La Marqueta
"La Maqueta" is the name for the market on Park Avenue, from 111th to 116th Streets. Mayor LaGuardia removed the pushcarts and created the market in 1936. In the 1950s, the area became…
Lack Toast And Taller Ant or Lack Toast In Toddler Ant (lactose intolerant)
"Lactose intolerant" is sometimes jocularly called "lack toast and tolerant." "Big Mistake of the Day: ...lack toast and tolerant ..." was cited in print in 1997.…
Lactard (lactose + retard)
A “lactard” (lactose + retard) is someone who has a sensitivity to foods that contain lactose (such as milk), often requiring a lactose-free diet. "Lactard" is a slang term for…
Ladies’ Night
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Ladies' nightA ladies' night (sometimes ladies night) is a promotional event, often at a bar or nightclub, where female patrons get a reduced price…
Lady Baltimore Cake (Lord Baltimore Cake)
The Lady Baltimore cake was popularized by the Owen Wister (1860-1938) novel Lady Baltimore (1906). Wister's novel took place in fictional Kingsport, a substitute name for Charleston, South…
Lager Beer
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: LagerLager (German: storage) is a type of beer made from malted barley that is brewed and stored at low temperatures. There are many types of lager; pale lager…
Lake Tung Ting Shrimp (Chinese dish)
The Chinese dish of Lake Tung Ting shrimp is named after Dongting Lake in northeastern Hunan province. The dish was served at Manhattan's Hunam restaurant (845 Second Avenue, near 45th Street)…
Laksa (spicy rice noodle soup)
"Laksa" is a spicy rice noodle soup that is popular in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Southern Thailand. "Asam laksa, from the Malay island of Penang, is sour and contains…
Land and Sea (Land ‘N Sea)
"Land and Sea" (almost never written in the reverse as "Sea and Land") is a dish of meat and seafood -- usually filet mignon and lobster tails -- that is cited in print from at…
Lardcore (lard + hardcore)
The term "lardcore" (lard + hardcore) was coined by food writer Josh Ozersky in Time magazine on October 27. 2010. Ozersky wrote: "But a slew of young chefs are taking modern…
Latkes or Latkas (potato pancakes)
Latkes (less frequently spelled "latkas") are simply potato pancakes. Latkes are traditionally served for the Jewish holidays of Hanukkah and also Purim, although they can be served at…
Latte Art
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Latte artLatte art is a method of preparing coffee created by pouring steamed milk into a shot of espresso and resulting in a pattern or design on the surface…
Lazy Susan
A "lazy Susan" is a rotating tray, placed upon a dining table for easy use in a diner's access to food (especially condiments). The name "lazy Susan" is cited from at least…
Lego Cookery
Felipe Fernández-Armesto, a British historian, wrote in Near a Thousand Tables: A History of Food (2002): "Fusion food is Lego cookery. Only the revolution in availability makes it possible…
Lemon (“Hand someone a lemon,” “If life gives you lemons, make lemonade”)
Entry in progress -- B.P. Wikipedia: Lemon lawLemon laws are American state laws that provide a remedy for purchasers of cars that repeatedly fail to meet standards of quality and performance.…
Lemon Chicken
Chinese "lemon chicken" was the specialty of Manhattan's Pearl's Chinese Restaurant, originally at 148 West 48th Street and then, in 1973, moved to 38 West 48th Street. The 1969…
Lemonade (or, the New York Game)
"Here we come!""Where are you from?""New York.""What's your trade?""Lemonade." These are the opening lines to a game of charades that has…
Leopard-spotting or Leoparding (charred “leopard spots” on pizza)
"Leopard spots" (also called "leopard-spotting" or "leoparding") are the black charred spots on the end crust (cornicione) of a pizza. The term is sometimes used for…
Leprechaun Cookie
A "leprechaun cookie" is one specialty that is made for St. Patrick's Day. It's a cookie made to look like a leprechaun -- somewhat similar to gingerbread men. The recipes…
Liberty Cabbage (sauerkraut)
During the period of World War I in the United States, there was a rise of anti-German sentiment, and German-sounding foods were renamed. Sauerkraut was called "liberty cabbage."…