TresSugar

Do You Trust Calorie Counts on Restaurant Menus?

Leta Shy — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 12:50:02 PDT

As more and more restaurants start labeling their menu choices with calorie counts, you may think dining out has gotten easier for your diet. Turns out, however, that those calorie labels may not be telling you the full story. A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that calorie counts on menus at fast food restaurants and sit-down chains like McDonalds, Chipotle, and Olive Garden are often inaccurate. Only seven percent of the sample meals the researchers tested were within 10 calories of their stated counts, and 20 percent of the meals tested differed by more than 100 calories.

Even more bad news: the researchers found that restaurants were more likely to underestimate the calories in healthier food options like salad or soup. Of course, since proportions and ingredients depend on the chef preparing it, restaurant meals can never clock in at the exact amount of calories that's on the menu, but it's surprising that certain meals could be much more than you think.

When you dine out, do you use restaurant calorie counts as a guide, or do you check ingredient lists to decide on what to order?

Decorating Ideas to Steal From a Design-Oriented Amsterdam Restaurant

Elka Karl — Mon, 30 May 2011 05:00:04 PDT

Opened in 2009 by textile designer Marjolein Wintjes and Eric Meursing, a former designer and chef, de culinaire werkplaats is an eating experience that takes design into serious consideration. Using a rotating menu that is focused on a theme, each five-course meal features seasonal and often local fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains. When we stopped in the other night with Droog Design founder Gijs Bakker, the menu was crafted around the theme "Urban Landscape." Each of our dishes was inspired by a part of the city, from buildings to rooftop gardens. It was a fantastic night of food and fellowship. I was inspired by the restaurant's interior and decorating choices, and knew that CasaSugar readers would be as well. See how you can put some of the ideas from the restaurant into use in your own dining room, kitchen, or at your next dinner party.

Brilliant or Baffling: Jon Bon Jovi's Pay-What-You-Want Restaurant

Emily Co — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 15:16:41 PDT

Jon Bon Jovi's nonprofit organization is opening a new restaurant that will feed the hungry without asking for bucks in return. Called Soul Kitchen, the community restaurant will be opening in Red Bank, NJ. There won't be any prices on the menus, and diners can choose to pay whatever price they want for the dishes. For those who don't have cash to give, they are encouraged to volunteer instead, paying for the meal with their time and energy. So what do you think, is this a brilliant or baffling idea?

Design Ideas to Steal From the Messe Frankfurt Press Center

Julia Millay Walsh — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 06:00:00 PST

Last month, I attended the Ambiente consumer goods fair at Messe Frankfurt, the world's third-largest trade fair, in Frankfurt. While the primary point of my trip was to check out the trade show, discover trends, and see the new collections from international decor brands, I couldn't help but find design inspiration along the way. As a journalist there, I had access to Messe Frankfurt's Press Center, which was designed by Italian architect and designer Matteo Thun. The space is a much-needed escape from the push-and-shove of the fair's busy exhibition halls, and I couldn't help but notice that the center's thoughtful, modern design played a major part in putting me at ease after a long day - that and the daily happy hours for press!

Come along and tour the Press Center, and take a few of my tips for re-creating this relaxing vibe in your home!

Savory Sight: Jovino Firecracker Shrimp Salad

Yum Community — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 13:00:44 PDT

YumSugar member tsharp25 has our mouths watering for some grilled shrimp with this savory shot.

With our FreshGuide coups in hand, the roomie and I managed to order ourselves silly at Jovino on Sunday. There was no resisting a glass or two of the refreshing Sangria, herb fries, steaming hot curry, and, of course, the firecracker shrimp salad! The grilled shrimp and super spicy sauce hits the spot every time.

Have you had any recent culinary adventures? Share by uploading your food photos in the Savory Sights group in our YumSugar Community!

Do You Bring Spices or Sauces to a Restaurant?

YumSugar — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:30:22 PDT

I have a friend who likes everything extra spicy to burn-your-mouth-off spicy. So when we went out to eat recently, I was only mildly surprised to see her pull out a baggie of red pepper flakes that she poured on top of her meal. I, however, would feel a little uncomfortable bringing my own spices to a restaurant (it's not the same as BYO wine, after all). But I guess if it's not an upscale eatery, what's the harm? What do you think?

Source: Flickr User Mykl Roventine

My Favorite Design Elements From Tom Dixon's Circus Restaurant in London

CasaSugar — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 06:00:27 PDT

During my trip to London in June with Visit London, I had the pleasure of dining at the cabaret restaurant and cocktail bar Circus in Covent Garden, the heart of the city's theater district. The innovative West End venue was designed by iconic British designer Tom Dixon, an all-time favorite of mine. Circus' exterior is quiet and understated, but walk through its doors, and you'll step into a surreal space that's glamorous, lively, and theatrical.

While I was blown away by the mandarin and passion fruit mojito, spiced crab cakes, and chicken and tiger prawn skewers I ordered, as well as the fire-breathing performers, it was most definitely the stylish, otherworldly design that made my visit a memorable and much-enjoyed one. Come along and I'll show you some of my favorite design elements from the restaurant!

Feasting in Lebanon

Yum Community — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 05:50:06 PDT

When in Lebanon, eat as one of the Lebanese! That's the philosophy YumSugar member FinnLover had in mind when she headed to the Middle East on a recent backpacking trip.
My husband and I spent the month of July backpacking in the Middle East. One of the four countries we visited during our trip was Lebanon. I was really looking forward to discovering the rich food culture there and I was not disappointed. Every single meal we had in Beirut was amazing. Fresh vegetables, grilled meats, nuts, fresh salty cheeses, olive oil, flat breads... Every meal was like a delicious, healthy feast. Eating Lebanese food in Lebanon was an incredible experience.

Taste a bit of everything she ate when you keep on reading.

Restaurant Décor: A For Ambience

OnSugar Blog — Sun, 09 May 2010 05:30:00 PDT

Here's a post from OnSugar blog Smorgasbord:

To mark our 12th anniversary today, Pookie took me to a new restaurant for lunch. Actually it was an old restaurant in an old hotel that had recently been redone. But we'd never been so it was new to us. Pookie gets really shy about me whipping out my camera in a crowd so I had to take a sneaky pic as we were leaving. In the middle of the restaurant there were two very lifelike trees with autumn leaves and fairy lights. Just behind the fireplace in the picture was a little raised stone lined stream. The back wall was made to look like the exterior of an old stone château complete with a balcony. So very romantic. Oh, the food was good too.

Want to see more? Start following Smorgasbord or start your own OnSugar blog!

How-To: Steal Ideas From Stunning Restaurant Interiors

CasaSugar — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 12:00:28 PST

British design group Studio Ilse, headed up by Ilse Crawford, founding editor of Elle Decoration UK, who also designed this crave-worthy turned-wood print, just sent over photos from Studio Ilse's newly completed project, Kettner's, one of the oldest restaurants in London's theater district. The new design is fun, fresh, and French, with a nostalgic and theatrical spirit. While exquisite architectural details do help in the elegance department, the space is otherwise flawlessly furnished, head to toe. Of course, costly furnishings are somewhat responsible, but there are plenty of design tricks you can pick up for your own home here as well. Check out this slideshow to see what I mean.
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