Food People by Bon Appétit

Big Chicks is a queer bar in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago. Barney Greengrass is an old-school Jewish deli on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. What do these places have in common? They're the neighborhood spots that we return to again and again. David Tamarkin, digital director of Epicurious, talks to Michelle Fire, the owner of Big Chicks, about what has kept her going all these years. Then, David Remnick, editor in chief of The New Yorker, lets us in on his Sunday morning smoked fish ritual.This episode is part of our America's Favorite Neighborhood Restaurants package, featuring 80 of the most interesting people we know—chefs, novelists, activists, comedians, NBA players, and more. Find the full thing here. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

You know what goes well with grilled meats? Lots and lots of summery vegetables. Carla, Adam, and Gabe T. are talking blistered cabbage, a charred snap pea salad, a go-on-anything tahini ranch dressing, and more.Get the recipes from this episode:Celery Salad with Dates, Almonds, and ParmesanRoasted Sweet Potatoes with Chile Yogurt and MintFarro with Pistachios, Mixed Herbs, and Golden RaisinsCharred Sugar Snap Peas with Buttermilk AioliCharred Cabbage with Goat Cheese Raita and CucumbersOrecchiette with Buttermilk, Peas, and PistachiosTahini-Ranch Dressing Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Nic Jammet, co-founder and co-owner of Sweetgreen, is on to talk about the evolution of his fast-casual chain, from the one tiny shop he opened right after graduating college to the nearly 100 across the country that he operates now. After that, Pete Meehan, writer and former editor of the late Lucky Peach reads an essay he wrote for our June/July issue called The Barbecue Pit. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Jeff Goldblum calls in from his bed in Los Angeles to talk about his oatmeal breakfast routine, his childhood summer barbecues, and how one of his favorite meals involves sushi followed by every flavor of frozen yogurt. After that, we take you through our recipe for Easy Sheet Cake with Chocolate-Cream Cheese Frosting (yes, there are rainbow sprinkles on top). Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Nancy Singleton Hachisu traveled to Japan for a stint abroad 30 years ago, fell in love with a Japanese farmer, and never left. We take a look at her latest book, Japan: The Cookbook, a compilation of over 400 recipes, and talk about how to build a Japanese pantry (it all starts with really good soy sauce). Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Eater's national restaurant editor, Bill Addison, and our own deputy editor, Julia Kramer, discuss what it's like to be a restaurant critic in 2018. The landscape is vastly different than it was even 5 years ago with more "best of" lists than ever, diminishing local platforms, and a political climate that can't be ignored. There's a lot to be celebrated out there in a country that cares more about food than ever before, so how do they do it? Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Update 6/13/18: This article was published prior to the AP investigation alleging Sea to Table's dishonest business practices. We had no knowledge of these practices at that time.Sean Dimin, founder and CEO of Sea to Table, talks about all those confusing terms surrounding seafood. Do you want wild caught? Domestic? Fresh? Frozen? And how do you find a source you trust? After that, Carla Lalli Music convinces Adam Rapoport that he needs to start cooking fish at home.Get the recipes from this episode:Slow-Cooked White Fish with Charred CabbageGreen Posole with Cod and CilantroHerby Napa Cabbage Salad with LimeSlow-Roasted Salmon with Fennel, Citrus, and ChilesSlow-Roasted Salmon with HarissaCrispy-Skinned Fish with Herb Sauce Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Food director Carla Lalli Music and senior editor Amiel Stanek are back by popular demand, talking about rice again. This time around they cover everything from how to cook brown rice to different methods of making crispy rice. It's just as... entertaining as part one. After that, Rumaan Alam, author and special projects editor of the New York Times books section, reads an essay he wrote for our May issue, Drinking in Dhaka.Get the recipes from this episode:Crunchy Baked Saffron Rice with BarberriesChicken with Crispy Rice Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Ruth Rogers opened London's The River Cafe with her partner, the late Rose Gray, 30 years ago. When they started, they were two women already with families and virtually no professional training. This week we talk to Ruth about what it took to see through her vision and create such a dynamic, successful, and enduring restaurant. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Salt is the most important ingredient in your kitchen—it can make or break your food. We talk through different varieties, the importance of seasoning as you go, and how other ingredients can bring saltiness to a dish. Then, we chat about our new Salted Caramel-Chocolate Tart recipe. It's a good one. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices