Bite of the Best

"Slow down," I'd recommend to people who scarfed down their foods. "You're not even tasting what you're eating.

"And — by the way," I'd add, "You'll eat less if you do so."

That platitude is now a proven fact — at least according to researchers at the University of Rhode Island. Their study, reported in the July issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, found that people who take small bites, putting down their fork between those bites and thoroughly chewing their food felt fuller and ate less than those who ate quickly. And, those who ate quickly consumed more food in a shorter period and weren't as satisfied.

Bottom line: one simple way to shed a couple of pounds is to eat much more slowly.

No Comments | Add a comment
Posted in TidBites | Food News
Trackback Link | Permalink | Email this Bite

I'm a big proponent of eating and drinking real food over those with chemical additives and other artificial ingredients. So when I read about this new study in the Journal of Strength and Conditional Research, I just had to share.

The Department of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, San Diego State University study compared raisins (real food) to expensive sport gels (synthetic) to see if one offered cyclists a performance advantage. The researchers concluded that "raisins appear to be a cost-effective source of carbohydrate for pre-exercise feeding in comparison to sports gel for short-term exercise bouts."

According to their research, both the gels and the raisins provided carbohydrates for energy, but raisins provided what gels don't: vitamin B6, protein, iron, phosphorus, copper, manganese and fiber. Both gels and raisins contain potassium, but raisins have about seven times as much. Potassium, btw, helps prevent muscle cramps. The gels contain more sodium, calories, and often caffeine for five times the price of raisins.

Bottom line: don't waste your money on expensive sport gels.

No Comments | Add a comment
Posted in TidBites | Food News
Trackback Link | Permalink | Email this Bite

We were heading to Deer Valley in the morning, busy trying to pack and get everything we needed ready to bring for my dad's (Eric's granddad's) 90th celebration and the TV spot we'd be doing. I would have preferred not going out but had RSVP'd that Eric and I would be attending the opening of State Street Bistro in Bridgeport late last month. I couldn't back out, as I'd been told before by the PR person that the chefs plan a special multi-course sit-down meal for all the press invitees.

Eric and I jumped into the car and headed toward 211 State Street, the address on the printed invitation. Ah, we figured, we'd have a nice meal and just slip out early. When we got to the restaurant we easily found parking across the street. Lucky, we thought.

Chris Klein, the general manager, was as surprised to see us holding the printed invite as we were to see the empty restaurant.

"We're in the Twilight Zone," I whispered to Eric as we double checked the info on the card in my hand.

Chris explained that they had changed the date of the dinner at this newly opened French bistro. We told him we hadn't a clue about that, as we didn't notice any "Change of Date" email — there wasn't any!

Hospitable Chris invited us to have a drink before heading back, which turned into an entire meal consisting of yummy appetizer (Pate du Camp $10 served with a grainy mustard that complemented the texture of the pate and Early Summer Corn Chowder $9, topped with fresh lobster and minced cilantro); rib eye Steak au Poivre $29 with a brandy cream sauce and Roasted Duck ala Orange $26 — all washed down with Hob Nob Pinot Noir, 2006.

We think we lucked out, having Chris all to ourselves to tell us all about State Street Bistro, and we got to select the foods that we wanted.

If you're in Bridgeport, CT - do stop by; we think you'll be welcomed by the staff and pleased by the foods.

State Street Bistro, 211 State Street, Bridgeport, CT 203.540.5705

www.statestreetbistro.com

View 2 Comments | Add a comment
Posted in Uncategorized | TidBites | Dining
Trackback Link | Permalink | Email this Bite

In today's Deseret (UT) News, food editor Valerie Phillips writes…

To me, the best perk is not the food I eat but the people I meet. The last weekend in June was a case in point. That Thursday, I'd gotten a call from Bonnie Tandy Leblang, co-author of Supermarket Sampler, the syndicated column that appears in our Food section.

She lives in Connecticut, but she and her two 20-something sons, Bryan and Eric, were in Utah for her father's 90th birthday. The trio had just finished a segment on KSL's "Studio Five" show about their new blog, Bite of the Best, where they review their favorite food products.

During lunch at Martine, I realized how seriously these three take food. It was amusing to hear them strategize over what each would order and share, to sample as many different dishes as possible. Leblang said she started Bite of the Best because after nearly 23 years of criticizing so many junk-food type products in Supermarket Sampler, "I want to talk about products that I really like."

For Valerie's complete column, click here.

No Comments | Add a comment
Posted in TidBites | On the Road
Trackback Link | Permalink | Email this Bite

PROVIDENCE: Like other cities Providence sets aside a period of time where people have a chance to experience the dining scene at reduced pricing. During restaurant week you can sample a variety of the city's restaurants from a pre-selected, three-course, fixed-price menu at lunch for $12.95 to dinner for $29.95 — not including of course tax, tip and the biggy — beverages. That discount pricing brings more customers into the restaurants — something well needed in today's economy.

I just happened to be in the city during this offer. So what better time to try the Capital Grille, I thought, as it was located across the street from where I was staying.

The gazpacho and Caesar salad appetizers were forgetful, with an off taste to the chilled soup and twice as much dressing on the salad as necessary. But the Seared Citrus Glazed Salmon and the Sliced Kona Crusted Dry-Aged Sirloin were worth the price alone. For the latter they rub the beef with a blend of decaffeinated Hawaiian Kona Coffee, granulated sugar, cocoa powder and garlic powder. The chef then sears the steak in a pan to begin caramelizing the rub's sugar and finishes the dish by adding some caramelized shallot butter. Outstanding… as was our wine selection — a perfect Bordeaux to accompany both beef and salmon, a Chateau Larose-Trintaudon Haute Medoc, 2002 ($36)

The room temperature creme brulee with a soft (not crisp) crust that came with the 3-course meal was also lackluster. The flourless chocolate cake, though, was much better.

I say hooray to city organizations that put these festivals together allowing us to take a chance to experience a variety of places at reasonable prices to decide whether we want to spend our big bucks there.

Capital Grille, 1 Union Station #1, Providence, RI 410.521.5600.

No Comments | Add a comment
Posted in TidBites | Dining | On the Road | Restaurants
Trackback Link | Permalink | Email this Bite