This week, Ligaya Figueras is obsessed with

{In The Dinner by Herman Koch, two brothers and their wives dine at a fancy, overpriced Dutch restaurant. But the plot is hardly that simple because things aren’t as they appear. This snarky comedy turns disturbing as what lies under the table is slowly served up, beginning with the aperitif of the house and finishing with a melting dame blanche. And please do share in the comments section about how you’d handle Tonio, the maître d’, and his meddling pinky finger.}

{Five of the six side dishes at Mission Taco Joint are vegetarian, but they’re so packed with flavor that you’ll never miss the meat. Need a hefty veggie medley? Go for chayote calabacitas. Brainy-grain power? Get the grilled vegetable quinoa. For Mission at its core, it’s gotta be the fire-roasted, off-the-cob street corn. — photo by Michelle Volansky} 

{Sometimes you can’t – or really, really shouldn’t – finish that bomber of witbier. Use this Hermetus bottle opener and sealer, and you’ll keep your wits about you. Your beer won’t go flat, and it won’t spill out when you lay the bottle on its side. Order it here.}

This article appears in March 2013.