In the Year Two Thousand and Four

Remember 2004?  Lance Armstrong won his 6th Tour de France, fox hunting got outlawed in the UK, Martha Stewart was sentenced to five months in prison, Janet Jackson's nipple fell out of her shirt, and David Chang opened Momofuku Noodle Bar.  To celebrate the latter, Bed-Stuy's Do or Dine chef Justin Warner is recreating the original menu from when Noodle Bar opened in the summer of '04.

Do or Dine turns one on Sunday, June 3rd, and Justin will be recreating DC's original Noodle Bar menu for the occasion.  Chang doesn't have anything to do with the event, but it'll still be worth the trek out to 1108 Bedford Ave for $7 shredded pork ramen and $3 cans of PBR.  Happy Birthday, Noodle Dine.

Eat Like the Chefs this Weekend

If you're looking for a place to eat this weekend, or ever, consult this epic list of New York's Best Cheap Eats picked by some of the world's greatest chefs.

David Change eats Sichuan at Hot Kitchen in the East Village, Wolfgang Puck classes it up at Daniel and Marea when he's in town, and everybody's favorite chef, Rene Redzepi of Noma, apparently has a soft spot for Brooklyn.  Aside from thinking "Momofuku Noodle Bar is a must," Rene likes Franny's, Roberta's, and has "heard promising things about Isa."

Higgins, Stop Eating the Chicken!

David Chang was on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon last night to have a chicken battle with Roots drummer ?uestlove.  If Chang losses, ?uestlove's chicken would go on the menu's at Momofuku's in the city and he would get a spread in the next issue of Lucky Peach.  Should Chang win, ?uestlove would have to stand outside one of the Momofuku restaurants and promote Chang's chicken and give him a shout out ever night on Late Night for a week.

Turns out Higgins, the shows announcer, is a pretty big fan of fried chicken.  Check out the clip for the winner.

It All Started with a Little Chocolate Cake

In 1981 Michel Bras patented his chocolate coulant, the word meaning "runny" in French.  Decades later, the likes of Wal-Mart, Disney World, and Betty Crocker have all created riffs on the dessert.  Issue #3 of Lucky Peach, David Changs magazine published by McSweeney's, has a wonderful article explaining the history of the cake.  The dessert, what Bras has accomplished at his restaurant in Aubrac, and his influence on Basque cuisine, are why many consider Bras one of the most crucial chefs of modern cuisine.

Entre Les Bras, a new documentary by filmmaker Paul LaCoste, explores the relationship between Michel and his oldest son, Sebastien, as Michel prepares to leave Sebastien control of the restaurant.

Lucky Peach #3 Is Out; New England Clam Chowder, the South Pole, and Celery, Oh My

The third installment of Lucky Peach is out and the pages of our copy at Digestny smell like rosemary.

The quarterly McSweeney's publication was started by David Chang, Peter Meehan, and Chris Ying.  The two previous issues are already collector's items with issue #1 selling for $155 on Amazon.

This time around it's the cooks and chef issue, get it while you can.

In other chef publications news, Thomas Keller, of Per Se and French Laundry and 11 other restaurants, has added a magazine to his resume too.  The second issue of Finesse is due out this month and focuses on his more casual affairs.

T.K.'s magazine is “a real magazine, not French Laundry propaganda,” and has contributions from Ruth Reichl and Ed Levine.

Fun Food Fueled Reading

Sometime last summer Momofuku mastermind David Chang decided to get in touch with his literary side. 

Lucky Peach ('Momofuku' translation) is a collaborative, quarterly magazine put together by McSweeney's, chef David Chang, writer Peter Meehan, and EIC Chris Ying.  The previous two issues are full of captivating, informative, and wild stories from people in Chang's circle.

Issue #3 is due out next month.