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Tales From The Darkside

YumSugar — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 13:07:42 -0700

Last weekend I had a wonderfully unique opportunity to dine in the dark. And when I say dark, I mean dark, as in I was blindfolded. It was an interesting experience, if not a rather difficult one. More than once I picked up my fork and put nothing in my mouth, and I'm not even going to tell you the number of times I shoved a green bean into my eye. And because my fantastic tablemates were also blindfolded, I definitely threw social etiquette out the window, propped my elbows on the table and used my finger as a way to get my food on the fork.

The SF Dark Dining event took place at the Fort Mason Center and while the windows were blacked out, it wasn't really dark enough. So we took our dark napkins and tied them around our eyes and awaited our meal. The menu was rather ambitious for a place with no kitchen - the caterers had to prep everything before hand and finish it off in convection ovens - and it resulted in just so-so to not-so-good flavor. However, the experience was quite interesting as my sense of smell and taste were definitely heightened. Pine nuts suddenly became PINE NUTS and blue cheese was BLUE cheese.

While I wished they had paired down the meal options and went a much simpler route, it's something that I'm glad I did. The cost is currently $95 per person, and even though it's a three-course meal, I didn't feel that the food was worth the experience. However, this was their first time running the event, and they were definitely taking a lot of feed back and getting used to the "kitchen". I think the event can only get better, and if you do go, be sure to wear dark clothes (or a bib!).

To check out some pictures of the dark dining prep - I love the way the waitstaff look in night vision goggles - as well as a link to some video footage, read more

Check out TasteTv's video of the pre-dark set-up.

Note: the pics are from the check in process before the lights went out. Also, note how the tables are plain as there is no need for decorations.

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Chocolate is Even Better for Us

FitSugar — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 13:30:00 -0700

OK. OK - You don't have to twist my arm. I'll eat dark chocolate already.

Recent reseach has discovered yet another health benefit of chocolate. Right On!!! Based on a study where patients consumed 8 oz of cocoa (without sugar) daily for 6 weeks, researchers found the patients had increased blood flow. Good news for your heart and your taste buds.

Cocoa and dark chocolate products are considered one of the most concentrated sources of flavenoids. Red wine, green tea, fruit, and vegetables also contain flavenoids, which are the pigments in plants that act as antioxidants.

This test does not suggest that everyone start devouring Hershey's kisses and Bon-Bons daily (darn), but it does suggest that we pay more attention to how dark chocolate and other flavenoid-rich foods might offer help to our heart and body. Who knows, maybe down the road your doctor will prescribe heart medication made out of cocoa.

The antioxidants in dark chocolate can also lower your blood pressure and your cholesterol. So if you're a chocoholic, make sure you're consuming the dark stuff. It has a higher percentage of cocoa than milk-chocolate.

Augustus Gloop knew this all along. No wonder he took a dip in Willy Wonka's chocolate river. Knowing what I know now about the health benefits of chocolate, I would too.

Brad Pitt Enters the Dark Void

BuzzSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:00:54 -0800

Introducing Brad Pitt, computer game star: the actor's production company Plan B has signed off on a deal with Capcom to adapt the game Dark Void for the big screen with Pitt as the lead. Void follows a pilot who crashes in the Bermuda Triangle and finds himself in an alternate universe fighting off aliens intent on taking over the human race.

This seems more like Will Smith territory to me - I immediately think of something along the lines of I, Robot or I Am Legend. Even so, I welcome the chance to see Pitt in a sci-fi action movie, and this storyline sounds tailor-made for the blockbuster treatment.

What do you think about Pitt as a gaming hero?

New Roles For Bradley Cooper, Isla Fisher, and JT!

BuzzSugar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:30:42 -0800

Today is packed with casting news for some of my favorite stars:

Isla Fisher's name is floating around for a new comedy titled Desperados. The story follows a woman who sends a nasty email to the new guy she's seeing after he goes MIA. after they have sex. I'm already a fan of Fisher, plus they're describing it as The Hangover for women - so you know I'm on board!

Speaking of The Hangover, Bradley Cooper is picking up a new gig. He'll be replacing Shia LaBeouf for Dark Fields, a thriller following a writer who ingests a few pills to better his career. What he gets is success, women - and a group of shady characters in pursuit. Comparisons are being drawn to Fight Club with Brad Pitt, so Fields could be just what Cooper needs to complete his ascent into leading man status.
Lastly, Justin Timberlake is in talks to voice Boo Boo, alongside Dan Aykroyd and Anna Faris in the live-action/CGI version of the classic cartoon Yogi Bear. You know how I feel about the live-action/CGI combo, but you've got to admit that picturing Timberlake as a fuzzy bear in a bow tie is kinda funny. Hope he brings the pic-a-nic basket!

I think my favorite of these three may just be Isla Fisher's, but which project are you most excited for?

Food Review: Intentional Dark Chocolate Pistoles

FitSugar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:00:26 -0700

About a month ago we received a package from Intentional Chocolate. I didn't try anything at first because the marketing material was way too new agey for me - everything is made with love and positive intention, and Dalai Lama-trained monks infuse meditative energy into the chocolate. Too kooky for me. But when a chocolate craving hit me a few weeks later, I had no problem ripping open a bag of the dark-chocolate pistoles ($15 for 7 oz. bag).

Wow. This stuff is incredible. I'm pretty picky with dark chocolate because it's often too bitter and chalky, but the pistoles from Intentional Chocolate are the exact opposite of that. The pistoles are smooth, creamy, and melt in your mouth. A pistole is about the size of a quarter, and it's all you really need at a time because the richness of the chocolate makes it a very satisfying snack. One serving size equals about 19 pistoles and contains 139 calories and 11 grams of fat. It's also totally vegan, and I can see it as being a great chocolate for baking.

