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 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.
Lifestyle
How to Order Wine to Find a Bottle You Love
Expert sommeliers give us tips on how to ask better questions and pick out the perfect bottle. (Hint: Price isn't everything.)
trends
How Celsius Became the King of Energy Drinks
We’ve entered a new, jittery era of energy drinks.
Cooking
Which Cheddar Is Best? A Taste Test of Kerrygold, Cabot, and More
We tried nine popular brands to find the best cheddar cheese at the supermarket.
Cooking
The Best Veggie Burger You Can Buy at the Supermarket
We tried eight brands for our taste test, including Amy’s, MorningStar, and Bubba.
Cooking
Which Cookies and Cream Ice Cream Is the Best?
We tried 10 brands for our taste test, including Häagen-Dazs, Jeni’s, and Oreo.
Culture
A Michelin-Level Chicken Prep Tip From ‘The Bear’
In season three of The Bear, chef Thomas Keller shows one quick way to prep your chicken like a pro.
Restaurants
The 8 Trends Defining Bars in 2024
Bartenders are turning out inspired milk punch, going all-in on savory cocktails, and taking the zero-proof movement to new heights. These are the trends that define drinking right now.
Culture
The “Loneliest Generation” Is Transforming the Dinner Party
Curated, meal-centric mixers claim to provide lonely Gen Z’ers a pathway to IRL friendship in the city. But can a lasting bond form while simply breaking bread?
Cooking
Which Mayonnaise Is Best? A Taste Test of Duke’s, Kewpie, and More
We tried nine popular mayo brands so you can have the best potato salad at the potluck.
Restaurants
These Are Mexico’s First Michelin-Starred Restaurants, 2024
18 restaurants received stars in the inaugural guide. See who made the list.
Restaurants
What’s Next for the Michelin Guide? Even More Growth
In an interview, the guide’s international director discusses the challenges of maintaining inspector anonymity in the age of social media, the rationale for partnering with local tourism boards, and more.