Seattle has seen a flurry of restaurant openings and revamps recently, including Frolik, a rooftop restaurant at Hilton Motif; Carmine's on Fifth, an Italian-American steakhouse; and Kingfisher, a casual all-day eatery on Bainbridge Island. Other notable openings include Do Si Korean BBQ in West Seattle, Primo's French-Asian cuisine in Bellevue and Cloudy Cafe, an Indonesian-inspired bakery in Ballard. 

DoorDash, with MikeTeevee, opened "The Sand CastleDonna," a temporary restaurant made from 100 tons of sand in Miami's Design District. The restaurant, open Thursday through Sunday, marks the debut of DoorDash Reservations in Miami and offers free three-course lunches and four-course dinners that must be booked via the DoorDash app.

Restaurants are ramping up catering and festive menu items for the holiday season, with Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux offering Louisiana specialties, Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar selling DIY gingerbread house kits to benefit Habitat for Humanity and Biscuitville featuring party-sized biscuits and sausage balls. Other highlights include Burgerville's cranberry brie bacon burger, Another Broken Egg's peppermint mocha waffle and Pinkbox Doughnuts' Hanukkah and Christmas treats.

Panda Inn in Pasadena, Calif., has undergone a remodel in 2024, enhancing its glamorous vibe while maintaining its classic Chinese American dishes. The 51-year-old restaurant now features a revamped menu and a sushi selection, but its staple dishes such as Panda beef, hot and sour soup, and honey walnut shrimp remain popular. The renovated space offers private booths and rooms, making it ideal for family gatherings and special occasions.

Ginger's zesty flavor comes with a bounty of health benefits, from fighting headaches and nausea to relieving pain and possibly helping regulate blood pressure. Health experts recommend taking in a teaspoon of ground ginger or a small piece of fresh ginger daily, which can be part of a variety of cuisines and dishes like Vegan Coconut-Ginger Black Beans, Ginger Scallion Chicken and Rice and Spicy Carrot-Ginger Soup.

Researchers have developed a method to convert waste cooking oil into recyclable plastics with incredible strength, according to a study in the Journal of the American Chemical Society. The plastics, tested as adhesives, held up to 123 kilograms and towed a car, matching or surpassing commercial adhesives. The plastics can be recycled multiple times without losing their properties, offering a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastics..