Nigel Spence loves to jerk around. He's so good at it, in fact, that his Caribbean-inspired Ripe Kitchen & Bar in Mount Vernon, N.Y., earned national acclaim and a Throwdown win. This former Food Network intern's island-spiced jerk rib-eye steak is such a monster, he dares you to try and finish it!
Michelle Doll's background as a graphic artist inspires the unique designs of the wedding and special event cakes she serves from her NYC cakery. Not one to be all sugar with no spice, her classic and whimsical cake and icing combinations stacked up to a win in her Throwdown with Bobby Flay.
Italian-American nostalgia is on Mark Bove's stove at Bove's Cafe in Burlington, Vt. Despite a Throwdown loss, locals love his meatball lasagna. Melissa D'Arabian even kisses and tells that for "garlic-times-infinity" cravings, Bove's Roasted Garlic tomato sauce is the best thing she ever ate.
Father-and-son-owned Durso's Pasta & Ravioli Company in Flushing, N.Y., has built a reputation for amazing ravioli for over 40 years. The one-two punch of the classic cheese ravioli and their new osso buco ravioli floored Bobby when he faced Robert Durso Sr. and his son Robert Jr. on Throwdown.
On The Best Thing I Ever Ate, Beau McMillan called Flip Happy's Strawberry Nutella Crepes "pure ecstasy." With sweet and savory ingredients like Tarragon mushrooms, caramelized onions and toasted coconut, the crepes here have become an Austin landmark and a must-go for both tourists and locals.
"The best moussaka since Achilles fought in Troy." How do you argue with that? Accomplished teacher, author and chef, Diane Kochilas uses NYC's Pylos to channel Greek village food in the East Village. When Bobby sought out her secret to moussaka greatness, she said, "never flinch on the garlic."
Of the hundreds of falafel shops and stands in New York City, only one was declared to have the best falafel from New York Magazine, and that's Taim Falafel in the West Village. Owner Einat Admony's light and fluffy medley of chickpeas and spices impressed Bobby (her former boss) on Throwdown.
Bobby samples an apple pie, baked in an inventive way, from The Elegant Farmer in Mukwonago, WI, where they are making a famed Apple Pie Baked in a Paper Bag on Food Network's Throwdown with Bobby Flay.
Bobby Flay was so impressed with the fish tacos here that he challenged owner Cesar Gonzalez to a Throwdown, betting his grilled mahi mahi fish tacos against Cesar's fried version. The salsa bar and toy wrestling ring condiment holders add to the festive feeling in this Throwdown-approved spot.
When Bobby heard that Manny's Buckhorn Tavern had the seventh best burger in the nation, he had to challenge them to a Green Chile Cheeseburger throwdown. The competition was tough, but in the end, Chef Bob Olguin's refried green chiles and toasted bun helped him take the prize.
Pastry Chef Biagio Settepani's confections are so good he once made a birthday cake for Pope Benedict XVI. For the throwdown, Biagio made a cannoli filled with poor man’s custard ricotta and topped with candied oranges. Feeling hungry? The eatery serves brunch, lunch and dinner.
At The Good Fork in Brooklyn, Sohui Kim's pork-and-chive-stuffed dumplings with her dark soy dipping sauce quickly became a local favorite. Bobby tried his best to create a better dumpling on Throwdown, but Sohui's reigned supreme.
The award-winning Blueberry Pancakes with Warm Maple Butter at Clinton St. Baking Co. & Restaurant are so irresistible, Bobby just had to challenge them to a throw down. If you stop by the homey spot for brunch, also try the buttermilk biscuits and tomato jam, hearty omelets and sugar-cured bacon.
The Doughnut Plant's peanut butter and jelly doughnuts will trasport you back to childhood. The square doughnuts are glazed in fresh roasted peanut butter and filled with homemade blackberry jam. Chocolate lovers should try the Blackout, which is a chocolate-glazed and filled chocolate doughnut. For the holidays, they create the Menorah Ripple, a menorah-shaped doughnut packed with blackberry jelly with a cream cheese glaze.
Janet and Alice are the live-in "Pie Moms" of The Berry Manor Inn in Rockland, Maine. These hometown heroes make the self-declared "world's best pie." Bobby's Throwdown may have rolled over them, but it hasn't stopped the flocks of visitors who line up for a heavenly slice of their Mixed Berry Pie.
Make restaurant favorites at home with copycat recipes from FN Magazine.
Let Guy take you on a coast-to-coast tour Friday at 9|8c.