Scoreboard Gourmet

Scoreboard Gourmet is where sports and food meet

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PETA "Chicken" "Wing" Contest in Miami

If I ever see (well, hear) that Sarah McLachlan Animal Shelter commercial again, ever, it will be too soon. That song does not inspire me to rescue a pet; it enrages me, makes me want to slay things. It's like a chant or an incantation. In fact, it's the perfect song to use in a movie in which the main character was somehow hypnotized and every time he hears that song he goes out and kills people. No. Kills animals. That's perfect. The creators of the ad and Sarah McLachlan are actually creating a corps of animal killers yet they have the perfect alibi, no one will ever suspect them.

Anyway, just when I've had enough of animal rights, PETA tells me about something fantastic: Miami Dolphins running back and vegetarian Ricky Williams judged a pre Super Bowl Faux Chicken Wing Challenge at his restaurant, Proof (in the Z Ocean Hotel, 1437 Collins Avenue, Miami Beach).

Indiana Beer, not just Bud, Miller and Coors anymore

Jolene Ketzenberger of The Indianapolis Star introduces the world of Indiana microbrews. Can't say I agree with the suggestion of starting with wheat beers (if you've only ever had "Bud, Miller and Coors") but I do support the idea of trying something new.
Read the full story: Draft a winning Super Bowl party with Indiana beers

Sidebar: Beer pairings for your party
» Hot stuff: Balance the spiciness of buffalo wings with the maltiness of a pale ale.
» Lotsa toppings: An amber ale's hoppy, malty flavors pair well with pizza.
» Sweet treats: The roasted malts of porters and stouts go great with chocolate.

Where Colts / Saints Fans Should Watch the SuperBowl in NYC

We haven't talked about Urban Tailgate in many months. They're the guys who identify NYC bars for watching games.
Here are two bars they highlighted as Best For Colts / Saints fans:

KEATS BAR
Indianapolis Colts
842 2nd Avenue @ 45th St.
$2 Colt Blue Kamakazi Shots
$16 Domestic Buckets
$20 Open buffet 1 hour before game or during half time.

EAST VILLAGE TAVERN
New Orleans Saints
158 Avenue C @ 10th St.
25 cent wings
$2 Sliders
$4 Yuengling
$12 Buckets of Bud Light or PBR

Check out Urban Tailgate for more, like Where will the Coors Light Promo Girls be during the SuperBowl?
Lucky Strike, Monkey Room, Pipers Kilt, Patrick’s Bar, The Grizzly Pear, Glessons, Phoenix Park, East End Bar and Grill, Rathbones, and others, at varying times.

SuperBowl Pre-Commercial: Charles Barkley, Taco Bell, Poetry

Poet Charles Barkley promoting the Taco Bell NBA $5 Buck Box (read: Five Buck Buck Box). Pretty funny. Excited for the complete poem on Sunday. Scared to think all that *goodness* is only $5, plus health care.

Jonathan Vilma / Chinese Food / Brother Jimmy's

Here's a link to a PDF of an old Players Club magazine story about Jonathan Vilma. I don't want to talk about the SuperBowl because my box numbers are terrible. Actually, one of my numbers is a 7, but the other one is the dreaded 2. Obviously I'm aiming for early safety (Saints) and touchdown plus extra point (Colts). And by 'early' I mean no scoring after that. Or, two touchdowns sans extra points, or four field goals. Stop me.

So, Jonathan Vilma. He's an investor in Brother Jimmy's.

Everglades BBQ at the Super Bowl, and Pro Bowl, and Dolphins and Marlins Games

Everglades BBQ, as you can see by the photo taken by Steve Cahoon of Centerplate (who recently acquired Boston Culinary Group), is part of the pregame tailgate at Dolphins Stadium. 
In 2008 the concessionaire tried selling BBQ beef to Marlins fans, but it didn't work out because who wants cow when you can have pig! Chefs Dan Filarecki and Orlando Morales then created a pig-based-bbq menu and now there are Everglades BBQ stands and carts throughout the stadium. Yes SG should have mentioned this earlier in the season. Sorry. Next year you can check it out and let me know.

Everglades BBQ is now also in the BankAtlantic Center (Panthers), and the stadiums at Florida, Central Florida, Ole Miss (altered logo there, in place of the gator).

