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Mediterranean

Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen

Ask anyone in Washington wine country and they will claim Saffron is one of the best restaurants in Walla Walla and maybe even the state of Washington Chef Chris Ainsworth has been a semi-finalist in the James Beard Foundation Best Chef Northwest for six straight years. His restaurant also received Wine Enthusiast Magazine's "10 Best... read more

Oleana

  With a degree from La Varenne Ecole de Cuisine in Paris, Ana Sortun opened Moncef Medeb's Aigo Bistro in Concord, MA cooking what most people think is typical Mediterranean food.  While working at Casablanca, Sortun took an opportunity to study in Turkey. She learned that in the Mediterranean, spice is used to create richness,... read more

Sur Lie: Fine Food, Fine Wine

A tapas-style restaurant located in the heart of Portland, they are gaining notoriety for their use of local Maine products and their inventive cocktail program.  The bar manager left a successful mixology career in Washington DC to be a part of this project and is offering "boutique" liquors, creative cocktails, and many local brews.  Chef... read more

Shaya; Modern Israeli Cuisine

During my recent visit to New Orleans this restaurant became perhaps the best example of the rapid changing restaurant landscape in the Big Easy. Chef Alon Shaya joked with me about his business plan for Shaya saying, "If I took this plan to create an Israeli-based restaurant in New Orleans and presented it to 100 business... read more

Rioja; a Jennifer Jasinski’s concept

Chef Jennifer Jasinski is the Chef Owner of 3 great concepts in Denver: Rioja, Euclid Hall, and Café Vendome.  During the ICCA Culinary Immersion in Denver, we had the pleasure of a tasting at Rioja followed by an after-dinner treat at Euclid Hall.  Her concept Rioja is a Mediterranean inspired restaurant that draws on inspiration... read more

Lola – a Tom Douglas Restaurant

I'm a big fan of just about anything Tom Douglas does, but especially like his Mediterranean style at Lola. I've had Greek salads before, but with the use of local feta and produce, Jackie's Greek salad is extra special. Jackie is the name of his wife and partner who also works very closely with their... read more