Was Your Seafood Caught By Slaves? AP Uncovers Unsavory Trade : The Salt : NPR:
"Some of the seafood that winds up in American grocery stores, in restaurants, even in cat food may have been caught by Burmese slaves. That's the conclusion of a yearlong investigation by The Associated Press.
The AP discovered and interviewed dozens of men being held against their will on Benjina, a remote Indonesian island, which serves as the base for a trawler fleet that fishes in the area. AP correspondent Martha Mendoza was one of the lead reporters for the investigation.
The men AP found unloading seafood in Benjina were mostly from Myanmar, also known as Burma. When they realized one of the AP reporters spoke Burmese, "they began calling out, asking for help, and explaining that they were trapped and that they were being beaten and that they were enslaved," Mendoza tells NPR's Renee Montagne.
... After the AP reporters made this discovery, they began tracking where the seafood went. They watched the seafood get loaded into a cargo ship called the Silver Sea Lion, then used GPS to track it to a port in Thailand.
"We followed as many as we could to the processing plants," Mendoza says. Literally. The seafood was offloaded into some 150 trucks. The reporters — in cars — followed as many of those trucks as they could, taking notes, shooting video and jotting down the names of the plants where the seafood was delivered."
'via Blog this'
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
GNC to Strengthen Supplement Quality Controls - NYTimes.com
GNC to Strengthen Supplement Quality Controls - NYTimes.com:
"GNC, the country’s largest specialty retailer of dietary supplements, has agreed to institute sweeping new testing procedures on its herbal products that far exceed quality controls mandated under federal law.
The action to be announced Monday comes after the New York State attorney general’s office accused GNC and three other major retailers of selling herbal supplements that were fraudulent or contaminated with unlisted ingredients that could pose health risks to consumers." ...
'via Blog this'
"GNC, the country’s largest specialty retailer of dietary supplements, has agreed to institute sweeping new testing procedures on its herbal products that far exceed quality controls mandated under federal law.
The action to be announced Monday comes after the New York State attorney general’s office accused GNC and three other major retailers of selling herbal supplements that were fraudulent or contaminated with unlisted ingredients that could pose health risks to consumers." ...
'via Blog this'
Monday, March 30, 2015
Taking wine tasting to a new level - measuring brain reactions with functional magnetic imaging
Wine tasting has now gone to a whole new level as scientists use brain imagining to try and work out what styles people really do like. And some initial research suggests that despite a trend towards increased alcohol content it is wines with a lower alcohol level that consumers prefer.
Spanish researchers from the Basque Centre of Cognition, Brain and Language in Donostia-San Sebastian this month published in the on-line journal PLOS ONE their paper What Can the Brain Teach Us about Winemaking? An fMRI Study of Alcohol Level Preferences. It notes how, over the last few decades, wine makers have been producing wines with a higher alcohol content, assuming that they are more appreciated by consumers. To test this hypothesis, they used functional magnetic imaging to compare reactions of human subjects to different types of wine, focusing on brain regions critical for flavor processing and food reward. Participants were presented with carefully matched pairs of high- and low-alcohol content red wines, without informing them of any of the wine attributes.
Spanish researchers from the Basque Centre of Cognition, Brain and Language in Donostia-San Sebastian this month published in the on-line journal PLOS ONE their paper What Can the Brain Teach Us about Winemaking? An fMRI Study of Alcohol Level Preferences. It notes how, over the last few decades, wine makers have been producing wines with a higher alcohol content, assuming that they are more appreciated by consumers. To test this hypothesis, they used functional magnetic imaging to compare reactions of human subjects to different types of wine, focusing on brain regions critical for flavor processing and food reward. Participants were presented with carefully matched pairs of high- and low-alcohol content red wines, without informing them of any of the wine attributes.
As the abstract of the article puts it, they concluded:
Contrary to expectation, significantly greater activation was found for low-alcohol than for high-alcohol content wines in brain regions that are sensitive to taste intensity, including the insula as well as the cerebellum. Wines were closely matched for all physical attributes except for alcohol content, thus we interpret the preferential response to the low-alcohol content wines as arising from top-down modulation due to the low alcohol content wines inducing greater attentional exploration of aromas and flavours. The findings raise intriguing possibilities for objectively testing hypotheses regarding methods of producing a highly complex product such as wine.
What to drink with sushi - a Japanese tip
Drinking wine with meals might be growing in popularity with the Japanese but it is still far from being the normal tipple. Takeshi Niinami, the newly appointed president of the Japanese spirits and brewing conglomerate Suntory Holdings Ltd, in a recent interview pointed out that “people in Japan drink highballs” instead of wine with their meal.