Outdoor Bar on Upper Level of Dolphins / SunLife Stadium

Still a LandShark swimming around the Sand Bar at Miami's football stadium. Why is the naming and renaming and renaming so entertaining to SG? Check out all those flags to the right, that's because this photo was taken before the ProBowl. Thanks again to Centerplate and Steve Cahoon for making me wish I had a plane ticket and a game ticket.
 

Dolphins Stadium - Caliente Latin Cuisine

Here's a picture from The Club level of Dolphins/SunLife Stadium, courtesy of Centerplate's Steve Cahoon.  
 

Super Bowl Grounds Photo, Miami; this is awesome

Thanks to Steve Cahoon, Centerplate’s VP of Sales, for sending me some photos from Miami. I love this one of the Dolphins Stadium grounds. Yes SG is still calling it Dolphins Stadium. Yes this is a Pre SuperBowl event, but it's the same space.

Better Super Bowl Nachos, per The Washington Post

Nachos are championship party food, to be sure: cheap, easy and sociable. But once the best bites come off the top and the cheese congeals, things get ugly. We agreed that a better game plan was in order.

Read more Super Bowl smackdown: Nachos vs. nachos by Bonnie S. Benwick and Joe Yonan by LOGGING IN to the Washington Post (sometimes they give you a freebie read, meaning no login, but generally you have to be registered). Thanks to Metsgrrl for altering me to my bad link.

9 of 10 of us will watch SuperBowl at home

Says the Nielsen people: The great majority of U.S. households -- 9 out of 10 – say they will be watching Super Bowl XLIV at home or at a friend’s or relative’s house instead of watching it from a restaurant or bar, according to a new survey by The Nielsen Company. And for their home viewing, only five percent of households expect to spend more on food and beverages for the Super Bowl this year.

While beer and football are popular American pastimes, the Super Bowl, somewhat surprisingly, is not the most popular beer holiday. Nielsen’s research shows that the Super Bowl ranks relatively low among holiday beer sales, after the Fourth of July, Memorial Day, Labor Day and Halloween. Nielsen’s analysis shows that with the exception of late March, grocery retailers experienced the biggest weeks for Q1 beer sales during the two weeks surrounding Super Bowl 2009, with nearly 17 million cases sold.

Super Bowl viewers across the country stock their at-home parties with snacks, nearly 166 million pounds of snacks, especially salty snacks. Potato chips reign, with more than 44 million pounds of snacks sold while tortilla chips and pretzels also rank high for Super Bowl sales. The Super Bowl snack with the greatest growth? Popped popcorn.
Unpopped kernels are still working their way up.

SG is the 1 of 10 who will be watching the SuperBowl in a restaurant or bar.

6th Annual Marlins Awards Dinner

Where: InterContinental Miami
When: Friday, February 12th, 7pm
Who: Marlins players, coaches, an elite group of community leaders, and You
Why: To benefit the Marlins Community Foundation's Cornerstones for Kids programs
What: The 6th Annual Marlins Awards Dinner - cocktails, silent auction, dinner, dancing and awards presentation recognizing the 2009 Season including Marlins players, Heart of the Community and the Volunteer of the Year Awards.

Contact: call 305-623-6497 or email FMCF@marlins.com.
More: Stay at the InterContinental Hotel for $179/night February 10th-16th, promo code FMM. Reservations: 800-327-3005 (ask for the Marlins Community Foundation offer).

ESPN Zone's Take-Out SuperBowl Menu

Think your couch and TV is better than ESPN Zone's (doubtful) but think they make better food (likely)? Well, you're in luck. This year the restaurant is offering a SuperBowl Take-Out Menu. Details...

the deal in Baltimore and Washington, D.C.
-Orders must be placed by 4 p.m. on Friday, February 5th
-Orders must be picked up between 10:30am and 5pm on Sunday, February 7th
-To cancel: must call your sales representative by 4pm Thursday, February 4th. No refunds after that time

the menu in Baltimore and Washington, D.C (and pretty much everywhere else).
APPETIZERS (serves 6)
Buffalo Wings -- $34.99
Boneless Buffalo Wings -- $34.99
Spinach/Artichoke Dip with Tri-Color Chips -- $29.99

SALADS (serves 6)
Blue Cheese Apple Walnut Salad -- $21.99
Caesar Salad -- $19.99

ENTRÉES (serves 6)
BBQ Baby Back Ribs -- $49.99
Sun-Dried Tomato Penne Pasta -- $29.99

DESSERTS (serves 6)
Brownies -- $23.99
Carrot Cake with Rum Sauce -- $23.99

BIG GAME PACKAGE -- $109.99
Select one appetizer, one salad, one entrée and one dessert.

