Travel

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As we prepare to wrap up 2010, the Keeper Team is taking a look back at the many great trips we’ve taken over the past twelve months – all with the goal of giving you, our faithful readers, firsthand accounts of the culinary scene around the globe.  Where in the World has Keeper been?  We’ve wined & dined in Piedmont, Barcelona, New York, Charleston, Burgundy, Austin… It’s been quite a year!  In fact, we’ve enjoyed so many outstanding meals that we didn’t have the opportunity to share them all with you at the time.  So, we’re closing out the year with a few “bonus posts” – stories of experiences so delicious that we’re still savoring them months later!  And, since this week marks the one-year anniversary of our memorable trip to Piedmont, our first flashback post recalls our bittersweet last day in this awesome corner of Italy.

Our last day made us sad; we didn’t want to leave Piedmont.  Where did we go for our last morning coffee and pastry? Barolo of course.  While so close to the fresh pasta shop that had been closed for several days in Barolo, we zipped by to find it finally open.  It was interesting to see that the pastamaker’s shop did not have as many different types of his own pastas as there were in the small pasticceria in the nearby town of La Morra!

It was time to go back to the Scavinos in Castiglione Falletto for a tour and tasting with winemaker Elisa Scavino and Director of Marketing, Weston Howard.  We tasted 2005 Carobric, Cannubi, Bric del Fiasc, and Bricco Ambrogio, along with a 2003 Rocche dell’Annunziata.  Then we tasted a vertical of Bric del Fiasc  2006, 2007, and 2008 with 2005 for comparison.  Elisa then offered a blind tasting of 2008 Bricco Ambrogio that had been aged with three different fermentation methods in casks  – one as fermented in old time casks, one in new casks for 7 days and then another in new casks for 23 days! What an interesting comparison.

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Chefs Under Fire 2010 Finals

Chefs Under Fire Grand Prize Announced! 7-night stay for up to 4 guests in a Grand Suite at The Grand Mayan Los Cabos exclusive luxury resort, December  10-17, 2010.

A visit to The Grand Mayan Los Cabos luxury resort is truly an intimate escape. Based upon the concept of a boutique hotel, everything about The Grand Mayan Los Cabos is unique, luxurious, and designed to provide the most romantic getaway possible. Located in the beautiful Los Cabos region, The Grand Mayan Los Cabos luxury resort is surrounded by beautiful Pacific views and is lulled by lush, tropical breezes.

At The Grand Mayan Los Cabos luxury resort, you can participate in exciting water sports like swimming with dolphins, or spend a day-or two-at Brio Spa enjoying rejuvenating treatments at this gorgeous destination. Los Cabos fine dining restaurants, nightlife from a chic cocktail bar to a sultry poolside bar, and total relaxation are all part of the ultimate indulgence found at The Grand Mayan Los Cabos luxury resort. Get a preview of what you can expect during your stay at this Los Cabos resort and spa by browsing the stunning Los Cabos photo gallery.

View the Grand Suite Accomodations

Airfare not included. Dates are non-transferable. Primary guest name must be 21+. Winner is responsible for any extra charges or damages.

More details about the Chefs Under Fire Final Competition soon to come!  Follow Chefs Under Fire on Twitter and Facebook for timely updates.

Event Sponsor:

Capital One Bank

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Ma Cuisine

Location: Passage Ste-Hélène, Beaune

Phone: 03-80-22-30-22

Cuisine: French

Price: Main courses 15€-28€ ($22-$41); fixed-price menu 20€ ($29)

Hours: Monday – Tuesday & Thursday – Friday noon-1:30pm & 7:30-9

Reservation: Recommended

Credit Cards Accepted: MC, V

As we make our plans to visit Burgundy, one of our first things that we want to know is whether Ma Cuisine will be open for us to dine.  The restaurant has varied days of operation, usually opening on average 4 days per week.  It is a MUST on our list, and we always look forward to the food and wine that Fabienne and Pierre will offer us, not to mention their smiling faces and warm welcome.

