I am Debbie Lee.

Trendspotting: Seoul Food

Sun, 19 Feb 2012 19:34:55 -0500

In an effort to assert themselves and force their culture down your throat, Koreans hype up kimchi as if it’s a miracle food. To dislike it is to say, “I reject you, your people, and the garlicky odor that you all carry.”

I really don’t care whether or not you eat it. It’s definitely an acquired taste and, like cilantro, it just doesn’t suit some palates. That said, if you happen to find it tasty, here are a few ways for folks in Vegas to try kimchi in fusion form. Enjoy (or don’t.)

Lighten Up!

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 04:13:19 -0500

New year, new you… at least until you decide that resolutions are stupid. If you haven’t yet given up on your promise to eat better in 2012, check out my list of the best vegetarian-friendly grub in Seven.

What's Popping

Sat, 07 Jan 2012 18:43:07 -0500

I like to believe that the best dessert I ever created in my entire pastry cheffing career was the popcorn pudding served at Dirt Candy (three years later it’s still on the menu!) Popcorn is hard to dislike, and it’s an unexpected (but approachable) flavor for desserts. So when I heard that a crew in Henderson was playing with popcorn and liquid nitrogen, I had to check it out. That’s when I noticed that popcorn shops exist in every part of town. Maybe the dry air makes it a good environment for this stuff? In any case, this week’s Seven showcases three of my favorites.

Dining on the Edge

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:00:00 -0500

The Southwest section of Las Vegas is mostly deserted, but an oasis exists on Forth Apache near Patrick. I picked a mix of noteworthy restaurants in the neighborhood for this week’s Seven. Get the chile cheeseburger at DW for lunch.

Premium Blend

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 04:57:00 -0400

Michel Richard tested immersion blenders with me at Bradley Ogden’s restaurant inside Caesar’s Palace. Read the results in Men’s Journal and then check out the recipes he contributed to the magazine.

High/Low: Chicken and Waffles

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 04:44:09 -0400

It’s sweet and salty, crunchy and chewy, meaty and carb-y. In other words, it’s the perfect dish. I pick Las Vegas’ best chicken and waffles for the latest issue of Vegas Rated.

High/Low: The Gyro

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:45:00 -0400

I pen a regular section in the new Vegas Rated magazine called High/Low, in which I rate the town’s best high and low end version of a single dish. This month I stuffed myself silly on lamb sandwiches. Honorable mention goes to Wolfgang Puck’s lunchtime lamb sandwich at MGM Grand.

Profiles: Susan Wolfla/Vegas Seven

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:38:00 -0400

For the first time in the history of the Las Vegas Strip, a woman holds the position of executive chef. Read my profile of Mandalay Bay’s Susan Wolfla online or in the latest print issue of Seven.

Profiles: Michel Richard / Vegas Seven

Thu, 01 Sep 2011 18:27:00 -0400

Vegas Seven has just published a profile of the jovial French chef Michel Richard, written by yours truly. Being punched by him is the closest that I, as a journalist, will ever get to being in the line of fire. Check it out.

Get Your Grill On

Sun, 07 Aug 2011 15:12:00 -0400

The latest Men’s Journal—featuring one of my all-time heroes, John McEnroe—is on newsstands. My contribution to the issue is a road test of portable grills. You can check out the slideshow version online, but doesn’t anyone care for the feel of glossy pages anymore?

New site.

Sun, 07 Aug 2011 15:10:00 -0400

I’ve remodeled this site… again.

It seems that Ritalin has done nothing to help my restlessness.