Erin knew I would be thrillled if I were to get to meet the chef, so she took us to his cooking demo at his restaurant on the first weekend after we arrived in California. While we waited in queue to check in, I had the pleasure to meet this Baby Chef who was in line ahead of us. Are all chefs so charming?
Cafe Firenze is a large, noisy, but nicely decorated restaurant, and very typically Italian. As we walked into the main door, we were greeted by friendly waitresses and waiters. The first thing we saw was a huge marble bar with a wide selection of liquor and wines. More wine seemed to cover every available wall space throughout the restaurant.
Erin introduced us to the co-owner of the restaurant (and an award winning mixologist), Jacopo Falleni, before we were led to our table. He is a warm and friendly guy (also very Italian) and made us all feel very special. My Quay Lo bought their cookbook and Jacopo signed the book for me immediately. I also got Chef Fabio Viviani to sign the book. Prized souvenier!
Jacopo Falleni and Quay Po
Here are the two partners as pictured in the book with barman extraordinaire
Jocopo on the left and Chef Fabio Viviani on the right
I am glad we got a table because the room was packed with attendees. I am not surprised at all. I was told most of his fans are female and sure enough, all of us admiring ladies sat around anxiously awaiting the arrival of Chef Fabio. My Quay Lo yawned, and to no one in particular, wondered aloud what he was doing there.
As soon as we settled down, my step daughter Erin told me that I must try this wonderful Balsamic Martini. WOW! I cannot find words to describe this drink to you. It was SOOO GOOD!!
Chef Fabio introduced himself and started to show us how to make some of his signature appetizer dishes. His demo was lively and entertaining. He was a humorous guy and I am sure all of us enjoyed ourselves watching him cook. He made cooking look so simple.
Chef Fabio Viviani in action
Here are the dishes that he cooked and we got to taste. They were simple to do but over the top delicious!
The focaccia bread was flavorful
Pomodoro sauce with onion, eggs and cheese. The egg was
cooked just right
gamberoni in camicia - pacetta wrapped jumbo prawn filled with
Italian sharp gorgonzola with parmesan polenta and sauteed "spinachi"
This is an awesome dish which I would like to try soon.
Italian meat ball in pondoro tomato sauce.
Another very simple-to-make dish
with an explosion of flavors in each bite.
deep fried prawns with homemade mayonnaise
I did not know making our own mayonnaise
is so simple.
After watching the cooking demo, eating the scrumptuous lunch, and maybe another martini or two, we all had stuffed bellies, so we called it a day. There was one last thing to do before we left. I had to take a photo with the chef for my album. Yay I did!
As soon as we were back at Erin's home, I quickly transferred all the photos taken at the demo into my Quay Lo's computer hard disk and erased those on my SD card. As I was editing the photos I realized the photo of me and Chef Fabio was missing!!! What??? I can't believe I lost the most important photo of the event. Can I be anymore 'Lucy' than that? I was so upset that I screamed out so loud "AUNTIE LUCY!, are you kidding me???!!" My Quay Lo thought I fell down or hurt myself. He came running to me only to find out that I had lost the photo. He sensed that I was very upset and he asked Erin to quickly call the restaurant and tell Chef Fabio what happened, then ask if I could go back and take another photo with him before he leaves. He was kind enough to ask me to return to the restaurant. This time I made very damn sure Aunty Lucy didn't lose it again. I had the photo in my Quay Lo's hard disk, my SD card, and a separate USB flash drive. LOL!!
Chef Favio Viviani and Quay Po
If you would like to know more about Chef Fabio Viviani, watch this interview.
He always make people laugh. Isn't he good looking and cute? LOL!
If you would like to know more about Chef Fabio Viviani, watch this interview.
He always make people laugh. Isn't he good looking and cute? LOL!
The first dish that I tried to make at home (here in K.L.) that I learned from the cooking demo is this yummy light meal.
Pomodoro (tomato) sauce with onion, eggs and cheese
Recipe by Chef Favio Viviani with slight variations by yours truly.
Ingredients:
1 can (250gm) plum tomatoes
1 tbs olive oil
1 tsp italian herbs
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp thinly diced spring onion
1 egg
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar
Method:
Heat oil and saute garlic till fragrant. Add plum tomatoes and break them up. Add Italian herbs, salt, pepper and let it simmer for about 10 mins and reduced. Transfer to a bowl. Add cheese and crack an egg onto the sauce. Bake in a pre heated oven at 180 degrees C for 10 mins till cheese is melted and egg white cooked but yolk still runny.
Note: I served the dish with freshly baked crusty bread and my good friend, Wendy's brussels sprout chiffonade with hazel nuts. One bite of crusty bread dipped into the sauce followed by a spoonful of brussel sprouts, MM... MM...MM...Brilliant combination.
Note: I served the dish with freshly baked crusty bread and my good friend, Wendy's brussels sprout chiffonade with hazel nuts. One bite of crusty bread dipped into the sauce followed by a spoonful of brussel sprouts, MM... MM...MM...Brilliant combination.
lovely post and food
ReplyDeletethat prawns look delicious
Thanks. The prawns is very good. Will make it soon and then share the recipe:D
DeleteThat looks like a simple but great egg dish. Something I can try for lunch one day.
ReplyDeleteYou look like you enjoyed the cooking demo very much!
Yen, I DID!! Chef Fabio is very funny. hehe
DeleteVeron, I wanted to say this soup is very delicious.. Feel like cooking it this sunday for brunch. My son definitely love it, since I have leftover bread in the fridge. Think of making croutons as well!
ReplyDeleteCan I used fresh tomatoes?