To place an order in Baltimore: 410-685-3776
To place an order, in D.C: call 202-783-3776

SuperBowl Take-Out happening in other cities too. Call your local, and let SG know how it turns out. Would love to see pictures.

isn't Dr Pepper Just Cherry Coke? Even in Football dress

SuperBowl: Super Paella and other Super Foods to eat at the games in Miami

Available to general ticket holders on the first floor and on the club levels at Miami's Football Stadium of many names, Super Paella will be priced at "market rates" (lobster prices have been as low as $5/lb (wholesale), btw; high supply, lowish demand). Available at Paella stations SuperBowl only (no ProBowl, is what we're saying here). Thanks to Centerplate for the photo and the info.

Other Super Food Offerings at the ProBowl and SuperBowl:

Super Meatball 18" Sub
Available at all "Pizza" stands on the 100, 400 levels and "Slice" on the club level. Centerplate suggests this as a meal for 2. Super ≠ Overeat. $18.

Super Cuban
Available at all "Franks" stands on the 100, 400 levels and "Caliente" on the club level. Another offering for 2. $20.

Boar’s Head “Big Game Sub”
Available at all "Boars Head " stands on the 100, 400 levels and the club level. Thrice, for 2. $20.

Footlong Pretzel Dog
Available at "Freeze" on the 100 and 400 levels and GRILL and the "Hot Dog Factory" on the club level. Alas, no sharing this puppy. $10

Super Seafood Cocktail Display (Super Bowl only)
Available on the club level Section 254. $35

The above items will be offered in addition to the 45 concession items available on the regular season game day menus.

ProBowl and SuperBowl Game Day Eating at Sun Life Stadium (aka Dolphin Stadium) (aka Land Shark Stadium)

Do I think it's dumb that the ProBowl is before the SuperBowl? I mean the Pro-Ex-SuperBowl-Team-Pros-Bowl. In a word: Very. But I won't dwell on that decision because I have much to tell you about The Food of Super Week in Miami.

First, though, I'll tell you that Centerplate (who recently merged with Boston Culinary, which means I need to do some category rearranging) hired 3,700 people to support the food and beverage operations. They're expecting to serve 70,000 fans twice during the SuperBowl since it's really a day-long event. Love that. They're also expecting to sell One Ton of pulled pork (let's talk about Everglades BBQ Company later).

Here's something else interesting...this Stadium has had seven names since it opened in 1987: Joe Robbie Stadium, Pro Player Park, Pro Player Stadium, Dolphins Stadium, Dolphin Stadium and Land Shark Stadium.
Because Land Shark Lager's eight-month naming rights deal expired after the Orange Bowl, the name Dolphin Stadium has been back in use for the past two weeks. Brilliant. And good choice to go with the singular form of the team's name. When SG went to the AFC-NFC World Championship Game (ticket pictured) it was Pro Player Stadium, and it was excellent.

More ProBowl and SuperBowl Food Coverage coming soon...

Beer Glorious Beer, hot sausage and mustard

Let's talk about beer. Here are some stats from a survey of beer drinkers conducted by Mintel:

Domestic v Imported
-44% of surveyed beer drinkers prefer domestic because it "just tastes better" and/or they're loyal to their brand
-24% prefer imports

So there should be one import for every two domestics offered at ballgames, right? The current ratio seems more like 1:10. 

Light v Regular
-24% of domestic beer drinkers drink light beer all the time (presumably these are not the people concerned with taste)
-26% drink light beer most of the time (ditto)

-91% of imported beer drinkers say they drink regular
-37% drink light or low-calorie

I lied about the sausage. None of that here today.

Saints Black & Gold Blend Coffee

Yesterday, during the NFC Championship game at the SuperDome, Saints Black & Gold Blend coffee made its first appearance. As of today it's available in New Orleans area PJ's Coffee houses (they're the ones who created it).

