Whole Roasted Chicken on a Bed of Root Vegetables

Finally got enough nerve to try roasting a chicken....and it worked! It was by far one of the best tasting things I've ever made. We more-or-less followed Thomas Keller's approach in Ad Hoc at Home for his "Whole Roasted Chicken on a Bed of Root Vegetables" and added a side of pan-roasted brussels sprouts with bacon.

Once trussed, the chicken cavity is seasoned with fresh shallots (Keller uses garlic - I didn't have any on-hand), kosher salt, fresh cracked pepper, and thyme. (This was my first time trussing a chicken. Pretty easy once you figure it out, but that took a few minutes. I am sure I won't remember how to do it next time...) The outside is then seasoned with oil, salt, and pepper and then dotted with unsalted butter. The vegetables (we used carrots, potatoes from my grandparents' garden, leeks, and onion), similarly, are seasoned with oil, salt, pepper, and thyme. You then simply layer the bottom of a roasting pan with the vegetables and sit the chicken on top. Roast on 475 degrees for 25 minutes and then 400 degrees for 45 minutes or until the chicken reached 160 degrees.

The thyme is the real magic ingredient here. Combined with the butter, chicken fat, and vegetables, it makes for an awesome flavor.

Space Ghost & Emeril

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQd5TqoNN8I

Nuff said...

Vegas Day 2

Day 2 in Vegas had us starting off for a quick breakfast at The Earl of Sandwich in the shops at the Planet Hollywood. Though we usually go here for lunch (try the "Montague"), the breakfast sandwiches are good, too. Don't pass this place up even though it looks generic; They make great food!

Around the corner from The Earl of Sandwich is one of our favorite breweries, Sin City Brewery. Maybe 10:30 AM is a little early to start drinking beer, but, hey, it was 1:30 PM eastern. Sin City offers 4 draft beers. This time they had their wheat, stout, Oktoberfest, and light lager. I stuck with my usual stout. Brandy tried the Oktoberfest. Would make for a great "session" beer. Though we didn't order one, their version of a Belgian wit beer is probably their best offering.

We followed the Sin City up by hopping in a cab over to Vegas' Chinatown on Spring Mountain Road. If you ever go to Vegas and want to eat awesome food, go to Chinatown! On this day we visited Monta Japanese Noodle House. This was my first time eating real ramen, i.e. not the $0.10 packs you buy at Walmart. Monta is a really small noodle house situated a couple doors down from the popular Raku Japanese restaurant. It sits maybe 25 people (very tightly, I might add). I opted for the Tonkatsu (pork) ramen with extra pork and Brandy went for the Shoyu (soy) ramen with egg. The Tonkatsu was more cloudy, rich, and stock-like (I think it is made from pork bones and fat), whereas the Shoyu was more thin, salty, broth-like. Both were good, although I preferred mine. The noodles were cooked perfectly and the pork slices were to-die-for. We also ordered a small side of fried rice, which was lightly fried with egg and pork. Very different (as expected) from the typical East Tennessee "Japanese" restaurant fried rice. Glad I tried it. (The gyoza looked amazing, too. I wish we'd ordered those.) Perhaps the best part of all was that we were seated at the bar overlooking the small kitchen allowing us the opportunity to watch the chefs make each order of noodles. Absolutely fascinating. There was such an insane level of noodle soup perfection being demonstrated.

On our way to Monta, we noticed a pub we'd been wanting to visit for a couple of years called The Crown & Anchor. Had no idea they had a second location in Chinatown. We walked over there immediately followed our noodles and proceeded to chill at the bar for a few hours watching proper football (i.e. soccer), drinking proper pints (i.e. 20 ounces) of Hoegaarden, and listening to a proper jukebox (i.e. a jukebox with music I like on it, like Rush and Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings). Could have sat there all day (literally - it is open 24/7). Oh, and don't forget the $0.25 video blackjack at the bar! You ARE in Vegas...

