consumption is a relatively new Western phenomenon. Phaidon’s recently published “On Eating Insects: Essays, Stories and Recipes” acts as a guide for those looking to navigate the field of bugs. From a holistic standpoint, the book addresses how each creature tastes and how they can be used …

NYC-Made West 32 Soju

A smooth take on the Korean alcohol

by Sun Pak Step into any Korean restaurant on a weekend night and you’ll find similar set-ups at every table: a green bottle of soju perched next to plates of sizzling meats (or bubbling stews) and a collection of small vegetable sides. The clear, simple liquor—akin to a less-alcoholic vodka—washes down the spicy dishes well, and it would be considered egregious to consume less than …

Blue Bottle, Bushwick

A study in quality control at the Bay Area coffee roaster's new Brooklyn facility

With 35 locations across California, New York and Tokyo, and with nine more hitting the East Coast this year, some coffee fanatics might wonder if Oakland, CA-based Blue Bottle isn’t becoming Starbucks for the hipster generation. As we learned on a recent visit to their new cafe and roasting facility in Bushwick, Brooklyn, scaling up doesn’t mean Blue Bottle’s standards have gone mainstream. In fact, …