While I was in California, I was given the opportunity to work at a pop-up restaurant! It was a really “spur of the moment” kind of deal. The thing is, on a Saturday, I went to go eat at Sushi Central since it was walking distance from the place I was staying at (apparently this place had a throw down with Bobby Flay a few years ago). Anyway, the two chefs there, Phillip and Dino, were really nice and started talking to me. They realized I was a foodie and it turned out, Chef Dino was throwing a pop-up chef’s tasting menu on Sunday, the next day, and offered to let me go eat for free. Its because the sushi shop is closed on Sundays anyway because fish deliveries don’t open on Sundays, and so they do this thing once a month with Dino’s catering business, Feastiality. Fortunately! I don’t eat for free. I like to work for my food, so I helped out, took pictures, served food, plated food, and it was a lot of fun! Definitely not something that happens everyday just to anyone, you know?
PB&J with Foie Gras
BLT Soup Smoked Tomato Bisque, Prosciutto Chips, Bacon Croutons, Lettuce Foam
Chicken and Waffles Boneless Fried Chicken Roulade, Cheddar-Bacon Belgian Waffle, Chicken Skin Cracklings, Maple Sugar Salt
Burger and Fries House Ground Wagyu Burger, Bone Marrow Aioli, Homemade Brioche Bun, Shoestring Truffle Fries, Heirloom Tomato Ketchup
Grilled Manchego Cheese Sandwich with Honey, Fresh Ground Coffee Powder
Caramel Popcorn, Liquified
S’mores with Brown Butter Graham Crackers, Smoked Chocolate Ice Cream, Bourbon Marshmallow
Since it was July, this month’s menu was American themed. They told me that June’s theme was “Farewell to Foie Gras” since California banned foie gras. However, as you can see, they served foie gras at dinner. How? There’s a loop hole. As long as you offer it to the customer for free, and don’t charge them for it, its okay. Chef Dino definitely hoarded a lot of foie gras before the ban went into effect, which is how he had some to serve at dinner. Plus it was my first time eating foie gras and it was absolutely delicious!
In fact, everything was absolutely delicious! The menu looks simple, and the dishes look simple. But the small details really made the difference! Such as the bone marrow aioli and the fried chicken was suvee’d. I’m drooling just thinking about the food again. Chef Dino is super talented and I hope to get to work with him and his staff again.
