Our Favorite Food Stories From The Week

This week, we looked back with rose-colored glasses at the world's first restaurant, the glory days of air travel and the history of fusion. We also examined the present state of American food media under a somewhat harsh spotlight. We traveled the globe from Sweden to Vietnam and landed right back at one of our favorite spots: New York City.

It was a whirlwind of a week: just the way we like. Here are the seven stories that really captured our attention:

Did you know the world's first restaurant served only soup? Now you do. Read Atlas Obscura's story to find out why.

NPR illuminates another surprising historical fact: Mexico's been doing fusion for 500 years. The story and recipe for crepas, the Mexican version of crepes, shines a light on the meaning—or lack— of authenticity when it comes to food.

While you're looking back, Business Insider reveals the glamorous days of flying and gourmet airplane food in an eye-opening photo essay. (Spoiler alert: Caviar and lobster are involved.)

Through other transportive photos, Food Republic examines the wonderful world of Ho Chi Minh's café culture.

Elsewhere around the globe, the BBC introduces us to the strange phenomenon of a special Swedish cheese that cannot be made anywhere else in the world.

And speaking of one of a kind, Matt Gross reminds us why we love NYC's 72-year-old spice shop, Kalustyan's, so much.

Finally, on Thrillist, Kevin Alexander puts it perfectly when he declares, "Like most things great and mildly annoying, the Hot New Food Town juggernaut can be traced back to Portland, Oregon." He goes on to explain the downside of what he calls a "good food revival movement," highlighting the big problem with food media and posing an important—and motivating—challenge for those of us in the industry.

Lots of food for thought, as it were, for the weekend—enjoy!