You have no reason to toss shade at Alice Waters. You don't. And if you do, you're probably a jealous virgin who can't drive. (Unless of course, Waters continues to refuse to answer your question about her favorite junk food. Sob.) During this My Generation taped interview, the food philosopher oozes charm when talking about the "aliveness" of vegetables (both living and dead/cook, we imagine) and how the Chez Panisse kitchen is "nothing like a noisy, tension-filled reality TV" filled with "yelling and screaming." [Eater]
The haughtily-named Restaurant Collection on the fourth floor of the Westfield Centre opened its latest offering: Cupola. It's a pizza joint, which is de rigueur for any mall -- no matter how fancy or much-ballyhooed -- but this one is quite precious, you see. Unlike the average Shakey's Pizza, Cupola offers diners a "slick space" designed by Cass Calder Smith and pies by former Bar Bambino chef, Christian Hermsdorf, who will man the daily operations. Will little cups of Ranch dressing be available upon request. Probably not. But the place sure does sound tasty, appropriately artisan. [Grub Street]
Jonathan Kauffman visits the new Original SoupMan, the nationwide soup chain based off the famous "Soup Nazi" Seinfeld episode. The food scribe doesn't seem to care much for the soup. He also resists the urge so many writers cannot: using "not that there's anything wrong with that" in a piece that involves Seinfeld. Kauffman deserves a Pulitzer. [SFoodie]