Sweet and Salty News

Ezra Kaplan

Restaurant Critic

With a career spanning three decades, Ezra's palate is as respected as it is feared. He previously served as the lead critic for the 'Chicago Tribune,' where his reviews earned him a James Beard Award for Best Restaurant Criticism. He is the author of two books on the evolution of American fine dining and has served as a judge for numerous international culinary competitions. Ezra's criticism is built on a foundation of rigorous, anonymous visits and a deep understanding of culinary technique and service.

Expertise

Restaurant CriticismGastronomy and Culinary ArtsHospitality and Service StandardsCulinary HistoryMenu and Concept AnalysisFine Dining Operations

Coverage Areas

The Critic's Table
Fine Dining
Chef Profiles
Restaurant Industry Trends

Latest Articles

A CookUnity meal box with spilled food, symbolizing delivery challenges and customer dissatisfaction with the service.
The Critic's Table

CookUnity meal delivery service review reveals challenges

Nearly 30% of CookUnity deliveries in major cities are late, damaged, or incorrect, according to the Consumer Complaints Database .

Jun 28, 2026 · 4 min read

A modern kitchen counter filled with high-end cooking appliances, showcasing Prime Day 2026 deals for home cooks.
The Test Kitchen

Find the best Prime Day 2026 deals for home cooks

This year, a Ninja Foodi 6-in-1 10-Quart XL 2-Basket Air Fryer is available for $170, a full $80 off its original $250 price, according to The Wall Street Journal .

Jun 25, 2026 · 3 min read

A beautifully styled kitchen counter featuring discounted cookbooks and premium cookware, ready for culinary adventures.
The Test Kitchen

Find the Best Prime Day Kitchen Deals This Year

This Prime Day, home cooks can grab Yotam Ottolenghi's 'Ottolenghi Simple' cookbook for 57% off, according to Bon Appétit .

Jun 24, 2026 · 2 min read

A gourmet sandwich with layers of fresh ingredients, showcasing a perfect balance of textures and colors, ready to be enjoyed.
The Test Kitchen

Elevate your sandwich game for any craving

Forget complex cookbooks: some of the most satisfying sandwich combinations, like cream cheese and olive or even pineapple and mayonnaise, require absolutely no recipe to master, according to Bonappet

Jun 24, 2026 · 2 min read

A lively New Jersey street at dusk filled with diverse restaurant options and patrons enjoying outdoor dining, with a subtle nod to Victor Cruz's new restaurant.
The Critic's Table

New Restaurants in New Jersey to Try in 2026

Former Giants star Victor Cruz is developing up to five "Victor Cruz's Krystal" locations in New Jersey, starting with a Union restaurant that opened June 4, 2026, featuring exclusive local menu items

Jun 24, 2026 · 4 min read

Elegant counter-service restaurant interior with chefs plating food and happy patrons enjoying meals at the counter.
The Critic's Table

Counter service boosts fine dining sustainability and staff welfare

The owners of Tail Up Goat, a Michelin-starred fine-dining establishment, recently transformed their restaurant into Rye Bunny, a counter-service concept.

Jun 23, 2026 · 3 min read

A close-up shot of a colorful pasta salad featuring a unique crunchy element from air-fried pasta pieces.
The Test Kitchen

Easy Air-Fried Pasta Salad Recipe Goes Viral

At the heart of a new viral dinner sensation, cooked pasta is air-fried at 400° F for 10-15 minutes until golden brown, creating an unexpected crunchy element.

Jun 23, 2026 · 2 min read

A sophisticated food critic observing the entrance of a new, stylish dual-concept restaurant, Heyou, on a vibrant Bengaluru street at dusk.
Travel & Taste

Top 3 Bengaluru New Restaurant Openings: A Critic's Guide 2026

Keen Mustard Ventures, a prominent hospitality group, replaced Daysie on MG Road with Heyou, a dual-concept restaurant.

Jun 23, 2026 · 5 min read

A robotic arm preparing food in a restaurant kitchen, with diners in the background looking uncertain about the automated service.
The Food Trade

AI helps restaurants survive, but diners may not like changes.

Despite a 34% average increase in labor costs in 2023 and a 25% drop in consumer restaurant spending since May 2022, nearly 80% of U.

