The Wednesday Wrap: Food News to Go

The Queen of Riblets: "Velvet Hammer" Julia Stewart, CEO of Applebee's and IHOP, talks about rehabilitating her chain restaurants. "'Don't get me started on the mozzarella stick,' she said." [NY Times]

Potluck: Portland Style: Can "meatless, wheat- and dairy-free" food be "lip-smacking good"? Apparently. [The Oregonian]

Anything But Plain: It's a dog-days-of-summer taste test to find the best supermarket vanilla ice cream.  [The Boston Globe]

Southern Living: Dwight Garner has three short-and-sweet "Stray Questions" for Matt and Ted Lee. [Paper Cuts]

Supersize Spirits: Finally, some good news. Cocktails are getting bigger! [The Kansas City Star]

Let's Do Breakfast: Breakfast is making a comeback in restaurants across Los Angeles. [LA Times]

RNC Eats: Staffers, supporters (and the occasional protester) will find plenty of good eats in Minneapolis-St. Paul during the 2008 Republican National Convention. [Chow]

Cheers to You!: Jessica Simpson joins forces with Dallas' Stampede Brewing Co. as the face of Stampede Light Plus, a vitamin-filled beer for people with an "active lifestyle." [E!]

Bruni Beat: It's two stars ("very good") for the East Village trattoria, Perbacco. [NY Times]

--BTP