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Mario Batali and Lidia Bastianich, the stars of the show, introduced each course and offered guest the opportunity to ask them questions throughout the evening.
The private dinner was held in Del Posto's beautiful downstairs Barbaresco Room.
Upon arrival guests were greeted with Champagne and passed hors d'œuvres.
Guests entered by descending down this elegant staircase to the private dining area on Monday night.
Lidia Bastianich greeted guests and helped serve hors d'œuvres during the beginning of the night.
Beautiful table setting in Del Posto's private downstairs Barbaresco Room.
Glasses ready to be filled with delicious Italian wine!
The Lobster Course: Left is Lidia's Astice Quasi Caprese and on the right is Mari's Lobster Crudo with Ramps and Meyer Lemon.
The Peas Course: On the left is Lidia's Risotto con Scaffata "Cacio e Pepe" and on the right is Mario's unique Mint and Pea Love Letters with Merguez sausage.
The Bolognese Course: Lidia's Fuzi Tradizionali al Ragu de Cortile (left) and Mario's "Classic Bolognese"
Underground Eats member Margaret Walker joined two of her friends at the Masters at the Table dinner.
The Beef Course: Lidia's Brasato all a Veneziana, Tagliata all a Griglia con Patate e Bietole (left) and Mario's Braised Beef Cheek with Morels and Stinging Nettle Polenta (right).
Dessert consisted of a Donut Course and included Mario's Bomboloni and Lidia's "Gnocchi di Susine" con Gelato di Bourbon e Prugne.
Del Posto's Wine Director Jeffrey Porter selected five exceptional wine pairings for Monday night's dinner.
Both star chefs seemed to be enjoying themselves Monday night as they chatted about everything from their favorite cooking ingredients to whether or not they ever order from Seamless.com.
Fans were able to introduce themselves and jump into photos with their favorite chefs.
Underground Eats' Harris Damashek with Lidia Bastianich (left) and a photo of the decadent 10-course menu served on Monday night.
At one point closer to the end of the evening the hosts introduced the talented kitchen staff at Del Posto and thanked them for doing such an amazing job.

Dining with the Masters: An Evening with Lidia and Mario

By Underground Eats on May 2, 2013 / No Comments / Categorized Celebrity Chefs, Featured, Uncategorized, Unique Dinners, Unique Events

When you make a reservation at Del Posto you do so with an expectation of superb fine dining with outstanding service, amazing food, and delicious wine. On Monday night the Del Posto experience was elevated to new heights when approximately 200 diners enjoyed a multi-course dinner with wine pairings during a special evening hosted by none other than Mario Batali and Lidia Bastianich, two of the restaurants’ owners. It’s not everyday you get to dine among two of the biggest names in the food world.

As giddy, star-struck guests entered the beautiful Barbaresco Room at Del Posto, Lidia herself was already passing out some of her delicious hors d’oeuvres for everyone to nibble on with a welcoming glass of Champagne. From start to finish the evening was nothing short of Del Posto excellence. There is no wondering why the restaurant is up for a James Beard Award for Outstanding Service as every server was attentive and professional without the stuffiness one would expect from a four-star NY Times restaurant.

Even though Mario Batali seemed to have forgotten to dress up for the occasion wearing his trademark fleece vest, shorts, and pink button-up shirt with rolled up sleeves (we still love him!), he was definitely ready to act as gracious host as he and Lidia took the stage to welcome everyone and begin their introductions to the first course. The “dueling menu” consisted of five courses with each chef preparing their own interpretation based on a classic dish or specific ingredient; Lidia’s was always served on the left and Mario’s on the right. Between each course the chefs explained why and how they prepared their dish and allowed for guests to ask a few questions.

Later in the evening there was a longer Q&A session during which guests asked questions from “What are the three most important ingredients?” (Lidia’s answer: garlic, olive oil, and either parsley or basil) to “Have you ever ordered in using Seamless.com?” Neither chef even knew what this was. At one point Lidia declared her love for Korean food and Mario admitted he doesn’t care much for trendy molecular gastronomy techniques (since “Everything is molecular! Everything is made up of molecules. Why mess around with the textures?”

For those who have watched both chefs rise to stardom and have enjoyed all their restaurants and watch them on TV, it was truly an amazing opportunity to meet and speak with both Mario and Lidia. It’s rare that anyone can gain this much access to two of the biggest names in food. Even if Mario didn’t stick around to take photos with fans, he was happy to answer any and all questions and offer detailed responses.

