Escargot

I was walking through London’s SoHo on a day off while doing interviews during the Olympics. I was just walking around and I saw this restaurant Escargot that Marco Pierre White owns. Being a big chef groupie I stopped and took a picture. I first heard about Marco Pierre White in Bill Bufford’s book Heat. He was recounting a story of Mario Batalli working for White and getting so pissed off at him he threw a bunch of salt into his sauces and walking out. If you want to see a video with a young Gordon Ramsay as a kitchen slave this one is priceless.

Orlando - Yellow Dog Eats

Yellow Dog Eats 

1236 Hempel Ave
Windermere, FL 34786
407-296-0609

This was the most fun restaurant I have ever been to. We were a group of about 8-10 visiting the area to make a wake-board video. Our buddy Shonka used to live near the restaurant and took us there, local hook-up.

I went there twice in my week long stay, and half of our crew went 4 times! The second night we went we had ribs waiting for us, best ribs I have ever ate. Period. Nice smoke flavor really moist and almost falling off the bone. The gold bbq sauce they make is outstanding. Next time I am in the area it will be my first stop. Oh yeah the tomato, mozzarella caprese type salad was yummy.

Today on Yelp they have 106 reviews and 4.5 stars, well deserved!

http://www.yelp.com/biz/yellow-dog-eats-windermere

A Great Read - Heat

Okay by read, I mean an audio book I listened to. Heat is a true story about the author Bill Buford who was writing and editing for New Yorker magazine. One day he throws a birthday dinner party for a friend and invites Mario Batali, who he didn't think would show up. Mario and he become friends and Bill asks to become a kitchen slave at Babbo, Batali's flagship restaurant. He thought he had some cooking skills but he really learns the difference between home and pro cooks. Later in the book he makes trips to Italy, learning pasta making from Batali's teacher. Later in Italy he starts an apprenticeship to a Dante quoting butcher. Not a new book but it is great if you want to step into someone else's shoes for a while. The narrator on this audio book was great, Michael Kramer totally took me on the theatre of the mind journey.

Here is an embeded video from the Charlie Rose Show where he talks to Bill Buford, great stories.