Sunday, March 29, 2015
Meyer's
Broadmeadow NSW 2462 French - A three course set menu on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings
| Restaurant | Meyer's Newcastle |
| Street address | 5 Belford Street |
| Suburb | Broadmeadow |
| State | NSW |
| Postcode | 2462 |
| Phone | 0404 006216 |
| Website | meyersnewcastle.com |
| Style | French BYO |
| Awards 2014 Fairfax Good Food Guides | |
| Awards Gourmet Guide | |
| The Australian Top 50 | |
| Restaurant & Catering Awards | |
| Other Awards | |
| Reviews & Notes | "... three entrees, two mains and three desserts. And the menu changes weekly and according to market availability, which means you can eat here regularly without becoming bored. ... Space is limited so tables fill fast. It's worthwhile doing what regulars and those in the know do; book well ahead." |
| Reviewer | Liz Love - Newcastle Herald 13/2/15 |
| Reviews & Notes | |
| Reviewer | |
| Reviews & Notes | |
| Reviewer | |
| Owner's note |
Lakehouse Cafe
Murrays Beach NSW 2281 - The deck is a great place to eat and watch the water at the Lakehouse Cafe.
| Restaurant | The Lakehouse Cafe |
| Street address | 11 Shoreside Row |
| Suburb | Murrays Beach |
| State | NSW |
| Postcode | 2281 |
| Phone | 02 4971 1745 |
| Website | lakehousecafe.com.au |
| Style | Cafe |
| Awards 2014 Fairfax Good Food Guides | |
| Awards Gourmet Guide | |
| The Australian Top 50 | |
| Restaurant & Catering Awards | |
| Other Awards | |
| Reviews & Notes | "... delightfully varied list of dishes." |
| Reviewer | Liz Love - Newcastle Herald 16/1/2015 |
| Reviews & Notes | |
| Reviewer | |
| Reviews & Notes | |
| Reviewer | |
| Owner's note |
Margan Restaurant
Broke NSW 2330 Vineyard/contemporary - The one acre Kitchen Garden and orchard produces up to 90% of vegetables and fruit for the seasonally inspired menus. In addition, Margan have free range chickens, Black Suffolk lambs, bee hives for fresh, unfiltered honey and olive groves for table olives.
| Restaurant | Margan Restaurant |
| Street address | 1238 Milbrodale Road |
| Suburb | Broke |
| State | NSW |
| Postcode | 2330 |
| Phone | 02 6579 1372 |
| Website | margan.com.au |
| Style | Vineyard/contemporary |
| Awards Fairfax Good Food Guides | |
| Awards Gourmet Guide | |
| The Australian Top 50 | |
| Restaurant & Catering Awards | 2015 Winner NSW Regional Restaurant in a Winery |
| Other Awards | |
| Reviews & Notes | "There are many reasons for visiting Hunter Valley; the lovely Broke-Fordwich with a meal at Margan is just one of them." |
| Reviewer | Liz Love - Newcastle Herald 23/1/15 |
| Reviews & Notes | |
| Reviewer | |
| Reviews & Notes | |
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| Owner's note |
Three Bean Espresso Apothecary Kitchen
Hamilton NSW 2303 Cafe - The decor, says the Newcastle Herald, is "edgy, industrial with a touch of grunge." Don't expect to find the same dishes from one week to the next. What's on the menu, whether breakfast or lunch, reflects what Ben Armstrong has been able to forage at the weekly Wednesday evening Newcastle City night market at the showground.
| Restaurant | Three Bean Espresso Apothecary Kitchen |
| Street address | Shop 2, 103 Tudor Street |
| Suburb | Hamilton |
| State | NSW |
| Postcode | 2303 |
| Phone | 02 4961 2020 |
| Website | facebook.com/pages/three-bean-espresso/133315628768 |
| Style | Cafe - breakfast and lunch |
| Awards 2014 Fairfax Good Food Guides | |
| Awards Gourmet Guide | |
| The Australian Top 50 | |
| Restaurant & Catering Awards | |
| Other Awards | |
| Reviews & Notes | "... the market-driven philosophy, use of seasonal produce and great attention to detail. ... You'll see the descriptive "*live" scattered through both menus; live cultures, whether probiotic yeasts or bacteria, have been carefully nurtured to provide wonderfully refreshing drinks, slaws and salads." |
| Reviewer | Liz Love - Newcastle Herald 6/2/15 |
| Reviews & Notes | |
| Reviewer | |
| Reviews & Notes | |
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| Owner's note |
Restaurant Botanica
Pokolbin NSW 2320 Vineyard restaurant - The name suggests a return to nature - a theme carried through in the locally sourced and kitchen garden-grown produce on the seasonal menu - Newcastle Herald.
