Ed. Note: No wonder the Harvard Lampoon is honoring her. She brings her own beverages. Socialite Paris Hilton has posed naked in a new advertising campaign to launch her luxury sparkling wine in a can brand. The hotel heiress can be seen nude, covered in gold paint and crawling across a desert for the advertising campaign for her drink Rich Prosecco. The drink is described as: “The perfect ’starter drink’ for your night or a...

Sandwiches can be a rather mundane lunch choice, grabbed on the go or because there aren’t many other options. But Hot Off the Press, in Central Square and Charlestown, serves more original sandwiches which are, yes, hot and pressed, not to mention delicious and cheap. The Baja Chicken wrap, with grilled chicken, tomatoes, red onions, lettuce, and corn in a wheat wrap, was very tasty, although a little messy to eat. The addition of corn...

After opening stores in Taiwan, Dunkin' Donuts is breaking into the Chinese market. The company announced that it plans to open 100 restaurants in the city over the next 10 years. Shanghai residents will get all the good things we get from Dunkies, and they won't even have to deal with Rachael Ray. The company will also sell "green tea and honeydew melon doughnuts, as well as mochi rings, which are similar to cake doughnuts...

This afternoon, the Globe reported that Cambridge ice-cream store Toscanini's is back in business. After the state seized the store for nonpayment of taxes, the owners raised enough money online to give to the state and reopen. The amount of money was staggering--$31,406 as of tonight on the site www.savetoscis.com. Owners Gus and Mimi Rancatore turned over the money, so they can open up and start paying off the rest of it. In an e-mail...

Highland Kitchen is a little off the beaten path—it’s situated somewhere in the no man’s land between Davis Square, Porter Square, and Union Square. But with a laid-back vibe, delicious Bayou-influenced food, and a fantastic cocktail menu, it’s well worth the trek. And if you don’t want to hoof it, never fear: There’s parking in the back, if you’re lucky enough to snag a spot. Bostonist went on a recent Saturday night to check...

Now Veggieist obviously loves vegetables, but even we think that this may be taking things a bit too far. The Vienna Vegetable Orchestra plays music on instruments made out of vegetables. So if don't like eating carrots, perhaps you'd like to play a carrot recorder? Not a fan of peppers? Make a pepper trumpet! (See all the instruments here, we're not going to comment on the 'cucumber instrument,' it speaks for itself). Surprisingly, the...

We shouldn't have gotten our hopes up. The relationship between Dunkin' Donuts and Rachael Ray is still as strong as ever. The Track Girls talked to a Dunkin' Donuts rep about the incident in which Rachael Ray called Dunkin' Donuts "shit," and the rep defends Ray: “It’s absolutely, completely and totally false,” said the flack. “Once it came to Dunkin’ Donuts’ attention, they spoke to several people at the photo shoot who denied that happened....

Mike of The Food Monkey shares his thoughts about cooking, food history, restaurant trends, and any other Epicurean issues. He promises to discuss what tastes good, but not always what is in good taste. For more on consuming the opponents and other food news, go to the Food Monkey website. To contact Mike, go to the Food Monkey's contact page. Chef Rebecca Newell from The Beehive in Boston’s South End, has sent me the recipe...

One of your favorite childhood treats is all grown up now. The classic Root Beer Float has taken a decidedly adult turn with the Beer Float. For best results, pair your favorite Stout or Porter with some creamy vanilla ice cream and you've got a delicious dessert that's you need to be at least 21 to enjoy! For wicked local flavor, try combining your favorite locally made brew like this Berkshire Brewing Company Drayman’s Porter...

Listen hard enough, and you'll hear it: a slurping noise from the next table over. Loud jazz and the clanking sounds of metal soup pots can't drown it out. Order your own soup, and you'll be making those same slurping noises in no time. Some people don't think of soup as a meal unto itself. The soups at the New England Soup Factory, however, are rich and filled with diverse ingredients, making them a perfect,...

Gus Rancatore, owner of Toscanini's, which was seized by Massachusetts for nonpayment of taxes, is launching an effort to save the beloved ice-cream store, and he's taking his efforts to the media. A website has been started to help raise money for Toscanini's. As we learned from the Cambridge Chronicle, Rancatore owes a considerable amount in unpaid taxes, and the company must provide a down payment before re-opening. If you want to contribute to the...

If you stop in to When Pigs Fly Sourdough Bakery’s new shop outside of Davis Square, be sure your stomach is empty—the friendly loaf slingers behind the counter have samples of every bread right out on the counter, and it’s hard to say no. Bostonist enjoyed all of the bread we sampled, but we really loved the banana pecan, maple, and brown sugar bread, especially smeared with a little bit of their own pumpkin...

