Chef showcase
Landry's kicks off cool Signature Chef Dinner Series with sizzling summerflavors
Summer’s here, which means it’s time for Landry’s annual Signature Chef Dinner Series. What's that? Oh, just an extra-special dinner at one of the eight signature Landry’s locations each Tuesday night this summer: Vic & Anthony’s, Pesce, Brenner’s on the Bayou, Grotto, Willie G’s, Brenner’s Steakhouse, La Griglia, and the Oceanaire. Each of the award-winning chefs creates an elaborate, multi-course meal with wine and cocktail pairings, all for $75–$95 per person.
The series kicked off this past Tuesday with dinner at Vic & Anthony’s, the brightest shining star in the Landry’s universe. The real draw at dinners like these is the inspiration in the menus. Chefs have license to innovate a bit more and capitalize on the season’s most compelling ingredients, and the series kickoff was certainly no exception.
Vic & Anthony’s chef Carlos Rodriguez designed a five-course menu full of hot summer flavors… like the baked scallop atop a bed of thin-sliced crispy artichokes and the gemelli pasta with red wine braised octopus, tomato, and bone marrow.
The star of the evening was the veal short rib on pureed potatoes, topped with golden raisins and a cippolini onion compote.
And for dessert? A peach crostada with Mascarpone ice cream. (When Rodriguez was called away unexpectedly Tuesday morning, Chef de Cuisine John Moore stepped in, expertly executing the menu.)
Sure, these dinners are a great way to showcase a chef’s mastery — but another major draw is the relaxed, genial atmosphere they provide. As media guests, we shared a table with two other couples, previously unknown, and swapped stories and backgrounds over great food and lovely wine. A sensational summer evening, indeed.
The next dinner takes place Tuesday at Pesce with chef Mark Holley, followed by six more dinners over the next two months. The grand finale — featuring all eight signature chefs — takes place Aug. 9 at Vic & Anthony’s.
For more information, or to reserve your spot, click here.