| Restaurant | Restaurant Botanica |
| Street address | Vineyard Estate, 555 Hermitage Road |
| Suburb | Pokolbin |
| State | NSW |
| Postcode | 2320 |
| Phone | 02 6574 7229 |
| Website | spicersretreats.com.au |
| Style | |
| Awards 2014 Fairfax Good Food Guides | |
| Awards Gourmet Guide | |
| The Australian Top 50 | |
| Restaurant & Catering Awards | |
| Other Awards | |
| Reviews & Notes | "Perfectly seasoned, perfectly balanced flavours ... This is a place that does seriously good and quite generous desserts." |
| Reviewer | Liz Love - Newcastle Herald 27/3/15 |
| Reviews & Notes | |
| Reviewer | |
| Reviews & Notes | |
| Reviewer | |
| Owner's note |
Liz Love restaurant reviews for the Newcastle Herald
2015
16 January 2015 Lakeside Cafe - "... delightfully varied list of dishes." Our summary HERE
23 January 2015 Margan - Restaurant - "There are many reasons for visiting Hunter Valley; the lovely Broke-Fordwich with a meal at Margan is just one of them." Our summary HERE
6 February 2015 Three Bean Espresso Apothecary Kitchen - "... the market-driven philosophy, use of seasonal produce and great attention to detail. ... You'll see the descriptive "*live" scattered through both menus; live cultures, whether probiotic yeasts or bacteria, have been carefully nurtured to provide wonderfully refreshing drinks, slaws and salads." Our summary HERE
13 February 2015 Meyer's - "... three entrees, two mains and three desserts. And the menu changes weekly and according to market availability, which means you can eat here regularly without becoming bored. ... Space is limited so tables fill fast. It's worthwhile doing what regulars and those in the know do; book well ahead." Our summary HERE
27 February 2015 Chan Chan Cantina - "Peruvian food is for sharing. ... Grab a few mates so you can get the most out of your Peruvian food adventure." Our summary HERE
13 March 2015 Esca Bimbadgen - "White-clothed tables set with sparkling glass and glistening silver is an experience becoming all too rare in these days of economic rationalisation and pared down dining. ... Product availability and the restaurant's extensive kitchen garden dictates seasonal changes to a menu where the prices at first seem high. What you soon learn is that you are getting value for money." Our summary HERE
27 March 2015 Restaurant Botanica - "Perfectly seasoned, perfectly balanced flavours ... This is a place that does seriously good and quite generous desserts." Our summary HERE
3 April 2015 The Galley - "... a kitchen brigade dedicated to providing an innovative menu which makes best use of the local seafood, along with seasonal produce from the surrounding region. Flavours might lean towards an Asian influence but the techniques are all classically based and impeccable." Our summary HERE
16 January 2015 Lakeside Cafe - "... delightfully varied list of dishes." Our summary HERE
23 January 2015 Margan - Restaurant - "There are many reasons for visiting Hunter Valley; the lovely Broke-Fordwich with a meal at Margan is just one of them." Our summary HERE
6 February 2015 Three Bean Espresso Apothecary Kitchen - "... the market-driven philosophy, use of seasonal produce and great attention to detail. ... You'll see the descriptive "*live" scattered through both menus; live cultures, whether probiotic yeasts or bacteria, have been carefully nurtured to provide wonderfully refreshing drinks, slaws and salads." Our summary HERE
13 February 2015 Meyer's - "... three entrees, two mains and three desserts. And the menu changes weekly and according to market availability, which means you can eat here regularly without becoming bored. ... Space is limited so tables fill fast. It's worthwhile doing what regulars and those in the know do; book well ahead." Our summary HERE
27 February 2015 Chan Chan Cantina - "Peruvian food is for sharing. ... Grab a few mates so you can get the most out of your Peruvian food adventure." Our summary HERE
13 March 2015 Esca Bimbadgen - "White-clothed tables set with sparkling glass and glistening silver is an experience becoming all too rare in these days of economic rationalisation and pared down dining. ... Product availability and the restaurant's extensive kitchen garden dictates seasonal changes to a menu where the prices at first seem high. What you soon learn is that you are getting value for money." Our summary HERE
27 March 2015 Restaurant Botanica - "Perfectly seasoned, perfectly balanced flavours ... This is a place that does seriously good and quite generous desserts." Our summary HERE
3 April 2015 The Galley - "... a kitchen brigade dedicated to providing an innovative menu which makes best use of the local seafood, along with seasonal produce from the surrounding region. Flavours might lean towards an Asian influence but the techniques are all classically based and impeccable." Our summary HERE
Aqua Dining
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Milsons Point NSW 2061 Italian - Perched above the North Sydney swimming pool to provide spectacular views to go with award winning food
| Restaurant | Aqua Dining |
| Street address | Northcliff Street |
| Suburb | Milsons Point |
| State | NSW |
| Postcode | 2061 |
| Phone | 02 9964 9998 |
| Website | aquadining.com.au |
| Style | Italian |
| Awards Fairfax Good Food Guides | |
| Awards Gourmet Guide | |
| The Australian Top 50 | |
| Restaurant & Catering Awards | 2015 Winner NSW Tourism Restaurant; 2014 Winner - Sydney Italian |
| Other Awards | |
| Reviews & Notes | |
| Reviewer | |
| Reviews & Notes | |
| Reviewer | |
| Reviews & Notes | |
| Reviewer | |
| Owner's note |
Ananas Bar and Brasserie
The Rocks NSW 2000 French - Describes itself as a place where bubbles are enjoyed at the bar after work, cocktails are sipped until the early hours and French soul and meals are indulged in the Brasserie.
