A Bravo Encore at Luigi's in Manhattan. Sincerely...My Favorite Chicken Salad Anywhere!

                                                                      Bravo Luis...2017!

Hi folks!
It's with great pleasure that I bring to you an update for my favorite chicken salad anywhere.
To refresh your memory from my original entry in April, 2012, it's not that kind of chopped chunky chicken with mayo we are talking about here.
Simply put, it's a salad of baby lettuce mixed greens, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, and grilled vegetables with the biggest and best tasting pieces of  grilled chicken (or fried chicken cutlets) in town...and we're talkin' NYC here.
Top that off with an in-house proprietary vinaigrette with exact ingredients I cannot divulge and you've got a recipe that can possibly be imitated, but NEVER duplicated.
I ask the fellas to make mine with a blend of fried and grilled cutlets. Some even cover their's with mozzarella. Yum City!

                                                                             Mine

Short and sweet...I'm back again to validate the consistency and taste that greets me every time
at Luigi's at Luigi's on 8th Avenue between 55th Street and 56th street in NYC!


Like most Italian restaurants, Luigi's has a full menu with pizza, main dishes and hero's. When I go, a casual conversation can easily take place with other diners as tables are sometimes shared. Everyone loves what they've ordered...no exceptions. For me, however, I've never gotten past the variations of the chicken salad. Not such a bad place to be stuck, huh?

A quick aside...
There is something to be said for the consistency here. The same fellas are standing proud behind the counter since I first visited back in 2012.
Again...You know what they say about happy people...Yes?

***Check out the original Luigi's discovery entry right here!
Either Google "phoodographsandfinds luigi's nyc starring the chicken salad" OR go to April 7, 2012 in the archive to the right. Hit 'Older Posts' until you get to Luigi's NYC Starring The "Chicken Salad"

As usual...please feel free to comment below....and remember...it's more fun NOT to be shy!
Enjoy...
Mangia Baby!

South Seas Plantation Harbourside Restaurant on Captiva Island, Florida...Yes!

Our favorite vacation destination in the USA is Captiva Island, Florida. We stay with the friendly folks at the South Seas Plantation and always look forward to the ambience set for dinner at their premier restaurant...the Harbourside.

Of course good weather always plays a part in assessing most any destination or a nice table outdoors. On our most recent visit, we lucked out with a nice breeze, no humidity and a phabulous Italian waiter by the name of Christian.
After just a minute or two, we knew we were in good hands (he passed the test with a firm grip on the definition of al dente') and we went along with his suggestions for dinner starting with a Champagne sangria. Wow! Sooooo good.

Christian started us off with  their Florida Citrus Caprese salad with a really nice EVOO, a balsamic reduction that tasted quite similar to my fave Massimo Buttura "Manodori" balsamico and some phabulous heirloom tomatoes. The addition of a nice slice of orange and/or grapefruit is something I will be contemplating as an addition to my menu. 

After a few questions regarding the preparation of some of the main dishes, Christian suggested for me the barrel cut filet mignon prepared with a mushroom ragout (not ragu') and a California cabernet. 

The difference between ragu' and ragout: A ragu is a class of Italian pasta sauce made with ground meat, vegetables and sometimes tomatoes...and... a ragout is a slow-cooked French style stew in this case made with mushrooms.

Additionally for Sandy, the "Finally a Maryland Crab Cake in Florida" served with a semi-sweet Riesling.

The filet was phabulous and Sandy and I both agreed the crab cake(s) were among the best we've ever tasted. As they say nowadays..."seriously"!

For dessert, what else by Florida key lime pie. Another social success!

We were so impressed by the service and the meal, we asked to see the manager.

Thus...let me introduce Sasha...a sincere fellow doing the best he can to make the Harbourside a special place on your trip to South Seas Plantation.

You know what they say about happy people...Yes?

And it filters down to the servers and the phood.

Fellas, we'll be back!

Bert...Sasha...Christian

Oh yes...one more thing. I have a menu suggestion. A super deluxe burger made with a blend of beef and short ribs or brisket...or...hmmmmm...both!

As always, please feel free to comment below. Always love hearing from you.

Until the next entry...

Mangia Baby!

Chef Bert