He's not quite the Soup Nazi, but mountain man Al Gross likes to keep the rules clear and the pace snappy at his pit barbecue. And I must correct myself already: It's not pit, it's pits, as in "Al's Pits Barbecue."  

|

Just in time for fashion week comes the American Fashion Cookbook from the Council of Fashion Designers of America. The collection featuresmore than 100 recipes from tastemakers like Zac Posen, Carolina Herrera and Diane von Furstenburg (see her chicken recipe at left).Available in bookstores and online.  

|

Dinner Tonight, Lunch Tomorrow: Recipe by Diane von Furstenberg, from "American Fashion Cookbook," (See Yum Yum, at right) by the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Serves 2-4 with leftovers for chicken salad.  

|

At some point between the middle of August and the beginning of September, the potatoes we receive at the restaurant — Yukon Golds, my favorites for mashing, frying and making gnocchi — undergo a transformation.  

Getty Images North America | Frazer Harrison

You food: Re: Your Sept. 9 teaser: "There are plenty of reasons to eat more vegetables, but only one that really counts: They taste good." Why marginalize the importance of nutrition? There are so many forces in our society already doing that.  

$7.99 per six-pack. Flying Dog may be brewed in Maryland nowadays, but it has a long history in Colorado and maintains its office in Denver. We can still think of it as a Colorado brewer. Flying Dog's seasonal offering fits the Oktoberfest style nicely.  

Recipes by John Broening. "In my experience, intensely bitter, hoppy beers do not 'cook' well," says Broening.  

If anyone knows from high- altitude baking, it is expert Susan G. Purdy, author of the seminal baking book "Pie in the Sky"an indispensable resource for anyone who bakes cakes, breads and pastries at altitudes over 3,000 feet (in other words, anyone baking in Colorado).  

Screaming Flea Productions

For a guy whose job is traveling around the world in search of drinking traditions and hangover cures, Zane Lamprey doesn't really imbibe that much off the job. In real life, the host of "Three Sheets" keeps beer in his fridge for friends and enjoys a glass of wine with his girlfriend. That's about it.