Simon Majumdar from the Times online weighed in on his ten favorite home cooking blogs.  His favorites shifted as the economy forced so many to get back in the  kitchen. I’ve spent some time on these blogs and think they are top notch. So much creativity is out there for all of us who cook! LH

Apple Charlotte from Adam Balic’s blog.  www.adambalic.typepad.com

So, here’s his top 10 home cooking blogs and websites that inspire and impress.

1) Cooksister

Jeanne Horak-Druiff is a transplanted South African who passes her time cooking extraordinary meals and then posting pictures and easy to follow recipes on her award-winning blog.

2) A slice of cherry pie

Although Julia Parsons eats out a great deal, she seems to find plenty of time to cook and I am not ashamed to say that I have stolen more than one of her recipes to attempt at home.

3) Off the broiler

Jason Perlow deserves his place amongst the pantheon of Internet food legends not least for being part of the team that created uber food discussion board, Egullet but, because the recipes on his own website offer continual inspiration.

4) Book the cook

Former Masterchef finalist David Hall lives in the North East and his well-designed website offers up recipes for simple, honest food in categories including “simple family meals” and “breads, cakes and biscuits”. His recipe for steak, mushroom and ale pie is next on my list.

5) Joy’s Thai food

The food of Thailand was some of the most memorable of my recent trip around the world and the recipes Joy Buasi shares on this regularly updated website have allowed me the opportunity to try and recreate some of my favourite dishes from my short visit. Her recipe for Pad Thai alone has received nearly 50,000 hits. Having tried it, I can see why.

6) Sailu’s kitchen

Drawn to this blog by my own love of Indian food, Sailu Garu’s website is, like the perfect roti, stuffed with good things to eat. She draws recipes not just from her home state of Andhra Pradesh, but from across India. Her enthusiasm and generosity reflects the very nature of this extraordinary country.

7) Hollow legs

Liz Mabbott may only be in her early 20’s but she extremely knowledgable and writes very well about her cooking adventures.

Italian food forever

I may not totally agree with the author, Deborah Mele, that “those who eat well, eat Italian” but the recipes she offers up on this excellent website could almost change my mind. If Italian cooking grates your Parmesan, then the recipes and stories here are perfect. There is even a regular newsletter to keep you occupied between posts.

9) The art & mystery of food

Aussie Adam Balic is easily the most obsessed person I have ever encountered in the food world. One glimpse at his website will tell you why. Not satisfied with just cooking, Adam’s detailed historical essays on the origins of dishes, along with attempts to recreate recipes from his collection of rare cookbooks, makes this site an endlessly fascinating but slightly scary read.

10) Spain-recipes

Spain remains my greatest obsession and, although more of a commercial site than a blog, this website is a must. Offering recipes from across the varied regions of this wonderful country, from the migas of Extremadura to the pescaito frito of Andalusia. This is a permanent on my list of bookmarks.

AskMen.com has come up with a list of ten of the hottest new restaurant openings in 2009. This list is dated (December 2008). Some of the projects are no longer active. Charlie Trotter and the Elysian  Hotel have parted company, for example. There are many other upcoming Chicago projects including Jerry Kleiner’s, Graham Elliott Bowles “sandwich shop” Stephanie Izard’s The Drunken Goat, etc.  The trouble with lists like this that they list makers rarely share their criteria for compiling the list.  I think this one was about celebrity chefs..DAH. LH

1. The Savoy Grill, Gordon Ramsay, London

When the Savoy Hotel reopens after a 100 million pound ($144 million) restoration, it will feature a new Savoy Grill run under the watchful eye of Gordon Ramsay.

2. Bouchon, Thomas Keller, Los Angeles

The American chef with three Michelin stars will open a new house — Bouchon — in the Beverly Hills Garden Building in late 2009.This will be a casual-dining house that features the best of Keller’s creations.

3. BLT Steak, Laurent Tourondel, Charlotte

The Ritz-Carlton chose Bistro Laurent Tourondel — known as BLT Steak to its friends — to fit the bill in the new Bank of America Center. Tourondel is known across the world for his approach to fine dining: it’s more casual than most, but he never compromises on the best ingredients.

4. No.4 – Elysian Hotel Charlie Trotter, Chicago
Charlie Trotter’s plans to open his hot new house in Chicago’s ultra-luxe Elysian Hotel in 2008 fell on hard times. However, that hasn’t stopped the master chef from taking another stab at the house in ‘09.

Trotter’s house will be open for dinner only — it’s his first new house in the city in more than 20 years — and will feature the inspired and flawless cuisine for which he is famous.

5. Quattro Gastronomia Italiana, Nicola and Fabrizio Carro, New York

When the new Trump SoHo Hotel Condominium New York opens this spring, it will be anchored — in culinary terms, at least — by the chic Miami Beach Quattro Gastronomia Italiana, which is run by identical twins and chefs Nicola and Fabrizio Carro.

