News from The Restaurant Store

2008 Master Chef's Classic Results

The Results are in and the winners are:

Appetizers

First Place goes to The Rooftop Cafe for their King Crab Cocktail with Citrus & Ginger Vinaigrette.

Second Place goes to the Conch Republic Seafood Company for their Coconut-crusted Pink Shrimp with Hot Pepper Jelly & Hearts of Palm Salad.

Third Place goes to Guy Harvey Grill for their Roasted Artichoke & Asparagus Bisque garnished with Caviar & Crème Fraiche

Entrees

First Place goes to The Sailfish Club for their Lobster Tempura with Southernmost Caesar Salad (Lobster tempura with Caesar dressing, tomato grilled pineapple and Parmigiana Reggiano Tuille)

Second Place goes to The Pier House for their Asian Style Lobster & Tuna Romance with Spicy Vegetables.

Third Place goes to The Conch Republic Seafood Company for their Juju-glazed Grouper Filets with Coconut Couscous & Macadamia Sambal

Desserts

First Place goes to The Pier House for their Fresh Cherry Crisp with Bourbon Ice Cream & Cinnamon Drizzle

Second Place goes to Pepe's Cafe for their Chocolate Macadamia Nut Pie

Third Place goes to Finnegan's Wake for their Chocolate Enchiladas (Chocolate Cake wrapped in a Tortilla basted with Nutella and topped with Belgian Chocolate

Here are some pictures of the festivities. See you next year.

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2008 Master Chef's Classic

It's time again for one of the year's most anticipated events. The 14th Annual Master Chef's Classic will be held Sunday at the Pier House. This friendly competition pits the finest chefs from local restaurants against each other for bragging rights and fabulous prizes. But the real winner is The Marc House, one of our most-beloved charities. The Marc stands for the Monroe Association of Retarded Citizens.

Tickets are limited to 300 and sell out fast. If you are lucky enough to find some, you will not be disappointed. This year's culinary line-up includes teams from:

Blue Heaven, The Butterfly Cafe, Finnegan's Wake, Guy Harvey's, Nicola's at the Hyatt, Old Town Mexican Cafe, The Conch Republic Seafood Company, Pepe's Cafe, The Pier House, The Rooftop Cafe, and The Sailfish Club

Premier Beverage will be providing the wine and Melody Cooper will be supplying the musical accompaniment. Other sponsors include The Pier House, First State Bank, The Marc House Plant Store, Truman and Company and of course, The Restaurant Store. See you there.

Merry Christmas from the City of Key West

For Christmas the city of KW is handing out parking tickets! and later a nice power outage........

Open Every Day Until Christmas

Congratulations to Nine One Five

Chef Chris Otten and Owner Stuart Kemp, of nine one five, have been invited to prepare a special meal at the James Beard House in New York City next Thursday. This is a special honor reserved for only the most talented chefs and restaurateurs.  The menu will consist of:

• Grilled Key West Pink Shrimp with Green Papaya Salad and Thai Chiles
• Oysters on the Half Shell with Habanero Sorbet
• Yellowfin Tuna Sashimi–Wrapped Dungeness Crab with Lemon–Miso Dressing
• Spicy Chipotle–Conch Chowder with Flash-Fried Shallots
• Key Lime–Marinated Jumbo Scallops with Jalapeños and Cilantro
• Fantinel Prosecco NV
• Crispy Yellowtail Snapper with Baby Beets and Tarragon Aïoli
  Sauvignon Republic Stellenbosch Sauvignon Blanc 2005
• White Wine–Steamed Clams and Chorizo with Grilled Bread
  Mastroberardino Nova Serra Greco di Tufo 2005
• Seared Grouper with Parsnip Purée, Sautéed Spinach, and Pomegranate Molasses
  Ca’Bianca Barbera d’Asti 2003
• Butter-Poached Florida Lobster and Grilled Beef Tenderloin with Baby Carrots, Asparagus, and Red Wine Reduction
  Tenimenti Luigi D’Alessandro Il Bosco Cortona Syrah 2003
• Roasted Mango Tartlet with Whipped Cream and Basil Syrup
  Domaine Beaumalric Beaumes-de-Venise Muscat 2004

Nine One Five is one of the reasons Key West is a great food town. It sounds like the folks in New York will get a chance taste for themselves.