Once we were ready to go back out later that day, we figured we need a light dinner before we went to the concert. Michael Mina's Nobhill Tavern was located at the entrance to our hotel wing at the MGM. It's a great looking space, so we thought we'd have a cocktail at the bar and try an appetizer. We both ended up with whiskey-based cocktails (mine being better than Brandy's - I think we got the back-up bartender). For the snack, we went for chilled king crab legs with whole grain creme fraiche. Wow! Though they were $18.00, it was great to snack on some really excellent, fresh seafood.

Following Nobhill Tavern, we figured we were in need of a better drink, and we knew exactly where to go. Just a few minutes away in the MGM is Tom Colicchio's Craftsteak. This was one of the first "fine dining" restaurants I ever visited - and it remains one of my favorites today. I went for a glass of Ramey 2006 Claret and Brandy went for a "Black Cherry Fizz." What a hell of a cocktail. I wish I'd ordered one. It tasted like a homemade, alcoholic 7-Up. So good.

We soon realized that the crab had only wetted our appetite and immediately knew what could solve it - Craftsteak's wild mushroom risotto. Their risotto was unquestionably one of the most inspirational dishes for me the first time I had it. It really got me excited about wanting to learn how to make risotto, and ultimately learning about all sorts of different techniques in the kitchen. On this visit, the risotto included hen of the woods mushrooms and butternut squash. I tend to think I make a pretty good risotto. I practice it alot. But it's still a hard dish and I've never perfected it. I was quickly reminded of this when the Craftsteak risotto hit my mouth last weekend. Jesus. It is so good. The rice is perfectly cooked. And the wee little bit of thyme in there just adds such an amazing extra level of flavor. It was a highlight of the trip, for sure. And the best part - it's enough food to split and it's only $15.00!

Vegas - Day 1

Just went to Vegas this past weekend for two nights of A Perfect Circle (playing Mer de Noms and 13th Step in their entirety). Had some awesome food and drinks while we were there...

Started off with a cocktail at Red Square. It's a USSR-themed restaurant/bar in the Mandalay Bay. I've wanted to go for a while, as I was fascinated with Soviet history in college, but it seems totally un-"p.c." to have a USSR-themed bar. Anyway, I went...

You can't really go to a Russian bar without getting vodka. I think you can even visit a fancy ice-cold vodka room (with parkas and all) if you buy a bottle. I went for the house-infused pineapple vodka martini. Pretty good considering I don't really drink vodka or vodka martinis. Bar had a pretty good vibe. Bartender was performing some fancy bar tricks. Definitely would check it out again if I was over that way.

Followed that up with a return visit to Charlie Palmer's Aureole. We visited Aureole last December on a whim prior to a Metallica concert at the Mandalay Bay. We'd seen the restaurant on Top Chef and found the "wine angels" to be quite hilarious. You should research that if you are unfamiliar.

Our experience last time was, well, really bad to say the least. The food was good, but the service was jaw-droppingly poor - especially considering they had a Michelin star. I mean BAD. I decided not to bitch publicly (not that anyone would really care) and (out of character for myself) sent a note to the general manager about our experience. He responded about a week later apologizing for our experience and offered us to visit as his personal guests in the future. I had no interest in taking him up, not wanting to waste my time the next time I was in the city considering all of the other really awesome options (even if it was free), but given the fact that this trip was not anticipated (I never would have imagined APC would tour again), we figured a free dinner wasn't a bad option. I mean, if we were their personal guests, you'd assume the service would be exceptional. Well, that was not the case....

Again, it was disjointed. Too many different servers not communicating. Too rushed. Wine list without a food menu. No information on wine pairings (again, because there was no food menu). (I say this because Aureole is supposed to be one of the best "wine restaurants" in the country and good service is perhaps half of being an excellent fine dining restaurant.) Too much service then no service at all. Just completely all over the place. And then after basically disappearing for the last half hour of the meal, one of the servers comes over and says "You are done here." WTF? I am? I didn't know that. I think there was a bit of a language barrier, but I think what he could and should have said was, "We really appreciate you coming back to Aureole and trying the restaurant again. Our general manager will be taking care of you bill this evening. I hope you had a pleasurable experience and we hope to see you again in the future." Not "you are done here." I almost fell out of my chair. I felt like I was slapped in the face. "Just get out of here, please!," is what they meant, I think. You know what Aureole? I'd so much rather go spend money I don't even have at another restaurant than sit and waste my time in your shitty, pretentious restaurant.

