The California-inspired fast-casual rotisserie restaurant by former Sweetgreen and Starbucks’ culinary leader Ben Pote opened in Cos Cob last week.
The concept of this fantastic eatery, both in cuisine and design, is inspired by California with a thoughtfully curated menu that offers something for everyone.
Rotisserie chicken and slow-roasted cauliflower are at the heart of the menu, complemented by entree-style salads, plant-forward sides, and sauces that are made in-house daily, with thoughtful pops of flavor throughout. The chicken, for example, is rubbed with bay leaf, oregano, and fennel pollen, giving it an herbaceous, savory flavor, while the whole-roasted cauliflower is sprinkled with za’atar, a Middle-Eastern herb blend. Wildacre’s salads are hearty enough for lunch and dinner, or to eat alongside a whole roasted chicken or cauliflower. Guests can order a la carte or select a bundled meal, which offers the choice of either a rotisserie chicken or slow-roasted cauliflower main plus two sides and two sauces. Side dishes range from french fries to roasted brussels sprouts, and the majority of the menu is gluten-free. The California influence shows up throughout the menu, which features ingredients like fennel pollen, Meyer lemon, and avocado, and flavors inspired by the Mediterranean, Central American, and Asian cuisines.
Wildacre thoughtfully sources its ingredients. The rotisserie chickens are from Cooks Venture, which raises a slow-growth, heirloom chicken called the Pioneer, taking into account the health of the animal and the health of the environment. Core to their mission is advancing regenerative agriculture, and their chickens are pasture-raised, heirloom birds fed a diet of non-GMO feed. Other menu items will be local and organic when possible.
Like the menu, Wildacre Rotisserie’s design has a California flair. Crisp white paint and contemporary light fixtures give the space a modern vibe, and tiles in varying shades of green represent the different greens one might find walking through the woods. Throughout the restaurant are images of poppies – the state flower of California. These beautiful, delicate flowers turn the Pacific coast orange every summer and are a fixture of the brand design. Seating will be available indoors, where diners can take in the views of Mill Pond.
Pote has over a decade of restaurant industry experience and an extensive background in culinary operations and menu strategy. He has held leadership positions at a number of nationally-renowned food brands, including Director of Development at Souvla in San Francisco, Director of Culinary Innovation at Starbucks, and most recently Director of Culinary Strategy and Culinary Program Manager at Sweetgreen. After earning his bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Washington University in St. Louis in 2008, Pote cooked his way through the kitchens of multi-unit restaurant groups like the Hillstone Restaurant Group (Hillstone, Houston’s) and The Florence Group (led by the Food Network’s Tyler Florence), before graduating from the French Culinary Institute in New York City in 2010.
Pote said, “We’re thrilled to bring a taste of California-inspired cuisine to Cos Cob, and to become part of the vibrant Greenwich food scene. We’re reimagining the traditional rotisserie with thoughtful ingredients and unique flavor profiles to bring you food you can feel good about for any meal of the week.”
Guests will have the option to order and dine in, or order for pickup or delivery. The restaurant is located at 147 E Putnam Avenue and will be open Tues-Sat from 11am-8pm.
The popular Japanese restaurant is offering several new dishes with an “every day brighter” and cheerful twist in partnership with a renowned print designer and lifestyle shop owner. This menu release is the first part of a multi-layered collaboration designed to spark joy.
Last month print designer and lifestyle shop owner, Dabney Lee Woglom (dabneylee.com), partnered with K Dong, Co-owner of Miku Sushi to launch a multi-layered collaboration. The first release is an uplifting summer specials menu. The menu features Japanese-inspired dishes, a sushi roll, and a blush-colored guava cocktail emphasized by Woglom’s quintessential preppy and polished style.
“When approached by Miku to collaborate I jumped at the opportunity to work with a restaurant that is near and dear to me and my family,” said Woglom. She continued, “Having frequented Miku, sometimes on a weekly basis, I was ecstatic to bring my bright and cheerful brand to a portion of the unique menu”.
The collaboration features bright summer colors mixed with vibrant Asian flavors and includes a “Dabney Lee” sushi roll, “Summer Salad” featuring sesame tuna, and “Strawberry Fields” dessert in addition to an “Everyday Brighter” cocktail that can also be made as a mocktail. “We came up with items that give customers the opportunity to enjoy the menu at the restaurant or at home alongside other Miku favorites,” said Dong. He continued, “The goal of the collaboration is to entertain customers with something new and fun”.
