Monthly Archives: October 2010

Talking Snout to Tail with Sous Chef Matt

Posted on October 21, 2010 by | 6 Comments

Last night’s Palmetto Creek Farms smokey pig head pot pie was a hit with servers at pre-shift and in the dining room. Kudos to the kitchen. We interviewed sous chef Matt Hinckley to better understand the context of this dish, especially the importance of why we are always trying to use the whole animal on our menu.

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Posted in Behind the Scenes, Dear Chef, On the Menu Now, Q&A

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Could It Really Be Cayman Cookout Time Again?

Posted on October 19, 2010 by | 1 Comment


Well… almost! Please see the freshly-pressed news release from the Cayman Islands below.  Tickets are now on-sale.  While I’ll miss grabbing another beer with David Chang, this year’s line-up brings back some of our favorites (cue the affable Mr. and Mrs. Bourdain, Gail Simmons, Jose Andres, and of course host Eric Ripert) and adds new ones (Rachel Allen, Susur Lee, and Charlie Trotter.)  With Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink Grand Cayman now fully up and running, it’s going to be better than ever — especially Saturday night’s dinner at the restaurant with Bo Barrett of Chateau Montelena.  Ya think our Eric is excited about that one?!  Let us know if you plan to join, and please relive the above moment of island zen shot from our Ritz-Carlton hotel room balcony last year if you need help sealing the deal.

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Posted in Away Game, Cayman Correspondence, Special Event

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Hello My Name Is… Eric Larkee, Sommelier

Posted on October 18, 2010 by | 1 Comment

Sommeliers are usually pretty popular folks.  The cool thing about our Eric is that it’s not only because he’s gets great wine into the restaurant and to your table.  It’s the way he presents them — collaborative with the diner and with a mysterious mixture of wit and smarts that keeps you coming back for more.

His delivery is on-par with his list, creative and always ahead-of-trend, like the viura Rioja Crianza blanca  (2000) and white burgundy Leroy Chardonnay (1997,) both new by the glass.

I’m very bummed to have missed his “How to Manage a Successful Wine List” seminar at the Miami International Wine Fair on Saturday and am hoping to blog that exact topic on the blog soon… Until then, we promise his answers to our questionnaire will keep you amused! Continue reading →

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Posted in Hello My Name Is..., Q&A

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