• Top Chef contestant Manuel Trevino was “let go” from Dos Caminos, where he was executive chef, according to an insider. Meanwhile, B.R. Guest claims he left to pursue other opportunities. [Eater]

• For Oceana’s Ben Pollinger, his dishes are like his children; he could never pick one that’s his least favorite. [Restaurant Girl]

• Frank Bruni had to work his butt off to avoid putting on too many pounds while he was on his recent three-week national restaurant tour. [Diner’s Journal/NYT]

• Neighborhood girls and young mothers will be a new presence at the Essex Street Market when they open their second location of La Tiendita offering “healthy granola bars, dried spice mixes, salsa, sofrito, pesto, and a variety of other goods made from farm-fresh foods.” [Feed/TONY]

• The only way to make traveling to and from La Guardia Airport enjoyable is with a stop in Flushing for some authentic Chinese food. [Bitten/NYT]