Jun 20, 2026 · 3 min read

A mouth-watering black bean smash burger with fresh toppings, presented on a wooden board, with a smartphone showing a viral TikTok recipe in the background.
The Test Kitchen

New Black Bean Smash Burger Recipe Sparks Culinary Revolution

Just last week, a TikTok video featuring a 'Black Bean Smash Burger' recipe garnered over 5 million views in three days, according to TikTok Analytics.

Jun 19, 2026 · 4 min read

A thoughtful bartender cleans a bar counter in a quiet, dimly lit establishment, symbolizing the changing landscape of the bar and spirits industry.
The Food Trade

Bar and Spirits Industry Sees Localized Turnover Amidst Shifting Habits

After just eight years, KSBar & Grille, a sports bar opened in 2018, will cease full-time operations, shifting to game-day only.

Jun 19, 2026 · 3 min read

An exquisitely plated, hyper-specialized dish presented in an intimate fine dining setting, highlighting culinary artistry and focus.
The Food Trade

Why Chefs Are Embracing Hyper-Specialized Dining Over Broad Menus

Within six months of opening, Juliet, a new Los Angeles restaurant, earned Michelin Guide recognition.

Jun 16, 2026 · 3 min read

A modern LG NeoChef countertop microwave with Smart Inverter and Sensor Cooking technology, showcasing its sleek design on a kitchen counter.
The Critic's Table

LG NeoChef Countertop Microwave Offers Smart Sensor Cooking

Panasonic's new NN-SF57RM microwave, priced at $429.

Jun 13, 2026 · 2 min read

A meticulously prepared Caesar salad presented elegantly, with a vintage cookbook open nearby, hinting at culinary secrets.
The Test Kitchen

Rethinking the 'Classic' Caesar Salad Recipe

Julia Child, the very icon of classic cuisine, famously omitted a key ingredient from her Caesar salad, a dish many consider sacrosanct.

Jun 13, 2026 · 2 min read

Close-up of an All-Clad D3 stainless steel frying pan with food being cooked, showcasing even heat distribution and professional kitchen setting.
The Test Kitchen

Experts Test Top Stainless Steel Pans for Your Kitchen

The All-Clad D3 Frying Pan consistently earns top recommendations among tested stainless steel cookware.

Jun 9, 2026 · 3 min read

A close-up, cinematic view of a gourmet hoagie with fresh ingredients, showcasing Philadelphia's evolving sandwich culture.
The Test Kitchen

Philadelphia's Top Hoagies: Tradition and Innovation

At Dolores' 2Street, a 'The Henry' Veggie Hoagie features fried zucchini, grilled eggplant, broccoli rabe, roasted peppers, and sharp provolone on a seeded Sarcone’s roll.

Jun 9, 2026 · 2 min read

A close-up of a pellet smoker cooking a delicious brisket, with smoke rising and a golden hour glow.
The Test Kitchen

Discover the best pellet smokers for wood-fired cooking

Shoppers can acquire a Traeger Pro 22 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker for $389, a significant reduction from its original $549.

Jun 9, 2026 · 4 min read

NAIA restaurant on the Chicago Riverwalk at dusk, with docked boats and diners enjoying the waterfront view.
The Critic's Table

NAIA Opens on Chicago Riverwalk, Offering Greek-Levantine Flavors

Imagine pulling your boat directly up to a new Greek-Levantine restaurant on the Chicago Riverwalk, stepping off, and dining under the direction of a Top Chef winner.

Jun 6, 2026 · 3 min read

A chaotic test kitchen scene with a calendar highlighting May 31, 2026, symbolizing the confusion surrounding the Bon Appétit Pantry Awards 2026 submission deadline.
The Test Kitchen

Bon Appétit Pantry Awards 2026 Submissions Still Open

Despite an official announcement stating the submission window for the 2026 Bon Appétit Pantry Awards is “now closed,” eligible products are still due by May 31, 2026, according to Bon Appétit .

Jun 2, 2026 · 3 min read

A single 'Everest Red' hybrid tomato on a supermarket shelf, overshadowing a basket of heirloom tomatoes, symbolizing market competition.
The Test Kitchen

Heirlooms vs. Hybrids: Tomato Battle Intensifies With New 'Everest Red'

Just six months after its introduction, a new hybrid tomato called 'Everest Red' now accounts for 15% of supermarket tomato sales in the Northeast, directly impacting the sales of cherished heirloom v

Jun 2, 2026 · 3 min read