While both chefs created great dishes it wouldn’t be a “dueling menu” without some fun competition. Although I definitely do not speak for everyone, below is a personal score card of each course and how the chefs compared: (see above photo gallery for images of each dish)

Lobster Course:

Lidia: Astice Quasi Caprese - Lobster with Burrata, Fresh Passion Fruit, Olive Oil, Asparagus, Radish, Cucumber, Carrot, Watercress, Chocolate Brioche and Bitter Chocolate

Mario: Lobster Crudo with Ramps and Meyer Lemon

Verdict: Mario. Simple and delicious.

Peas Course:

Lidia: Risotto con Scaffata “Cacio e Pepe” – Risotto with Pea served with Cheese (Peccorino) and Pepper

Mario: Mint and Pea Love Letters with Merguez Sausage

Verdict: Lidia. While Mario’s was surprising and inventive, Lidia’s perfectly cooked risotto won over the taste buds.

Bolognese Course:

Lidia: Fuzi Tradizionali al Ragu de Cortile - Traditional Fuzi Pasta made with Porcini Powder and Ragu of Chicken, Duck, Rabbit, and Guinea Hen.

Mario: Classic Bolognese.

Verdict: Mario.

Beef Course:

Lidia: Brasato alla Veneziana, Tagliata alla Griglia con Patate e Bietole – Flat Iron Steak with Sautéed Swiss Chard and Potatoes Topped with Wagyu Beef and Crispy Swiss Chard Stems.

Mario: Braised Beef Cheek with Morels and Stinging Nettle Polenta

Verdict: Even Mario admitted that it felt like Lidia cheated by throwing a beautiful piece of wagyu beef on top of her plate which solidified her “win” this round.

Donuts Course:

Lidia: “Gnocchi de Susine” con Gelato di Bourbon e Prugne

Mario: Bomboloni

Verdict: Lidia. Bourbon ice cream gave her extra points.

NPR’s “Cook Your Cupboard” Offers Advice For How to Use Those Bizarre Pantry Items

By Mikaela Flynn on April 4, 2013 / No Comments / Categorized Featured, Recipes, Strange Eats, Uncategorized

We all have those peculiar food items that seem to linger in the back corner of our pantry for years. Whether they are bizarre ingredients purchased for a certain recipe that you only used once or canned goods bought during a pre-hurricane panic-mode or unknown items that someone gave you as a gift, the untouched and barely-used foods seem to sit there forever waiting until the day you finally figure out what the hell to do with them.

NPR has just launched a new program that will help stumped at-home chefs find ways to cook up meals using the abandoned items found in the cupboard. It’s called, “Cook Your Cupboard” and it requires people to take a photo of three questionable foods to then submit on their Tumblr page where others can offer comments, advice, and recipes that incorporate the items.

Most helpful is that they are bringing a number of chefs on board with the program so that you actually get expert opinions and advice. Every few weeks NPR will go on air with one participant and one chef. First up will be the sultry Nigella Lawson who will surely come up with some delicious recipe suggestions for even the most bizarre pantry goods.

Can’t Wait for Those “Gentri-fries!”

By Underground Eats on March 25, 2013 / No Comments / Categorized Uncategorized

Watch Williamsburg hipsters react to news that Guy Fieri will soon be opening one of his “factory farm to table” establishments in the uber cool Brooklyn neighborhood. Sure plenty of young Brooklynites have ventured, ironically of course, into Midtown for a “Flavortown” experience, but few were pleased to hear that Williamsburg may be getting its own Guy Fieri restaurant, one that would be complete with nacho cheese foie gras. (At least one person said they’d be into this dish…) The video short was done by the Brooklyn-based Late Night Basement crew who perform once a month at the Legion in Williamsburg.

