​New York has dog bakeries, dog spas, dog therapists, and now dog artisanal ice cream. Lactose-free Blizzard Dog is the brainchild of a 16-year-old boy upon seeing how much, well, dogs love ice cream. Corn and carrot flavors are more popular than chocolate (carob) and vanilla.
[NY Times]

It seems that we're losing the coffeehouse -- less to the Internet and Dunkin' Donuts than to our own politeness. The noise level in cafes has come down and people tend to keep to themselves. Gone are the days of coffeehouse debates and philosophizing.
[Wall Street Journal]

A new study suggests that comfort food does indeed make us happy. A high-fat, high-sugar diet could have the same effect on brain chemistry as mood-altering drugs. Depressed rats fed lard-laced foods, such as cake or pie, reversed their stress levels.
[AFP]

Paul Deen was hit in the face with a ham, she says. The celebrity chef had been helping out at a charity food drive in Atlanta when the pig struck her. She had to apply ice to her face, but laughed off the whole episode.
[AP]

Sir Richard Branson has announced he will open a farm-to-table establishment in New Jersey, similar to Blue Hill at Stone Barns. The planned resort, called Natirar, will include a cooking and wine school, farm, and restaurant called Ninety Acres.
[NY Times]