Mediavore

Peet’s Surrenders Diedrich Bid; Smoking Bans Questioned

• Peet’s Coffee won’t “enhance” its bid to buy L.A.’s Diedrich Coffee Inc., leaving the way open for Green Mountain to make the purchase. [SF Chronicle]

• Michael Bauer thinks restaurants would do well to respond to critical e-mails from customers. [Between Meals/SF Gate]

• The Fairmont hotel is an alternative to the Palace for Christmas high tea. [SF Appeal]

• Though smoking is banned in bars in 26 states, bar owners nationwide say its simply good business to ignore the bans. [USA Today]

• With oysters becoming more prevalent on restaurant menus, growers are borrowing words like “zesty” and “full-bodied” from winemakers to describe them. [WSJ]

• Starting in January, KitKat bars in the United Kingdom will be made with fair-trade chocolate. [WSJ]

Peet’s Surrenders Diedrich Bid; Smoking Bans Questioned