Sunday, September 22, 2013

experiment #35 - Cobaya Nitro Coco with Chef Antonio Bachour


Another experiment successfully concluded, this one with Chef Antonio Bachour (or, as Chowfather has nicknamed him, "Nitro Coco"), the extraordinarily talented pastry chef at the St. Regis Bal Harbour.  To highlight his dessert skills, we did something a little different - an afternoon tea. The St. Regis closed off their lounge area for us, and also supplied mimosas, tea, champagne (kicked off with the sabering of a massive double magnum bottle) and live music, and the hotel's executive chef Tom Parlo chipped in with some savory treats as well.

You can see all the pictures in this Cobaya Bachour flickr set, or check Chowfather's Instagram feed, and read recaps at Food For Thought and from The Chowfather. There was too much on the lavish spread to capture everything, but here's an attempt:

Golden Egg
with egg salad, caviar and cucumber gelee

Scones
with jam, clotted cream and citrus curd

Tea Sandwiches
salmon eclair with salmon macaron
nicoise salad
burrata with dried tomatoes and balsamic pearls
lobster roll
curried chicken cornet

Dessert Buffet
cherry, key lime, dulce de leche tarts
lychee/raspberry, dulcey/passionfruit, coconut/pineapple, blueberry/key lime,
tiramesu, caramel/apple parfaits
mango ganache w pecan, tea mousse, honey jelly
dulcey ganache w passionfruit, red velvet cake
profiteroles
assorted macarons and bon bons

A big thank you to Chef Bachour, to St. Regis Chef Tom Parlo, to all of the management and staff at the St. Regis who took such nice care of us, and as always and most of all, to all our guinea pigs whose interest and support makes these kind of events possible.



Friday, September 6, 2013

experiment #35 - 9/21/13

It's time for another experiment! A little different this time around, we're doing a weekend afternoon event.

Quick Details:
Date: Saturday, September 21, 2013
Price: $85 (inclusive of tax & tip)
Start time: 2:00 p.m.

We will be doing a drawing for seats from all requests received over the first 48 hours, with additional requests filled, if possible, in the order they're received.

Please send an email to request seats using the "contact the underground" link, and let us know how many you're requesting.

You will be advised by Tuesday September 10 if your request has been confirmed. You'll then need to book your seats by noon on Friday September 13, or we may need to release them to the waitlist to ensure all spots are filled.

We have limited seating and while we try to accommodate everyone who is interested, that is usually not possible - most events are filled very quickly. We will need to limit seat requests to 2 per person - if you'd like more, let us know and we'll keep track of a "wish list" and fill if possible.

When your seat request has been confirmed, please book it using the PayPal link which will be set up on this page. Please do not book unless and until you've received a confirmation. When you do receive the confirmation, please book your seats through PayPal promptly. There will be a short window of time to book before seats need to be released back to the waitlist to make sure they're filled.

Due to format and start time, we will probably not do BYOB for this one, though there may be beverages included and/or available for purchase on site.

Confirmed and paid-up attendees will receive an e-mail the day before the event, confirming the location and other details.

A brief, but important, refresher course on the whole Cobaya thing: there is no "menu". There are no choices. You'll be eating what the chef chooses to make for the night. If you have food related allergies, strict dietary requirements, religious restrictions; are salt sensitive, vegetarian, pescatarian, or vegan; don't like your meat cooked medium rare, or are pregnant: this meal is probably not for you. Do not expect white-glove service. Don't ask for your sauce on the side. Just come and enjoy.

Plus some legalese: please note that if you're requesting a spot, you understand that any food or beverages you consume are at your own risk, that you voluntarily assume any and all risks, known and unknown, and voluntarily release the organizers of the event from any claims, including personal injury and wrongful death, resulting in any manner from your participation in this event, whether caused by negligence or otherwise. Hopefully it won't come to that.

Look forward to seeing you there. As always, thank you for your support.


FOR CONFIRMED SEAT REQUESTS ONLY:


experiment #35 - how many seats?