I suppose there were a couple of good things that came out of the time we were there. Each of our first courses were excellent. Brandy had a salad with poached egg, pork belly, and foie gras. The description was much better than that and the flavor and texture were excellent. I had a shortrib ravioli in a truffle celery soup (I think). It was also very excellent. I also got a bottle of 2006 Larkin Cabernet Franc which was, well, unbelievable. Larkin makes excellent wine and this was no exception.

After this generally crap-ass experience, we decided we needed to go to a really awesome place. Something that just couldn't be wrong...The Peppermill Fireside Lounge. This might be the greatest place on earth. It's old Vegas-style down near the Wynn. The bar and restaurant are open 24/7. The lounge is filled with mirrors, pink neon, pink velvet, fire pits, and old music videos...and awesome cocktails with proper glassware. I had one of the best old fashioneds I've ever had. Brandy went for the Scorpion. If you've ever seen the No Reservations episode about Vegas, you'll know what I am talking about. It it huge. And awesome. Big straws, too. They've got really good nachos, too, at the Fireside Lounge, but didn't hit them up this time. I could have stayed there for hours, but that would have gotten ugly...

The Best Cocktail? Charleston's "The Gin Joint"

I may have just had the best cocktail of my life this past weekend in Charleston. I typically go for wine or beer before cocktails, but we came across this fairly new place called The Gin Joint and they almost exclusively do cocktails. Seemed to make sense. Plus, I like gin.

Started off with a snack of fingerling potato skins with aged cheddar, bacon, and sour cream. I am a sucker for potato skins. I've always like them. Nice to see someone do this in a more gourmet fashion with fingerling potatoes (including purple ones!), which I really enjoy, and really excellent bacon.

Now, on to the important stuff....

My first drink was pretty safe. It was called "Aeromexico" and was featured on their seasonal "Fall Harvest" menu. It included pecan wood smoked honey, Cuervo Tradicional tequila, maraschino, and lemon. Pretty solid. More or less an alternate margarita, but good. More of a summertime drink, in my opinion, than a fall drink, though.

Brandy, on the other hand, went out of her comfort zone. She ordered "The Original New Orleans Fizz." Wow...what a cocktail. Made of Plymouth Gin, lemon, lime, Fleur d'Orange, egg white, and cream, this thing was unlike anything we'd ever had. More of an aromatic and texture experience than just focus on flavor. Excellent!

On to the next round...

I ordered "The Old Metropole" from the "Fancy Cocktails" list. OH MY GOD. This was THE BEST cocktail I've ever had - right up my alley. It was super simple - Cles des Ducs Armagnac, orange bitters, and Carpano. It was smoky, vanillay, super smooth, dark, and awesome! AMAZING.

Brandy went for another fizz. This time, the "Blackberry Imperial Fizz," featuring Goslings Rum, blackberry, lemon, and sparkling wine. This was sweeter and richer than the other fizz. It also had a big chuck of old-school ice block in the middle. Very good, too.

All drinks are $10, so it's not the cheapest place in the world, but two cocktails from The Gin Joint will do you right.

Empire Eats Menu from Raleigh Anthony Bourdain Show

Here's the menu from Empire Eats. I received this prior to the event. I think it's an accurate representation of what they actually served. The roasted pig was great, as were the short ribs. The local cheese was a surprise for me. I had no idea Chapel Hill was producing such great cheese. I wish I had tried everything!

Grilled Octopus with Spicy Apple and Green Papaya Salad

Kibbee Nayah in Mini Pita Pockets

Hummus with Pita

Marinated Lamb Chop Lollipops

Mediterranean Shellfish Salad with Avocado, Grappa Cured Salmon, Over Lavosh Bread

Italian Holiday Rainbow Cookies

Honey Stuffoli

Roasted Pig

Sweet Potato Biscuits with Smoked Brisket, Sweet and Sour Pickled Collared Greens, and Mustard Sauce

Bourbon-Spiked Crab Apples with Local Goat Cheese

Local Cheese Plate

Asian Braised Boneless Short Ribs, Parsnip Puree, Caramelized Brussels Sprouts

Banana Creme Puffs

Blueberry and Lemon Curd Squares

Assorted Petit Fours

No Reservations: An Evening with Anthony Bourdain

I normally wouldn't post things about my work life online, but I figure this is the one exception to the rule...

