Food & Drink Writing

Food and drink writing spanning restaurants, recipes, products, and lifestyle coverage. These samples reflect a service-oriented editorial approach grounded in audience needs.

Sonoma’s Beauty Shines in Jiun Ho’s Restaurant Design

A reported feature exploring the design of Jiun Ho’s Enclos restaurant in Sonoma, focusing on architecture, interiors, and the relationship between design and dining.

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Craft, Cuisine, and Culture Unite at Houston’s ChòpnBlọk

A reported feature on ChopnBlok’s Houston restaurant design by Gin Design Group, exploring interiors, branding, and culturally driven spatial storytelling.

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29 spring beverages hitting shelves this season

If you’re stuck at home in quarantine, it can be easy to fall into a routine. Cooking the same things, eating the same snacks—there’s nothing wrong with that, but it’s fun to add some new flavors into the mix, too. With that in mind, we’ve rounded up some of the newest drinks hitting store shelves […]

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Only 1970s kids will remember these restaurants

You probably have a go-to favorite restaurant, whether it’s a chain or just a local eatery in your town. But many food lovers also know the heartbreak that comes with your favorite restaurant closing for good. And if you grew up in the 1970s, you might have had to bid farewell to a number of […]

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The least popular fast-food chain in every state

We all have foods we love and hate—but fast food seems to create even stronger feelings of adoration or loathing. (After all, Taco Bell is so adored by fans, the brand was able to successfully launch a pop-up hotel and resort in Palm Springs in 2019.) And with most things these days, people often turn […]

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I tried 7 non-alcoholic spirits & this was the clear winner

“Non-alcoholic spirits” might sound like an oxymoron, but that shouldn’t stop you from giving them a try. Despite 2021 being one of the hardest years on record to make it through Dry January, there is a growing trend in going sober or being sober-curious. The good news about non-alcoholic spirits is that it doesn’t matter […]

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We taste-tested 8 instant coffee brands

With $7 lattes becoming the norm and boutique coffee shops around every corner, it’s easy to become a coffee elitist. And if you fancy yourself a coffee snob, you may look past instant coffee blends. But instant coffee has made strides in the past few years. And with new brands offering up varieties and bringing an […]

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We tried 8 spinach artichoke dips & this is the best

If you go to any American-style chain or hometown restaurant throughout the U.S., there’s one thing you’re bound to see on the appetizer menu: spinach artichoke dip. The great thing about this favorite food is that it’s versatile. Yes, it’s an “appetizer,” but you could make it a meal. You can have it with tortilla […]

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Only 1990s kids will remember these restaurants

Ah, the 1990s. People were still using dial-up internet connections, frosted tips were in style, and boy bands were all the rage. But fast forward a few years, and you’ll see that the decade wasn’t always kind. These 1990s restaurants may be familiar to people who grew up in the decade, but they aren’t what […]

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17 new snacks hitting shelves this spring

Almonds, popcorn, cheese sticks… sometimes the same ol’ snacks can get a bit, well, stale. Don’t have time to peruse the grocery store shelves to find the hottest new items? Don’t worry—we’ve done it for you. Here, we’ve rounded up the best new sweet and savory foods that are hitting the supermarket shelves this spring. With all of […]

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Hamptons restaurants with impressive rosé wine offerings

Drink writing for the 2013 Labor Day issue of Hamptons magazine Rosé is arguably the drink of the summer out East. In this Guide Imbibe, a back of the book recurring section in Hamptons magazine, I highlight restaurants that have notable rosé wine offerings. Click here to view the magazine pages as a PDF.

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Stylish sips: Fashion’s favorite watering holes in Manhattan

Drink writing for the September 2013 issue of Gotham magazine P.J. Clarke’s and other mainstays are where you will find the fashion crowd after runway shows during Fashion Week this September and beyond. Click here to view the magazine page as a PDF.

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The best places for cocktails in Montauk

Drink writing for the 2013 Fourth of July issue of Hamptons All the way out East sits Montauk, a popular summer location with a relaxed vibe. It’s known for its surf spots, but it also has a number of popular eateries, such as Navy Beach and 668 The Gig Shack. See which spots offer the […]

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Hamptons restaurants serving special Father’s Day menus

Food writing for the 2013 Father’s Day issue of Hamptons magazine Use this roundup of restaurants around the East End with special Father’s Day menus to find a place to dine with dad. Click here to view the magazine pages as a PDF. 

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Where to ring in the New Year with a warm winter meal

Food writing for the December 2012/January 2013 issue of Gotham magazine Selecting the perfect spot for a holiday meal can be tedious, but this guide for New Year’s Eve dinners highlights the city’s best offerings. Hot spots like Daniel, The Modern, and Fig & Olive will help you ring in the year right. Click here […]

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Editor’s Letter: A lifelong love of sugar

An editor’s letter for a Vox magazine issue on Jun. 9, 2011 featuring a local ice cream guide I am a sugar addict. I think people who say they don’t like sweet things have serious issues. I love brownies, cookies, cakes, cupcakes and, most importantly. ice cream. If someone says he or she doesn’t like […]

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A headshot from 2024 of Dalene Rovenstine

Dalene Rovenstine

Writer, editor, and content marketing leader with a journalism background and experience across media and brand platforms