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La Grenouille: The Finest French Fare in NYC

Posted on June 27, 2014 by Fred Bollaci

La Grenouille (“The Frog”) is a Fred Bollaci Enterprises Partner Restaurant and a Fred Bollaci Enterprises Preferred Destination.

La Grenouille is the “Grand Dame” of exquisite, Old World, elegant, French cuisine in New York. Located at 3 East 52nd Street, 212.752.1495 (between Fifth and Madison Avenues) in Midtown Manhattan, La Grenouille has everything I look for in a quality, preferred destination and signature restaurant: 1. exceptional food- the highest quality, beautiful presentation, flawless preparation. 2. excellent, polished, white glove, Old World professional service that caters to and anticipates your every need without being overly obtrusive or pretentious. 3. Lovely ambience– whether the main dining room, adorned with some of the most beautiful, lavish floral arrangements ever, a tradition started by Charles Masson, Sr. when the restaurant opened in 1962, and continues to this day, or in the magnificent second level or romantic loft area, La Grenouille is second to none. La Grenouille is the trifecta, the perfect combination of the three, and is my favorite French restaurant in New York and one of my favorite establishments worldwide. The restaurant was founded by Charles Masson, Sr., a former Henri Soulé wine and dine among the fashion industry’s most elite designers.

Fred Bollaci Enterprises Preferred Destination.

Visiting La Grenouille is like taking a trip back in time to a different era in New York City dining, where French haute cuisine and exceptional Old World service dominated the high end of the New York City food chain. Times have changed, and though La Grenouille has updated its offerings (reasonably priced prix fixe lunches, and some lighter preparations that make a healthy, gourmet lifestyle and weight loss expert like me very pleased), the owners have retained everything about the Old World-style authentic, gourmet French cuisine, outstanding service, and romantic, glowing ambience that make La Grenouille the last of its breed, and a shining example of a level of all-around dining experience that should not change.

The Frog’s Legs at La Grenouille are some of the best this Francophile and International Gourmet Travel Expert have ever experienced.

Salad with sliced apples and crumbled roquefort

Seared Tuna, a special the night we recently visited was a delicious, lighter option.

Wild Striped Bass Carpaccio with pink grapefruit segments, light and perfect for summer!

Nothing says romance like good champagne, great caviar, and exquisite flowers.

Duck Confit with lentils and Dijon Mustard

The Souffles at La Grenouille are outstanding

The beautiful second story room with balcony overlooking the amazing space.

Posted in Fred Bollaci on Dining | Tagged La Grenouille, Manhattan, Midtown, nyc dining, Old World service | Comments Off

Marea: The Golden Palate: Sophisticated Italian Seafood in NYC by Michael White (The Altamarea Group)

Posted on June 24, 2014 by Fred Bollaci

Marea is a Fred Bollaci Enterprises Preferred Dining Destination, featuring outstanding cuisine and impeccable service. Chef and Co-Owner Michael White’s Altamarea Group of restaurants are all Fred Bollaci Enterprises Preferred Dining Destinations.

I had the absolute pleasure of dining today at Marea, Chef/Owner Michael White’s gastronomic temple to innovative, exquisitely fresh Italian-inspired seafood in midtown Manhattan (240 Central Park South).

Fred Bollaci, President & CEO Fred Bollaci Enterprises of New York and Palm Beach with Executive Chef Lauren De Steno at Marea in Midtown Manhattan, NYC.

For starters, Marea is an absolutely exquisite environment. Backlit golden onyx walls, gleaming wide-planked wooden floors, red Italian lamps, crisp white table linens and large soundproof windows looking out onto the rest of the world from the oasis that is home to one of the best dining experiences this world traveler has had— it calls to mind dinners at Italian “pescheria” heaven, notably Rome’s famed La Rosetta, the platinum standard for seafood in Italy, and one of the best seafood restaurants in the world, and neighboring Quinzi e Gabrieli, another outstanding establishment, which showcases the epitome of fresh and innovative. Both within blocks of each other and of Rome’s famed Pantheon, go to either (preferably both when in Rome) and stroll for gelato after (try Giolitti).

