• No salmonella here! All tomatoes grown in New York were deemed safe to eat by the State Department of Agriculture yesterday. [NY1]

• When it comes to fancy digital menus, Adour’s is the only one that isn’t completely wretched. [TONY]

• Top Chef judge Ted Allen says picking this season’s winner wasn’t easy and that he and the other judges used “numerical models” to evaluate the finalists. [Zagat Buzz]

• Robert De Niro plans to open Nobu Hotel — a Japanese-themed hotel-condo complex housing an outpost of the famous restaurant — in the financial district. [NYP]

• Gordon Ramsay was expected to stop by the launch of Alain Ducasse’s Benoit last night. [Mouthing Off/Food & Wine]

• In case you missed Law and Order: SVU on Tuesday night, Robin Williams played a creep who also happened to be a locavore. What are the writers implying here? [Serious Eats]

Graydon Carter won’t be taking over the Plaza’s Oak Room, so you’ll still have to head downtown to the Waverly Inn for that truffled macaroni and cheese. [NYP]

Jean-Georges Vongerichten seeks the elusive fifth taste by serving “umami bombs” at his restaurants. [WSJ]
Related: Waiter, There’s a Fifth Element in My Soup

It’s possible that locally grown products have a comparable or even greater carbon footprint than food that travels long distances, so you can stop patting yourself on the back for being a greenmarket fanatic. [NYT]
Related: Local Schmocal [NYM]

“Localvores” are highly virtuous and a big pain in the ass. [NYDN]

Paula Deen finds herself on the wrong side of a Smithfield Foods labor dispute, and striking workers are calling for her to sever ties with the pork giant. [NYT]

It’s not just red wine with fish anymore: Celebrity chefs are leading the way toward more imaginative wine and beer pairings, from Joe Bastianich's pouring Dom Pérignon rosé with roast pheasant to Laurent Tourondel's quaffing beer with his steak. [Forbes]