Chef who fled communist country opens world’s first Michelin-starred Cuban restaurant

Chef who fled communist country opens world’s first Michelin-starred Cuban restaurant

A chef who left communist Cuba behind is making culinary history in South Florida. Just four months after opening its doors in West Palm Beach, Emelina recently became the first Cuban restaurant in the world to receive a Michelin star — a distinction many chefs spend decades pursuing. For chef and co-owner Osmel Gonzalez, the recognition is … Read more

Pissed-off job seeker learned the hard way why she ‘keeps getting denied’ from minimum wage gigs

Pissed-off job seeker learned the hard way why she ‘keeps getting denied’ from minimum wage gigs

It’s rough out there. Struggling to land a decent-paying job in a post-grad’s field of choice is a tale as old as time, especially in 2026 corporate America. But failing to secure a restaurant server job, or any minimum wage job for that matter, is a new kind of hell that many youngsters are experiencing, … Read more

Farewell — for now — to Broadway icon Sardi’s

Farewell — for now — to Broadway icon Sardi’s

It’ll be a helluva long wait between courses at legendary Broadway institution Sardi’s this summer. The iconic 99-year-old restaurant on West 44th Street — famed for its 1,200 celeb caricatures — is closing up shop for several months after Wednesday night’s service for much-needed renovations and other behind-the-scenes changes. Its anticipated reopening is in late fall, … Read more

California dominates top 10 best restaurants in America — and the winner is in SoCal

California dominates top 10 best restaurants in America — and the winner is in SoCal

California’s dining scene just scored another major bragging right. The Golden State crushed the competition in a new Robb Report ranking of the 10 best new restaurants in America for 2026, claiming nearly half the list, and the coveted number one spot. Taking the crown at the top is Lilo, an ultra-intimate fine dining destination … Read more

Restaurant blasted for publicly shaming customers with tipping demand — but they’re not having it: ‘F- -k right off’

Restaurant blasted for publicly shaming customers with tipping demand — but they’re not having it: ‘F- -k right off’

Furious foodies are at tipping point.  Publicly shaming patrons into leaving hefty tips for waiters is, apparently, not the slam-dunk strategy one restauranteur had hoped it would be. Now, cheesed-off chowhounds are viciously, virally blasting the boneheaded boss for bullying customers to pay his staff a decent salary.  “Our servers make $3.50 [per hour]…If you can’t afford … Read more

Food critic blasts Sushi Samba in West Hollywood after $560 dinner

Food critic blasts Sushi Samba in West Hollywood after 0 dinner

A flashy new West Hollywood rooftop restaurant may have the views — but one Instagram food critic says the food left him feeling “fleeced.” SUSHISAMBA Los Angeles, the Japanese-Brazilian-Peruvian fusion spot that opened in March atop 649 N. La Peer Drive, has been one of LA’s buzziest new dining rooms, with an 11,000-square-foot rooftop space, sweeping … Read more

LA wins big at elite food awards — as Santa Monica spot steals best California chef crown

LA wins big at elite food awards — as Santa Monica spot steals best California chef crown

Los Angeles’ restaurant scene had a big night at the 2026 James Beard Awards, with some of the city’s most acclaimed chefs and restaurants being crowned with major awards at the “Oscars” of the food world. The annual awards ceremony, held Monday night at Chicago’s Lyric Opera House, recognized excellence in the food and restaurant … Read more

Dear Abby: I’ve only met my biological dad twice — should I send him a Father’s Day card?

Dear Abby: I’ve only met my biological dad twice — should I send him a Father’s Day card?

DEAR ABBY: Three years ago, I found out that the man who raised me wasn’t my biological father. I suspected it for many years and asked my mother about it twice. She angrily denied it both times and said the man who raised me was definitely my dad. He passed away in 1989. I recently … Read more

Every LA restaurant shut down for disgusting health violations this week — and when they reopened

Every LA restaurant shut down for disgusting health violations this week — and when they reopened

Los Angeles County health inspectors were busy last week, temporarily shuttering a string of eateries over everything from alleged vermin infestations to sewage issues and failing inspection scores. The 13 shut downs were posted on the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health’s food facility closure list, which tracks restaurants that are ordered to cease … Read more

Iconic Tex-Mex chain abruptly shutters 60 locations across the US

Iconic Tex-Mex chain abruptly shutters 60 locations across the US

Say adiós to an old favorite. After a year of bad business, a popular Tex-Mex chain is calling it quits. On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, known for slinging a variety of fajitas and a massive selection of margaritas, announced that it has closed all of its company-owned restaurants. An On The Border location … Read more

Customers reignite tipping debate after servers reveal biggest ‘ick’ of the job: ‘Why do they deserve anything above minimum wage?’