Anyone who was at the game can use their ticket to get a $1 discount on a bag of Saints Black & Gold Blend.

SG hasn't tasted this coffee and would love to hear from anyone who has. Leave a comment below. Thanks.

A's Tickets w/ Food On Sale Tuesday 1/26

A's Jumbo Tickets are game tickets that can also be used throughout the Coliseum for redemption at various Concessions stands for food and drinks and at Merchandise stands for stuff. Within the barcode of each Plaza Club ticket or Value Deck ticket will be loaded value.

$10 of Jumbo Ticket value is added within the barcode of each Plaza Club ticket and $6 of Jumbo Ticket value is added within the barcode of each Value Deck ticket.

Value Deck Tickets
New in 2010. Sit above home plate in Sections 316-318. At a cost of just $12 for most games, each ticket includes a Jumbo Ticket value of $6, adding to a more inclusive experience for fans.
The loaded value will be redeemable throughout the ballpark for merchandise or concessions, including the special $5-or-less value concession stands located in Sections 316-318.

Fairway's Football Bread

In case you've never bought bread from the Fairwaybakery, here's a great reason to start...Fairway Football Bread. SG loves it, and loves their marble rye too. They're happy to slice it for you. Great for sandwiches. SG just had roast beef, yellow picadews, avo, lettuce and butter on the delicious bread. Hey, that's a recipe. We don't do that.
J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets! That's because of the GREEN avo. So nice to have two teams since you have no town college teams.

Eggs and Tennis in Australia

SG watched Maria Kirilenko beat Maria Sharapova the other night, but otherwise has not been paying much attention to what's going on in Melbourne. Then, today, I noticed this definition on Australian Open website:

Love
The zero resembles an egg. In French, 'the egg' is pronounced 'l'oeuf' which sounds very much like 'love' in English.

I really enjoy that. And here's what they have to say about Eating in Melbourne. Some restaurants participate in a deal called Summer Serve in which you get two entrees for the price of one (a grander slam for your buck). Nice.

p.s. lifted that excellent stereotypical ignorant american photo from here. thanks, guys.

another p.s. apologies to TasteofTennisAU and readers of SG for missing Melbourne's Top Chefs and the world's greatest tennis players showcasing their culinary skills. Next year.

NYDailyNews: Food playoff: Indiana vs. New York; Big Apple has Hoosiers beat

More from the Daily News and Matt Lysiak...because SG is in NYC and Matt's in Indy...

BAGEL

Shapiro's Delicatessen
Price: $1.50 for a bagel with schmear of cream cheese.
Review: This place is New York from its corned beef to its pumpernickel bagel.
Katz's Delicatessen
Price: $3.25 for a bagel with cream cheese.
NYC OR INDY: Tie. Shapiro's would make any Jets fan feel at home

BURGER

Cadillac Ranch
Price: $8.95 for the Cadillac Burger, a half pound of Angus beef with lettuce and tomato on a Kaiser roll.
Review: Ugh, a no-frills burger served at an outdoor rustic patio under a highway. Weird.
Pete's Tavern
Price: $9.95 for a charcoal grilled burger.
NYC OR INDY: NYC. Pete's is our longest continuously operating bar and restaurant. Can't beat history.

**SG does NOT agree that Pete's best represents NYC burgers

CHOCOLATE EGG CREAM

In Indianapolis, are you kiddin' me?
Price: Zip, couldn't find one.
Review: Ditto.
Gem Spa in the East Village 
Price: $2.50 for a large.
NYC OR INDY: No contest -- really.

HOT DOG

King David Dogs
Price: $4.79 for the “New York Dog” with New York-style onion sauce, spicy brown mustard and sauce.
Review: Tastes good, but who pays five bucks for a hot dog?
Nathan's Famous
Price: $2.95.
NYC OR INDY: Nathan's. Of course.

PIZZA

Giorgio's Pizza
Price: $2.80 for slice.
Review: Crust okay, but sauce flavorless -- kind of like the Colts.
Nino's Pizza in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
Price: $2.50 for a slice.
Review: Out of this world!
NYC OR INDY: Fuhgeddaboudit, NYC.