Just spent the weekend in Charleston, SC, and Raleigh, NC, promoting two Anthony Bourdain shows. I've done three shows with Bourdain (the first of three being Knoxville back in April 2009) with another to come (can't say anything else about that yet). Tony is a really nice, appreciate person and a great artist to work with professionally. I am lucky to have had these opportunities and proud of the experiences we've been able to create for the fans.

Tony's show is basically two parts - a talk consisting of bits from his books, travel show, and other "test" material for upcoming work, followed by a short Q&A session with the audience. The talk is fantastic. Definitely go if you are a Bourdain fan.

The most exciting part for me, though, has been the VIP receptions we've done following the shows, as it's allowed me an opportunity to blend my professional career and skills with my personal interests in the food world. At each show we've sold a limited number of VIP tickets to a post-show meet & greet / book signing with Tony plus an on-stage reception with food and drink. It's been great to work with the venues and our local food and drink partners to offer an unique, unforgettable experience for the fans with these receptions.

In Knoxville, we worked with my favorite restaurant, Northshore Brasserie, and Downtown Wine & Spirits. Charleston featured Maverick Kitchens (operators of popular Charleston restaurants such as High Cotton and Slightly North of Broad) and local distillers Firefly Vodka (known for their sweet tea vodka), while in Raleigh we worked with Empire Eats (known for The Pit, The Raleigh Times Bar, The Duck & Dumpling, and more) and local craft brewers, Big Boss Brewing Company.

Here are a few pictures...

Tony's autograph on the North Charleston Performing Arts Center's backstage wall

Book signing at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium

Party! on-stage at Raleigh Memorial Auditorium

Big Boss "Aces & Ates" Coffee Stout and "Blanco Diablo" Wit Ale taps

Empire Eats welcome to Bourdain

Cheese, fruit, and cracker spread from Empire Eats

Empire Eats dessert

Empire Eats raspberry chocolate cups #1

Empire Eats raspberry chocolate cups #2 (cause they look so good)

Mr. Piggy from The Pit

Me tearing into Mr. Piggy

Wine Review: Buoncristiani 2006 "The Core" Cabernet Sauvignon

Finally opened our bottle of Buoncristiani 2006 "The Core" Cabernet Sauvignon tonight. Maybe should have waited longer, but, well, it was here, and I knew it would be good. It's one of the more expensive bottles I've ever bought ($120, I think), so I was a little nervous about opening it. I shouldn't have been - it's a Buoncristiani! By far one of the best vineyards I've tasted wine from. This wine has a super concentrated, dark inky purple color with a dense flavor. The Buoncristiani website references a pencil lead aroma - which is totally accurate. I noticed some herb in there, too.

*Update* Later in the evening, I noticed dark chocolate / coffee, nutty fruit tart, and red meat in the aroma. Spicy licorice and sweet vanilla unfolded in the flavor profile. There's a ton of structure with this wine!

The Public House

Went to The Public House Wednesday night for a soft opening. Great new spot in downtown Knoxville run by friend Laura Sohn. I mostly avoided alcohol (with a developing cold), but chowed down on the awesome food. Amongst four of us we split 2 orders of the Carolina smoked trout dip (yes, it was that good), blue cheese dip & potato chips, Benton's prosciutto, another cured meat (I cannot remember the name), a cheese from Blackberry Farm, beet pesto dip, an awesome local bread, and gigande beans in herbed oil. The highlights were the trout dip, cheese, and gigande beans. (Well, and the Benton's ham, but I already knew that was awesome. More excited about the new things.) The gigande beans are the best bar food ever. And great for my new attempt a diet - a pleasant, tasty, nutritious treat!

Looking forward to the wine (they're going to feature one of my faves - Ramon Bilbao Tempranillo) and cocktails once those are added to the menu...