Saturday, November 14, 2015

Canada and Denmark's Whiskey War and other food and drink news


Hans Off! Canada and Denmark's Arctic Dispute - Canada and Denmark are known for their peaceful and democratic nature; one does not think of them as nations prone to sabre-rattling. Despite this, Canada and Denmark have been engaged in a territorial dispute for almost a century. At the centre of this dispute is a tiny outcropping known as Hans Island. ... As successive Danish and Canadian landings on the island erect and dismantle flag poles and markers, they leave presents for the next contingent. This 'whiskey war' was initiated in 1984, when the Danish minister for Greenland landed on the island leaving a bottle of schnapps and a sign proclaiming “Welcome to the Danish Island.” Peter Takso Jensen, head of international law department of the Danish Foreign Ministry, noted that “when Danish military go there, they leave a bottle of schnapps. And when Canadian military forces come there, they leave a bottle of Canadian Club and a sign saying 'Welcome to Canada'”

It's Final: FDA Issues Long-Awaited Food Safety Rules - Five years ago, Congress promised an overhaul of the nation's food safety system, passing the Food Safety Modernization Act. It took much longer than expected, but the Food and Drug Administration has now released the centerpiece — or at least, the most contested — part of that overhaul. These are rules that cover farmers who grow fresh produce, as well as food importers.

What's 'Natural' Food? The Government Isn't Sure And Wants Your Input - The Food and Drug Administration is seeking your input to answer a question: How should the agency define "natural" on food labels? Disagreement over what "all natural" or "100 percent natural" means has spawned dozens of lawsuits. Consumers have challenged the naturalness of all kinds of food products. For instance, can a product that contains high fructose corn syrup be labeled as natural? What about products that contain genetically modified ingredients? The FDA has received three citizen petitions asking for clarification. And, beginning Thursday, the agency will ask us — the public — to weigh in. Comments can be submitted electronically.

Sour beer, brewed by methods used centuries ago, is the new pint du jour - 'Ear-tickling' and 'weird', sour beer was on everybody's lips at this year's Manchester Indy Beer festival. It's the defining pint of 2015, says brewer Daniel Tapper


A brief history of the wine corkscrew

Cider industry body calls for alcohol to be included in new Country of Origin labelling system

The House That Julia Built - La Pitchoune, which became Julia Child's link with France and a place she returned to again and again in her mind and in her recipes, is for sale on the open market for the first time.

Are Junk Food Habits Driving Obesity? A Tale Of Two Studies

Weight-loss companies freed to target obesity in ads for first time - Weight Watchers and other programmes were previously banned from referring to obesity in case they signed up people who needed medical treatment

Mechanics Of Eating: Why You'll Miss Flavor If You Scarf Your Food - When it comes to enjoying the flavors in food, our tongues really aren't that useful. They can detect just a few basic tastes: sweet, salt, sour, bitter, umami, and maybe fat. But real complexity comes from a food or drink's aroma, and the main way we sense all the compounds isn't from sniffing. Our bodies actually blast scents from the back of our mouths up into our nasal cavity where we can take in the difference between merlot and Chianti, according to a study published Monday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.

Friday, November 13, 2015

Provini


Civic ACT 2601 Italian

RestaurantProvini
Street address50 Bunda Street
SuburbCivic
StateACT
Postcode2601
Phone02 6154 9720
Websitecocu.com.au/provini/
StyleItalian
Awards Fairfax Good Food Guides
Awards Gourmet Guide
The Australian Top 50
Restaurant & Catering Awards
Other Awards
Reviews & Notes"Provini is part of a mini-groundswell of good, authentic Italian, at a range of prices, that is a godsend for Canberra. But it is also something more. It is part of a democratisation of Canberra eating, where good food and service is available at all hours to pretty much everyone. Long may it thrive."
ReviewerCatriona Jackson - The Canberra Times 16/9/15 15/20
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Smoque Woden


Philip ACT 2606 American barbecue

RestaurantSmoque Woden
Street address10 Bowes Street
SuburbPhillip
StateACT
Postcode2606
Phone02 6260 4621
Websitesmoque.com.au/
StyleAmerican barbecue
Awards Fairfax Good Food Guides
Awards Gourmet Guide
The Australian Top 50
Restaurant & Catering Awards
Other Awards
Reviews & Notes
Reviewer
Reviews & Notes"There are many interesting things on the menu if you’re a member of the American barbecue tribe."
ReviewerNatasha Rudra - The Canberra Times 23/9/15 13.5/20
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Thursday, November 12, 2015

Thirst


Civic ACT 2601 Thai

RestaurantThirst
Street address20 West Row
SuburbCivic
StateACT
Postcode2601
Phone02 6257 0700
Websitethirstwinebar.com.au
StyleThai
Awards Fairfax Good Food Guides
Awards Gourmet Guide
The Australian Top 50
Restaurant & Catering Awards
Other Awards
Reviews & Notes"The menu is a collection mostly of curries and Thai-style salads. ... Jeff Piper’s love of Thai cuisine, combined with his training (Thirst was previously the French fine diner Anise), shows through in the mix of flavours and textures."
ReviewerNatasha Rudra - The Canberra Times 30/9/15 14/20
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Charcoal Grill



Civic ACT 2601 Steak restaurant

RestaurantCharcoal Grill
Street address61 London Circuit
SuburbCivic
StateACT
Postcode2601
Phone02 6248 8015
Website
StyleSteak restaurant
Awards Fairfax Good Food Guides
Awards Gourmet Guide
The Australian Top 50
Restaurant & Catering Awards
Other Awards
Reviews & Notes"The timewarp menu must surely perform two functions – a comforting touchstone for those who remember the ’60s and a wonderland of discovery for those of the iPhone generation. ... the steaks are beefy brilliance and the vintage dishes are both novelty and nostalgia without pretension."
ReviewerNatasha Rudra - The Canberra Times 2/10/15 13.5/20
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Rockin Ribs


Wanniassa ACT 2903 American - ribs

RestaurantRockin Ribs
Street address8/38 Gartside Street
SuburbWanniassa
StateACT
Postcode2903
Phone02 6156 1395
Websitefacebook.com/rockinribserindale/
StyleAmerican - ribs
Awards Fairfax Good Food Guides
Awards Gourmet Guide
The Australian Top 50
Restaurant & Catering Awards
Other Awards
Reviews & Notes"This place should be full to bursting every night. It delivers the kind of skill and authenticity that is not always present in joints that might have bigger PR budgets, but none of the heart that Rockin Ribs has by the full rack."
ReviewerCatriona Jackson - The Canberra Times 14/10/15 15/20
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A Bite


Dickson ACT 2602 Chinese

RestaurantA Bite
Street address14 Woolley Street
SuburbDickson
StateACT
Postcode2602
Phone02 6101 7320
Website
StyleChinese
Awards Fairfax Good Food Guides
Awards Gourmet Guide
The Australian Top 50
Restaurant & Catering Awards
Other Awards
Reviews & Notes"... deserves credit for breaking out of the boring traditional Asian restaurant mould with south-west Chinese provincial dishes that challenge."
ReviewerNatasha Rudra - The Canberra Times 21/10/15 13/20
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