| Restaurant | Ananas Bar and Brasserie |
| Street address | 18 Argyle Street |
| Suburb | The Rocks |
| State | NSW |
| Postcode | 2000 |
| Phone | 02 9259 5668 |
| Website | www.ananas.com.au |
| Style | French |
| Awards Fairfax Good Food Guides | 2015 GFG Listed 14.5/20 |
| Awards Gourmet Guide | |
| The Australian Top 50 | |
| Restaurant & Catering Awards | 2015 Winner Sydney European; 2014 Winner - Sydney European |
| Other Awards | |
| Reviews & Notes | |
| Reviewer | |
| Reviews & Notes | |
| Reviewer | |
| Reviews & Notes | |
| Reviewer | |
| Owner's note |
Ampersand Cafe & Bookstore
Paddington NSW 2021 Cafe - Breakfast, brunch and lunch while you read.
| Restaurant | Ampersand Cafe & Bookstore |
| Street address | 78 Oxford St |
| Suburb | Paddington |
| State | NSW |
| Postcode | 2021 |
| Phone | 02 9380 6617 |
| Website | .facebook.com/AmpersandCafeBookstore |
| Style | Cafe |
| Awards 2014 Fairfax Good Food Guides | |
| Awards Gourmet Guide | |
| The Australian Top 50 | |
| Restaurant & Catering Awards | Winner - Sydney Coffee/Tea House |
| Other Awards | |
| Reviews & Notes | |
| Reviewer | |
| Reviews & Notes | |
| Reviewer | |
| Reviews & Notes | |
| Reviewer | |
| Owner's note |
Downstairs
Darlinghurst NSW 2010 British - Modern British grub, says the Sunday Tele, free of the cliched muck such as bangers and mash and ham steaks served up in themed ‘English’ pubs.
| Restaurant | Downstairs |
| Street address | 83 Stanley Street |
| Suburb | Darlinghurst |
| State | NSW |
| Postcode | 2010 |
| Phone | 0420 645 373 |
| Website | |
| Style | British |
| Awards 2014 Fairfax Good Food Guides | |
| Awards Gourmet Guide | |
| The Australian Top 50 | |
| Restaurant & Catering Awards | |
| Other Awards | |
| Reviews & Notes | "Seriously this place kind of knocked my socks off, something I thought I would never say about British food. Or anything British related actually, aside from Bond films and Tanqueray gin. It’s not too pricey, the decor is kicky (bowler hat light fittings — adorable) the food is sensational and The Hazy Rose, one of Sydney’s best cocktail bars, is tucked in the attic upstairs." |
| Reviewer | Amy Harris - Sunday Telegraph 29/3/15 8/10 |
| Reviews & Notes | |
| Reviewer | |
| Reviews & Notes | |
| Reviewer | |
| Owner's note |
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Amanda's on the Edge at Windsor's Edge
Pokolbin NSW 2320 Contemporary Australian - a vineyard setting
| Restaurant | Amanda's on the Edge at Windsor's Edge |
| Street address | 1039 McDonalds Road |
| Suburb | Pokolbin |
| State | NSW |
| Postcode | 2320 |
| Phone | 02 4998 7737 |
| Website | windsorsedge.com.au |
| Style | Contemporary Australian |
| Awards 2014 Fairfax Good Food Guides | |
| Awards Gourmet Guide | |
| The Australian Top 50 | |
| Restaurant & Catering Awards | Finalist - Hunter Vineyard |
| Other Awards | |
| Reviews & Notes | |
| Reviewer | |
| Reviews & Notes | |
| Reviewer | |
| Reviews & Notes | |
| Reviewer | |
| Owner's note |
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