In NYC, go to Marea. Enjoy the amazing wine list, the prix fixe lunch for $48 or splurge with 5 delectable courses perfectly paired with wines. The poached lobster atop burrata was something extraordinary, and the house-made fusilli with red-wine poached octopus with bone marrow was beyond words- like a perfect Bolognese sauce flavor and richness with the delicateness of perfectly executed seafood, imagine that? Marea was so accommodating that my server even suggested I try a half order of the pasta so I could enjoy without over-ordering along with the other dishes I wished to sample, something other Manhattan restaurants I have visited lately were unwilling to do.

Poached Lobster with Burrata, a signature dish at Marrea.

One of the most amazing pasta dishes I’ve ever eaten: house-made fusilli with red-wine and cork-braised octopus with bone marrow, like the perfect Bolognese sauce meets Italian seaside sensation in heaven.

Exquisitely fresh raw seafood “crudo” served Italian-style. Just adorned enough to compliment the flavor, the fish speaks for itself!

Outstanding, rich, supple, buttery garganega white wine from the Veneto region of Italy. Absolutely amazing, one of the best whites I have enjoyed in a long time.

Marea, meaning “tide” in Italian, redefines the seascape of high-end Italian cuisine serving the freshest seafood featuring items imported from Italy and drawing from the local bounty and American waters. Chef Michael White presents a fresh interpretation of the modern gourmet coastal Italian cuisine.

At Marea, the menu reads like a study of the sea. The crux of the cuisine is devoted to the freshest and most seasonal fish and shellfish sourced from both the Mediterranean and waters worldwide.
Selections are devoted to crudo, which is essentially Italian “sushi” or “sashimi,” including a wide variety of oysters & clams and antipasti. Chef White, who grew up in Wisconsin, but lived and trained in some of the best restaurants in Italy, is famous for his house-made pasta. The menu also includes composed fish dishes, whole fish preparations and a short selection of meat to round out the extensive offerings. The wine list, overseen by Beverage Director Francesco Grosso, features a significant selection of wines that pair perfectly with the menu. With over 750 selections, 50 percent of the wine list is dedicated to European whites, which complement the fresh fish and seafood.

The elements that Chef Michael White became known for – superb cuisine, seamless service, award-winning wine programs all in a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere comingle seamlessly at 240 Central Park South. To date, Marea has received two Michelin stars, the 2010 James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant, three stars from The New York Times, named Best New Restaurant by Bon Apetit, Esquire, and GQ Magazine and also Best Italian Restaurant by Zagat. Marea has also recently joined the family of Relais & Chateaux’s elite group of Grande Chef Gourmand. Marea is a Fred Bollaci Enterprises Preferred Dining Destination, exemplifying Fred’s international healthy, gourmet lifestyle and should be considered a “MUST” on any gourmand’s New York City itinerary.

To learn more about Marea, click here.

A bit about Chef-Owner Michael White:

Michael White is the Executive Chef and Co-Owner of the Altamarea Group, which is consists of the top-rated restaurants Marea, Ai Fiori, Osteria Morini, Nicoletta, Costata and The Butterfly in New York City, Osteria Morini and Due Mari in New Jersey, Chop Shop in London, Ristorante Morini in Istanbul, and Al Molo in Hong Kong. Marea has earned two Michelin stars and is a member of the prestigious Relais and Chateaux; Ai Fiori has also earned a Michelin star.

Perhaps surprising to anyone who has tasted Chef White’s authentic and inspirational Italian cuisine, Michael grew up in Beloit, Wisconsin. He enrolled at Kendall Culinary Institute 1989. His training then took him straight to the heart of Emilia-Romagna, Italy, the region where Bologna is situated, and home to the richest Italian cuisine, where he trained at the venerable Ristorante San Domenico in Imola, under the culinary guidance of chef Valentino Marcattilii, where he worked for seven years. Chef Michael experienced first-hand the Italian philosophy behind food preparation: it begins with the freshest, local, seasonal ingredients, which, when properly executed transform into culinary magic. Chef White also trained in Paris and in numerous locales in Southern France. The stage had been set for one of the American culinary world’s rising stars to shine.