Kubee and her mother leading a cooking demonstration as they prepare traditional Ethiopian dishes for Les'Dames'd’Escoffier's luncheon last week
Guests were served homemade honey wine and beer, both traditional Ethiopian beverages served with meals
Kubee making Sambusas of ground meat and vegetables
Kubee was joined by her adopted mother and sister
Traditional Ethiopian cooking spices
Kubee's mother demonstrating how to make injera, the bread used as plates and utensils
Delicious Sambusas
Guests helped themselves to a buffet of injera (flat crepe-like bread), doro wot (stew of chicken and hard-boiled eggs), yebeg alicha (lamb stew), ayib (fresh Ethiopian cheese), fascia (carrots and green beans), and kitfo (beef tartare)
Mmmm
After lunch, everyone took part in a traditional coffee ceremony that includes snacks like popcorn and little bits of fried dough and nuts
Kubees sister patiently roasted fresh coffee beans over the stove top before serving all the women a delicious cup of Ethiopian coffee

New York’s Culinary Dames Gather to Celebrate Easter and a Rising Chef’s Talent

By Mikaela Flynn on March 25, 2013 / 1 Comment / Categorized Uncategorized

Last week the Les’Dames’d’Escoffier’s NY chapter gathered in TriBeCa for a special Easter lunch celebrating the talents of young rising star, Chef Kubee Kassaye.

Les’Dames’d’Escoffier is an international members-only organization comprised of women leaders in food, fine beverage, and hospitality. Through philanthropic work, members of Les’Dames’d’Escoffier offer a variety of scholarship, networking and mentoring programs for women building careers in the food/bev/hospitality industry. Their mission is to inspire and encourage women to pursue professions in these fields. On March 21st the ladies Les’Dames’d’Escoffier NY honored Chef Kubee Kassaye for her promising career and congratulated her on winning the 2012 Les’Dames’d’Escoffier International Legacy Award.

One of 10 children, Kubee was born in a small village in Ethiopia. After moving to the city with her aunt and uncle, they then decided to pick up and move across the world to New York City where Kubee later enrolled at New York City College of Technology where she studied the culinary arts. Today she is the Chef Tournant at the Peninsula Hotel and has dreams of opening her own restaurant.

For last week’s luncheon, Kubee prepared a traditional Ethiopian meal celebrating Fasika, the Ethiopian Easter. What made this event even more special was that she was joined by her adopted mother, her aunt that had brought her to the US, along with her husband and sister. The family affair included a cooking demonstration followed by a delicious Ethiopian lunch and presentation about the traditions of cuisine in Ethiopia.

Many of the women who attended had never eaten using the traditional injera bread (used as a utensil) and enjoyed the playful, unique dining experience. To close the afternoon, Kubee, along with her mother and sister, lead everyone through the traditional coffee ceremony by roasting fresh coffee beans and serving popcorn to munch. These events offer the leading ladies of NY’s culinary world a fun opportunity to mingle and share experiences with their peers.

Winetology Wednesday with Jonny Cigar

By Jonny Cigar on March 20, 2013 / No Comments / Categorized Uncategorized

NOTE: We recommend reading this week’s, ahem, “special” Winetology Wednesday whilst drinking copious amounts of wine. Happy #WW everyone.

CELEBRITY WINE TASTING WITH JONNY CIGAR

(A short one-act play)

At rise of lights, Jonny Cigar is sitting at a table, surrounded by an astonishing and unnecessary array of wine glasses. Sitting next to him is Taylor Swift. Next to her is Chris Brown. Next to Chris is the spirit of Dean Martin. All are sniffing wine, per Jonny’s instructions.

JONNY:

(After rapidly sniffing three seemingly random glasses of wine):

Taylor! What do you smell in that glass?

TAYLOR SWIFT:

Which glass?

JONNY:

(Suddenly melodramatic):

You and your goldilocks – O – let down your hair so that I may climb it and rescue you from–

TAYLOR SWIFT:

What?

JONNY:

(Catching himself and turning back to an angry taskmaster):

I said, glass number seven, dammnit! Sniff! Now, tell me what you see.

TAYLOR SWIFT:

What I see? Don’t you mean tell you what I smell?

JONNY:

Nie! (Jonny spits wine all over the floor, Taylor cries. Jonny moves on to Chris):

Mr. Brown!

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The Bloggery

All posts in "Uncategorized"

Dining with the Masters: An Evening with Lidia and Mario

NPR’s “Cook Your Cupboard” Offers Advice For How to Use Those Bizarre Pantry Items

Can’t Wait for Those “Gentri-fries!”

New York’s Culinary Dames Gather to Celebrate Easter and a Rising Chef’s Talent

Winetology Wednesday with Jonny Cigar