Customers reignite tipping debate after servers reveal biggest ‘ick’ of the job: ‘Why do they deserve anything above minimum wage?’

They’re serving up attitude. A clip of two wait staffers discussing customer habits has sparked a debate on social media, after a restaurant rage bait post went viral on X. Right-wing shock jockey Royce Lopez reposted the clip from another account that allegedly featured fed-up food servers discussing the frustrating FOH (“front of house”) lifestyle. … Read more

McDonald’s brings back beloved limited-edition dessert — but fans plead for it to be permanent

McDonald’s brings back beloved limited-edition dessert — but fans plead for it to be permanent

That’s some good ol’ apple pie — just like McDonald’s used to make. On June 22, the Golden Arches will bring back its fried apple pies — a beloved menu item served at the fast food behemoth over 30 years ago, according to content creator Snackolator.  While the deep-fried dessert, which is being brought back … Read more

Shake Shack brings back its most popular special-edition custard shake — and fans say it’s the ‘best news ever’

Shake Shack brings back its most popular special-edition custard shake — and fans say it’s the ‘best news ever’

Shake Shack is not leaving the Dubai chocolate trend in 2025.  The Dubai Chocolate Pistachio Shake has returned to the chain restaurant’s menus nationwide for a limited time, with Shake Shack posting on Instagram that “your summer fling is back” and is “turning heads,” referencing the hit show “Love Island.” The Dubai Chocolate Pistachio Shake … Read more

The best NYC bars to cheer on your favorite country during the FIFA World Cup — if you can’t score pricey tickets

The best NYC bars to cheer on your favorite country during the FIFA World Cup — if you can’t score pricey tickets

It’s around the World in 80 bars. With the FIFA World Cup kicking off on Thursday, June 11, soccer mania has reached a fever pitch. For the first time in three decades, US football fanatics won’t have to travel far to catch the action. America is co-hosting the global tournament alongside Mexico and Canada, with … Read more

Top 20 food cities in the world revealed for 2026 — see where NYC ranks after being ignored last year

Top 20 food cities in the world revealed for 2026 — see where NYC ranks after being ignored last year

Time Out has released its annual — and fully subjective — list of the 20 best cities for food, naming Lima, Peru, as the global culinary capital this year. But, perhaps more importantly, New York City returned to the list at No. 15 after being conspicuously absent from last year’s rankings. Of course, the placement … Read more

Shocked restaurant-goer spots mice running around celebrity chef’s restaurant: ‘I’d scream’

Shocked restaurant-goer spots mice running around celebrity chef’s restaurant: ‘I’d scream’

Would you like a side of mice with that? Nothing can ruin a fine dining experience quite like little rodents scurrying around tables. Unfortunately, that’s supposedly what happened at one of celeb chef Gordon Ramsay‘s restaurants — and how the wait staff handled the situation is even weirder. Reportedly at Gordon Ramsay Steak in Richmond, … Read more

Burger King updates its Whopper — again — but fans think the new twist is just a copycat of another burger chain

Burger King updates its Whopper — again — but fans think the new twist is just a copycat of another burger chain

Burger King is adding fuel to the fast-food fire with a hot new summer menu item. Its new Loaded Jalapeño Whopper promises plenty of heat, but some burger lovers say the chain’s latest creation is little more than a spicy copy of a Wendy’s sandwich. Earlier this week, Burger King announced three seasonal food additions, … Read more

From $30K suites to $1M packages, luxury World Cup options abound in New York City

From K suites to M packages, luxury World Cup options abound in New York City

New York City’s luxury proprietors have come up with some jaw-dropping options for people who really want to splash out on the World Cup. A special booking for six people for six days at the posh Mark Hotel on the Upper East Side comes with a penthouse suite, access to a private roof – and … Read more

Iconic NYC deli unveils long-hidden private dining room — now renovated after decades of disuse

Iconic NYC deli unveils long-hidden private dining room — now renovated after decades of disuse

Katz’s Deli, New York’s oldest Jewish deli and living monument, has reopened a hidden piece of history, adding to its centuries-long influence on the minds and stomachs of New Yorkers. For the first time in nearly eight decades, the iconic Lower East Side institution has unveiled The Ludlow Room, a restored 68-seat dining room that … Read more

NYC’s biggest restaurant opening of the year is here — and it’s fabulous

NYC’s biggest restaurant opening of the year is here — and it’s fabulous

The East 50s have new restaurants up the wazoo. But they never saw anything like Simon Kim’s three-level spectacle, Cote 550, at 550 Madison Avenue. With more feasting and boozing options than a cruise ship, it’s making the biggest splash in Midtown’s since the first Rockefeller Center Christmas tree went up in 1931. The complex is anchored by a … Read more