Sam Stone
Staff Writer
Sam Stone reports on nearly everything for BA, including food culture, restaurant news, and sneaky cooking ideas that (hopefully) make your life easier. A Rhode Island native, he’s currently based in New York City where he can usually be found searching out the city’s best bakeries. Before BA, he spent years working in fine dining while also writing for several publications about food, queer culture, entertainment, and how they intersect. In his free time, Sam occasionally writes humor pieces like this one. samstone.nyc
Cooking
The Best Vegan Mayo for Sandwiches, Sauces, and More
We tried 9 brands of vegan mayonnaise to see which ones can ditch the eggs and get away with it.
trends
These Gins From Around the World Are Reimagining The Spirit
These globe-spanning gins embrace bold botanicals that intrigue and delight.
Restaurants
How Cosmic Brownie–Inspired Desserts Took Over American Bakeries
The nostalgia-laden packaged treat has inspired creative interpretations at restaurants and bakeries across the country.
Cooking
Which Sunflower Seed Butter Is Best?
We tried 10 varieties, including creamy and crunchy, sweetened and unsweetened.
Cooking
The Best Caesar Dressing You Can Buy at the Store
We tried 19 Caesar dressings—Ken’s, Cardini, Marzetti, and more—to find our favorite.
Lifestyle
Hot Ones' Sean Evans on the Humanizing Power of Hot Sauce
The internet’s favorite Heat Miser sits down to talk about how Hot Ones changed the celeb interview for the better
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Lifestyle
The 5 Must-Visit Nonalcoholic Bottle Shops for Drinks Without the Buzz
From Boston to Seattle, these shops are highly curated and focused on building connections.
Cooking
The Best Canned Refried Beans for Nachos, Enchiladas, and More
We tried 11 brands, including Amy’s, Old El Paso, Ortega, and Taco Bell.
Lifestyle
Nonalcoholic Bottle Shops are Everywhere Now. Do They Have the Juice?
While big box giants jump on the NA boom, mom-and-pop shops prioritize community with a personal touch.
Lifestyle
Which Bourbon Is Best? A Taste Test of Knob Creek, Michter’s, Bulleit and more
In our latest taste test we hunted down for a bourbon for every palate.
Cooking
The Best Dark Chocolate for Baking, Melting, and Snacking
We sampled bittersweet bars from Godiva, Ghiradelli, and Guittard to find the best chocolate to keep in your pantry.
Lifestyle
Your Guide to Buying Champagne and Sparkling Wine at the Right Price
Champagne problems? We run down how to shop for Champagne and other interesting sparklers to help you stock your holiday table and impress your guests.
Lifestyle
Which Champagne is Best? A Taste Test of Veuve Cliquot, Bollinger, Moét, and More
We sipped 7 brands to help you figure out your next great party pour.
Lifestyle
What Is Raw Milk? And Why Everyone Is Talking About It
Got (Raw) Milk? The debate is about to take center stage with Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination by Donald Trump as the nation's top health official.
Cooking
Which Store-Bought Eggnog Is Best? A Taste Test
Find out which ready-made carton poured out the most comfort and cheer.
Culture
This Rhode Island Chef Is Preserving Indigenous Seafood Traditions
At Sly Fox Den Too, her restaurant in Rhode Island, chef Sherry Pocknett carries on the culinary practices of the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe.
Cooking
The Best Canned Sardines for Snacking and Cooking
We tried 10 tins in our taste test, including King Oscar, Patagonia, and Ortiz.
Shopping
We Tasted 40 Instant Coffees to Find the Best One
Instant coffee has come a long way. We put our palates to the test to determine which brands are worth your time.
Cooking
12 Do’s and Don’ts for Peak Chicken Parm
Chef Angie Rito shares her pro moves for chicken parm, from her favorite type of canned tomatoes to how she likes to season the breading for the chicken cutlets.