I still don't know if I buy its claims that Intentional Chocolate has more benefits than any other dark chocolate, but it is seriously some of the best I've ever tried.

Come Party With Me: End of Summer BBQ - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 12:50:20 -0700

From kalimotxo to caipirinhas to sangria, I've made a lot of interesting cocktails this Summer. One I haven't enjoyed, yet, I plan on serving them at my End of Summer barbecue, is the dark and stormy.

A refreshing mixture of rich, dark rum, and fizzy, slightly spicy ginger beer, the dark and stormy is a classic cocktail. Don't be fooled by the ginger beer, it's actually not beer, but a nonalcoholic, super-flavorful, incredibly fizzy ginger ale that can be found at Whole Foods.

I'll also have chilled wine, beer, and sodas for those who choose to imbibe something other than rum. To check out the recipe for the dark and stormy, read more.

Dark and Stormy
From Food Network

Ingredients

Ice cubes
1 to 2 juicy limes (you need 1-ounce juice and a wheel for garnish)
1 ounce golden rum,(recommended: Mt Gay)
6 ounces ginger beer
1/2 ounce dark rum, (recommended: Myers's)

Directions

Fill a highball glass or large wine goblet with ice cubes.
Add the lime juice and the golden rum. Top off with the ginger beer and stir lightly.
Float a layer of the dark rum on top by pouring it over the back of a wide, flat spoon. (Don't worry if it doesn't float; it tastes great either way.) Garnish with the lime wheel. Drink.

Makes 1 drink.

Print recipe with images | without images

What's the Deal With: Dark Circles Under My Eyes

FitSugar — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 10:45:00 -0800

I have always blamed the dark circles under my eyes on my children, since my dear ones wake me up during the night and very early in the morning. Thanks to the Mayo Clinic, my girls are off the hook.

It seems that those dark circles are most commonly caused by nasal congestion - who knew? When your nose is congested, veins that usually drain from your eyes into your nose become widened (dilated) and therefore darker.

Dark circles can also be caused by sleep - how ironic. Eyelids can swell while sleeping, since you are lying down, gravity can cause fluid to collect in your lower eyelids. This swelling may add to the appearance of shadows below your eyes. Unfortunately, there also seems to be a genetic component since they run in families.

So I guess using a neti pot might help more than my sinuses. It might also help with those darn dark circles.

Yummy Links: From Dungeness Crab to Turkey Cookies

partysugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 06:50:32 -0800

San Franciscans get excited: it's dungeness crab season! - SFoodie
This holiday season, why not bake a beautifully festive cake or cupcakes? - Hostess With the Mostess
Eating dark chocolate may help you handle stress. - The Epi-Log
The FDA has withdrawn the ban on the sale of Gulf Coast raw oysters during warm months. - Eater
Introducing: people talking on bananas. - People Talking on Bananas
Could Jose Garces be the next Iron Chef? - Grub Street Philadelphia
Rachael Ray on the Martha Stewart Show makes for some uncomfortable television. - Eat Me Daily
Learn how to fight wine snobbery. - Chow
Turn Keebler Fudge striped cookies into Thanksgiving turkeys. - Serious Eats

Taste Test: Hershey's Extra Dark Chocolates

YumSugar — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 14:00:58 -0800

Despite the fact that Valentine's Day has passed, my brain is still in a chocolate state of mind. I've eaten a lot of chocolate lately, so when I received a pouch of assorted Hershey's Extra Dark Chocolates, I was eager to try them.

At 60 percent cacao, Hershey's Extra Dark falls somewhere in between the brand's iconic Special Dark, which is only 45 percent cacao, and its newer Cacao Reserve, which has 65 percent cacao. Hershey's describes Extra Dark as a "velvety smooth, rich dark chocolate" with "just the right balance of taste, aroma, and sweetness," and has been touting it as a healthy source of antioxidants. The chocolates come in a slew of flavors, including raspberry, blueberry, cranberry and almond, pomegranate, and cranberry macadamia. To hear what Party and I thought of the different flavors, read more.

Pure Dark Chocolate: Hershey's bills its Special Dark as "the dark chocolate for milk chocolate lovers," but I think this flavor could also appeal to those who are weary of dark chocolate. Despite being dark chocolate, it still has lingering sweetness, a creamy consistency, and isn't bitter at all.

Raspberry Infused: This was our least favorite flavor. Party declared it "artificial smelling," and its taste wasn't much more authentic.

Pomegranate: Party and I decided this flavor was the best of our tasting: Because the dark chocolate already had fruity notes, it paired exceptionally well with the tart, juicy flecks of pomegranate, which were slightly chewy and added a pleasant texture to the bar. Unlike its raspberry counterpart, the pomegranate actually tasted like real pomegranates.

At $3.29 for 12 pieces, I would definitely buy this chocolate again, as it's a terrific bargain. The assortment is nice, too, for those of us (like myself) who can't decide which flavor to commit to. Have you tried any of the Hershey's Extra Dark Chocolates? What did you think of them?

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Katie Holmes Has No Fear or SATC Plans

PopSugar — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 07:00:00 -0700

Katie Holmes flashed a big smile while filming Don't Be Afraid of the Dark with Guy Pearce and a young costar in Melbourne yesterday. Despite rumors that one of Katie's next projects would be the Sex and the City sequel, her rep was quick to shoot down the possibility. You guys have mixed feelings about seeing Katie's BFF Posh take a role, but it seems like Carrie Bradshaw's return to the big screen will involve celeb cameos in one way or another.

To see more photos of Katie and Guy just read more.

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