Weekly Chef And Menu Report: The Week Of July 22, 2013
Every week, we take a look at some new chefs and menus that have appeared across the country. Here's this week's roundup:
New York
Hotel Chantelle: According to a release, every Sunday night throughout the summer, Hotel Chantelle on Ludlow Street will be hosting Maine Squeeze, where they'll bake lobster on the rooftop. Chef Seth Levine will be preparing steamed little neck clams, whole Maine lobster, russet potatoes, and corn on the cob. The price is only $29.92 a person and they'll be offering $25 beer buckets and other cocktail specials, so stop by this summer on a Sunday evening to try it out.
Fatty 'Cue Brooklyn: According to a release, Fatty 'Cue Brooklyn began hosting Smoke Out Sundays as of Sunday, July 21. The even runs from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Sundays and features live music, unlimited smoked food, and a self-serve keg for only $35. For only another $15, you can get unlimited liquor from the bar.
Hudson: On Saturday, July 27, Hudson will be hosting its first every Tequila Fest to celebrate National Tequila Day, according to a release. At the event, you can taste cocktails from Avion, Don Julio, Corzo and Herradura, and many options of tacos. Enjoy music from DJ Vikas and the Howard Fidhman Band, and you can buy tickets for the even here; general admission is $40.
Campagnola: According to a press release, Campagnola's Chef Etienne Lizzi has left to go to rival Nino's Restaurant, causing further competition for the two Italian restaurants in the same neighborhood. Lizzi brings longtime patrons along with him to Nino's with the likes of Alex Rodriguez and Andre Agassi. Nino's owner Nino Selimaj even said, "Since A-Rod has been his customer and Derek Jeter has been a customer of mine, we plan to invite both of them to Nino's to discuss their return to the Yankees over dinner."
Dylan's Candy Bar: Dylan's Candy Bar on 3rd Avenue has just launched their Ultimate Candy Donut that is available starting today, Friday, July 26, according to a release. The large donuts will cost $4 each and come in flavors like chocolate turtle, white mint Oreo, peanut butter and jelly, and Fruity Pebbles.
Amigos: Chef Alex Garcia is taking advantage of Twinkies' return to the world by creating Twinkie churros and spiked Twinkie shakes at Amigos on Broadway and A.G. Kitchen on Columbus Ave, according to a release. The Mexican restaurant is doing a twist on the churro by deep frying the Twinkie and sprinkling it with cinnamon sugar, served with a side of spiced hotchocoalte sauce to dip it in. The Twinkie ice cream shakes are made with vanilla ice cream, strawberry sauce and whipped cream with a Twinkie inside it, served with a side of strawberry-infused rum (for an extra $5).
Antica Pesa: According to a release, Antica Pesa has launched a new late summer menu as of July 25 that includes grilled pork loin with fresh bufalo mozzarella, pan brioche, and stuffed watercress and peach mustard, braised beef ravioli, beef tartar with sundried tomatoes, and smoked duck breast with a cannellini bean pate. The menu aims to showcase fresh ingredients like watermelon, zucchini, peaches, and tomatoes.
The Lambs Club: Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian is bringing his New York based restaurant, The Lambs Club, to The Dining Room at 28 West Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City from August 16 to 18. The menu will be a four-course dinner tasting menu for $89 a person. At 1:00 pm on Saturday there will be a culinary demonstration and at 2:30 pm there will be a book signing. Make a reservation in advance to guarantee a chance to try Zakarian's menu.
Chicago
iNG: Tim Havidic has been named executive chef at theme restaurant iNG, according to a release. Havidic attended the Culinary Institute of America and has been formally trained in butchering. He will also be collaborating with Cantu on their "Street Food" menu that launches July 30.
Japonais: According to a release, Eiji Takase has been named head chef at Japonais. Takase was formerly a part of Sushi Samba and comes to Japonais with over twenty years of restaurant experience. Little is know about the menu changes he will bring, bu he takes over after Miae Lim left just a few months ago.
Miami
Essensia: According to a release, Miami's Essensia is once again participating in Miami Spice Month and introducing a special menu for it. Items on the menu include Thai lemongrass soup with coconut milk, tomato, lime, and bok choy, grilled gulf-caught corvine, and sirloin filet with polenta, mushrooms, leeks, and white win sauce. Essensia's Miami Spice menu will use organic and seasonal ingredients that have tons of flavor, is available from Monday through Sunday, and will run from $39 and up.
