Weekly Chef And Menu Report: The Week Of December 16, 2013
In celebration of its 50th anniversary on Dec. 23, Victor's Café and Cuba Lounge is offering the 50th Anniversary Signature Mojito, according to a press release. The specialty cocktail, which costs $14, is made with Atlantico Rum, fresh lime, sugar cane, mint leaves and syrup.
Dopo East Ristorante Italiano in the Upper East Side introduces its new chef Patrizio D' Andrea, who draws his cooking inspiration from his mother's farm kitchen in Italy, along with a creative new Italian menu, according to a press release. The menu features selections such as warm burrata with spaghetti squash and balsamic vinegar caviar for a first course; carnaroli risotto with creamy Gorgonzola, braised radicchio, and sliced pears for a second course; roasted rack of lamb in pistachio crust with lam jus, fava beans, chestnut pureé, and roasted green jumbo asparagus for the third course; and traditional ricotta cheesecake with strawberry ratatouille for dessert.
To give back this holiday season, Fat Burger's Fat Bar is hosting a "Buy a Burger" drive for The Shade Tree — a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of women, children, and their pets affected by domestic violence — at three Fatburger Las Vegas locations through Dec. 22, according to a press release. Guests can purchase an extra burger to donate to the shelter, and on Dec. 23, Fat Bar will grill the donated burgers on site for lunch. Fat Bar owner Darin Feinstein will also donate concerts tickets for MJ Live and Eddie Griffin to The Shade Tree.
Louisiana
To honor the Louisiana's historic tradition of Réveillion, which is traditionally celebrated on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, Restaurant R'evolution will offer a classic Réveillion menu throughout the month of December, according to a press release. On Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, Guests can enjoy a traditional 18th century Creole "R'eveillion" dinner, featuring dishes such as beer-battered crab beignets, rooster and Andouille gumbo, and crawfish-stuffed flounder Napoleon.
California
Mexican restaurant La Urbana recently launched happy hour in its Garage Urbano annex space, according to a press release, featuring a rotating food and drink menu with food such as Tacos Chicharron de Pollo and Plato de frutas Pepinas con Limon Jicama y Chile and drink options including margaritas, sangria, and bottled beer.
M Café of Los Angeles now offers weekend brunch from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, according to a press release. Brunch menu options include juice and smoothies such as the café's signature Lemon Kick in the Grass with green apples, ginger, lemon juice, and shot of wheat grass, as well as breakfast sandwiches and burritos such as its burrito with scrambled organic tofu, black beans, brown rice, and fresh kale with spicy chipotle sauce.
Chef Charlie Palmer's 9th annual Pigs & Pinot event will take place on March 21 and March 22 at Hotel Healdsburg and Palmer's Dry Creek Kitchen, according to a press release. Celebrity chefs attending will be Bryan Voltaggio, Amanda Freitag, Frank Cripso, and Philippe Rispoli. As for wineries, the event will highlight CIRQ, Domain Pierre Gelin, Roth and TeKairanga, Rochioli Vineyards & Winery, and Pyramid Valley Vineyard.