Places

Since it was founded in 2007, the New York City Wine & Food Festival has evolved from Food Network marketing podium (the earliest iterations featured a ubiquitous Guy Fieri shaking hands and kissing babies) to a relatively serious culinary festival featuring Iron Chefs, and a few mere mortals. Last year we had a good time running around our hometown — and by the looks of the 2013 slate, it looks like The @Lee_Schrager has taken cues from Portland and Aspen and stepped up his game.

A man hoping to celebrate his girlfriend's birthday is shamed by a restaurant on Twitter. Eager Instagrammers are scolded by a wait staff for snapping pictures. These are examples of a shift away from the traditionally American belief that "the customer is always right." Let's take a look at some national restaurant headlines from the past few months.

Oh man, we're super excited about this one. The popular Brooklyn BBQ Blowout is back for another season, its sixth. How did that happen? As a refresher, the event is hosted by our dudes at Finger On The Pulse and features guest chefs, guest DJs and cheap beer (in various quantities). On Tuesday, May 14 it all begins at Good Company Bar in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.