This Sunday (the 13th), The Simpsons goes full on
foodie in an episode entitled, "
The Food Wife." And though Homer has had his share of hilarious
food moments over the years, whether eating
like a duck, consuming "sacrilicious"
ceiling waffles, or moonlighting as a food critic, this time
it's Marge's turn to share some thoughts on dining as she explores
the world of food blogging. Celebrities getting Simpsonized include
Gordon Ramsay, Mario Batali and Anthony Bourdain. According to this
Grub Street interview with Simpsons producer Matt Selman, the
episode will also feature original foodcentric rapping from Adult
Swim's Tim and Eric. Just a quick sampling of that awesomeness:
I'll be "Frank" like Bruni,
"Ruthless" like Reichl
"Wiley" like Dufresne, and when I take the mike, I'll
Rhyme about radicchio, criticize Colicchio
Every pub is gastro, and all my beef carpaccio
In honor of this week's episode, I present to you five memorable
Springfield restaurants from The Simpsons.
The Frying Dutchman: Featured in the episode,
"The New Kid on the Block," Homer is dragged kicking and screaming
from this all-you-can-eat seafood buffet after eating all the
shrimp and two plastic lobsters -- but failing to consume "all he
could eat." The Sea Captain gets some quality face time here, as
does mall attorney Lionel Hutz, who takes legal action (on Homer's
behalf), claiming, "This is the most blatant case of fraudulent
advertising since my suit against the film The Neverending
Story."
Uncle Moe's Family Feedbag: Not content with
the same old regular barflies, Moe Szyslak decides that the real
money is in family restaurants. He attempts his own concept with
plenty of crazy crap on the walls (an alligator with sunglasses!),
deep fried everything and "awesomely outrageous" southwestern pizza
fingers.
The Gilded Truffle: The swankiest spot in
Springfield, The Gilded Truffle tends to make appearances when
characters are rolling in the dough, out for a romantic evening or
standing up their 4th grade teacher after answering her personal ad
with a picture of Gordie Howe. Moe steals the show again as he
demands that the waiter give him "your finest food stuffed with
your second finest."
The Happy Sumo: In "One Fish, Two Fish,
Blowfish, Blue Fish," Homer insists on ordering the entire menu at
The Happy Sumo, including the potentially deadly Fugu fish. The
fill-in sushi chef slices (or deflates, if you will) the fish
improperly, of course, and Homer is given 22 hours to live. I'd be
willing to bet that most of the American public's knowledge of the
fugu fish come from this episode.
Madame Chao's: While technically not in
Springfield, Madame Chao's is billed as "the sexiest Chinese
restaurant in Capital City." Homer faces temptation from a
co-worker and even desserts seem to conspire to ruin his attempt at
fidelity. However, the only two fortune cookie messages in the
restaurant read, "You will find happiness with a new love"
and "Stick with your wife."