Chef White returned to the US in 2001 where he was named Chef de Cuisine at Spiaggia, one of Chicago’s foremost Italian restaurants, which received a four star review from The Chicago Tribune under White’s direction. In 2002, he became Executive Chef of Fiamma Osteria, which earned a glowing three star review from The New York Times. Fiamma Osteria received a Michelin Star and White was named Esquire’s Best New Chef in 2002. Chef White also brought his famous recipes to home cooks with his book, Fiamma: The Essence of Contemporary Italian Cooking.

Chef White has been nominated three times consecutively for the James Beard Award Best Chef: New York City; is Grand Chef Relais & Chateaux; and is a member of The Bocuse d’Or USA Foundation’s Culinary Council. In 2010, Chef White was named one of the 40 most influential New Yorkers under 40 by Crain’s New York Business.

The Altamarea Group also owns and operates restaurants in Hong Kong, London, Turkey, and Washington, DC, in addition to their New York and New Jersey operations. Given his extraordinary success already, the possibilities are most assuredly endless and sure to be delicious.

Posted in Fred Bollaci on Dining | Tagged altamarea, italian, marea, michael white, new york, NYC, seafood | Comments Off

PRESS RELEASE: Fred Bollaci Enterprises Launches Revolutionary New Gourmet Weight Loss Lifestyle Concept

Posted on June 18, 2014 by Fred Bollaci

NEW YORK & PALM BEACH, June 18, 2014 – Fred Bollaci, CEO and President of Fred Bollaci Enterprises https://www.fredbollacienterprises.com has wined and dines at some of the world’s finest restaurants, hotels, and family-owned destinations around the world. Today, Bollaci maintains a remarkable 150-pound weight loss while continuing to enjoy the absolute best in gourmet dining, fine wines and spirits as a sommelier, coupled with a healthy active lifestyle.

“Gourmet and healthy are no longer mutually exclusive,” said Bollaci. “I use only the finest, freshest ingredients I can find to create some of the healthiest gourmet meals comparable to five-star menu items offered in some of the best restaurants around the world.” Bollaci believes that you should never have to sacrifice quality, taste, enjoyment, or satisfaction when attempting to lose 10, 50 or even 150 pounds.

Bollaci’s vision is simple: you deserve the best and you, too, can enjoy the ‘La Dolce Vita’ gourmet lifestyle and lose and maintain a healthy weight complimented by regular exercise. Bollaci has completed four full-length marathons and one half-marathons as part of his maintenance program. In his memoir, Your Life. Your Way. Gourmet! available in the Spring of 2015, Bollaci features delicious and healthy gourmet recipes that he developed with chefs from 75 of the nation’s top restaurants.

Bollaci’s inaugural signature Restaurant Partner, SD26 Restaurant & Wine Bar in New York City, owned by venerable father-daughter restaurateur duo Tony May and Marisa May, exemplifies healthy gourmet authentic Italian fare. SD26 Executive Chef, Matteo Bergamini, one of New York City’s most promising up-and-coming Italian chefs, uses only the finest and highest quality ingredients available and offers lighter fare gourmet meals for patrons who expect the best – outstanding taste and exquisite presentation – without the calories! The SD26 dishes featured in Bollaci’s memoir depending on seasonal availability.

Bollaci’s namesake, Fred Bollaci Enterprises, will debut his published memoir as part of a series of healthy gourmet lifestyle books and cookbooks. Bollaci also intends to launch a line of healthy gourmet lifestyle products, introduce signature restaurant partners including dining reservation options, and provide Bollaci’s ‘A’ list of preferred national and international destinations. His long-range plans include adding an imported products division and select city upscale gourmet Italian American restaurants.

