Menu Innovator Blog

Le Cirque, Las Vegas, NV (French)

By Tony Lagana / June 1, 2020

In 1974, Sirio Maccioni opened the first Le Cirque restaurant in New York City, combining colorful circus décor with delicious French cuisine. Le Cirque launched careers of illustrious chefs such as Daniel Boulud, David Bouley, Alex Stratta and Geoffrey Zakarian. With its additional location at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, reservations are hard to come…

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La Grenouille, New York, NY (French)

By Tony Lagana / May 28, 2020

No other restaurant in New York captures the glamourous aura of France like La Grenouille.  In business since the early 1960’s, La Grenouille is famous for its delicious French cuisine and its fresh flowers delivered daily.  Founded in 1962 by the Masson family, the restaurant has hosted numerous celebrities.  Upstairs above La Grenouile, Antoine de…

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Poogan’s Porch, Charleston, SC (Southern)

By Tony Lagana / May 22, 2020

As the chef/owner of Poogan’s Porch, Daniel Doyle’s passion is resourcing meat, produce, and grains from Charleston and its surrounding areas. Poogan’s Porch is Charleston’s oldest independent culinary establishments. Chef Doyle began visiting Poogan’s Porch during his childhood family vacations. He attended Johnson & Wales University where he received a degree in Culinary Arts and…

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Craft, New York, NY (New American)

By Tony Lagana / May 12, 2020

Chef Tom Colicchio is best known for his work on Bravo Network’s “Top Chef” but he has been part of the New York restaurant scene since he originally co-founded Gramercy Tavern with Danny Meyer in 1994. In 2001, he opened his first Craft restaurant. In 2002 he opened his first CraftSteak in Las Vegas and…

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The Penrose Room, Colorado Springs, CO (French)

By Tony Lagana / May 5, 2020

Chef David Patterson’s passion includes the heritage of flavors from the regions of the area. As Executive Chef of the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, he oversees the Penrose Room. Chef Patterson worked for 5 years with Chef Alain Ducasse at Adour Restaurant and Benoit Bistro NYC. He has trained in kitchens in Paris and Monaco…

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Rich Table, San Francisco, CA (Eclectic)

By Tony Lagana / April 30, 2020

Chef Evan Rich began his career in restaurants at age 15. As his interest rose, he enrolled, then graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in 2000. He then moved to Manhattan and became a pastry assistant at Danube, then an executive sous chef at Bouley. There he met his future wife and business partner,…

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Oleana, Cambridge, MA (Mediterranean)

By Tony Lagana / April 24, 2020

Chef Ana Sortun graduated from La Varenne Ecole de Cuisine de Paris before opening Moncef Medeb’s Aigo Bistro in Concord, Massachusetts, in the early 1990s. She is cited as one of the country’s “best creative practitioners” and was awarded the Best Chef: Northeast honor by the James Beard Foundation. A trip to Turkey early in…

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Marea, New York, NY (Italian)

By Tony Lagana / April 21, 2020

Chef Michael White, originally from Wisconsin, decided to attend Kendall Culinary Institute where he graduated and began working at Chicago’s Spiaggia. He then went to Imola for 7 years to study at the acclaimed San Domenico. Upon returning to the United States, he opened restaurants in New Jersey until forming the Altamarea Group with Ahmass…

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J & G Steakhouse, Scottsdale, AZ (Steakhouse)

By Tony Lagana / April 7, 2020

Chef Jean Georges Vongerichten is renowned for his restaurants around the world. Chef Jacques Qualin caught the attention of Jean Georges who hired him to serve as First Sous Chef at his renowned restaurant in New York which launched Vongerichten’s culinary empire. Originally from France, Chef Qualin began to work in hotel kitchens at 16…

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Commis, Oakland, CA (New American)

By Tony Lagana / March 31, 2020

Chef James Syhabout began his culinary career by working in his mother’s Thai restaurant. When he graduated from high school, he enrolled in the California Culinary Academy. Upon graduation, he began working at Betelnut in San Francisco and then Manresa where Chef David Kinch became his mentor. From there he opened Coi with Daniel Patterson.…

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