Spam-pler Platter: Texas BBQ, Bourdain likes ladies who lunch

The New Yorker food issue is here: "the best Texas BBQ in the world" is at Snow's in Lexington, according to Texas Monthly and Calvin Trillin; the rise of extreme beer; carrot soup and religious theory with Prince; a profile of roving food writers Jeffrey Alford and Naomi Duguid; how master bladesmith Bob Kramer earned his knives; and more.
Spam, "the ham that didn't pass its physical," is doing boom business in bust times. N.Y. Times
A conversation with Olivier Roellinger, the famous French chef at the Relais Gourmand who is giving back his Michelin stars and closing his restaurant. The Daily Beast
The most powerful chef in the world, Dan Coudreaut, works at McDonald's: "The sad fact is if it doesn't have the word bacon, ham, or sausage attached, pork doesn't sell." Details
Anthony Bourdain to Mario Batali: "Why would you take a trip through Spain with someone who clearly doesn't eat?" (In "Spain -– On the Road Again," Batali and walking coat-hanger Gwyneth Paltrow travel the country looking for culinary gold.) Short Order dishes about the Bourdain/Batali back-and-forth at the Miami Book Fair International. Via Eater L.A.
Stealth vegetarian restaurants, like Avanti in Costa Mesa (recently named Best Restaurant Orange County by OC Weekly), are growing on omnivores. Good Food
Buta no kakuni: Japanese braised pork belly that's so tender you'll have trouble slicing it without the meat falling apart. Wandering Chopsticks
It's not the holidays until you have that first magical buzz of the season. Beer for Chicks recommends Deschutes 2008 Jubelale. Hoppy Holidays.
Caroline on Crack samples the fall menu at Ivan Kane's annoyingly named Café Wa s: coquille Saint Jacques scallops on potato puree and lardoons; crab Napoleon medallions made with heirloom tomatoes, lump crab and avocado; filet au poivre (filet mignon and haricots vert on a brioche with green peppercorn sauce); pot de crème; and chocolate soufflé.

Photo: A Spam boat sails in a sea of blue Jell-O at a Ventura County Fair contest for the best Spam dish. It did not win. Steve Osman / Los Angeles Times