FOODIE HOTTIE: There’s no Foodie hotter than the Food Channel’s Rachel Ray. The perky TV dish has it all. From cooking to cookbook to traveling and sharing that budget gourmet meal, she has all the ingredients under control. A Foodie hottie for sure, but one of 100 most important people in the world? That’s what Time magazine says. In last week’s cover story, the once-venerable newsweekly named Ray to its “100 People Who Shape Our World” list. Let’s see, there’s Bill and Melinda Gates, Condoleezza Rice, both Clintons, both George Bushes, Muqtada al-Sadr, Oprah Winfrey, Howard Stern, Angelina Jolie… and Rachel Ray?!? Foodies of the world, unite!

OPEN FOR LUNCH: Lila’s Santa Fe Kitchen (90 Gerard Street, Huntington), the Southwestern eatery across from the Post Office is now open for lunch at 11:30 Mon. – Fri. While we object to their little announcements littering our windshield, we welcome their lunch variety of salads, none higher than $8, and wraps $8, and up and entrees up to $15.

LOBSTER TWO-FER: Huntington hot spot Blue Honu (363 New York Avenue), is offering a 2-for-1 lobster special on Tuesday nights. The lobsters range in size from 1-1/4 lbs. to 2-1/4 lbs. at market prices ranging from $24 to $32. The steamed lobster dinners are accompanied by corn on the cob and coconut rice. See ya there!

SOFT SHELL CRABS: We’re told by the folks at Tellers Chophouse in Islip – they’re the group that has Beechtree in Islip, H2O in Smithtown, and is building a new seafood place on the site of the old Coco’s – that it’s almost soft shell crab season. The season, according to them, “begins with the first full moon in May -- that was May 13 -- when crabs feel comfortable enough to dig themselves out from the sand to shed their shells.”

CLINTON AND FOODIE HEALTH: Perhaps America’s most famous food-lover who has battled weight problems is now championing the weight-loss cause on behalf of the nation’s students. President Bill Clinton and the American Heart Association reached an agreement with the three biggest beverage manufacturers – Coke, Pepsi and Cadbury Schweppes – to remove non-diet sodas from public schools. Starting now and progressing through the 2009-10 school year, school vending machines will phase in an inventory consisting only of bottled water, unsweetened fruit juices, low-fat milk and sugar-free sodas – all served in smaller portions. It’s a change of heart for Clinton, who is known for both his Big Mac breaks and bypass surgery, Next on the hit list … vending-machine snack foods and cafeteria lunches. It’s no lie… foodies can be healthy.

WINE AND ART: The combo is coming to Huntington Village! Watch for Asta Wine Café and Art Gallery to open soon in part of the old Cardinali bakery building on Main Street, next to A Rise Above Bake Shop. Asta's menu will consist of cheeseboards, fondues, desserts and gourmet sandwiches. We anticipate their creative presentation to accompany the fine art they will offer.

FRENCH FRIES FACT: The first mention of the term French Fries – America’s favorite potato form -- can be found in a hand-written manuscript dated 1801 penned by none other than Thomas Jefferson, who describes them as: “potatoes deep-fried while raw, in small slices.” The recipe is credited to Jefferson’s French chef, Honoré Julien. Published records indicate Jefferson supposedly served them as early as 1802 at Monticello. I do declare… we had no idea Jefferson was truly such a great American!

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