 |
| (L to R) Chef Alain and Chef Guillermo Pernot, relaxing after the event |
A.D. and I attended the second seating on June 19. We enjoy the educational aspect of the "Pop-Up Paladar" dinners, and are thrilled with the opportunity to meet the chefs, ask questions, and find out their perceptions of America. Chef Alain, like Chef Lucio from the first Pop-Up Paladar last January, expressed surprise at the availability and easy access we have to a broad range ingredients here in the States.
And of course, we love the food at Cuba Libre, and Chef Alain's four-course menu was wonderful.
 |
| The four courses from Cuba Libre's Pop-Up Paladar Dinner with Chef Alain of Havana, Cuba |
Cod with chile-vinegar sauce, lamb tongue and beet salad
For this dish the cod was pickled in the jar in which it was served.
SEGUNDO: Canelones de Cangrejo - top right photo
Corn pasta cannelloni with sweet crab meat enchilada filling
This was my favorite dish. It was the first time I had corn cannelloni, and the corn shoot garnish tasted like honeysuckle.
TERCERO: Atùn - bottom left photo
Grilled yellowfin tuna with malta-honey reduction and ruby red grapefruit-lavender supremes
In Cuba, Chef Alain is known for coal-fired grilling, a technique that was recreated in the Cuba Libra kitchen to prepare this tuna.
CUARTO: Sopa de Mango - bottom right photo
Chilled mango soup with Cuba Libre’s private label five-year aged rum ice cream
When this dessert was served the room got quiet for a moment as everyone took a first taste, then you could hear diners around the community table saying "Wow!". It was delicious.
Chef Pernot, a two-time James Beard Award-winning chef, met Chef Alain this past April when he and his wife Lucia (a relative of Cuba's 3rd President) led sixteen Cuba Libre patrons on a tour of Havana that included dining at paladares and visits to Cuban landmarks and markets. A second is trip is scheduled for November; for information about participating contact cubatrip@cubalibrerestaurant.com.
For more info or reservations:
Cuba Libre Restaurant and Rum Bar
10 South 2nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
215.627.0666
http://CubaLibreRestaurant.com
All photos by Glamorosi
For more posts about food, tea, fashion, gardening and events: Glamorosi.blogspot.com
♥ ♥ ♥
