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.
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.
