Julian Vance
Senior Restaurant Critic & Columnist
Julian Vance serves as the Senior Restaurant Critic and Columnist for Munchies Magazine, where he specializes in fine dining reviews, chef's table experiences, and the exploration of culinary traditions. His writing approaches restaurant criticism by examining service standards, French and Italian cuisine, and the art of wine pairing to give readers an immersive understanding of the dining landscape. Through his opinion column, he delivers honest, insightful commentary that respects culinary history while evaluating modern dining experiences. By focusing on both the craft and the culture of food, he helps readers navigate and appreciate the complexities of high-end gastronomy.
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Latest Articles
Dog-Friendly Dining Sparks Debate, Desire for Adult Spaces
A woman placing her dachshund on an absorbent pad on the floor of Gordon Ramsay's Street Pizza restaurant sparked a viral TikTok video with over 20 million views, igniting a fierce debate about dogs i
Aug 6, 2026 · 3 min read
Puritan Tavern Opens September in Groton
LPM Restaurant & Bar, founded in London in 2007, opens its first Northeast location this October in the Four Seasons Hotel at One Dalton Street in Back Bay, according to The Patriot Ledger .
Aug 5, 2026 · 3 min read
Dom Taylor's sudden passing at 44 leaves Caribbean cuisine a void.
At just 44, Chef Dom Taylor, who had recently achieved national acclaim as the victor of "Netflix's 'Five Star Chef'" and subsequently launched London's pioneering luxury Caribbean restaurant, The Goo
Jul 18, 2026 · 5 min read
Dining alone unlocks deeper food appreciation.
At The St. Regis Bar, a complimentary glass of Champagne around 6 p.m. daily becomes a personal ritual for solo diners like Lauren Arnsdorff, who pairs it with honey gochujang chicken. This deliberate
Jul 16, 2026 · 3 min read
Restaurant Price Hikes Signal Wider Menu Changes by 2026
Noma's Los Angeles pop-up, priced at $1,500 per person including gratuity and beverage pairing, sold out its entire 16-week residency in just 60 seconds, according to Fine Dining Lovers .
Jul 7, 2026 · 3 min read
Casual dining's resurgence: Value and agility drive growth
In 2025, while brands such as Bar Louie and Hooters navigated bankruptcy filings, Chili's, a prominent casual dining chain, reported record-breaking same-store sales, signaling a profound divergence i
Jul 6, 2026 · 3 min read
Top 5 Hot Dog Recipes From Famous Chefs This Summer
At a Korean American restaurant in River West, Chicago, customers pay $25 for two hot dogs and a bag of chips, and the event consistently sells out, according to Block Club Chicago .
Jul 3, 2026 · 7 min read
Sustainability Redefines Luxury: Upscale Dining's Doggy Bag Shift
At a Michelin-starred restaurant in New York, a single untouched bread basket, enough for two people, is discarded nightly, contributing to the 1.
Jun 29, 2026 · 3 min read
Two Oldest Italian Restaurants in the US: Legacies Over a Century
A candle in John's of 12th Street, established in 1908, has accumulated approximately 250 pounds of wax.
Jun 22, 2026 · 5 min read
Bowen Yang's Mom Uses Firm Tofu in Her Mapo Tofu Recipe
Unlike the ubiquitous silken variety, Bowen Yang's mother opts for firm tofu in her mapo tofu, resulting in a dish notably less stewy than what most expect, as detailed by bowen yang's mapo tofu recip
Jun 21, 2026 · 3 min read
New Blueberry Almond Lemon Cake Recipe Yields 8 Servings
A Blueberry Almond Lemon Cake recipe, demanding a precise 1 cup of almond flour, signals a profound shift in home baking priorities.
Jun 20, 2026 · 2 min read
Whip up creamy lemon zucchini pasta tonight
Just one large zucchini, a pound of spaghetti, and four ounces of pecorino: these are the core components of the Creamy Lemon Zucchini Pasta, a dish now commanding significant attention.
Jun 20, 2026 · 2 min read
Author of Definitive Hot Dog Guide Dies at 102
Eleanor "Ellie" Mae Jenkins, the reclusive author who meticulously documented every regional hot dog style in her seminal 1952 book, passed away last Tuesday at 102, leaving behind a legacy that redef
Jun 19, 2026 · 3 min read
Systemic challenges are leading to restaurant closures in 2026, study finds.
In New Zealand alone, 414 hospitality businesses entered liquidation in the past year, a stark 49% increase year-on-year, according to a Centrix Credit Bureau report cited by The Spinoff .
Jun 19, 2026 · 4 min read
Lost Lantern blends bourbon from every state for America's 250th birthday
To mark America's 250th birthday, Lost Lantern has released a special 'United States of Bourbon' whiskey, blending spirits from 50 different distilleries across every single state, according to The Ne
Jun 15, 2026 · 4 min read
Whip Up Easy 2-Ingredient Chocolate Mousse, Minimal Effort
A rich, velvety chocolate mousse, often associated with elaborate French patisseries, can now be whipped up with just two core ingredients: silken tofu and bittersweet chocolate.
Jun 14, 2026 · 2 min read
Easy Nectarine Summer Dessert Recipe
The quest for the perfect summer dessert led one chef to discard an entire batch of apricots, deeming them 'pale, hard, and lacking flavor,' before discovering the consistent brilliance of nectarines.
Jun 13, 2026 · 3 min read
Bon Appetit Editors' Go-To Dishes for Your Next Gathering
While meticulously pitting cherries for a skillet cake, Bon Appetit's Sam Stone found a moment of zen, only to later realize the batter was missing its sugar, as reported by Bonappetit .
Jun 12, 2026 · 2 min read
New Summer 2026 Cookbooks Focus on Hyper-Niche Culinary Skills
This summer, home bakers can craft a Shortbread Cookie Canvas from Carla Hall or explore corn-based desserts like Sweet Corn Shortbread from Martin Sorge.
Jun 10, 2026 · 2 min read
Nothing Bundt Cakes Debuts Peach Cobbler Cake for Summer 2026
Nothing Bundt Cakes is introducing a new Peach Cobbler Cake flavor for summer 2026, exclusively available in personal-sized Bundtlets.
Jun 10, 2026 · 3 min read