New York Jets fan hunts for food in Indianapolis and comes up hungry, NY Daily News

Matt Lysiak's tales from Indianpolis:

What's a guy from Brooklyn to do in a cornfed town where pizza is exotic cuisine and the so-called delis don't stock pastrami?
With five days to go before the big Jets-Colts championship game, one thing has become clear: My stomach will be rumbling louder than the crowd.
A decent slice is hard to find in these parts.

Read the rest of the story.

This story reminds me of something.

Scoreboard Gourmet I Still Love You

It's a new year. The Giants stopped caring about their season in the fall and the Jets are two games away from the SuperBowl (no, I'm not actually that confident). Tony G's risky Minneapolis airplane ticket purchase has high reward. I went to my first hockey game in years and my second is a few weeks away. UConn had a devastating loss to Georgetown. Wes Welker watched the last game of his season. Jayson Williams is going to prison. Spring Training postcards, pamphlets and calendars arrive in my mailbox daily (Twins Postgame Grapefruit Giveaway 3/5; single game tickets on sale 1/16). The Knicks are "suddenly competitive."
What I'm trying to say here is, I have a runny nose. I'm not exactly sick but I need tissues all day long. Scoreboard Gourmet, I still love you. We're nearing the Super Bowl, the most important snack-purchasing day of the entire year, (the second most important snack-purchasing day is the Saturday before the game, which you'd think was the most important but, apparently, many party-hosts seriously procrastinate.)

Speaking of SuperBowl Sunday, the Supervalu inaugural Snack Down Survey found nearly 40 percent of fans associating a special food or snack tradition preference with their favorite NFL or college football team, including:

—In Philadelphia, football fans named Philly cheese steaks as their top game-day snack tradition
—Chicago gridiron fans cited Chicago-style hot dogs and Chicago deep-dish pizza among their special traditions
—In Boston, New England clam chowder and Boston baked beans made area fans’ list of snack traditions
—Cincinnati fans’ quintessential game-day snack food is Skyline or Cincinnati-style chili
—In Baltimore and Washington, D.C. chicken wings tied with chips or other salty snacks as the No. 1 game-day snack. Baltimore fans also unsurprisingly listed crab among their special snack traditions
—In Boise, Idaho potatoes — baked and loaded — naturally made fans’ lineup of special football game-day snack traditions
—In Boston, about 38% of male football fans plan to watch one or more of the NFL playoff games or the Super Bowl at a bar or restaurant this year, vs. only 14% of women. Male gridiron fans in Boston believe they consume more calories at a Super Bowl party (24%) than at a Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa celebration (17%).

In other news, it's quite likely that Scoreboard Gourmet is going to return to its starting point and focus solely on sports-travel-eating. We shall see. And now, my nose. 

NHL Winter Classic; Fenway Park Concessions Guide

I'm writing about Fenway because this year's NHL Winter Classic will be held at Fenway Park on January 1, 2010 (photo from Boston Globe).
You know I lo+ve concessions maps. Thanks, Red Sox, for this Fenway Park Concessions Guide. It's an SAT bubble chart And a map.

More info for the NHL Winter Classic:
-Tailgate parties will Not be allowed on any of the Boston Red Sox operated parking lots.
-Food and beverages will be available throughout the ballpark at concession stands and carts managed by Aramark. Visitors may not bring any food or drink items into the ballpark.
-Alcohol is served at Fenway Park at various Aramark vending stations throughout the ballpark. Fans must be of legal drinking age to be served. Guests will not be allowed to bring alcohol into and out of the ballpark. Beer will not be sold after the 10-minute mark of the third period.
-You CanNOT bring bottles, cans, thermoses or other beverage containers into the ballpark.

a little more Sports + Eating in Houston

Ballpark Cafe
Inn at the Ballpark
1520 Texas Ave.
Breakfast and Lunch only

B.U.S. Sports Grill and Bar
close to Rockets: 1410 Bell
close to Astros: 1800 Texas Ave.

Shula's American Steak House
Hyatt Regency Hotel
1200 Louisiana
Not exactly Texas-friendly since restaurant is themed after the 1972 Miami Dolphins' Perfect Season. But, hey, it's steak and the menus are hand painted on an official NFL game football.

and a little more from Houston Sports Travel

Brewers Sausage Race Collision

as pictured in SI's photos of the year issue...