CHOWHOUNDS UNITE

What’s a chowhound? According to www.chowhound.com, everyone has one in his life: the brother-in-law with a collection of 800 takeout menus, the co-worker who’s always late from lunch because she had to trek to the other end of town for the best soup. “We’re not talking about foodies,” proclaims the site. “Foodies eat where they’re told; they eagerly follow trends and rarely go where Zagat hasn’t gone before. Chowhounds, on the other hand, blaze trails, combing gleefully through neighborhoods for hidden culinary treasure. They despise hype, and while they appreciate refined ambience and service, they can’t be fooled by mere flash.” For reviews by real chowhounds, bark up this tree.