World's Largest Cheesecake Baked in Mexico

Our affinity for World's Largest items knows no bounds, obviously (see our superb list.) And now we have a new item to tack onto the already "huge" (GET IT?) group of bizarrely big things: cheesecake.

But the world's biggest cheesecake isn't coming from where you would think, like New York. It was baked in Mexico. And it's quite large.

Chef Miguel Angel Quezada says 55 cooks spent 60 hours making the world's biggest cheesecake — a 2-ton calorie bomb topped with strawberries.

The monster cake used nearly a ton of cream cheese, the same amount of yogurt, 350 kilograms (772 pounds) of pastry, 250 kilograms (551 pounds) of sugar and 150 kilograms (331 pounds) of butter.

And, lest you question it, Guiness has already certified it as the record holder for World's Biggest Cheesecake. It's the first attempt at this record, of course, but, before you try and make a run at the record, remember: TWO TONS of cheesecake. TWO TONS. That's not exactly something you can just whip together on a Sunday afternoon.

Blowfish Testicles Poison Seven

Blowfish testicles poisoned seven diners in northern Japan after an un-licensed chef prepared the dangerous dish. Blowfish, or Fugu in Japanese, is considered a declicacy in Asian nations but the risk associated with blowfish poison makes consumption very risky.

The seven men ordered sashimi and grilled blowfish testicles at the restaurant Monday night.

Shortly after, they developed limb paralysis and breathing trouble and started to lose consciousness — typical signs of blowfish poisoning — and were rushed to a hospital for treatment.

The poison found in blowfish, called tetrodotoxin, is roughly one hundred times more powerful than potassium cyanide. There's a lesson to be learned here. Regardless of whose culture you may offend, if someone offers you blowfish testicles, you should probably pass.

Viva McDonald's Is a Whopper of a Vegas Restaurant

Food in Las Vegas is, as long as you like to gamble, generally pretty cheap and easy to come by. If you're not willing to roll the dice (pun intended) and go for the comps, though, you can always hit up whatever is the currently best "$4.99 boo-fay" in town.

But now there's a somewhat classy new alternate for the frugal foodie in Sin City: Mickey D's.

Both of the new 8,600-square foot restaurant’s state-of-the-art kitchens were operating at full strength Tuesday night, churning out Big Macs and crispy chicken sandwiches by the dozen. Order after order of the chain’s famous French fries were dished out, too, all deep-fried and seasoned to crispy, greasy, salty perfection.

Yet audiences previewing the new Viva McDonald’s on Las Vegas Boulevard were also given food supplied from an off-site caterer — and drinks from a bar that served red and white wine, bottled beer and a martini created especially for the event.

See? Me using "classy" and "McDonald's" in the same sentence doesn't sound so crazy after all, does it? Granted, Ronald won't be spilling dirty martinis over patrons every night; this monstrosity to American excess still isn't officially licensed to sling liquor.

FareFinder: San Diego Specialist

FareFinder isn't limited to getting the word out on the best accommodations. Sometimes, it's the little things that make a difference, like great deals on places to eat and sightsee. Hence, the San Diego CVB newsletter was a personal favorite this week.

Among the highlights:

• The "Passport to Balboa Park" includes admission to 13 museums in the park, including the San Diego Natural History Museum, Museum of Photographic Arts, Japanese Friendship Garden, and more for $39 ($21 for children).
  
  
• Also, the "Passport to Adventure" pass includes the Old Town Trolley Tour or San Diego Seal Tour, deluxe admission into the San Diego Zoo, a San Diego Hornblower harbor cruise, free admission into the Maritime Museum of San Diego and San Diego Museum of Art, a two-for-one meal at Casa Guadalajara in Old Town, and free entrance into Croce’s Jazz Bar in the Gaslamp Quarter. The passport has no expiration and costs $89.
  
  
• A Hawaiian-themed breakfast spot set along the boardwalk in Pacific Beach, Kono’s Surf Club is most famous for its affordable and generous all-day breakfasts.
  
  
• The Shores Restaurant in La Jolla offers a "Five for $5" Happy Hour Monday - Friday, 4-6 p.m., with appetizer and drink specials that include a Blood Orange Martini, classic gin or vodka martinis and numerous appetizer specials.

So enjoy San Diego and all it has to offer. Especially the weather.