One of my favorite James Beard House dinners to date! Executive Chef Gabe Thompson and Executive Pastry Chef Katherine Thompson of dell’anima, L’Apicio, Anfora, and L’Artusi certainly know good Italian. During cocktail hour, I sipped on a refreshing Aperol cocktail (cleverly named “Blame it on the Aperol”), while snacking on bite-sized cured arctic char sandwiches (arctic char is one of my faves), sausage & fontina arancini (I must have eaten about ten of these tiny fried rice balls from heaven), and housemade ricotta (I fell in love with this when I first had it at L’Apicio). Each of our six dinner courses were thoughtfully paired with wines chosen by Beverage Director, Joe Campanale. My favorite dishes were the orecchiette with peas and pancetta, polenta with shrimp and tomatoes, the roasted chicken, and the dessert: macerated strawberries with mascarpone mousse and strawberry–red wine sorbet. I went to L’Apicio earlier this year and loved it — after tonight’s meal, I can’t wait to try the other restaurants owned by this talented threesome!
James Beard House: 167 West 12th Street (between 6th and 7th Avenue)
L’Apicio: 13 East 1st Street (at Bowery)
“Blame it on the Aperol” (Aperol with Gin and Lemon)
Cured Arctic Char Tramezzini with Crème Fraîche and Cucumbers
Sausage–Fontina Arancini
Sausage–Fontina Arancini
Housemade Ricotta with Hearty Bread Crackers
Roasted Mushroom Crostini
Plating in the Beard House kitchen
Tuna Carpaccio with Olive Tapenade and Artichoke Crisps
Roasted Asparagus with Poached Egg, Yogurt, and Ricotta Salata
Orecchiette with Peas and Pancetta
Anson Mills Polenta with Shrimp, Tomatoes, and Chilies
Roasted Chicken with Hen of the Woods Mushrooms and Grilled Scallions
Macerated Market Strawberries with Amaretti Macaroon, Mascarpone Mousse, and Strawberry–Red Wine Sorbet
Assorted Biscotti
Brown Butter Granola to take home