A moment in Service

This is a picture sent to me by a customer.  I love the silence and calm it portrays but in reality we are pretty much racing against the clock

| February 8th, 2010

Inspiration 2

I’m inspired by many things but the most powerful is when I get a visit at ALDEA from a chef that consistently has held 3 Michelin stars and 4 stars in the New York Times.   This past Thursday Eric Ripert stopped by for a long !!!! lunch.  It was an exciting day for my entire team and of course myself……………..

Merci Eric.

| January 26th, 2010

Mike Lata dinner

My friend Mike Lata of FIG  in Charleston was in town last month and cooked a fantastic dinner at ALDEA for a sold-out crowd.  I will be flying down to Charleston on  March 28th and presenting diners with a Portuguese- inspired menu.  Further details to come !!

| January 14th, 2010

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Wishing you all a very happy holiday from the entire team at ALDEA

www.aldearestaurant.com

| December 24th, 2009

Fall

Fall is upon us here at ALDEA and we are presently going through numerous menu changes as we head into winter

The most exciting event happening now is my friend Mike Lata of FIG in Charleston, South Carolina taking over the kitchen at ALDEA this coming Monday, December 7th.   Chef Mike will be cooking a four-course menu featuring “low-country” cuisine with wine pairings.  The evening kicks off at 6:30 with canapes by us then the show is Mike’s. There are a few seats left so call 212-675-7223 and speak to Heather.

Cheers !

| December 3rd, 2009

The end of the Summer Market

 While the farewell to summer is always bittersweet, the end of the summer market is something I actually look forward to.  There really is no better time of year as far as the quality and range of market produce.  On my latest trip, I found heirloom tomatoes in peak season.  Given the weather this summer, I’m hoping to see a somewhat longer than usual run.   All the same, I’m pleased to already see that concord grapes are being harvested as well as an array of fall squashes.  I’m excited to see what the fall offers this year.

| September 15th, 2009

Open for lunch

As promised in my last post, Aldea is now open for lunch.  As of today, 9/8/09, we are serving from 11:30 until 2 Monday through Friday.  I hope to see you all here and will keep you updated on upcoming menu changes and other related happenings.

| September 9th, 2009

I’m Back

I’m back.  Finally, I’ve got the time to come up for air.  When I last posted, Aldea was a month from opening.  On May 12, we opened our doors to the public.  As you can imagine, the weeks leading up to our opening made it hard to be in touch.  The three months since, while largely successful, haven’t made it much easier.  For those of you who’ve been in, thank you.  I can’t stop thanking you.  Your support and loyalty are greatly appreciated.  For those of you who’ve not yet made it in, I look forward to seeing you.   As mentioned, our first several months have been very positive.  So positive, in fact, that we are expanding the program.  To answer the question that many of you have asked, we will be opening for lunch in the near future.  Our plan is to begin Monday-Friday service after Labor Day…With fall right around the corner, look for our Summer Market menu to slowly give way to the season.  I always look forward to working with new ingredients.  Again, thank you for your support.  I hope to see all of you at the restaurant soon.  Stay posted.  Maybe I’ll see you at the market.

| August 27th, 2009

Ramps

I was able to get away this weekend for one last trip before we open ALDEA.  We took a ride on a John Deere “Gator” mobile into the woods at Lee’s farm and discovered his stash of ramps (or wild leeks). Biting into one raw was one of the most enjoyable flavors I have had in a while.  Our current opening menu has them featured in 3 different offerings– the season is short so why not ?

| April 12th, 2009

Down the homestretch

| March 5th, 2009