Five on Food: Articles from the Wednesday Dining Pages

1) The New Rules of Cocktails. Los Angeles Times. In LA, the rules for enjoying a civilized cocktail in speakeasy style have migrated from across the pond and the East Coast.  What are they? No groups larger than four. No loud talking. No cell phones. No name-dropping. No gum. And gents, no hats or approaching the ladies.

2) Rewritten, in a Language of Its Own. New York Times. Former Maestro Chef, Fabio Tribocchi, earns three stars at New York’s Fiamma. Bruni calls one dish, “ridiculously enjoyable.” Also in the Times: Melissa Clark’s sugared bacon recipe and where to find 20th century ecstasy: a steakhouse.

3) Fear of Baking? Not to Worry. Boston Globe.  I’m the world’s worst baker, not to mention, hung up on leaving cookies and cakes lying around.  If I want the calories, I’ll drink booze and eat cheese.  That said, I do enjoy holiday cookies and breads.  Maybe I should try my hand at baking again? We’ll see if Kathleen King helps, though I won’t be starting with that cranberry loaf in the photo.

4) Soup up this Season. Chicago Tribune.  Soups that help you fight the flu. Also in the Trib: Holiday Cookie Contest Finalists.

5) Beer Nuts  Atlanta Journal Constitution. A restaurant sells Deus Les Brut de Flanders for $55 a bottle. Also, some Hot Drinks for a Cold Day.