DeleteYes, cook for your kiddies, they will love it. Croutons with this is good.
DeleteSure, you can use fresh tomatoes, even better. Make sure it is pomodoro tomatoes because they are sweeter.
DeleteAuntie Lucy, you erased the most important pic in your SD?? You better join in my club too!! I often do this too, gosh.. but I am not so blessed as you.. can go back to take the picture again... lol... so nice of your hubby and the chef...
ReplyDeleteClaire, I thought I already have my own Lucy club and invited you to join as lifetime member? Oh yes, my Quay Lo is very sweet to get Erin to call the chef and brought me back to the cafe to take another photo with chef Fabio.
DeleteOooo ... yum, delicious! And I mean the recipe ... REALLY!! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm going off now to get the ingredients to make this for lunch.
And I have another thing to say .... SHARE! And I'm NOT talking about the recipe :D
Ping, don't pretend lah. I know you mean both delicious. LOL! Hey you know me I share a lot of things but something cannot be shared and you know what:D
DeleteOoooo....the celebrity chefS meet!!! Handsome guy eh? Why the chefs there all so good looking, unlike our local ones? LOL!!!
ReplyDeleteArthur, I have to disagree with you. Now the young local chefs are handsome too. At least the few that I have met.
DeleteThat is one delicious looking dish.....as I always loves tomatoes! Would you mind if I baked to put in some slice bacon in it? And that...side dish brussel sprouts, its my love too. I just made this recipe the other. Delicious!!
ReplyDeleteBacon is a miracle ingredient. Go ahead!
DeleteI'm taking the note for this recipe. Love this very much. Looks great for appetizer or for whenever.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you like this dish.
DeleteLucy , you're one lucky gel ! He looks really hot ! ;D Your dish looks as scrumptious as Favio's himself ! lol
ReplyDeleteHe is HOT! haha, you cracked me up with your comment on the dish.
DeleteI thought this is some otak-otak dish when I saw ur FB post :P
ReplyDeleteDoes it look like otak-otak? Really?
Deleteyou really Lucy lar, hahaha. Luckily you are still able to take photo again with him..This dish look simple and good!
ReplyDeleteYa lor, no one can snatch this title from me ever! hahaha
DeleteYes, I remember this chef from the Top Chef show ;-) Nice photos and great looking dishes...yumz!
ReplyDeleteThanks Chris. His recipe are simple and good.
DeleteQuay Po,you lucky girl! That dish (I mean the Pomodoro Sauce) looks absolutely delicious. Something different for me to try.
ReplyDeleteYes try. This is simple enough for anyone to try.
DeleteHe is so nice. I bet he is honour to have you go all the way back there for a photo. His num 1 fan
ReplyDeleteThat was what my Quay Lo said also. He must be thrilled to know he has a fan all the way from Malaysia.
DeleteWhen I looked at the picture of you and Chef Fabio Viviani, my eyes had started to fill with tear. I was so touched. I was touched because of what your Quay Lo had done for you. He is really a very supportive and loving husband to you.
ReplyDeleteYan, I was touched too. Next life I must also find Quay Lo again to be my husband if there is such a thing called reincarnation. hehe
DeleteGreat post and I am sure you enjoyed evry moment of this day. Stay well Diane
ReplyDeleteYes, I did, very much. You too stay well Diane. Hugs.
DeleteThe dish looks delicious! From the way Quay Lo responces to you can see how caring he is as a husband, you are indeed blessed Veron :)
ReplyDeleteI am Tze. You too my dear. You have a wonderful family.
Deleteoh u r so lucky and blessed!!! What a lovely treat. and yes, treat that photo with care!!
ReplyDeleteBack to the food- this is MY kind of food. So clean and fresh and EASY!! Bookmarked!
hahaha, I will hold on that photo like gold. Maybe one day when Chef Fabio become a Top Chef in the world, it will worth a million dollars?? You can get creative with this sauce. It can go with so many things.
DeleteYou must be so starstruck. Lucky you! He was so kind to invite you back to have another photo session with you. hahaha. you really are a good cook. Your version looks the same as Chef Fabio's! And I love the highlight on your hair..you are so 'in'!hehe.
ReplyDeleteI can see anything you wrote about the photo or the dish. I can only see that you love my hair!! Thanks, I love the one strand highlight too. I thought it is cool!! hahaha, I am self praising, how can you stand me?? Hugs.
DeleteYou're so lucky to have a chance to meet Chef Fabio, tried his food and have photos with him Twice! That's Incredible!
ReplyDeleteYes Veronica, I was lucky that he had not left his restaurant yet so that I have that second chance.
DeleteYummmmmmmmmm
ReplyDeleteThanks Loly.
DeleteThat looks like a fun and tasty place!
ReplyDeleteIt was a nice restaurant with good food and excellent service. We went back a second time to have dinner there. The food was awesome!
DeleteSuch an amazing restaurant review, Veronica! Loved the photos of you and chef Fabio...both look so cute; and you're always so photogenic.
ReplyDeleteThe dishes sampled are so mouthwatering, scrumptious. Lucky you that you got to sample all those goodies.
The title: Pomodoro...literally means tomato...so it's a Pomodoro sauce, not Pomodoro, and Tomato=same thing in Italian and English!
I've made these for years, and everyone in my family loves it. Now, you've inspired me to make them real soon. Looks yummy and perfectly done:D
Eliisabeth, thanks for pointing out my mistake. It is fixed:D
Deleteomg !! FABIO VIVIANI and you get to take picture with him jealous =P . i like him among all the top chef so far he is funny and love his accents ;D .
ReplyDeleteSorry I miss your comment. Oh yes, he is a lovable guy.
Delete