Chef Stefano Tedeschi, a k a "Chef Steff," was inducted into the ranks of the Disciples of Auguste Escoffier, a prestigious culinary association, at a ceremony in Naples, Italy, on Feb. 20. Chef Steff is among the first American members of the organization, which is dedicated to perpetuating the memory and work of Auguste Escoffier by his credo: "Tastes are constantly being refined and cooking must be refined to satisfy them."
Chef Steff is owner and operator of Stefano's Ristorante, Fox Chapel, and Avellino Grill, Sewickley, as well as owner and creator of the nationally distributed Steff Gourmet line of Italian specialty foods. Chef Steff also appears weekly on the JohnDaveBubbaShelly morning show on B-94 (93.7 FM), giving restaurant picks.
Claudio's in Ross
Claudio Masci, formerly of Abruzzi's, South Side, has gone independent from that business, which he ran with his brother, to open Claudio's restaurant and catering service at the Mellwood party facility, a converted church on Babcock Boulevard, Ross (412-366-4948).
Claudio's serves central Italian cuisine, such as homemade gnocchi and manicotti, for lunch and dinner: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays; until 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; and until 9 p.m. on Sundays.
Buck's no more
Buck's American Grille, at 8 Brilliant Ave. in Aspinwall, recently closed mysteriously and indefinitely "for renovations," causing those of us who loved their delicious bacon cheeseburgers to worry.
Prior to Buck's, owner Jim Frye founded and owned both the Italian Oven chain and Rome on the Range in the Strip, then in Ross.
Casbah ad
The peccadilloes of Judge Patrick McFalls have made the March 18 issue of Nation's Restaurant News. In the Side Dish column of that issue, the magazine commends the clever Casbah ad that featured a man's boxer-clad backside, with his pants at his ankles, and a caption, "Keep your pants on. New menu revealed daily. (You be the judge.)" in reference to the incident in which McFalls allegedly removed his pants in the Shadyside restaurant.
Sweets at Laforet
Laforet restaurant, 5701 Bryant Street, Highland Park, is featuring a new spring dessert menu that is a collaboration between chef du cuisine Michael Uricchio and pastry chef Gina Swanson.
The new desserts include a caramelized miniature pineapple with lime sorbet and mango coulis, a molten Belgian chocolate souffle with white chocolate creme anglaise, and a hazelnut marjolaine of hazelnut chocolate mousse layered with hazelnut almond meringue.
Laforet's regional tasting menu, a three-course meal offered on Wednesdays and Thursdays for $35, now features the Provence region of France. The Provencal menu features country fish soup with pistou crouton, pan-roasted Elysian Fields lamb with tomato-olive compote and choice of dessert or cheese plate.
Look for lunch
Le Pommier, 2104 E. Carson St., South Side, is putting finishing touches on a lunch menu and will be opening for lunch service, Mondays through Fridays, beginning May 1.
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