Ma Cuisine Sign

Ma Cuisine Sign

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By Eléonore, Keeper’s French Intern

Localisation: Passage Ste-Hélène, Beaune

Téléphone: 03-80-22-30-22

Cuisine: Française

Prix: Plats principaux 15€-28€ ($22-$41); menu 20 € (29 $)

Heures d’ouvertute: Lundi – Mardi & Jeudi – Vendredi midi-13h30 & 7h30

Réservation: Recommandé

Cartes de credit acceptées: MC, V

Comme nous faisons nos plans pour visiter la Bourgogne, l’une de nos premières choses que nous voulons savoir, c’est si Ma Cuisine sera ouvert pour nous pour diner.  Le restaurant a changer ses jours d’ouverture, d’habitude ouvert 4 jours par semaine. C’ est un incontournable sur notre liste, et nous avons toujours hâte de voir ce que Fabienne et Pierre vont nous offrir, sans parler de leurs visages souriants et l’accueil chaleureux.

Ma Cuisine

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**CHEFS UNDER FIRE CHALLENGE: Until Friday July 30, name an older Farmers Market than this one or give us details about the oldest Farmers Market you have visited in the comments section of this post and we will email you a code for a FREE ENTRY to Chefs Under Fire 2010!  You may not repeat a Farmers Market that has already been said.

Don’t know much about CUF? Learn more at www.ChefsUnderFire2010.com.

In honor of our French intern, Eleonore, Keeper is dedicating this blog to her – a quick look at a weekly staple of her life and a must-do when we visit Burgundy, the Beaune Farmers Market.  In general, one of the first things that we do before we take a trip is do some research on the local farmers’ markets.  If you find yourself in Burgundy, a Saturday visit to the Beaune Farmers Market is a no-brainer.  We thought that we are loyal patrons to this market as we have visited it for the last 6 years on our annual Burgundy trips, but it turns out that we are only blip on their radar screen as research says that this market has been around for 864 years!  Now that’s a tradition – can you tell us about any Farmers Markets that are older than this?

The Beaune Farmers Market is supported by locals and visitors alike. The locals have their favorite purveyors that they support every week, whether they are buying meats, cheeses, fruits, pates, breads, desserts, pastas, or just fresh flowers.  If you’re not in the mood to cook, want to have a picnic, or don’t have a kitchen to use while in the area, the Beaune Market offers many options.

Beaune, France La Boucherie; Butcher Shop

La Boucherie; Butcher Shop

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By Eléonore, Keeper’s French Intern

En honneur a notre interne française, Eléonore, Keeper lui dédicace ce blog, un clin d’oeil a sa vie et un must quand on visite la Bourgogne, le Marché de Beaune. En général, la première des chose que l’on fait avant un voyage est de faire quelques recherches sur les marchés locaux. Si vous vous trouvez en Bourgogne, un Samedi une visite du marché de Beaune est une évidence. Nous pensions que nous étions loyaux au marché que nous avons visité, pendants les 6 dernières années lors de nos voyages annuels en Bourgogne, mais il s’avère que nous sommes un point sur l’écran de radar quand la recherche indique que ce marché existe depuis 864 ans!!! Maintenant c’est une tradition-pouvez vous nous parler des marchés plus anciens que cela?

Ce marché est soutenu par les habitants et les visiteurs. Les habitants ont leurs approvisionneurs favoris qu’ils supportent chaque semaine, ils achètent leur viande, fromages, fruits, pates, pains, deserts ou juste des fleurs fraiches. Si vous n’êtes pas d’humeur a cuisine,voulez un pique-nique, ou n’avez pas de cuisine a utiliser alors le marché de Beaune offre beaucoup d’options.