6. 25 Degrees, Tim and Liza Goodell, Phoenix

If you’re after the best burger in the southwest, then look no farther than 25 Degrees. Think of the best local organic ingredients such as grass-fed beef, artisanal cheese and a wide selection of traditional and atypical condiments. Pair those with one of more than 50 wines and you’ve got the concept.

7. Jamie’s Italian, Jamie Oliver, UK

Jamie Oliver has plans to open at least three new Jamie’s Italian restaurants by the end of 2009. He chose sites in Brighton, Canary Wharf and Cardiff as the new homes for his affordably priced Italian restaurants.

8. rn74, Michael Mina, San Francisco

San Francisco’s restaurant opening, rn74, will showcase the best wines available and pair them with regional French cuisine prepared by Chef Michael Mina. The house itself, which is named after Route National 74 that passes through France’s Burgundy region, will focus on good food, drink and education.

9. Unnamed project, Rick Bayless, Chicago

Chicago restaurateur and Chef Rick Bayless plans to expand his holdings this summer with a low-key little Mexican sandwich shop not far away from his other properties: Frontera Grill and Topolobampo. The restaurant building will be ultra energy efficient, with solar panels and furniture made from recycled materials.

10. Unnamed project, Galvin Brothers, London

Brothers Chris and Jeff Galvin may be two of the best chefs you’ve never heard of. Their two London restaurants — Galvin Bistrot de Luxe and Galvin at Windows — are packed regularly and the pair is rumored to be opening a new house in the East London area of Spitalfields.

Photo by mjps2/flickr

Iron Chef Cat Cora will open a restaurant with Mediterranen cuisine on the Disney property in Orlando.

The restaurant will be owned and operated by Disney and Kouzzina is slated to open in September of 2009.

The menu will feature traditional recipes passed down by her ancestors as well as some of her other favorite Greek dishes.

Cora is busy these days with Iron Chef and she is also pregnant with a baby boy!

photo by Barry Brecheisen

Cafe Bella has opened in Logan Square.  The BYOB is a  cafe  with counter service. Their intention is to turn CB into more of a bar/bistro.  Chef Cesar Casas (formerly of Ambria) has followed the economy and current eating trends.  This is a casual neighborhood spot serving sandwiches and light appetizers such as ceviche and bruschetta.  Their plan is to expand to incorporate hearty entrees drawn from his  experience at Ambria.

3311 W. Fullerton
773-292-5040

Paul Kahan of Blackbird

The final list of James Beard 2009 award nominees was announced the other day “live” from Chicago’s Frontera Grill.  These nominees will be evaluated for the final awards announced on May 4th.

I am posting the Chicago nominees. For a full list of who our best culinary talent is competing against, go to www.jbfawards.com.

Congratulations to all of those nominated!  We do have an amazing city of culinary talent. LH

OUTSTANDING RESTAURATEUR AWARD
A working restaurateur who sets high national standards in restaurant operations and entrepreneurship. Candidates must have been in the restaurant business for at least 10 years. Candidates must not have been nominated for a James Beard Foundation chef award in the past 10 years.
Richard Melman
Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises
Chicago
OUTSTANDING CHEF AWARD
A working chef in America whose career has set national industry standards and who has served as an inspiration to other food professionals. Candidates must have been working as chefs for at least the past 5 years.
Paul Kahan
Blackbird
Chicago
BEST NEW RESTAURANT
A restaurant opened in 2008 that already displays excellence in food, beverage, and service and is likely to have a significant impact on the industry in years to come.
L2O
Chicago
Chef: Laurent Gras
Owner: Richard Melman
OUTSTANDING PASTRY CHEF AWARD
A chef or baker who prepares desserts, pastries, or breads and who serves as a national standard-bearer for excellence. Candidates must have been pastry chefs or bakers for at least the past 5 years.
Mindy Segal
Mindy’s HotChocolate
Chicago
OUTSTANDING WINE SERVICE AWARD
A restaurant that displays and encourages excellence in wine service through a well-presented wine list, a knowledgeable staff, and efforts to educate customers about wine. Candidates must have been in operation for at least 5 years.
Bin 36
Chicago
Wine Director: Brian Duncan
OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARD
A restaurant that demonstrates high standards of hospitality and service. Candidates must have been in operation for at least the past 5 years.
Spiaggia
Chicago
Owner: Levy Restaurants
BEST CHEFS IN AMERICA
Chefs who have set new or consistent standards of excellence in their respective regions. Candidates must have been working as chefs in any type of dining establishment for at least the past 5 years. The 3 most recent years must have been spent in the region where the chef is presently working.
Best Chef: Great Lakes (IL, IN, MI, OH)
Koren Grieveson
Avec
Chicago
Arun Sampanthavivat
Arun’s
Chicago
Bruce Sherman
North Pond
Chicago