Hot Stuff Food Section Round Up

You'll need some of these if you plan on dining in Bay Area restaurants.

San Francisco Chronicle: It's getting loud in here; Stacy Finz examines the cacophony and clang of fashionable food joints. Squash it: beautiful and tasty "flor de cabaza" (squash blossoms) take center plate. Stuffing or deep frying is the way to go with these treasures.

Oakland Tribune: Joy and balance found in Food Network babe Ellie Krieger's 'The Food You Crave' cookbook. Her recipes--the meat loaf comes to mind--are satisfying and guiltless. Ed Blonz answers an age old nutrition dilemma on how caloric intake and exercise output changes as we age. Unsurprising spoiler: remain active and eat healthy. Maybe it's more fun to contemplate what's on tap?

San Jose Mercury News: Po Valley cheese Grana Padano is a great cheese for grating and cooking. Muffins get a remake. Swanky Santana Row has its own New Orleans style place in Roux Louisiana Kitchen. Bring on the "elaborate feathered masks and gilded capes," oh my.

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