Makoto Bal Harbour, Biscayne Tavern, db Bistro Moderne, Serafina and Terrazza: For Miami Spice 2013, Makoto Bal Harbour, Biscayne Tavern, db Bistro Moderne, Serafina and Terrazza will all be offering menu specials, according to a release. Makato Bal Harbour will offer three-course meals for lunch and dinner with items like spicy edamame, seabass, and spicy tuna crispy rice. Biscayne will offer a three-course meal for lunch and dinner as well with tuna burgers, braised pork shank, and bourbon bread pudding. db Bistro is offering a new menu from August 1 to August 30 with a lobster and shrimp roll, chilled melon soup, and coconut panna cotta. Serafina Dream South Beach is doing a new menu for lunch and dinner, with mussels in a cherry tomato and prosecco broth, ravioli made with black truffle, and spiked vodka popsicles. Terrazza's new lunch offerings include a salad with crabmeat and champagne vinaigrette, ahi tuna, and cavatelli pasta with ricotta and durum dumplings.
Restaurant Michael Schwartz: Restaurant Michael Schwartz at The Raleigh Hotel in Miami Beach will begin serving a Sunday brunch from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM starting August 4, according to a release. Schwartz will change the menu each week with items like jumbo lump crab hash, lemon ricotta pancakes, Tuscan kale and Gruyere frittata, and short rib benedict.
California
Copita Tequileria y Comida: According to a press release, Copita Tequileria y Comida in Sausalito, Calif. has a new regional menu from Michoacán that will be available from August 5 to August 8. The menu will feature plates like Aguacate relleno, an avocado filled with shrimp salad, heirloom tomatoes, lime vinaigrette, serrano chile, and cilantro, and grilled, marinated halibut served with a summer tomato salad, quinoa, and pickled red onions.
New Orleans
Little Gem: Miles Prescott has been named the new executive chef of Little Gem in New Orleans, according to a release. Prescott has over two decades of experience and plans to bring a new Southern Soul vibe to the menu with inspirations from Mississippi, Georgia, and Alabama. Previously Prescott has worked with the likes of David Snyder, John Gorham, and Andrew Zimmerman.
Boston
TAVOLO: On Wednesday, August 7, TAVOLO will host its Porchetta Festival featuring three dishes from the Italian region of Liguria for only $25 per person, according to a release. Following this, it will host its annual Gnocchi Fest on Wednesday, August 21, where guests can try a few different variations along with vegetables and swordfish, a three-course meal, for only $25 a person; reservations are recommended.
Ashmont Grill: According to a press release, Ashmont Grill has a new dinner menu offering items like fried chicken oysters, spicy lamb sausage and hummus with pita, and grilled Mexican street corn with ancho-spiced cotija and lime aioli. They will also be hosting a "Lobstah Bake" on Sunday, August 11 beginning at 6:00 PM, with tickets $60 per person.
Bon Me, The Blue Room: According to a release, Bon Me and The Blue Room are teaming up to host a pop-up picnic at the Rings Fountain at Rose F. Kennedy Greenway on Wednesday, July 31 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Menu items will include forbidden rice pudding from The Blue Room and the Bon Me sandwich with sweet and spicy Chinese sausage from Bon Me. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 if you buy them at the event.
Los Angeles
Chaya Brasserie: Chaya Brasserie will be hosting their "Family Affair" festival from August 5 to August 31, according to a release. The celebration is in honor of Chaya's 30th anniversary as well as the Tsunoda family's 400-year history of owning and operating the restaurants. Guests can try Chef Shigefumi Tachibe's special anniversary tasting menu that includes a bonsai box of hamchi, halibut with black truffle, and tuna tartare, and sea bream origami box with clam sake broth, and the cost of the event is $60 per person.
Washington
Monsoon East: According to a press release, Monsoon East has brought back their crab feast, along with 30% off bottles of win and a new cocktail menu for Wednesdays. The Crab Feast will take place on Friday and Saturday nights where diners can get a whole two-pound Dungesess crab for only $30 per person. On Sunday, July 28 Monsoon East will start their 30% wine deal where guests can start enjoying the discount on Sundays and Mondays. New cocktails you can find on the menu are the 5 o'clock follies with salted spiced run, ginger, crème, egg yolk, and lemon, and the halcyon days with mescal, pineapple, ale, coffee bitters, and lime ginger syrup.
Atlanta
Abattoir: Previous Food Network "Top Chef" Hector Santiago has been named head chef at Atlanta's southern chophouse, Abattoir, according to a release. Santiago is a three-time James Beard nominee for "Best Chef Southeast" and cooks with local food with a focus on sustainability.
We're always looking for tips about new chefs and seasonal menus, so if you think there are any that we missed, let us know!