The Discerning Brute: fashion, food & etiquette for the ethically handsome man » restaurant

Kyotofu is Sweet, John Bartlett’s Jackets, Move & Speed Demons

joshuakatcher — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 16:37:28 +0000

• Kyotofu is a small Japanese restaurant tucked away in Hell's Kitchen. Their house-made tofu puts all other tofu's to shame; it is creamy, luscious, and delectable on its own - which is saying a lot for someone (me) who doesn't love tofu. The chefs transform the tofu into vanilla-chocolate swirl soft-serve (topped with green-tea mochi, brownie, caramel and fruit) that is to die for. The restaurant is not vegan, but there are several incredible vegan options. The sorbet dessert was delicious, and the the dessert that gets the cake is - the vegan chocolate cake. It is dense and slightly crisp on the outside; moist and rich on the inside, and the cocoa they use is so smooth. I will definitely be heading back for more, I'm addicted! • Prior to the dessert binge - Leanne of Vaute Couture and I went to see vegan choreographer James Koroni of enforcedarch.com perform in a benefit show for Autism. I snapped some pictures of his piece "Arrest Yourself" which was dark, edgy and really fun. • The following evening I attended the launch of John Bartlett's collection for Bon Ton, which included some really handsome, vegan faux-leather jackets. Look out for these next fall. • Lastly, I walked into the Tesla store to see for myself what all the excitement is surrounding this super-charged, electric sports-car. I have to say, even though I am more into the classic car aesthetic, I was in awe of how cool this car is, and I was even invited back for a test drive. I hope to report to you on that - and maybe shoot a video of it like my speed-queen pal Annabella at Ethical Bella. In addition being the baddest electric car on the road, Tesla offers microfiber interiors for vegetarians.

Running With Russell, Vegetable Frenzy & Rise of the Power Vegans

joshuakatcher — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 20:58:44 +0000

Ryan Olbrysh,  www.lasvegassun.com

• Power Vegan. What does this phase connote? According to the Business Week article from Nov. 4th, The Rise of the Power Vegan is an interesting turn of events for a culture of executives and power-players who want to take control of their own health, and thrive for as long as possible.

...a growing number of America's most powerful bosses have become vegan. Steve Wynn, Mort Zuckerman, Russell Simmons, and Bill Clinton are now using tempeh to assert their superiority. As are Ford Executive Chairman of the Board Bill Ford (F), Twitter co-founder Biz Stone, venture capitalist Joi Ito, Whole Foods Market (WFMI) Chief Executive Officer John Mackey, and Mike Tyson. Yes, Mike Tyson, a man who once chewed on human ear, is now vegan

• A new, slightly controversial article in New York Magazine explores why vegetables are the new meat, becoming the focus of entrees at unlikely restaurants throughout cities famous for fervent foodies. Vegetables Are the New Meat, they say - but they make sure to distinguish themselves from vegetarians, still calling on meat, butter, and cheese for flavor. What do you think about the "vegivore" trend? Leave a comment!

“Sales are up 15 to 20 percent,” says Mountain Sweet Berry Farm’s Rick Bishop, whose spigarello broccoli and spring-ushering ramps have cult followings at Union Square. “You see lines at the market now for vegetables. People used to only line up for eggs and fish.”

• If you like football, but hate the stereotype of the meat-maniacs that fill the parking lots, you'll love Peta's list of the Top 5 Vegetarian-Friendly NFL Stadiums:

1. Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia Eagles), where protein-packed mock-steak sandwiches, faux-chicken sandwiches, veggie dogs, and veggie burgers are coming off the grill faster than DeSean Jackson in the open field.
2. Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum (Oakland Raiders)
3. Lambeau Field (Green Bay Packers)
4. Georgia Dome (Atlanta Falcons)
5. (Tie) Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City Chiefs) & Ford Field (Detroit Lions)

• I made my debut on Oxygen Network's Running Russell Simmons last night, where I was drenched in fake blood and wrapped up in a meat tray in times square! So may people have been Tweeting that they are considering going veg! Thanks to the amazing Simone for asking me to join her at this event! Watch the full episode (the PETA demo starts at about 36 min. in): • Win a Gardein Stuffed Turk'y Thanksgiving Meal from Mercy For Animals! Gardein has provided MFA with five coupons for free Savory Stuffed Turk'y products to give away to our supporters. All you have to do is enter MFA's Savory Stuffed Turk'y contest for your chance to win a free coupon. So, what are you waiting for? Enter to win today! Five lucky winners will be randomly selected on November 15.

