Combo Plate: Sex versus food, grasshopper cupcakes and more

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-- She’s a soothsayer: If you are going to read one 2011 food-trend story, make it this one at 5 Second Rule.

-- How many of these things get stolen? Switchedhas a story about the rise of iPads at your favorite restaurant: A Chicago steakhouse -- Chicago Cut -- has purchased about40 iPads to allow customers to browse through its 750 wines -- all searchable by price, variety and region. ‘I’ve already seen an increase of wine per customer of 20%,’ says the restaurant’s managing partner.

--Blogspotting: the grasshopper cupcakes over at Chez Us. The cupcakes’ name stopped me for a nanosecond, but they are so gorgeous I’d probably eat them even if they weremade out of grasshoppers. Luckily for me, the name is a nod to the peppermint kick in the batter. (Twip of the day: Follow them @chezus.)

-- Yeah, I know this is a beer commercial. Yeah, I know they’re trying to sell me some beer. But if you’re trying to put your hand in my pocket, I appreciate it that you’re clever, creative and visually arresting while doing it.

-- Stop the presses!! The O.C. Weekly reports that real bagels have been sighted in south O.C.

-- Survey says: Women think about food more than sex, according to this Time report. What do you think? Vote below:

Got any links for Combo Plate? Always on the lookout for something newsy, yummy, funny or weird. E-mail me at rene.lynch@latimes.com

-- Rene Lynch
twitter / renelynch