Everyone's a critic. Especially a food critic. So maybe that's why professional food critics have such a hard time pleasing the public. When it comes to Michael Bauer, our own local food critic, I have this to say, one of my all-time favorite cookbooks was one he wrote, The Secrets of Success Cookbook (the recipe for Bizou/Coco500's fried green beans is in it, do I need to say more?).

I am also beginning to really enjoy Bauer's blog. This week his blog post Say Goodbye to Short Ribs hit the nail on the head. In terms of his predictions that pork belly and pork shoulder will turn up on menus near you, I agree and add marrowbones as another hot restaurant trend.

Ever go to the beach to find pottery shards? Me neither but Meathenge has a great post about it, well worth checking out.

I came across no fewer than three food blog posts and recipes for blueberry muffins this week. I agree with Elise that muffins can be tricky. My last batch of orange chocolate muffins did not rise to the heights I would have liked. Elise's recipe uses plenty of butter, but it really does look like a winner.

FOOD