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Charlie Palmer's Aureole Celebrates 20 Years

 

Charlie Palmer's famed restaurant Aureole celebrated its 20^th anniversary last night in an Upper East Side invitation only, fashionable Fete, co-hosted by super chef Charlie Palmer and Esquire’s Editor-in-Chief David Granger. Friends of the restaurant, the media elite and industry heavyweights like Daniel Boulud and David Burke all joined in the festivities and a taste of the passed “20 bites”, celebrating Charlie’s cuisine and career over the last two decades.

Daniel Boulud, Francois Payard, David Burke

In 1988, Charlie Palmer opened the doors at Aureole on the Upper East Side and quickly became one of New York ’s beloved institutions, an American version of Lutece. For the last 20 years, this charming restaurant in a turn-of-the-century brownstone steps off Madison Avenue has defined and showcased distinctly American food with a distinctly American sensibility.  Charlie Palmer made a landmark commitment to creating dishes featuring regional American ingredients.  The 80-seat room glows in the warm, diffused natural light and golden lamp glow, and consistently delivers sophistication, yet an approachable experience. 

For a look at Charlie Palmer's "20 bites" menu visit Aureole's 20 Years, 20 Tastes

Aureole
34 East 61st Street, (between Madison and Park)

New York, NY 10021

(213) 319 1660

Open for dinner M-F 5:30p.m.- 11:00 p.m. and Saturday 5:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.

L20- Esquire's Restaurant of the Year 2008

 

L20 chef Laurent Gras

Yesterday was indeed a very French dominated day in the culinary world of New York City. First of all, the 2009 Michelin Guide New York was released and announcements made at a press breakfast at the Astor Center with Eric Ripert and Jean George maintaining their 3 Michelin Stars. Then in the evening, Esquire had a party announcing their 2008 20 Best Restaurants of the Year, Chef of the Year, and Restaurant of the Year.

As noted earlier, French Chef Dominique Crenn of San Francisco was selected as Esquire's 2008 Chef of the Year, while native of France, chef Laurent Gras' L20 Restaurant was awarded Restaurant of the Year.

L20 is a modern seafood restaurant in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood. Guests of L20 have the choice of either ordering a la carte in the contemporary lounge area, or enjoying a a 4 course prix-fixe or a tasting menu in the main dining room .

"A native of France, Chef Gras worked his way through a “Who's Who” of Michelin-starred kitchens with Alain Senderens, Jacques Maximin, Guy Savoy and Alain Ducasse before coming to the United States in 1997 to take the helm at New York’s Peacock Alley in The Waldorf-Astoria. In 2001 he took the position of Executive Chef at San Francisco's renowned Fifth Floor, where he was named San Francisco magazine’s Chef of the Year and Food & Wine magazine’s Best New Chef in 2002."

Congratulations to Laurent and L20 on their award. Will definitely be making a visit there on my next trip to the windy city.

L20 Restaurant
2300 Lincoln Park West (at Belden Avenue)
Chicago, Illinois
773-868-0002

Dinner Hours:
Monday, Wednesday and Thursday- 6:00PM-10:00PM,
Friday and Saturday- 5:00PM-11:00PM and
Sunday-5:00PM-9:00PM. 

Dominique Crenn- Esquire's Chef of the Year 2008

Along with the Michelin Guide New York announcements yesterday, Esquire gave out their own awards last night at a party in New York City. Awards were given out for the Top 20 Best New Restaurants for 2008, which included Daniel Boulud's Bar Boulud in New York's Upper West Side, and Luce Restaurant in San Francisco's South of Market district. Party goers were also on edge to find out who Esquire selected as Chef of the Year and Restaurant of the Year 2008.

Congratulations to chef Dominique Crenn of Luce who won Esquire's Chef of the Year, and Laurent Gras' L20 Restaurant in Chicago which was named Restaurant of the Year.

To find out the rest of Esquire's 2008 Restaurants of the Year, check out the November issue, which goes on sale this week. Halle Berry graces the cover, so I'm sure you will not miss it.

To see Food Fashionista's recent interview with chef Dominique Crenn, visit here