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The Xanadu of Celebrity Chef Restaurants

11:07 AM / October 22, 2008
/ Posted by Andrew Knowlton
Source: Bonappetit.com



I often get calls and emails from friends and family visiting New York that go something like this: "Hey I'm in Midtown today and am looking for a good, cheap, quick place to grab a bite and since you're the expert. . .where should I go?" I hate that question. The East or West Village I can handle but Midtown is tough. This "expert" usually wants to recommend a street cart or some hole in the wall joint but then I remember most tourists don't have a desk to eat at and don't want to eat standing up, either.

But beginning tomorrow through October 31 (11am-3pm, weekdays only) I know just where to send them--the Bon Appetit Supper Club and Cafe at 221 West 57th street between 7th Avenue and Broadway. It's a pop-up restaurant that will feature sandwiches, salads, soups, and desserts as well as daily specials from a number of celebrity chefs. Where else can you try chorizo empanadas from Mario Batali, heirloom beet salad with crab and smoked bacon from John Besh, and Claudia Fleming's triple chocolate brownie cookies--all under one roof. I'm planning to make daily treks to the cafe and in order to try everything from my favorite chefs I've devised a daily plan of attack. Feel free to eat along.

Thursday, October 23
--John Besh's Slow-Cooked Louisiana Shrimp and Andouille over Grits (Daily Special)

Friday, October 24
--Mario Batali's Empanada with Chorizo, Pancetta, Peppers, and Onions
--Michael Psilakis' Greek Salad
--Pichet Ong's Chocolate Chip Blondie

Monday, October 27
--Ben Ford's Clam Chowder with Leek Cream and Applewood Smoked Bacon
--Tyler Florence's Winter Greens Salad with Shaved Beets, Toasted Walnuts, and Creamy Goat Cheese
--Francois Payard's Milk Chocolate Cake with Grapefruit and Hazelnuts

Tuesday, October 28
--Charlie Trotter's Grilled Beef Tenderloin and Blue Cheese Salad
--Johhny Iuzzin's Pineapple Polenta Cake with Ginger

Wednesday, October 29
--Bon Appetit's Horseradish Spiked Roast Beef and Arugula Sandwich
--Cat Cora's Chickpea and Roasted Red Pepper Soup--Bon Appetit's Lemon Nutmeg Shortbread

Thursday, October 30
--Charlie Trotter's Curry Braised Chicken and Potato Tart served with Mixed Greens--Pichet Ong's Strawberry Rhubarb Coconut Cupcake

Friday, October 31
--Michael Psilakis' Lamb Burger with French Fries--Claudia Fleming's Triple Chocolate Brownie Cookies

For more information about the Bon Appetit Supper Club and Cafe, including menus and participating chefs, click here.