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Posted in News and Interviews | Tagged matteo bergamini, press release, SD26, your life your way gourmet | Comments Off

Cipollini at The Americana, Manhasset, NY

Posted on June 17, 2014 by Fred Bollaci

Cipollini
2110 Northern Blvd
Manhasset, NY 11030

516.627.7172

Located in the gorgeous, upscale Americana in Manhasset, Long Island’s most impressive shopping destination, Cipollini Trattoria and Bar is a casual, Manhattan-style restaurant. Owners Gillis and George Poll opened the doors of Cipollini in the spring of 2005. The Poll Brothers are no strangers to quality dining on Long Island, as owners of the excellent Bryant and Cooper Steakhouse in Roslyn since opening in 1986, along with other popular establishments, including Toku, Bar Frites, an excellent French Bistro in Wheatley Plaza in Greenvale, Major’s Steakhouse, and Hendrick’s Tavern. Their goal was to create a metropolitan dining experience that offered freshly prepared, satisfying meals at moderate prices in a comfortable, inviting atmosphere. The restaurant is always crowded, a testament to their success!

Cipollini’s attractive interior was designed by renowned restaurant designer Peter Neimitz. An impressive marble bar, perfect for socializing, welcomes people into the restaurant. Large, glass-paneled doors open seasonally bring the alfresco dining into the trattoria, as they like to do in Italy, creating unity between the indoor and outdoor seating. During warmer months, sun umbrellas come together to provide a shady canopy and natural elements and beautiful flowers immerse diners in a Mediterranean dining experience. In the cooler months, Alfresco dining accommodations include heaters. At night, diners are greeted by a simple, elegant landscape of dark wood, warm lighting, and crisp, white table linens. Cipollini is everything one would expect in a classy, modern Italian restaurant.

Cipollini has earned a reputation for its array of delicious, contemporary Italian specialties. Whether your palette prefers savory salads, enticing entrees, or freshly made, authentic, brick-oven pizzas, Cipollini offers variety and distinctive quality that will suit everyone’s taste.

The restaurant serves lunch and dinner 7 days a week, and the extensive menu has something for everyone. The salads are a wonderful choice for health-conscious diners. Choices include: Arugula, Cherry Tomato & Parmigiano Cucumber, Tomato & Corn Salad, Insalata Greca, Hearts of Palm & Avocado Salad Mozzarella di Bufala with Tomato Beef Carpaccio, Seafood Salad, Grilled Calamari & Arugula Salad, and Lobster Salad.

Among favorite appetizers are Clams Oreganata, Mussels Amatriciana, Tuna Tartare, Grilled Vegetables, and Grilled Baby Artichokes. Cipollini’s pizza’s are among the best Italian-style pizzas bakes in a wood burning oven you will find this side of Italy.

As one would expect, there are abundant pasta choices, including Spaghetti alls Carbonara, Linguini aloe Vongole, Butternut Squash Ravioli with Brown Butter and Sage, and a light Capellini con Frutti di Mare (mixed seafood).

For entrees, the Pan Seared Salmon with Broccoli Rabe and Cannellini Beans is a great, healthy choice, as is the Tuna Steak with potatoes, tomatoes, and capers, and the Grilled Prawns with corn, roasted tomatoes, and spinach. The Mediterranean-style whole fish, a lovely Branzino the day we visited was light and flawlessly prepared and presented with lemon and a drizzle of quality extra-virgin olive oil.

Cipollini also features steaks, chops, veal, a burger, and several panini. The wine list is extensive.

Luscious Lobster Salad

Excellent Pizza!

Cipollini is definitely worth a visit if you haven’t been. It will likely become one of your favorite “go-to” spots on Long Island for guaranteed consistent, quality, contemporary Italian fare in a comfortable, beautiful setting.

Posted in Fred Bollaci on Dining | Tagged italian, long island, NY restaurants | Comments Off

Buy Fresh! Buy Local!

