Posted on Jan 26, 2009 under Archives, Chefs, Interviews |
Chef Hubert Keller
A native Frenchman, Chef Hubert Keller trained with some of France’s most legendary chefs, including Paul Bocuse and Paul Haeberlin at the L’Auberge de LIll. His talents caught the eye of Roger Verge, the Grand Master of French Haute Cuisine, who first made him a chef at Moulin de Mougins on the French Riviera and then appointed him to a two-year stint as Executive Chef at Cuisine du Soleil in San Paulo, Brazil before bringing him to San Francisco to run Sutter 500.
In 1986, Chef Keller became Executive Chef and co-owner of Fleur De Lys, which for 20 years has been one of the cities top fine dining establishments. By the 1990’s, Chef Keller’s reputation reached the White House where he received an invitation to be the first guest chef, preparing a meal for Presdient Clinton and his family.
Chef Keller has opened restaurants in Las Vegas (Fleur de Lys and The Burger Bar at Mandalay Bay). A second Burger Bar has opened in St. Louis, as well as a steakhouse (Sleek), with a third Burger Bar scheduled to open soon in San Francisco. The first show of the reality tv series “Top Chef” was filmed at Fleur de Lys in San Francisco, and featured Chef Keller as a judge. Chef Keller also hosts the national PBS tv show “Secrets of a Chef.”
I was fortunate enough to be able to taste (and look at – all Chef Keller’s dishes are expertly plated) many dishes at Fleur de Lys in San Francisco and had the pleasure of sitting down with Chef Keller for a chat after sampling some of the best food I have ever tasted. Here is our discussion.
Posted on Jan 26, 2009 under Chefs, Interviews |
Chef Mark Passetti
I sat down with Chef de Cuisine Mark Passetti before dining at the Tonga Room at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, here is our conversation.
Posted on Jan 26, 2009 under Archives, Food and Travel News |
Each year, hundreds of visitors come to San Francisco and fall in love with its unbelievable vistas, graceful architecture, cuisine-defining restaurants and bountiful activities. Along with its many historic and musical associations with love, the city is home to a deeply romantic landscape perfect for inspiring passion.
At the crest of Nob Hill sits one of the most romantic places to stay, the historic Fairmont Hotel, commanding views of the bay, Coit Tower and Fisherman’s Wharf. The Italian-Renaissance masterpiece of a grand hotel houses an extravagant lobby with gold-trimmed Corinthian marble columns, crystal chandeliers, a spectacular spiral staircase and rococo furniture. Each of the large 591 rooms share an equally opulent design scheme offering pale color schemes, high ceilings, dark furniture, spectacular city views, oversized marble bathrooms, goose down pillows and large walk-in closets. The hotel’s ornate Laurel Court restaurant is the perfect place for a luxurious afternoon tea or opt for dinner and drinks amidst tiki torches, dancing and a live band at the Polynesian Tonga Room and Lounge.
I visited the Fairmont and the Tonga Room for a story on romantic weekends and here are some of the dishes that Chef Mark Passetti prepared:
The Tonga Itch
I started off with the Tonga Room’s signature cocktail, The Tonga Itch, made from vodka, pineapple and grenadine.
Tuna Poki
Next came a small bowl of fresh ahi tuna poki, a nice way to start off the meal.
Tonga Appetizer Platter
The Tonga Appetizer Platter included spare ribs, coconut panko crusted prawns (my favorite) and a nice flatbread.
Swordfish
The main course was swordfish with teriyaki vegatables and a fresh pineapple salsa with a cream citrus sauce.
White Chocolate Pearl
Dessert was the restaurant’s famous white chocolate pearl – chocolate mousse in a white chocolate shell with tapioca.
Posted on Jan 26, 2009 under Archives, Food and Travel News, Las Vegas |
Mobil Travel Guide announced its highest accolade, Mobil Five-Stars, to first-time recipient SKYLOFTS at MGM Grand and three-time winner Joël Robuchon at MGM Grand.
With only 44 Mobil Five-Star hotel winners for 2009, this rating distinguishes SKYLOFTS at MGM Grand as one of the top hotels in the United States and Canada. Unveiled as a rare and private sanctuary of sleek, elegant two-story accommodations high above the Las Vegas Strip, the sophisticated SKYLOFTS offer discerning visitors the quintessential Loft environment harmonizing design, technology, decor, vistas and service.
Culinary history was made in Las Vegas in September 2005 when legendary Chef Joël Robuchon opened his first fine dining restaurant in the United States at MGM Grand. Since opening, his eponymous restaurant has received the Mobil Five-Star, Michelin Three Star and AAA Five Diamond Awards – the top accolades for each of these organizations. Joël Robuchon is one of only 20 Mobil Five-Star restaurants.
