Michael Hepworth
SAN FRANCISCO CHEF KORY STEWART LOOKING TO BREAK OUT
San Francisco, CA(Perfect Travel Today)6/1/13/–Kory Stewart is a young and up and coming chef from the Americano restaurant in the Hotel Vitale in San Francisco and he recently headed south to Los Angeles to spread the word about the hotel. He took up a space in the kitchen at the swanky Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood, and rustled up a four course meal for some high profile Los Angeles travel writers, yours truly included.
He started out his dinner with an unusual Slow egg with smoked onion, wild rice and grilled Morel Mushrooms. A rather fluid dish that needed some bread to combat the “slowness” of the egg, that was paired with Ceretto Arneis, Piemonte 2010. Things improved dramatically with the Grilled Half Moon Bay King Salmon that was served with an outstanding Coriander Yogurt. It was served on a zucchini pancake and served with charred ramp salsa verde. Kistler Pinot Noir 2009 from the Russian Valley proved an excellent choice of wine for this dish.
Beef Short Rib with butter beans was paired with a Medlock-Ames Bordeaux Blend 2008 from the Alexander Valley and again showcased Stewarts style with the extras of Porcini mushrooms and Green Harissa. Maybe the best was saved for last with his outstanding dessert of Elderflower Panna Cotta with mulberries, cherries and Amaretti crumble. Back to Piemonte for the excellent dessert wine of Cascina Ca’Rossa, Brachetto “Birbet.”
Stewart grew up in Whitney Island, Washington, and he started washing dishes in an Italian restaurant at the age of 12. He has also worked at Postrio, Town Hall, as well as the kitchens of restaurants fronted by Michael Mina and Scott Howard. He has traveled extensively in South East Asia and Central Mexico, making him an extremely well rounded chef.
Stewart has been at the Americano for six years starting out as sous chef, becoming executive chef in 2010. He has since added the title of Food and Beverage Director, and his menu features bold Italian flavors in a California context. When he is in San Francisco his menu is dictated by what is available at the Ferry Building Marketplace located across the street from his kitchen. He is a proponent of “wild foods” dinners, featuring foraged foods including fish and seafood, mushrooms, flowers, vegetables and fruits.
The hotel has 200 rooms and suites, many with water views of the Embarcadero, and The Circular Suites offer panoramic 180-degree views of San Francisco Bay. I for one will be visiting the hotel in the near future to check out more of the culinary delights that Kory Stewart comes up with.
Hotel Vitale-Eight Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105
415-278-3700 Reservations 888-890-8688
415-278-3701 www.hotelvitale.com
Michael Hepworth
287 S.Robertson Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211
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