Pundits have been declaring that Spain is the new France for years. That modern chefs look to Spanish cuisine for culinary innovation. I wanted to taste some of this revolution so I packed up my bags and flew to Barcelona in late October. I knew my trek was limited: I had neither the time nor the money to go Madrid, Valencia, or Basque country; El Bulli was closed; and wine country would have to wait for another vacation.

My short take: Yes,  I had some terrific food. But I also chowed down on a few truly awful meals. In retrospect, I should have known that not every tapas joint serves up miracle morsels. Barcelona is like any city: You need to know where to go and when to go. Actually, you need reservations, a lot of money, and/or tons of patience because the most critically revered spots are mobbed. Even on Monday nights at 10pm. Below is a partial report, with original photos (like the gorgeous fruit bowl above), as well as tips for anyone thinking about visiting Barcelona.

My love for (addiction to?) coffee is quite brazen. I drink plenty of it and I have the pleasure of trying out beans from roasters all over the country. As experienced as I am with drinking coffee, cooking with coffee is a whole 'nother story. I've dabbled with a couple of baking recipes (mainly brownies) but I have yet to even try to make Tiramisu, a recipe that, to me, epitomizes a dessert incorporating coffee as an ingredient. Cooking anything savory with coffee is completely new territory but I'm now game for giving  cheeseburgers, lamb, and chicken a shot of caffeine. That said, we've assembled both savory and sweet recipes for a recipe slideshow that'll get your mouths salivating.

If you've got some helpful tips for cooking with coffee, please do share!

The Backyard of Milk and Honey: Hey, city folks, don't you hate how you have to trudge all the way to the grocery to get your honey? Why don't you invest in an urban beekeeping kit, which will probably annoy your neighbors no end until you give them free honey for the first time. (Wonder what the honey from those flowers on traffic islands tastes like.)

luv d new twitter wine, lol! Yes, Twitter has officially taken over the world, and is starting its own Twitter wine label, with the proceeds going to an educational charity.

Five Books Every Cook Should Have: The Atlantic Monthly lists its cooks' canon (well, the categories, with personal examples): a good reference book, a pastry book, a Junior League book, an Italian technique book, and "a book to nourish loved ones." A Junior League book?

And He Could've Gotten Away With It, Too, If He'd Just Packed Peanuts: A Wisconsin prison inmate was captured and put in solitary after trying to escape from a correctional institution with an outfit stuffed with newspapers and a large bag of raisins.

Chefs' Least Favorite Orders: The Arizona Republic asks chefs what dish they most hate to prepare. A lot of them take a pass, but at least one gives an interesting answer: steak.

What Calorie Postings? Remember those postings New York City has started requiring in fast-food restaurants? Turns out they don't make that much of a difference in people's eating habits, according to a new study.

I head out to Portland, Oregon later today. It'll be my first time visiting "The City of Roses" and I can't wait to revisit the beautiful Pacific Northwest. As I've stated before on the blog, I am always searching for good coffee wherever I travel, but I think this may be the first time I may be a bit blasé about it. I know, I know, what kind of coffee lover would say that about coffee, especially coffee from Portland? Hear me out.

Portland's most well-known coffee export, Stumptown, has made a second home for itself very close to my Brooklyn abode. Beans are roasted in a facility that's a quick bike ride away in Red Hook. If I want to savor a latte made with skim milk, I can walk up to Cafe Pedlar. This is all to say that I can have my Stumptown coffee here in New York so what's the big deal about drinking Stumptown in Portland? That doesn't mean I'll avoid drinking Stumptown coffee but I want to taste what else is out there. I'll be drinking coffee from World Cup Coffee & Tea at Powell's Books. But I want to get your suggestions for where I can get good coffee (and pastries)? Is it at one of the Stumptown locations? Please share!

Need more coffee suggestions for other U.S. cities? Check out previous posts for Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Seattle.

Today is National Coffee Day.

Starbucks now sells instant coffee: Good idea or bad?

The Atlantic explains "The Right Way to Brew Iced Coffee."

Free coffee is being served in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, according to Boston.com.

Like coffee cocktails? Try our coffee recipes. (But maybe wait until noon?)

Boothby's Blonde Cucumbers from the Queens County Farm Museum and French tarragon that I planted in my community garden box are two of my favorite summertime finds from the farmers' market. But for three other summertime finds that are easier to obtain and that may find more year round usefulness in your kitchen than the two above-mentioned perishables, read on.

First up is the Toddy Cold Brew Coffee System that you can find at Seattle's Best Coffee. I am a hot coffee drinker even in the summertime. Every once in awhile I like my coffee cold but making it usually results in some lukewarm coffee. Best to have it hot at that point. But with this cold brew system, I had one of the smoothest iced coffees ever. The process removes a great deal of acidity which reveals a natural sweetness. The system is easy to use, and as long as you set it up in advance (12 hours overnight is ideal), ice cold coffee is yours.

I leave for Pittsburgh in a couple of days and, of course, I need to find out where to get a really good cup of coffee. Chicago coffee lovers came through with Intelligentsia (I got my fix at the Coffee Studio in Andersonville), so I'm calling on coffee lovers in Pittsburgh to please help me out!

If you also have favorite places to eat in the City of Bridges, please let me know. A friend who's a Pittsburgh native suggested eating at Bona Terra, Point Brugge Cafe, and the Cafe at the Frick. I read WQED's "Love at First Bite" but would appreciate additional comments to their list of 25 Best Restaurants in the City of Steel. One last thing: Are the sandwiches from Primanti Brother's a hit or a miss?

Where in Chicago can I get a fix for my coffee addiction? If you know Chicago's coffeehouses, then I want to hear from you! I am looking for a very smooth latte (made with skim milk, please) but I'll take a hot cup of strong-but-not-bitter black coffee, too.

When it comes to Chicago restaurant suggestions, Epicurious and Epi-log readers are a great resource. I've perused the many dining suggestions Epi-log readers gave to Michael Y. Park. And Raphael Kadushin waxes eloquently about the Windy City's dining scene, and also writes about some Chicago hotel restaurants that do it right. Of course, I also took a look at Epicurious's own guide to Chicago restaurants. (Blackbird is set for dinner, and it's a toss up between m. henry and Ann Sather for brunch.)

But coffee is in its own category. So fellow coffee lovers, help me out!

While nothing is as cool as our Epicurious iPhone app (it's getting rave reviews), we have to admit that the Dunkin' Run concept is pretty neat.

Co-workers tired of getting cream in their black coffee or sugar instead of the fake stuff? Don't worry. Dunkin' Run sends out alerts asking your friends or colleagues for their coffee orders, collates them, keeps track of past orders and menu favorites, and - well, sadly you still have to go to the store and pick up the order.

The app, launched today, works from your computer, mobile, or cell, so you've no excuses. (Just make sure your buddies install it too, though, or you'll be permanently on java duty.)