"The country's effort to move away from a dependence on foreign oil and embrace green initiatives appears to be behind a change in one of New York's purest traditions, the menu of the classic steakhouse.

The production of ethanol, which is made from corn, is one major reason classic cuts of prime beef are becoming more and more expensive, an analyst at the cattle market analysis firm Cattle-Fax, Tod Kalous, said.

"It's getting worse," the owner of Ben Benson's Steakhouse, Ben Benson, said. "The problems the ranchers are having are making it more difficult because feed is getting more expensive."

Brooklyn's Peter Luger Steakhouse now serves a rib eye. On some nights at Ben Benson's in Midtown, diners can order buffalo steak. The Old Homestead of the meatpacking district serves one of the city's best Kobe burgers.

The new menu items at some city steakhouses are a result of an increase in the price of top-notch beef and a decrease in its availability.
Corn is the primary feed for cattle that produce USDA-grade prime beef. Corn is also the main ingredient for what many believe is the fuel of the future, ethanol. The production of ethanol has not only increased the demand for corn, it has made harvests more profitable for farmers, who receive the fruits of government subsidies when it is sold to ethanol producers." [Via NYSUN.COM]

The Pointswizard.com Spin:
Well, There's always Ranch1 for chicken.

Labels: air travel, food, New York, Steak

Silverjet is the new all-business class airline with service between New York and London. It offers a truly wonderful private jet-like experience that includes:

- A 30-minute, stress-free check-in at a private lounge in Newark airport and a private terminal in London
- Outstanding in-flight service aboard Boeing 767's fitted with 100 award-winning, 6’3’’ flat beds that feature laptop power, privacy screens and a seat back massager
- Freshly cooked meals served restaurant-style (when you want to eat) on china crockery with glassware and metal cutlery.
- Use of a personal digital in-flight entertainment system with noise reduction headsets

The sale ends at midnight on April 1 but is valid for a limited number of seats on all flights from April 1 through April 30, 2007. The fare is subject to availability, which means you have to act fast to ensure that you can get a seat at this fare.

Why is Silverjet doing it? They simply wanted to have some fun around April Fool’s Day and offer a fare so amazingly good that you would have to be a “fool” not to try it! They are so confident that you’ll love the experience that you won’t be able to fly to the UK any other way. Standard round-trip fares start at just $1,798 round-trip, which is also pretty fabulous.

You can log on to www.flysilverjet.com to see the exact rules and restrictions and to book your ticket.

Enjoy and feel free to pass this offer along to anyone you think would like a ticket.

The Pointswizard.com Spin: keep trying different dates as needed - it comes up as a Saver fare.

Labels: London, New York, Newark, sale, Silverjet