Beaune, France La Boucherie

La Boucherie

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Extreme creations with taste and texture, food combinations in amazing presentations, incredible planning and execution of food service – what show did we attend?  A food show by Chef Pierre Gagnaire at his flagship restaurant in Paris.  Chef Pierre owns nine restaurants throughout the most famous cities in the world:

1. Paris, Pierre Gagnaire 1996
2. Paris, Gaya rive gauche 2005
3. London, Sketch 2002
4. Tokyo, Pierre Gagnaire a Tokyo 2005
5. Hong Kong, Pierre a Hong Kong 2008
6. Dubai, Reflets by Pierre Gagnaire 2008
7. Seoul, Pierre Gagnaire a Seoul 2008
8. Las Vegas, Twist by Pierre Gagnaire 2009
9. Moscow, Les Menus par Pierre Gagnaire 2010

He has been noted as a pioneer of molecular gastronomy and on the forefront of the fusion movement.   S. Pellegrino rates his flagship as number 13 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants. The Keeper Team has enjoyed their fair share of the top 50, including
#6 Alinea
#8 Daniel
#10 Per SeKeeper Review
#15 Le BernardinKeeper Review
#26 Momofuku Ssam BarKeeper Review
#32 The French Laundry
#44 La Maison Triosgros
#45 wd~50
#50 Eleven Madison ParkKeeper Review, to name a few.   So, to see that Gagnaire’s flagship restaurant drop six spots this year is perplexing to our team.

Enough background information – let the Pierre Gagnaire spectacle begin!  We are presented the menu and it looks so simple and elegant, imagining that the meal will be the same, very classic French.

Pierre Gagnaire Menu

Pierre Gagnaire Menu

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By Eléonore, Keeper’s French Intern

**CHEFS UNDER FIRE CHALLENGE: Until Friday July 23, correctly translate one sentence of this post from French to English in the comments section and we will email you a code for a FREE ENTRY to Chefs Under Fire 2010!  Each comment must translate a different sentence.  Give it a shot!  (Here’s a tip – Google Translate is pretty helpful!)

Don’t know what CUF is? Learn more at www.ChefsUnderFire2010.com.

Les créations extremes avec gout et texture, les combinaisons de nourriture avec des présentations étonnantes, planning incroyable et execution du service de nourriture-Quel spectacle nous attend? Un spectacle de nourriture par le chef Pierre Gagnaire a son premier restaurant a Paris. Le chef Pierre possède neuf restaurants dans les villes les plus célèbres du monde:

1. Paris, Pierre Gagnaire 1996
2. Paris, Gaya rive gauche 2005
3. London, Sketch 2002
4. Tokyo, Pierre Gagnaire a Tokyo 2005
5. Hong Kong, Pierre a Hong Kong 2006
6. Dubai, Reflets by Pierre Gagnaire 2008
7. Seoul, Pierre Gagnaire a Seoul 2008
8. Las Vegas, Twist by Pierre Gagnaire 2009
9. Moscow, Les Menus par Pierre Gagnaire 2010

Il a été un pionner de la cuisine moléculaire et au premier rang du mouvement de fusion.  S. Pellegrino a évalué son vaisseau comme numéro 13 des 50 meilleurs restaurants du monde. L’équipe de Keeper a mangé dans beaucoups de restaurants du top 50 inclus

#6 Alinea
#8 Daniel
#10 Per SeKeeper Review
#15 Le Bernardin – Keeper Review
#26 Momofuku Ssam BarKeeper Review
#32 The French Laundry
#44 La Masion Triosgros
#45 wd~50
#50 Eleven Madison ParkKeeper Review, pour en nommer certain. Donc, pour voir le restaurant de Pierre Gagnaire baisser cette annee de six place est incroyable pour notre equipe.

Bien, assez pour les informations de base – laissez le spectacle de Pierre Gagnaire commencer! Nous présentons le menu et il parait si simple et elegant, imaginant que le repas va être le même, tipiquement francais.

Menu de Pierre Gagnaire

Menu de Pierre Gagnaire

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Restaurant Name & Location:
ABC Kitchen
35 East 18th Street
New York, NY 10003
ph:212.475.5829

Chef Name: Chef Jean Georges Vongerichten

Type of Meal: Dinner

What We Ordered:

abc kitchen menu

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Restaurant Name & Location: Eleven Madison Park

11 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10010

ph: 212.889.0905

Chef Name: Daniel Humm

Type of Meal: Lunch

What we Ordered: See the Menu (Menu changes seasonally)

Eleven Madison Park - Assorted Breads

Assorted Breads

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