The Broadway Grill Restaurant | Bar and Grill | Burlingame, CA

Trans fat is the common name for a type of unsaturated fat with trans- isomer fatty acid(s). Trans fats may be monounsaturated or polyunsaturated.

Most trans fats consumed today are created industrially in partial hydrogenation of plant oils — a process developed in the early 1900s and first commercialized as Crisco in 1911. The goal of partial hydrogenation is to add hydrogen atoms to cis-unsaturated fats, making them more saturated. These saturated fats have a higher melting point, which makes them attractive for baking and extends their shelf-life. However, the catalyst also catalyses a side reaction that isomerizes some of the cis-unsaturated fats into trans-unsaturated fats instead of hydrogenating them completely. Another particular class of trans fats, vaccenic acid, occurs naturally in trace amounts in meat and dairy products from ruminants.

Unlike other dietary fats, trans fats are neither essential nor salubrious^[1] and, in fact, the consumption of trans fats increases one's risk of coronary heart disease^[2] by raising levels of "bad" LDL cholesterol and lowering levels of "good" HDL cholesterol. ^[3] Health authorities worldwide recommend that consumption of trans fat be reduced to trace amounts. Trans fats from partially hydrogenated oils are more deleterious than naturally occurring oils.^[4]

Chemically, trans fats are made of the same building blocks as non-trans fats, but have a different arrangement. In trans fatty acid molecules, the hydrogen atoms are bonded to pairs of doubly bonded carbon atoms (characteristic of all unsaturated fats) in the trans rather than the cis arrangement. This results in a straight, rather than kinked, shape for the carbon chain, more like the straight chain of a fully saturated fat.

Wine Clubs
If you are just starting to learn about wine and are interested in tasting a variety of wines, joining a wine club may be worth trying. With the recent changes in American law, wine vendors may now offer their wares over the internet.Most online wine clubs are reasonably inexpensive and a great way to explore the growing range of wines on the market. This is definitely a good route if you'd like to taste a variety of wines inexpensively.

Wine In Your Home

A lot of people enjoy a glass of wine, but for some, wine plays a more prominent role. Adding a wine cellar to your home, whether it is simple shelves in your basement or a high-tech climate controlled room, takes your wine expertise to a whole new level. But don't fall into the trap of thinking that adding a wine cellar will increase your property value. If this is your primary goal, look at other home improvement ideas.

Wine for Your Health

Several recent studies suggest that drinking red wine in moderation can help maintain your good health. Taking your medicine has never been more enjoyable! Better cardiovascular health, lowered blood pressure and decreased cholesterol levels are only a few of the benefits of moderate red wine consumption. Learn more about the health benefits of red wine.

Wine Secrets Revealed

If you are new to the wine arena, you may be confused by the jargon on wine labels, not confident when ordering wine at a restaurant or making a selection for a special occasion, and unsure what the difference is between a rosé and a blush wine. Learn about wine types and how to choose wines.

Wine Vintage Charts

Find a really good older wine to share at a wine tasting from a vintage chart. What are vintage charts? Vintage charts are easy reference guides to the excellent, the good and the not so great wines from various wine regions. Learn more about vintages of Burgundy, Bordeaux, Champagne and Port on these vintage charts.

Food and Wine

Ever wonder why some wines complement certain foods so well? Why shouldn't you drink a red wine with fish? What type of wine should you serve at your next dinner party? Find the answers to these questions and more at food and wine.

Spoiled Wines

A good wine is smooth and delightful, leaving you feeling as content as a purring feline. Occasionally you may come across a wine that tastes off, musty or moldy. Rest assured, this is not the way a wine should taste! The two major causes of wine decline are cork taint and oxidation. Learn why wine spoils and what you should do if your taste buds are knocked flat by a tainted wine.

Wine That Loves Grilled Steak

Intensity

This high flavor-intensity dish requires a high intensity wine. If the wine has too little intensity, the flavor of the wine will be lost and you will miss the opportunity to enjoy the interplay of the two flavors.

Acidity

Grilled steak has a dark and mellow flavor, so the right wine needs low acidity. Too much acidity would create a sharp taste that sticks out and distracts from the pleasure of the dish.

Tannin

Because of the mouth-filling flavor of grilled steak, the right wine needs to be medium in tannin to give the wine a taste impression that is big enough to match the substantial mouth presence of this dish.

Flavor

The dominant flavors of this dish are dark so the wine that complements it needs fruit flavors that are in the dark fruit family. Other dark flavors in the wine bring an interesting complexity to the overall taste experience.

Varietals

Reserve Merlot and Carmenere

BORDEAUX 2006

Château Cantemerle ($45)

There was a huge amount of hype surrounding the2005 vintage, and the very high prices reflected that fact, but this elegant wine is an excellent buy.

BURGUNDY 2006

Colin-Morey En Remilly Saint-Aubin ($48)

The 2005 vintage was much ballyhooed, but 2006 also produced terrific whites, like this wonderfully rich, minerally wine from the talented Pierre-Yves Colin.

GERMANY 2007

Laible Durbacher Plauelrain Baden-Ortenau Riesling Spätlese Trocken ($30)

The 2007 vintage in Germany was simply outstanding, as this peach-inflected Rieslingshows, with its bright acidity and long, clean finish.

LONG ISLAND, NY 2007

Paumanok Chenin Blanc ($28)

It can be hard to get grapes consistently ripe on the North Fork of Long Island, but 2007 was an excellent vintage for the region; this dry, Loire-style Chenin Blanc is a stellar example of what this grape can do in a good year.

OREGON 2006

Elk Cove Mount Richmond Willamette Valley Pinot Noir ($48)

The 2006 vintage produced ripe and juicy Pinots, like this well-crafted single-vineyard bottling from Elk Cove.