Posted on June 13, 2014 by Fred Bollaci

Buy Fresh! Buy Local!

I find it especially enjoyable wherever I am to seek out locally-raised products. This helps me to gain a sense of place and understanding for my surroundings and helps ensure the products I am consuming are the freshest and best quality available. This is a time-honored tradition in Italy, where you can literally taste the essence of a particular area or region, i.e. the rich volcanic soil in the Naples area yields the world famous San Marzano tomatoes, and grapes such as the red Aglianico, and white Greco di Tufo, both which result in wines that are rich in minerals. The buffalo mozzarella from the Campania region, luscious, creamy, and bursting with flavor speaks to the rich diet of the local water buffalo in this region. Italy is truly amazing- the fresh, local nature of the Italian table, where even simple things like lettuce, tomatoes, milk, cheese, eggs, and fresh fruit taste incredible, it is like having your taste buds amplified the minute you step off the plane. Canteloupe in Italy tastes like sugar, even lettuce has a slightly mysterious, yet appealing flavor, who would have guessed? Regular milk that accompanies your coffee or froths atop your cappuccino tastes richer than heavy cream in the States. The eggs in Italy are a deep orange color, more like duck eggs at home– ever wondered why Spaghetti Carbonara in Rome tastes so good?

The good news is you can enjoy the local bounty anywhere, even right at home. Americans are increasingly conscious of what they are eating– more and more people are making a point to seek out the best, and are looking to support their local farmers, growers, ranchers, and artisans. I like to visit my local farmer’s markets and make a point to inquire as to what is fresh, local, and in season, whether I am shopping in a market, or dining out. I have had the pleasure of enjoying many wonderful things in my travels, at home in Florida, or traveling around the country, that I might not have experienced, simply by asking what was local and in season. I’ve gotten to enjoy freshly caught fluke in Nantucket, Oysters from Gardiner’s Bay on Long Island’s East End, soft-shell crab in Maryland in June (always a treat) Lobsters in Maine, and stone crab in Florida, to name a few. My advice: whether in restaurants or markets, ask for what is local and in season.

While we are fortunate to live in a country where practically anything is available anytime (we can buy strawberries year-round for example), still nothing tastes quite like strawberries that are freshly picked and ripened on the vine locally, whether you are in California, Florida, or New Jersey. I employ my “When in Rome” philosophy to everything, I want to experience anyplace I am fully, as though I were a local. Recently, I was in Sarasota, Florida, one of my “hometowns” where I attended high school and still consider myself a “part-time resident” having lots of friends, family, and clients in town. Sarasota is known for its splendid white sand beaches, cultural amenities, and a burgeoning restaurant and food scene, focusing ever more on locally-raised and grown. Aside from the obvious delicious local citrus and produce during the winter months, Sarasota is home to Mote Marine Laboratory, a renowned aquarium and research facility, that is definitely worth a visit.

As a connoisseur of fine foods and gourmet products, I was intrigued to learn that Mote Marine has been sustainably raising Siberian Sturgeon and producing their own caviar since 2006. I recently had the pleasure of trying it over fresh blini’s at a local restaurant, and I was blown away. It tasted every bit as good as the imported caviar I was accustomed to. Recently, I purchased a 2 ounce tin ($110) along with some Carr’s water crackers and creme fraiche and along with a nice cold bottle of champagne, showed up at a party. I was the hit of the night, and everyone there (mostly locals) had not tried Mote Caviar (many were unaware they were raising caviar) were amazed by the mild, luscious flavor and texture. What’s even better, the price was roughly half that of the imported caviar I usually purchased for a special occasion.

Mote Caviar is available at Whole Foods stores throughout Florida, as well as Morton’s Market in Sarasota, and can be found online and is featured in many restaurants and hotels. If you like to indulge in caviar, I highly recommend you give Mote a try! To learn more, visit Mote Marine Caviar:

Bottom Line: wherever you may be, at home or while traveling: Buy fresh! Buy Local! You will most certainly be rewarded!