Manhattan Special Espresso Coffee Soda (from Brooklyn)
Manhattan Special ("since 1895") proudly proclaims on its web site (www.manhattanspecial.com) that it makes "the world's most famous espresso coffee soda." Other sodas…
Manhattan Truffle (Tartufo)
"Manhattan Truffle" has appeared on the dessert menus of a few restaurants. It sure looks and sounds like a "tartufo" to me. Why is this dessert called "Manhattan…
Manicotti
"Manicotti" (an Italian dish) was first popularized in New York. From the New York Herald Tribune, "Dining Around New York" by Clementine Paddleford, 21 April 1962, pg. 9, col.…
Mapo Tofu (Ma Po Tofu)
"Mapo tofu" (or "ma-po tofu") is a spicy dish of minced meat (pork or beef) and tofu that originated in China's Sichuan province. The name "ma po" means…
Marble Cake
Marble cake (cake with light and dark swirls) has unknown origins. It's first cited in print in an Illinois newspaper of 1859; in 1863, it was mentioned at the Illlinois State Fair, by a woman…
Margarita Monday
"Margarita Monday" is a drinking slang name for a day of the week. Margaritas are served on this day, often at a reduced price. "Margarita Monday" has been cited in print since…
Marguery Sauce (Filet of Sole Marguery)
"Sole Marguery" (or "filet of sole Marguery") was the special dish at Marguery's Paris restaurant in the late 1800s. The Marguery sauce was so prized that "Diamond…
Marinara Sauce
Marinara sauce probably originated at Bucci's, a famous fish place in Rome, Italy. "Fish and 'zuppa alla marinara'" was printed in Italy, Handbook for Travellers: Central…
Marmageddon (Marmite + Armageddon)
"Marmageddon"'(Marmite + Armageddon) occurred in New Zealand in March 2012, after series of earthquakes in the city of Christchurch forced manufacturer Sanitarium to close the only…
Martini Shot (final film shot of day)
A "martini shot" is the last shot on a film or the last shot of the day for a film crew -- after which the crew can all celebrate with martinis. It's not known when the slang…
Mary Ann Pan (Mary Ann Cake Pan)
Entry in progress -- B.P. The Cook's Thesaurus - Baking EquipmentMary Ann pan Notes: When inverted, cakes made with this pan have a large depression in the middle that can hold fillings.…
Mary Pickford (cocktail)
Mary Pickford (1892-1979) was a silent film star, nicknamed "America's Sweetheart." She married actor Douglas Fairbanks (1883-1939), and it was probably during a 1922 trip to Cuba…
Mason (Fruit) Jar
John Landis Mason, of Brooklyn, patented the "Mason jar" on November 30, 1858. Early jars were sold as "Mason fruit jars." It's still with us today. I've found ads in…
Matchstick Potatoes (Matchstick Fries)
A matchstick is a short and narrow piece of material (usually wood); food, such as carrots, is often cut up into small slices that resemble matchsticks. "Matchstick potatoes" are slender…
Matzah Ball Soup (Matza Ball Soup; Matzoh Ball Soup; Matzo Ball Soup)
Matzah ball soup (also spelled "matza ball soup," "matzoh ball soup," "matzo ball soup," among many other spellings) is traditionally served on the Jewish holiday of…
Matzah-Pizza or Matzoh-Pizza or Matzo-Pizza (Massapequa nickname)
Massapequa, on Long Island, New York, has a large Italian population, and there are many pizzerias. It also has a large Jewish population. Massapequa has been nicknamed…
Mayo (mayonnaise)
"Mayo" (short for "mayonnaise") is one term that has survived from lunch counter lingo to enter into standard American English. "Mayo" is cited in print from at least…
Mayonegg (mayonnaise + egg)
The food "mayonegg" (mayonnaise + egg) was coined by the television series Arrested Development, in the episode "The One Where They Build a House" (November 14, 2004). One…
Meal Ticket
A meal ticket is a ticket that entitles the holder to eat. "Meal ticket" has been cited in print since at least 1831, when it referred to the tickets given out on boats. A "meal…
Meat Cloud
"Meat cloud" is a condition that affected the New York Times building from Wolfgang's Steakhouse; The Newspaper Guild of New York released on March 11, 2014, "'Meat…