You are what you eat, so the saying goes. Well, this one old adage certainly rings true. Ask a vegan/vegetarian why they keep their diet, and health will be near, if not at, the top if their reasons. Putting healthy vitamin-rich whole foods into your body makes you feel better, gives you more energy, and helps to prevent against both short and long-term illness. In his book SuperFoods RX, Dr. Spencer Pratt talks about the...

Update: The Cambridge Chronicle hopped right on it and, while they couldn't reach the owner, things aren't looking so good for the burnt caramel: "Toscanini’s Ice Cream, a mainstay for cool treats in Central Square since 1981, may not ever open again, and its owner, Gus Rancatore, owes the state’s Department of Revenue more than $167,000 in back taxes." (Thanks, Ron!) Another Update: The Web Outside is already running a campaign to save--or at...

Update: Adam notices that Rachael Ray is no longer on the Dunkies website. Perhaps her big mouth cost her a job? From what we gather, no one likes Rachael Ray's association with Dunkin' Donuts. And they will like it even less when they hear what she had to say about the beverage she is paid so handsomely to promote. A rumor has been swirling on the Internets, starting at New York Magazine, floating to Jezebel,...

Meet more of Bostonist's new writers! Dale Cruse, of Drinks Are On Me, is launching a weekly drinks column for Bostonist that will appear on Wednesdays. Bostonist loves his site, which tracks food and wine trends, and is thrilled that he's joining the team. The Boston Wine Expo is slated for February 8-10 at the Seaport World Trade Center. Jonathon Alsop, founder of the Boston Wine School, gives us his rules to make sure it’s...

Basta Pasta doesn't look all that different from any of the hundreds of pizza shops around the Boston area: the menu board hanging over the counter, shakers of parmesan and red pepper flakes on the tables, uncomfortable benches, and stock photos of subs and greasy pizza in the takeout menu. But take a closer look at the menu, and it becomes clear that Basta Pasta is unlike its competitors. Most pizza joints don't offer risotto....

The owners of Clear Conscience Cafe in Central Square are on a mission. It’s pretty hard to miss… in fact, it’s conveniently spelled out on a poster behind the counter. They sell fair trade, shade grown, organic coffee and organic food “with an underlying agenda of social responsibility and environmental stewardship.” The counters are made of bamboo or crushed beer bottles; the ceiling tiles are made of 100% recycled material; the shop is illuminated...

After Brookline banned trans fats, it was only a matter of time before the city of Boston followed suit. The Boston Public Health Commission has approved the ban. The Globe reports that the vote was unanimous. The Globe reporters tried to find some restaurant owners freaking out about the ban, but they were met with a "collective shrug." If you don't want your donuts and your French fries to change, you'll get your say at...

That's right, you're not seeing things - VEGAN ice cream! A common misconception about keeping a vegan diet is that you have you to totally give up all your old favorite and sinful foods. While being a vegan does mean that your diet is more focused on vegetables, fruits, and whole grains it certainly doesn't require that you sit at home eating nothing but broccoli! There are many yummy vegan desserts out there to...

The New England Confectionary Company (NECCO) has announced the new phrases that will be printed on its hearts. This year's themes include weather ("Melt My Heart" and "Get My Drift") and animals ("Wild Life" and "Nature Lover"). Regarding the animal theme, we dare them to put "Doggy Style" on a heart! You know that someone at Team NECCO thought it and then swiftly pushed it out of his or her mind. Weather also gave rise...

If Elvis Presley were still alive, he’d be turning 73 today. In honor of the King, one of J.P. Licks' flavors of the month is banana ice cream with hand-swirled peanut butter, inspired by the ingredients in his favorite deep-fried sandwich. Never ones to turn down an excuse to eat ice cream, even in January, Bostonist tried out "Elvis’ Favorite." We have to hand it to J.P. Licks: Their ice cream impersonations are always...

Mike of The Food Monkey shares his thoughts about cooking, food history, restaurant trends, and any other Epicurean issues. He promises to discuss what tastes good, but not always what is in good taste. For more on consuming the opponents and other food news, go to the Food Monkey website. To contact Mike, go to the Food Monkey's contact page. After a long hiatus filled with flurries, football, food, and fireworks, I resume my series...

Those who keep a vegan diet will probably tell you that eating a healthy breakfast out can often be a challenge, especially when hoping to get something quickly. Breakfast in America is heavily focused on animal products and often the only options involve bacon, eggs, milk, or all three! Enter the chain of Bagel Rising and Espresso Royale cafes in Boston. These green-leaning, eco-friendly, and vegan-catering cafes are warm, inviting, and most importantly, delicious!...

So, you didn't listen to your momma, and you didn't drink water or eat nibbles as you poured booze down your gullet. Or, more appropriately, Bostonist didn't drink water or eat nibbles--an eagle-eyed commenter caught us boozing early. So here are three lists of hangover remedies that you might be able to use right about now: Forbes: Why listen to a bunch of stock jockeys? Because the biggest deals happen during martini lunches, and they...