Here was a first for 2Gourmaniacs: a private cheffing gig where Rosaria was a guest and Robert was the chef. The venue was a casual, women only, birthday celebration for a close friend of ours. The location was a spectacular 50 acres country estate in Southampton, NY. And amazingly, the birthday gods dished up fantastic early summer weather. With that promise in mind, a day or so earlier, I developed a simple menu to be enjoyed al fresco. With the exception of salads, slow braised pork belly, and warming up some 2GM home preserved tomato sauce, everything else was grilled (see menu below). I served the appetizers at a low cocktail table surrounded by outdoor couches and “easy chairs”. Then, under a night sky blazing with starlight, I served dinner to the guests at a glass covered table perched up on a raised stone patio overlooking the pool. Libations were poured and consumed, skewered delicacies and salads were eaten, and laughter rang out into the night.
I’m glad you had a great birthday, Corina.
Corina’s Birthday Party Poolside Dinner
Appetizers:
Grilled Gourmet Pizzas with caramelized onions, shiitake, fresh tomato sauce and four Italian cheeses
Butterflied Leg of Lamb, grilled and served over a bed of greens with Horseradish & Herbs Sauce
Slow braised Pork Belly with Adobo Sauce
Salads:
Caesar Salad with homemade croutons and dressing & fresh shaved Parmigiano
Mixed baby greens, endive, arugula, and fennel salad with a light mustard vinaigrette
Entree:
Grilled Skewers: Selection of beef, chicken, and seafood skewers with assorted vegetables served with a hot & sweet Pineapple-Habañero sauce
Chocolate-Strawberry Cake