GRACIOUS GOURMAND: Ella Nemcova, Nov 19th

joshuakatcher — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 20:28:28 +0000

Gracious Gourmand returns Friday, Nov. 19th featuring Chef Ella Nemcova. Get tickets now! $50 prix fix

MENU: KINGDOM OF PLAISIR

Amuse Bouche Trio: ⫷ Lebanese Garlic & Smoky Kale Napoleon ⫷ Faux Gras Truffle in Bing Cherries and Toasted Pistachio on Microgreens ⫷ Marinated Kanpyo on Jerusalem Artichoke Half Shells with Horseradish Cream

Salade: ⫷ Celeriac & Apple Remoulade with Pickled Kale Stem Dressing and Beet Farfalle

Entrée: ⫷ Rice Cannelloni Stuffed with Lobster Mushroom, Pecan, Braised Leek and Tempeh in Mirin-Poached Enoki and a Porcini Cream Sauce ⫷ Toasted Bread Crumb Seared Brussels Sprouts

Dessert: ⫷ Macerated Local Apple, Pear & Date on Caramelized Gingersnap Crust à La Mode

Cocktail: ⫷ Rosewater-infused Vodka with Shaved Chocolate Kisses ($8)

MENU SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO MARKET AVAILABILITY

Ella has studied at The Institute of Culinary Education, The Natural Gourmet Institute, in cooking classes around the world and under the tutelage of Chef Josh Sharkey formerly of Café Grey. The Regal Vegan was created to fill the void in healthy, plant-based cuisine in the New York community. Using east coast ingredients with a global soul, Ella creates inventive food inspired by recipes she discovered while traveling around the world, to satisfy vegetarians and carnivores alike. GRACIOUS GOURMAND, a weekly dinner event presented by The Discerning Brute & Second Stop Cafe, is not for the weak of palate. Featuring a rotating cast of chefs specializing in avant-garde, gourmet, sustainable fare, our series aims to challenge ordinary perceptions and preparations of fine food, expose visionary talent, and celebrate conscientious hedonism.

Gracious Gourmand, Launch

joshuakatcher — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 18:59:20 +0000

The Launch of Gracious Gourmand on Friday August 28th was a huge success! Tucked in the cozy, candle-lit Second Stop Cafe, 30 foodies gathered to dine on the meticulous, visually stunning and delicious creations of Chef Lagusta Yearwood, featuring produce from Taliaferro Farms and Second Wind CSA . Our sponsor was Kanon Organic Vodka, and we created some delicious, freshly-juiced watermelon-mint and apple-beet libations. Take a look at some of the highlights from our opening night below, and make sure to get tickets to our next dinner - they'll go fast. Lagusta Yearwood is a chef and chocolatier in New Paltz, New York. Since 2003 she has run a gourmet meal delivery service bringing fresh, seasonal, handmade meals to busy New Yorkers on a weekly basis. In addition, she sells three lines of vegan, organic, and fair-trade chocolates at her website at lagustasluscious.com.

DB presents: GRACIOUS GOURMAND!

joshuakatcher — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 18:29:48 +0000

GRACIOUS GOURMAND, a biweekly dinner event presented by The Discerning Brute & Second Stop Cafe, is not for the weak of palate. Featuring a rotating cast of chefs specializing in avant-garde, gourmet, sustainable fare, our series aims to challenge ordinary perceptions and preparations of fine food, expose visionary talent, and celebrate conscientious hedonism. The launch is Friday August 27th, 2010, featuring Chef Lagusta Yearwood. PURCHASE YOU TICKET, $50 PRIX FIXE, click below:

Lagusta Yearwood's Six-Course, Summer-Harvest Menu:

featuring produce from Taliaferro Farms and Second Wind CSA.

♦ AMUSE BOUCHE: Baked scalloped local corn in cashew cream sauce. ♦ STARTER: Yellow tomato aspic, red tomato aspic, green tomato aspic, and tomato essence aspic with yuzu juice, micro basil, aged cashew cheese, and smoked Hawaiian guava wood sea salt. ♦ SALAD: Timbale of watermelon, heirloom tomatoes, and Chioggia beets with Kalamata olive vinaigrette and amaranth chiffonade. ♦ ENTRÉE: “Eggplant and squash, inside and out:" Syrian-stuffed eggplant with deep-fried spaghetti squash garnish, heirloom tomato sauce, and eggplant caviar-stuffed fried squash blossoms. ♦ DESSERT: Local stone fruit pudding parfait with coconut cream ♦ DESSERT: Lemon-verbena pine nut cookie sandwiches with creamy fruit fillings ♦ DESSERT: Chocolate truffles with olive oil ganache infused with Genovese basil, rolled in corn powder

ABOUT THE CHEF: Lagusta Yearwood is a chef and chocolatier in New Paltz, New York. Since 2003 she has run a gourmet meal delivery service bringing fresh, seasonal, handmade meals to busy New Yorkers on a weekly basis. In addition, she sells three lines of vegan, organic, and fair-trade chocolates at her website at lagustasluscious.com.

