1 CAL-ASIAN CUISINE, a.k.a. PACIFIC RIM COOKERY.
It was the year's best new gourmet trend, and its most renowned pioneer was Los Angeles' superstar chef, Wolfgang Puck. Pacific Rim cuisine--more for dining out than cooking in -- features American, chiefly Californian, staples subtly accented by Oriental herbs and spices such as lemongrass or ginger. The result: dishes that have a Western look but an Eastern aura, like shrimp and papaya salad with Thai peanut dressing.
2. MCDONALD'S MCLEAN BURGER.
The best news for fast-food devotees was that, after years of helping clog the ! nation's arteries, McDonald's introduced its new McLean...