A message from Ariane– It is always a joy to return to my country – Gascony—for any length of time. This summer, I spent 3 weeks there with my family and friends. We rented a rambling old farm house with a swimming pool and we relaxed into the pace of South West France. Which can…
Category: Culture
Regional American BBQ
Ah, America the beautiful. Mom, apple pie, baseball, purple mountains majesty. There’s much to be culturally proud of, if you’re an American, even though our dear nation is relatively a baby compared to other countries around the globe. And while many of the things we love to eat in these United States have been borrowed…
Happy National Filet Mignon Day
Yes, that’s a thing. And August 13 is the day to celebrate the tenderest cut of beef. Sliced from the short end of the tenderloin, this succulent little morsel of beef (filet mignon means “dainty filet” in French) is often the most expensive on restaurant menus. This cut is commonly used in the classic recipe…
Bastille Day Roundup
Here are a few photos of the Bastille Day festivities that we participated in last weekend. We hope to see you at the party next year!
Celebrate Bastille Day
Feasts, fêtes and fireworks are the traditional ways to celebrate Bastille Day in France. But before the partying, a brief explanation is in order. Variously called la Fête Nationale or 14 juillet, the holiday is commemorated on July 14, the day that the people of Paris stormed the Bastille prison in 1789 and effectively began the violent overthrow…
Duckathlon VIII, The Video
Duck yeah! Here’s all the evidence needed to destroy any future political careers. Our annual Duckathlon was held on June 9 in the Meatpacking District of NYC. This year, our cameras followed the team from Annisa restaurant as they prepared for the event. This profile of elite duckathletes gives a sense of what it takes…
Armchair Traveler: Gascony
We love Michael Ruhlman’s writing, whether in a cookbook or on his blog. But this article in the July issue of Conde Nast Traveler about his culinary pilgrimage to Gascony is enough to make the stomach rumble. It’s possible that we are a little biased; Ariane is quoted in the article, and of course, she…
Happy Summer Solstice
Today is June 21: the summer solstice. And it would be fair to say that we will find any excuse to gather and celebrate with food. But the summer solstice is more than just an excuse to party; it’s a party with long-standing traditions. Since pagan times, the people in the Northern Hemisphere have marked…
Duckathlon VIII, Reducks
Last Sunday we hosted the 8th annual Duckathlon in the Meatpacking District of NYC. In our infamous event, chefs compete in a culinary obstacle course that takes them through hot eateries, dark bars and the diverse shops at the Chelsea Market. The competition was stiff, and we had a fantastic turnout of teams, sponsors and…
Hog on Hog
Hog on Hog from Listen Films on Vimeo. Now that’s how you do it! Here’s an insanely cool video from our client Alobar restaurant in Long Island City, New York. Chef Ian Kapitan straps our suckling pig on for a joyride through NYC before turning it into one of his signature dishes: Porchetta di Testa….
Presidential Palates
Happy Presidents’ Day! We’ve done extensive internet research on presidential preferences in food. As a result, we now have a game plan in case any of our presidents come over for dinner. George Washington (1789-1797) liked a savory steak and kidney pie, a common dish in his day, so we would bake him up some Deer,…
Recipe: Black Truffle Butter Gougeres
Classic gougeres are already a cocktail hour favorite, but add our Black Truffle Butter, and they become completely irresistible. These delectable little puffs pair equally well with champagne or cocktails, making them perfect for aperitif. We won’t tell how easy they are to make! Black Truffle Butter Gougeres Ingredients 1 cup milk 1 cup water…
Center of the Plate | D'Artagnan Blog 