Good Love: Champ’s Family Bakery

joshuakatcher — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 02:37:32 +0000

Champs Family Bakery had its soft-opening this week, and I was able to swing by, as its cases of confections are located dangerously close to my apartment. Co-Owner power-team Megan Blackburn and Brad Baker of Boneshakers took some time to show me around and give me the details on their new endeavor as well as some sacred secrets I am happy to share with you. Champs is located in the historic, Italian, Graham Ave. neighborhood of Williamsburg, Brooklyn on a quiet, tree-lined street. The signage reads like a old-time boxing-gym logo, and the interior - soon to be filled with tables and chairs - has a very Brooklyn, warm, lived-in feeling with exposed brick, wooden ceilings, and terra-cotta tile floor. Resting up against the brick wall were three photos: Mike Tyson, Rue McLanahan, and Georges Laraque in fancy gilded frames, waiting to be hung. "That whole wall is going to be filled with framed photos of famous vegans", Brad informed me. Megan and Brad also informed me that eighty-five percent of the ingredients they're using are organic, their shortenings are healthy oils that are non-hydrogenated, and, in addition to being 100% vegan, they'll soon be offering gluten-free and sugar-free options. The most exciting news happened when Megan spilled the beans about the croissants. That's right... they will be offering the only vegan croissants in New York. Flaky, yummy, light, croissants. Did I mention how dangerous it is that I live one block away from this place? With cookies, muffins, scones, cupcakes, cakes, whoopee pies and custom pastries all made on the premises, this is a long-awaited NYC essential: our very own vegan bakery! They've even got some Italian flare happening with pignoli cookies, and I am praying that they do some more NYC classics like rainbow cookies, black and whites, cannolis, butter cookies, rugelach, and macaroons. Pretty please? I sampled the carrot cake cupcakes, which were moist, sweet, perfectly spiced, and topped with a generous mound of cream-cheese frosting. Then I tried the rocky-road cookie, the chocolate-chocolate-chip scone, the chocolate-chip cookie, and finally, the blueberry muffin. I washed it down with iced coffee from Gimme! Coffee, which is possibly the best coffee in NYC - smooth, no acid, and velvety. I'll certainly be back for more. If you haven't been to Williamsburg Brooklyn, now is the perfect time to come for a cup of coffee and a pastry.

The Details:

Champs Family Bakery 176 Ainsle Street (at Leonard St) Brooklyn, NY 11211 718 599 2743

San Francisco Treats: Wholesome Bakery & PACT Organic Underwear

joshuakatcher — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 15:40:39 +0000

Let's make a PACT. Sustainably manufactured, premium organic cotton underwear for men (and women)! PACT just released its newest print -- one designed by African architect David Adjaye and inspired by Nobel Prize winner Wangari Maathai's Green Belt Movement, a nonprofit that promotes peace and democracy in Africa through tree planting. PACT underwear is designed in collaboration with Yves Behar and fuseproject, the industrial design studio behind the Jawbone headset, the One Laptop per Child XO Laptop and the Herman Miller LEAF lamp. Each underwear collection is developed in partnership with a nonprofit, which gets 10% of all sales, and an artist who creates print designs inspired by the nonprofit’s work.

My pal (and vegan model) Jayce Alexander, strips down to his undies in this video for PACT:

• Wholesome Bakery in San Fran has a brand new location and is serving up some amazing treats. Have any of you visited? If so, what are the must-have treats?

Eating in Omaha, Part II

joshuakatcher — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 14:10:38 +0000

I made it to the weekend brunch at Daily Grub in Omaha just before heading off to Indiana. The brunch was delicious and featured three kinds of waffles, three amazing specials, great coffee, juices, and smoothies. I had a banana, strawberry, blackberry and blueberry smoothie, and classic waffles with fruit and maple syrup served beside tofu scramble with asparagus, mushrooms, scallions and fresh herbs. Later for dinner, I had the chance to grab some grub at McFoster's Natural Kind Cafe, also in Omaha. I had a veggie-melt sandwich with tempeh-bacon, mushrooms, eggplant, peppers, zucchini, pickles and Tofutti cheese, and for dessert, a piece of chocolate tofu-cheesecake. McFoster's is a bit old-school hippy from food to decor, and not entirely vegetarian. It was good, but not amazing. Regardless, my opinion of Nebraska is forever changed for the better, and I hope to come back!