Entries tagged with “Graffiato”.
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Thu 23 Jun 2011
Think back to that first episode of Top Chef Las Vegas in August of 2009. What was your first impression of “Mike I?”
Photo Credit: Greg Powers
Chances are, the Zaytinya chef registered as loud, brash and maybe even a bit obnoxious.
Now picture him in the final episode of Top Chef All-Stars this spring. The Graffiato chef/owner was composed and thoughtful, but still easy-going and clearly enjoying himself. Within a year and a half he had evolved from a subject of criticism to one of pride among supporters of the DC dining scene.
When the first patrons taste his food at Graffiato’s opening tonight, that evolution will be on full display. The concept is his. The menu is his. The kitchen is his. It’s been a team effort to get here, for sure, but this is his show.
Buzz surrounding Graffiato’s opening has reached a fever pitch over the past few weeks (we fueled the fire a month ago when we saw Chef Isabella and he teased “Could be two weeks!”). This is absolutely one of the most anticipated restaurants of the year, and details about the pizza oven, the local partners and the prosecco on tap have only made us more eager to actually taste the food.
We had a chance to stop by for a First Look as the Graffiato team was working through some of the finishing touches in advance of tonight’s opening. Photos and some more details on what to expect after the jump. (more…)
Thu 31 Mar 2011
SPOILER ALERT
If you have not yet watched last night’s season finale of Top Chef All-Stars, you probably won’t want to read this interview just yet. We spoke with Washington’s own Chef Mike Isabella, chef-owner of the forthcoming Graffiato, for the third time this season just a few minutes ago. And yes, we talk about how he did in the finale last night.
With that disclaimer out of the way, join us after the jump for the conversation.
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Thu 31 Mar 2011
No spoilers in this post, but just wanted to give everyone a heads up that we’ll be posting our one-on-one interview with Top Chef Finalist Mike Isabella today at noon. We’ll be discussing the Blais versus Isabella finale, what Chef Isabella is most proud of about his time in the Bahamas, and some more details about Graffiato (we hear there are lasers involved!).
See you back here soon.
Tue 8 Mar 2011
Image by Bravo
When the list of competitors for this All-Star season of Top Chef was announced, we were excited to see Washington represented by three of the most memorable characters from their respective seasons. As the season has gone on, we’ve been cheering ever more enthusiastically as two of our three local cheftestants demonstrated that they have what it takes to go the distance (or at least as far as the Bahamas). Our chefs now represent 40% of the Final Five, and the smart money is on at least one of them making it into the Top Three.
We got a chance to chat with both of our local chefs after last week’s episode, and what we heard from Mike Isabella and Carla Hall made us even more excited for what is yet to come – both on the show and in their local endeavors. Check out our interview with Mike today, and then join us tomorrow for our chat with Carla before watching the first of the finale episodes tomorrow night.
Capital Spice: Congratulations on making it all the way to the finals, Chef. You’ve been a solid competitor throughout the season.
Mike Isabella: Thanks. It was definitely tough competition to get there.
CS: Let’s talk about your new restaurant, Graffiato, first. How’s everything going?
MI: It’s going good. We’re still under construction, putting in the duct work, the heaters, the framing. Next week we’ll be laying the pipes for the water and gas. I’d say we’re looking at a later spring opening at this point.
CS: Being in the middle of all of this construction, it must have been hard to travel and stay focused for the finale episodes as a result.
MI: Actually, I was really focused. I have a great team working with me on Graffiato, including a lot of chefs and staff who are coming over with me. That freed me up and allowed me to focus [on Top Chef] again.
After the jump, we talk Quickfire wins – both satisfying and controversial – and find out who Isabella thinks went home before their time. (more…)
When the first patrons taste his food at Graffiato’s opening tonight, that evolution will be on full display. The concept is his. The menu is his. The kitchen is his. It’s been a team effort to get here, for sure, but this is his show.
