Web Watch: Sites to tantalize any taste bud

by Eric Schwartzberg

If fast-food fare is becoming a tired act and a well-cooked meal at home with the parental unit is a rarity, then perhaps it's time to visit some of the Web's more delectable destinations.

"Starchefs" (http://www.starchefs.com) bills itself as the place to be "If you like food. A lot." The site more than lives up to its title, presenting features geared to the more seasoned chef. Its "Super Bowl party 2001" section offers recipes for, among other recipes, "Smoked Salmon Pizza with Mascarpone Cheese And Capers." Hey, who says every football fan is happy with only beer and pretzels?

Before tying on an apron and slapping some steaks on the grill, bookmark "Barbecue'n On The Internet" (http://www.barbecuen.com/), a sizzling site offering tips for amateurs, suggestions for better gas and charcoal grilling and a ton of recipes. To stock up on supplies, click on any of the "The BBQ Store" merchandise (http://www.barbecue-store.com/) on the right-hand side of the page.

For those without carnivorous cravings (vegetarians, vegans, etc.) or health-conscious individuals looking for their protein via meat-free methods, "Veggies Unite!" (http://www.vegweb.com/) dismisses some common fallacies associated with a greener lifestyle and delves into its benefits. The Body Mass Index Seeker is a particularly helpful (if slightly depressing) section, as is a section that lists "veg-minded events around the world."

"Foodfit.com" (http://www.foodfit.com/) is an eye-catching site with a "pantry stocker" which allows one to create a custom-made shopping list. The site also brandishes an impressive "burner calculator" that shows viewers calories burned based on their weight and what task they are performing (e.g. playing Frisbee, doing housework, or...cooking!).

Once whipping up a four-course meal is on the agenda, stocking up on specialty foods, cooking supplies and housewares might be a wise idea. The incredibly well-designed "Tavolo" (http://www.tavolo.com/) allows a shopper to bounce from category to category without leaving the site's front door. Intrepid chefs can also sign up for the site's newsletter, browse the conveniently alphabetized glossary and handy cooking tips section.

In the same vein is the "Cook's Thesaurus," (http://www.foodsubs.com/) which organizes its content by category. The concise explanations and pictures of ingredients make this site a useful reference tool.

Every delicious meal deserves the perfect wine, beer or spirit to accompany it. "Tastings.com" (http://www.tastings.com/) pours it on with a listing of every imaginable type of alcoholic beverage (who knew there were 60 different types of beer?) and an explanation of how it was made and what it goes well with.

If all this talk about cooking is too much to digest, check out "Waiter.com" (http://www.waiter.com/), "Restaurant Row" (http://www.restaurantrow.com/) and "Roadfood.com" (http://www.roadfood.com). They are three sites that allow the budding epicure to make the easiest thing for dinner - reservations!