Weekly Chef And Menu Report: The Week Of June 17, 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
Lincoln Ristorante: This summer, Lincoln Ristorante is featuring a Tuscany menu celebrating the food and wine of the area, according to a press release. The menu will offer items like hearty grilled meats, beans, produce, and game, like the Coniglio alla Toscana, rabbit stuffed with rabbit Sausage, red peppers, fennel, green olives, arugula, and almonds, and wines like Chianti and Brunello. Chef Jonathan Benno traveled through Tuscany and is now bringing that inspiration to his menu with his own interpretations.
Untitled at the Whitney: According to a release, Untitled at the Whitney on Madison Avenue has brought back picnic bags for the summer. The items on the menu will include choices like coffee and fresh squeezed juice, granola with berries, egg white frittatas, variations of burgers, spinach salad, and grilled chicken sandwiches. Grab a bag of delicious food from Untitled if you're on the go this summer.
The Sea Grill: The Sea Grill at Rockefeller Center now has a new chef: Chef Yuhi Fujinaga, according to a press release. Fujinaga was born in Japan and raised in Hawaii, so a lot of his menu items reflect this, like a sake-steamed black sea bass, to brined and smoked swordfish pastrami, and he's also bringing back a summertime fan favorite, the grilled Maine lobster pot. The Sea Grill will also be starting a new sushi and sake program this summer.
Maison Premiere: For the Fourth of July this year, head to Maison Premiere on Bedford Avenue for food specials. According to a release, Chef Lisa Giffen will be serving oysters, chilled seafood, and other specials, like barbeque chicken sandwiches and a seafood boil, and ice cream s'mores will be available for only $9. The small bites start at noon with dinner beginning at 5 p.m.
Joe Allen Restaurant: Come to Joe Allen Restaurant For "Mexican Monday" where they offer authentic Mexican comfort food, according to a press release. Executive Chef Victor Flores is crafting dishes like tacos de cochinita pibil (pulled pork), and Maine lobster and Monterey jack cheese quesadillas.
The Brooklyn Diner: The Brooklyn Diner is known for its sandwiches that are hand-carved and made with cured meats, according to a release. Their corned beef and pastrami sandwiches are piled high on their famous sandwiches, like the hot pastrami & corned beef combo or the pastrami & turkey reuben combo. They also offer burgers and salads like a cheeseburger with pastrami or a chef's pastrami salad.
Strip House: It's National Steakhouse Month at Strip House where you can celebrate with a 34 oz dry aged cote du boeuf for two at any of their locations, according to a press release. To make a reservation, go to their website.
City Grit: According to a press release, chefs Mark Gaier and Clark Frasier of Maine's Arrows and MC Perkins Cove will be hosting a dinner on June 25 at City Grit. They'll be serving Main classics and Italian dishes that they'll be serving at their new restaurant, MC Medici (in Boston), like mini veal burgers and lamb shank.
Giovanni Rana Pastificio & Cucina: On Monday, June 24 at 6:30 p.m., Giovanni Rana Pastificio & Cucina of Chelsea Market will be hosting the Green Market pasta class, according to a press release. Guests can pick from a basket of pasta and add vegetables, learning to roll and mold pasta and incorporate the fresh ingredients. After, guests will dine together at Giovanni Rana.
Hudson Terrace: This Fourth of July, the 37th Annual Macy's firework spectacular will be hosted at Hudson Terrace, according to a release. There will be live music from Dr. Zsa's Zydeco band, Bar Top Bandits, and DJing from The Cut's DJ Niko. There will be endless family BBQ, cocktails made by some excellent bartenders, and Food Network's "Chopped" Chef Jordan Andino will be in attendance. Pabst Blue Ribbon will also be hosting a raffle and giveaways, and there's an after party after the fireworks.
Texas
Max's Wine Dive: Chef Patrick Russell of Max's Wine Dive in Dallas is introducing a new summer menu, according to Side Dish Magazine. The new menu features lighter dishes like an arugula and peach salad or yellow squash soup, and other choices like scallops and Texas caviar, purple hull pea hummus, and blue crab mini corn dogs.
California
Goose & Gander: For cocktails, music, and great food in St. Helena, Goose & Gander is the place to go. According to a release, G&G has a basement bar and a patio where there's live music every Sunday in the summer until August 18 from 1 to 5 p.m. Their menu features meals like Gnocchi made with whole milk and white truffle "pesto," as well as burgers served with duck fat fries.
Three Seventy Common Kitchen+Drink: Chef and owner of Three Seventy Common Kitchen+Drink in Laguna Beach, Ryan Adams, is introducing a new summer menu for this beach area restaurant, according to a press release. The menu includes his 10-napkin burger and poutine with short rib, leeks, cheddar, horseradish cream, and bacon bits. Great to grab some food at if you're attending the 80th anniversary of the Pageant of the Masters.
Amaya La Jolla: Housing over 300 wine labels and nightly live performances, Amaya La Jolla is one of the best new Italian restaurants in San Diego. According to a press release, Chef Camron Woods' popular dishes include spicy chili lime shrimp and King Salmon with parsnip puree and there are southern specials, like shrimp & grits, every day.
Addison: In Northern San Diego, Addison gives diners an incredibly fine restaurant experience with tasting menus and excellent wine choices. According to a release, Chef William Bradley offers items like Kumamoto oysters with fennel gelée and white corn velouté (a sauce made of stock) with braised bacon. There are also wine tastings every Friday in the summer on their Terrace, a part of their wine education program that has continuously earned a Wine Spectator Grand award.
The Restaurant at Meadowood: According to a press release, The Restaurant at Meadowood in Napa Valley announced the chefs and restaurants of their event, The Twelve Days of Christmas at Meadwood Napa Valley, which will run from December 6 to 21 of this year hosted by Chef Christopher Kostow. Some of the participating chefs include Andy Ricker ok Pok Pok in Portland and New York, Ashley Christensen of Poole's Diner in Raleigh, NC, and Rasmus Kofoed of Geranium in Denmark.
Florence
Hotel Brunelleschi: According to Incentive Travel, Chef Simone Bertaccini of Hotel Brunelleschi in Florence introduced a new summer menu. It will include items like classic Tuscan dishes with anchovies as one of the main ingredients. Some things you can expect to see are anchovies as a layer in his potato and tomato bake and an anchovy ice cream with fried sage leaves.
Louisiana
The Cabin Restaurant: According to Eater, The Cabin Restaurant in Burnside, Louisiana just announced a new head chef, Chef Troy Mendoza. Mendoza is originally from New Orleans and brings experience from being an executive chef at Mason's Grill, as well as The Court of Two Sisters and K-Paul's to The Cabin Restaurant. He will continue to cook in the spirit of The Cabin's Creole and Cajun recipes.
United Kingdom
The Hambrough: Darren Beevers has been appointed the new head chef at a hotel on an island off the coast of the United Kingdom, The Hambrough, according to Isle of Wight radio. He wants to bring his own style to the food and is promising creativity, using fresh fish that he catches each day as well as other game and fresh vegetables. To check it out, visit the resort and book a reservation here.
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!