Matsugen closing THIS saturday

This is a huge loss for nyc. I ate there last night and each dish was executed perfectly. The soba is truly amazing, the best i have had since my trip to Japan. Get all three types. They are each very different in flavor and texture. Also really good as well is the crispy shrimp, chicken meatballs, sushi, soft tofu, sea urchin with yuzu jelly, black cod with miso, and of course the bakudan. Finish with the grapefruit jelly. Claire and I ate all of this! I took a couple pics but it was dark and then I just gave up.

Roberta's in Brooklyn for dinner

My buddy Mike and I went to check out Roberta's tonight. He is a veteran there but it was my first time. In the middle of nowhere in bushwick. Worth the trek though. We had a foie gras with toffee, oricchette with a gamey ragu, 2 killer pizzas and basil gelato. A nice Sunday supper. I know the pics are dark but I am anti flash in a dining room.

Johnny Iuzzini Talks with Antoinette Bruno in StarChefs Studio

Antoinette Bruno, Editor-in-Chief of StarChefs.com, chats with Pastry Chef Johnny Iuzzini about the many roles he plays inside and outside the kitchen—from working at Jean Georges and writing cookbooks to judging “Top Chef: Just Desserts” and the StarChefs.com International Pastry Competition.

Watch the video here

Top Chef Just Desserts Season 2 Casting Begins Today!!

Here is where you have to go

Top Chef Season 9 and Top Chef: Just Desserts casting calls are as follows:

HOUSTON
Sunday, February 27, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Mark’s American Cuisine
http://www.marks1658.com

NEW  YORK
Monday, February 28, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Colicchio & Sons
http://www.colicchioandsons.com

AUSTIN
Wednesday, March 2, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Olivia
http://www.olivia-austin.com

PHILADELPHIA  
Wednesday, March 2, 12:00pm – 3:00pm
Sofitel
http://www.sofitel.com/gb/hotel-2741-sofitel-philadelphia/events.shtml

CHARLESTON
Friday, March 4th, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
BB&T Charleston Wine + Food Festival
http://www.charlestonwineandfood.com/

CHICAGO  
Monday, March 7, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Vertigo Sky Lounge at  Dana Hotel
http://www.danahotelandspa.com/

SEATTLE  
Wednesday, March 9, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Hotel 1000
http://www.hotel1000seattle.com/

LAS VEGAS
Thursday, March  10, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
STK at Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
http://www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com/  <http://www.cosmopolitanlasvegas.com/%C2%A0>  

LOS ANGELES
Monday, March 14, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
The Foundry on Melrose
http://www.thefoundryonmelrose.com/

Intern tradition

We always encourage (force) our interns on their last day to cook for the team. Especially if they are of foreign decent. So this time our young Julia is leaving, she is korean. She will make us a traditional korean dish. She also brought me a gift of sweets from Paris Baguette, the Korean bakery. Then she hit me with the ultimate gift for a knotted up stress ball like me!!