On the Menu: January 31 through February 6

by jbfauthor on January 29, 2010

Here’s what happening at the Beard House next week: Sunday, January 31, 12:00 P.M. Fabulous Mid-Winter Brunch Few people know how to brunch as well as New Yorkers do. And few restaurants know how to fill those eggs-Benedict-and-ricotta-pancake cravings as well as Almond, Jason Weiner’s unpretentious French bistros in NYC and the Hamptons. Join us as we chase off some winter blues with a menu of Weiner’s bold, expertly executed cuisine. Monday, February 1, 7:00 P.M. Organic Modern American Named by Travel + Leisure as one of the best new restaurants in 2009, Josh Adams’s June seamlessly blends a farm-to-table ethic with the tools of molecular gastronomy. Adams applies progressive techniques to pristine ingredients, many of which are grown on nearby farms specifically for the restaurant. Tuesday, February 2, 7:00 P.M. A Night with the Forgiones You know what they say: the apple doesn’t fall far from the multiple JBF Award–winning tree. Universally acclaimed chef Larry Forgione will join forces with his children, two of whom are professionals: Bryan Forgione of Society Café Encore in Las Vegas and Marc Forgione of Restaurant Marc Forgione in NYC, to create this once-in-a-lifetime meal. Wednesday, February 3, 7:00 P.M. Shaun’s Southern Charm “In a city now inundated with national-chain restaurants,” wrote reviewer John Mariani, “Shaun’s is a paragon of what contemporary Southern food can and should be.” The type of neighborhood bistro we’d move for, Shaun’s has wooed locals and critics alike with chef and owner Shaun Doty’s ingredient-driven, creative American cuisine. Thursday, February 4, 7:00 P.M. New York Elegance Haiti Benefit: All proceeds from this dinner will go the International Rescue Committee to support the relief efforts in Haiti. The Oak Room at the Plaza Hotel was built in 1907 and originally opened as a bar for men. Throughout the decades the storied spot has gone through several evolutions, including its much-applauded recent metamorphosis under the direction of chef Eric Hara, a David Burke alum who serves elegant interpretations of American classics. Saturday, February 6, 7:00 P.M. Umbrian Winter Feast The Italian region of Umbria, often referred to as “the green heart of the country,” is known for simple and flavorful cuisine that recalls the area’s ancient agricultural traditions. Taste the region’s rich history when Lorenzo Polegri of Orvieto’s Zeppelin returns to the Beard House. For details and reservations, visit www.jamesbeard.org/events or call 212.627.2308. (Photo by Eileen Miller)