This Is TASTE 657: Eater’s Fall Cookbook Preview with Bettina Makalintal
Sep 19, 2025
Bettina Makalintal, a senior reporter at Eater specializing in cookbook coverage, joins to share insights from Eater’s fall cookbook preview. They explore exciting new titles like Hedy McKinnon’s 'Linger' and Alison Roman’s pantry-forward book. Bettina discusses the rise of entertaining-focused cookbooks and the need for more narrative-driven works. Aliza and Matt also highlight fresh restaurant gems in NYC and the Hudson Valley, making it a feast for food lovers.
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Standout Persian Dinner In Brooklyn
- Aliza describes an outstanding meal at Eval, a Persian restaurant in Bushwick with consistently excellent dishes like whipped feta and lamb ribs.
- She highlights scarcity of Iranian restaurants in NYC compared with LA and praises Eval's reliability and flavor balance.
Apple Varieties Galore
- Matt visited the Hudson Valley Apple Project and sampled 160 apple varieties, from pink- and purple-fleshed russets to pineapple‑tasting apples.
- He recommends tours and farmers' market appearances for apple lovers seeking rare varieties.
Dinette With 500+ Tinned Fish
- Matt highlights Zinnia's Dinette in Craryville for fried clam bellies, a sardine sandwich, and an on-site market selling over 500 tins of fish.
- He enjoyed plated tins with vegetables and recommends it as a unique Hudson Valley stop.
