Hopefully you’ve read my most recent spread in The Guide about desserts (if not, click here). I do so like
talking about spreads and not be referring to my irreparable waistline.
Anyway, one of the pastry chefs I talked about was Joseph
Jackson at Affäre, a downtown establishment whose reputation for fine cuisine
continues to escalate. You can finish
off your dinner with a blaze – literally.
Chef Jackson has created a fiery way for you to enjoy a sweet
concoction, but also ask questions as you learn a little bit about the science
supporting interesting effects and tastes.
Jackson, who worked at with American Restaurant’s Nick Wesemann (James
Beard nominee for best pastry chef), says his interest in molecular gastronomy
increased there – and his presentation really reflects this. So ask for the
painted dessert and prepare to interact with artwork.
Here’s how it works:
you choose which desserts you and your companion(s) want. Think apple
strudel, a deconstructed German chocolate cake, a mousse , for instance. BTW, you need at least two people for this but
they’ve served many more. A metal cart
is wheeled out with all kinds of bowls, bottles, spoons, and various
ingredients, and a flat glass plate is set before you. Your chosen desserts are
placed appropriately. Then the fun
begins as the plate is “garnished ” with all kinds of different and beautiful
ingredients – from gelées to icings to fruit and ice cream. And then, voila! final secret ingredients are
added, and the entire thing is set ablaze, sparks flying upward for an ending
flourish. It is gorgeous! And totally delicious. An experience for sure.
Comments