Miku sushi offers special event and corporate catering options, known for popular at-home pop-up experiences that were developed during the pandemic, customers can call Miku to coordinate special lunches or dinners at the restaurant or at their home, or office, event venue, or country club. Dabney Lee lifestyle shop is located in the heart of Rye, New York, and carries everything from hostess gifts and home decor to women’s apparel and accessories. Visit Miku online (mikugreenwich.com) to see menus, make a reservation, subscribe to the restaurant’s mailing list, and follow on social. @mikugreenwich
| Ten years ago, Captain Mike Harden, a Coast Guard Captain and licensed lobster fisherman, introduced Connecticut’s state sandwich, the hot buttered lobster roll, to the coastal community of Norwalk, CT with his LobsterCraft food truck. LobsterCraft was an instant food sensation, amassing a local fan base of hungry consumers looking for their next lobster roll fix. Today, the brand has grown into a thriving brick and mortar Restaurant Group (the first location opened at 107 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich, CT), a fleet of food trucks, and a catering business, with 3 locations in CT, one in Sarasota, FL, and Block Island, RI set to open on June 15. LobsterCraft’s signature lobster roll, the “Coastal Roll”, which has been featured on Food Network and Flavored Nation as “The Best CT Style Hot Buttered Lobster Roll in the Country”, is how it all began. The recipe remains – the best soft toasted buns filled with the freshest and sweetest claw and knuckle lobster meat bathed in butter. Lobster roll cravings are also satisfied with customer favorites such as the Heat Wave laced with serrano and habanero pepper infused butter, the LBLT filled with lobster, bacon, lettuce, and tomato, and topped with garlic aioli, and the Dirty Maynard, a Maine-style cold lobster salad roll dressed in a seasoned mayonnaise. And no matter the style, the lobster remains front and center. Lobster mania specialties include tacos, sliders, creamy mac-n-cheese, grilled cheese, pot pie, bisque, and scratch-made creamy New England/Newport style clam chowder brimming with locally sourced Copps Island clams from Norm Bloom & Sons in Norwalk, CT. While the LobsterCraft brand expands upon its concept, its deep roots within the lobster/fishing community remain. Sourcing from local fishermen is a company standard. Captain Mike and his crew continue to make those long hauls up and down the coastline, sourcing the best, sustainable, cold-water lobster possible from Montauk to Maine. Celebrate LobsterCraft’s 10-Year Anniversary with 10% Off our signature Coastal Roll. The offer is available Monday, May 30 thru Sunday, June 5. All locations (except Block Island – Opening June 15) 107 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich, CT 1814 Post Road, Fairfield, CT 981-a Farmington Ave, West Hartford, CT 28A South Boulevard of the Presidents, St. Armands Circle, Sarasota, FL133 Ocean Avenue, Block Island, RI (Opening June 15) |
Have you ever dreamed of a private chef coming to your home and spoiling your guests as well as yourself? Look no further than Creative Rajni of Cooked with LOVE. Chef Rajni is amazing and she offers the private chef experience, serving South Indian-inspired creative dishes in your home as well as fabulous cooking classes for her clients.
I recently hosted one of Creative Rajni’s dinners for a few amazing local Influencers. The food was perfection and Chef Rajni was a dream to work with. From planning the menu to pairing wine with the courses. I loved collaborating with her on this private chef dinner.
The outcome was a beautiful and exquisite dinner party!
Our menu consisted of vegetable crisps with a creamy garlic dip, Malabar chicken Biriyani, spiced peas with onions and coconut milk, and spiced beet yogurt. And our amazing dark chocolate cake with chocolate ganache from @mixingbowlnyc, beautiful centerpiece by @lavishgardener, and the incredible charcuterie by @traychictreats!!
Cooking has always been a passion of Chef Rajni. She grew up seeing her mom and grand-mom cook for her huge family in her hometown- Kerala, South India. They would be in the kitchen for hours together grinding, sauteing, seasoning, and cooking up her amazing creations of mostly coconut-based food with a ton of vegan options. Rajni has been cooking for over 18 years which includes getting hands-on experience working at the Michelin star chef Jean George’s restaurant kitchen. She has also trained at the Institute of Culinary education, NY for fine dining.
Creative Rajni is all about creativity in food, being fearless in the kitchen, and most importantly- COOKED WITH LOVE. She strives to combine fashion and food on a plate. Her belief is that creating delicious food is a work of art. All her meals produce chic and elegant plates of food inspired by South India.
Thank you to: @whats_in_westchester_ny @westchesterblogger @standupfoodie @stacyknows @kebellabeautycare @914popups @yummydomain
#nycfood #indianfood
Have you been to the new Granola Bar in Rye? The newly renovated beautiful space had its grand opening earlier this month. One of the unique features of the expanded menu is that they are serving the most delicious brunch menu every day. In addition, they have expanded their hours to include an extensive dinner menu and a fabulous cocktail menu. I was lucky enough to join the amazing owners, Dana and Julie for brunch this week. OMG!!!! You are going to be blown away. The new space is the most incredible. It is so chic. For more information on The Granola Bar Rye, click HERE. And check out the photos from our great meal….
| Spring 2022 Hudson Valley Restaurant Week runs from Monday, March 21 – Sunday, April 3, 2022. Restaurants will be offering 3 course, prix-fixe lunches at $29.95 and dinners at $39.95. Hudson Valley Restaurant Week is a popular bi-annual event taking place each Spring and Fall. Participating restaurants span eight counties in the Hudson Valley (Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Ulster, Orange, Sullivan, Dutchess and Greene counties) and offer a wide variety of cuisines. Past participating restaurants served an estimated quarter of a million patrons and reported an average 25% increase in business, collectively generating an estimated economic impact of $10.2 million in sales revenue. Among the many new restaurants joining the lineup this Spring are Apropos Restaurant at The Abbey Inn, Peekskill; Alba’s Restaurant, Port Chester; Autumn, Sparkill; Jason Patrick’s on 44, Poughkeepsie; Le Jardin Du Roi, Chappaqua; One Seventy Nine Bar & Grill, New Rochelle; New York Restaurant, Catskill; Red Onion, Saugerties; Savor Ristorante & Bar, Mahopac; Tavern At Beekman Arms, Rhinebeck, and Picanha Brazilian Steakhouse, West Nyack. Reservations are highly recommended at all restaurants. For more information on HVRW, visit www.hudsonvalleyrestaurantweek.com. |
