The concept of the modern "breastaurant" is a purely American one, born of man's desire for Buffalo wings and light beer, and often resulting in unrequited love for a lass twenty years his junior.

But what really weaves a "breastaurant" into the American fabric is that everything is bigger at such an establishment. Oversized TV's, bar stools, beer mugs and other aspects of the business loom larger than the norm. Is it any wonder the breastaurant concept has ballooned over the past two decades? Below, a brief rundown of popular breastaurants, large and small.

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Mark Manger

I love Jabo's as much as the next person -- but is it really ethnic food?

​The Denver Tech Center is "an area distinctly lacking in interesting ethnic food," I said in last week's review of Street Kitchen Asian Bistro. In fact, I almost expanded that sentiment to cover everything south of Hampden Avenue, an area filled with fast-casual and upscale chains that tend to overshadow the independent restaurants that do exist in the area.

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Oh, shit!

​Including this post, the total number of posts on Cafe Society in 2011 was 3,241. That's a lot of bloggering for a local restaurant scene blog.

And who has time to go through all of them? Certainly not you. Which is why we've tallied up the top ten posts -- judging from traffic, at least -- on Cafe Society during the 2011 calendar year. Casa Bonita! Beers to stop drinking after you hit thirty! Hot vegetarians! Food porn!

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J. Wohletz

​What makes City, O' City such a marvelous place to dine and drink? The location, right in the heart of downtown, the staff's ability to make the best mocha latte I've had in quite a while, and the quirky-vegetarian treasures on the menu -- notably the signature house-pickled vegetables.

I ordered the pickled vegetable plate on a whim while dining out one evening with my girly-pals, and once the plate hit the table and the first slice of pickled lemon cucumber hit my mouth, I ignored my friends and gave the food my unfettered attention.

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J. Wohletz

​There's an "it" couple that everyone wants at their party every Christmas -- the duo that livens up the festivities, gives the crowd something to talk about, and adds that certain something to make the gathering memorable.

This pair, for example: a delicate bite of a smooth, hand-dipped pomegranate-raspberry-rose chocolate and a sip of 2008 Chapoutier Banyuls, a rich, red dessert wine. This is a coupling that encompasses fragrance, flavor and feel, and it's perfect for either a swanky soiree or a nightcap for one.

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J. Wohletz

​It's that time again -- time for the last-minute panic as you plan a celebratory sideboard of snacks worthy of this most festive holiday. After our Dollar Tree Thanksgiving's proper sit-down meal, we decided to create a buffet-style Christmas smorgasbord of the finest treats the DT has to offer -- and it looks like the stores have really upped their game since November, because they're offering some seriously chic noshes for purchase. And since the Dollar Tree accepts SNAP, no cash is no object: Everyone deserves a holiday din to remember.

Please enjoy our Yuletide buffet suggestions, and with all the ched you save, feel free to augment the festivities with a bottle -- or a case -- of holiday spirits.

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Tony Clement, the new exec chef of Wild Catch, gets a big endoresement from Justin Brunson.

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While it's no secret that Justin Brunson, the former executive chef of Wild Catch, isn't a big fan of Daniel Kuhlman, his ex-partner (and owner) of the restaurant that Brunson walked away from a few weeks ago following a flurry of accusations, drama and aftermath, Brunson is very much a supporter, booster and believer in Tony Clement, a Mizuna alum whom Kuhlman hired on as a consulting chef at Wild Catch.

And Brunson has a few choice words for those of you who have posted comments bashing Clement: Shut the hell up.

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​The Huffington Post has succumbed to the temptation of food trends lists. While the Huff-P does politics like everybody's business, why are they now trying to convince the dining public that they're eating more bugs, that pimento cheese is suddenly cool and that macarons are falling from the heavens? Maybe, just maybe, they should stick to reporting Newt Gingrich's latest gas exhalations.

Here's our assessment of the Huff-P's "The 11 Biggest Food Trends of 2011." Although there are a couple of hits, the misses come early -- and often.

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​Food scribe, nomad, caustic tongue wagger and self-proclaimed "bad boy" Anthony Bourdain is never -- never -- at a loss for words, but back in August, when he was a guest on Real Time will Bill Maher, Bourdain dropped an extra special zinger when Maher asked him which he preferred: a great meal or mediocre sex

Bourdain's absolutely hilarious answer, the clip of which has now gone viral, may very well be the singularly best quote of the year.

See for yourself.

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Fruit drinks: Are they as healthy for you as you think?

​In one year, the average American consumes 45 pounds of sugar (enough to fill a wheelbarrow) -- and most of this is sugar we drink. Excess sugar intake is a driving force behind the obesity epidemic, and while soda gets scapegoated, the fastest-growing marketing sector is the so-called "fruit drink" (or "fruit drank," if you prefer).

Below is an infographic prepared by the folks at Health Science that may make you think twice before you order that Snapple or other fruity drink at the gas station.

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