Kim Jong Il’s New Jersey Barbecue Connection; Starbucks ConsolidatingNirvana 54, it turns out, is named after the table where Richard Gere dined with threesome participants back in the good old days. [NYP]
American food will be better, healthier, and more “upscale” in the coming year, expert insists. [NYDN]
Whole Foods stock is tanking, despite the chain’s surging growth. [Slate]
Hackensack barbecuer a vital go-between for U.S. and North Korea when not tending pit. [Serious Eats]
Vongerichten’s son is a chip off the old block. [New York Restaurant Insider]
Eel or Amazonian superfoods? Three experts try to divine the hot ingredient of the year. [TONY]
Double Seven gets a reprieve, Boxers already replaced, Gusto expanding. [Eater]
Chicken-man arsonist admits he was drunk when he torched doughnut shop. [NYDN]
Starbucks is winning the fight against unions: “If they had faith in me and my motives, they wouldn’t need a union,” says chairman. [Nation’s Restaurant News]