Weekly Wanderlust 7/7/17: Five-Course Dinner at Nerano in Beverly Hills, Paula’s Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries and The Ainsworth in NYC

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Every Friday here at Girls on Food, we’ll bring you Weekly Wanderlust, featuring the best our in cities, recipes, videos and advanced notice on events we’ll be appearing at.

The BG Lounge | photo credit Rob Stark

Julianne here:

I am so excited for Nerano and Marchesi Antinori‘s Italian Wine Dinner in Beverly Hills. For this dinner, Executive Chef Michele Lisi and Sommelier Samantha Johnston of Nerano team up with Wine Ambassador and Sommelier Alessia Botturi of Marchesi Antinori.

This five-course dinner tasting menu paired with Italian wines by Sommelier Samantha Johnston will commence on Tuesday, July 18, 2017, at 7 PM, in The BG Lounge.

Pricing for Nerano’s Antinori Wine Dinner is $140 per person, inclusive of the wine and menu, exclusive of tax and gratuity. Advance reservations required and there is limited seating available for this event, make a reservation here: 310.405.0155

Nerano & The BG Lounge
9960 South Santa Monica Boulevard, Beverly Hills, CA 90212

Here’s a sneak peek at the menu for the evening:

The evening reception begins with StuzzichiniCrostino Di Pomodoro Verde with Apulian Burrata & Green Tomato Marmellata and Bruschetta with Grilled Rustic Crostino, Diced Campari Tomato, Arugula & Parmigiano Reggiano paired with Col de Salici Rosé Brut NV.

Followed by Antipasti Crudo Di Ricciola with Pacific Yellowtail, Crispy Capers, Fresno Chili Peppers, Rainbow Micro Greens & Citronette paired with Tenuta Guado Al Tasso, Vermentino 2015; and Burrata Caprese with Heirloom Tomatoes, Apulian Burrata, Tomato Confit & Arugula-Pesto paired with Castello Della Sala, ‘Cervaro,’ Chardonnay 2014.

Next is the Pasta course of house-made Orecchiette with Colorado Lamb Ragú, English Peas, Tuscan Mint & Fiocchi di Burrata paired with Guado al Tasso, ‘Il Bruciato’ 2015. For Secondi – the main course – Tagliata di Manzo, USDA Prime New York Steak with Yukon Gold Potato Focaccia & Sautéed Spinach paired with Antinori ‘Tignanello’ 2014.

Completing the dinner is a Dolci of Panna Cotta e Frutti di Bosco – Tahitian Vanilla Panna Cotta with Fresh Wild Berries, Orange Zest & Vin Cotto paired with Fattoria Aldobrandesca, ‘Aleatico’ 2011.

I will be on our Instagram @girlsonfoodblog providing stories and live content, so make sure you’re following us!

Paula’s Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries

Sometimes the most delicious foods are the easiest ones to make. This dessert is ridiculously simple, with no commitment to baking or having it set over night. Perfect for last minute dinner parties or for any dessert newbies wanting to try something different.

Over the weekend, I decided to make this dessert for a Canada Day BBQ I was attending. They were devoured immediately. Since strawberries are in peak season, and I wanted to make something that was red and white, I thought, this would be perfect! Plus, who doesn’t love cheesecake right?

Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries

  • 1 pint strawberries, tops removed
  • 1 (8 oz) container or plain cream cheese at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup of icing sugar
  • 1 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp of lime zest

In a large bowl combine the cream cheese and icing sugar. Use a hand mixer and whip until smooth. Add the vanilla and zest to the cream cheese and beat on low for a minute. Set aside. Arrange the strawberries cut side down and slice X marks into them without cutting all the way through the strawberry. The best way to fill the strawberries with the cheesecake filling is with a piping bag, or a ziplock bag with a small corner cut out. Fill your bag of choice and pipe directly into the middle of the strawberry. Don’t be shy; you want the cheesecake to flow over the top. You can serve as is or top with fresh blueberries. Bon appétit!

Cessie in NYC recommends:

The Ainsworth
122 W 26th St, New York, NY 10001
http://theainsworth.com/

New York City is full of sports bars. But, The Ainsworth is by far my first choice when it comes to kicking it, watching the big game, feasting on traditional “sports bar” food, with an upscale twist. If you’re looking for a modern sports bar, with ultra chic décor, yet a kicked-back feel, then Ainsworth is it. If you are interested in finding out more about sports hospitality you can read more if you visit a company similar to DTB Sports and Events.

Image courtesy of Paige Hospitality

The Ainsworth, managed by popular Paige Hospitality Group, known for popular spots like Southampton Social Club and The Chester in Meatpacking, has multiple locations in the city, which makes it easy to book a table regardless of where you are. Let me just say, these guys, did not skimp on the décor. The feel is that of an old, rustic, yet glamorous décor. Beautiful pine covers the walls and vintage, elegant, chandeliers hang from the ceiling. You won’t be eating on just any table, you’ll be dining in style on lavish oak tables and extremely comfortable, chocolate leather seats.

You will not miss a second of the game because the place is decked out with 40 flat-screen HD TVs that feature amber LED lights. And, a state of the art sound system with a DJ booth, keeps guests jamming in between commercial breaks, spinning the hottest tunes.

Image courtesy of Paige Hospitality

The menu at Ainsworth makes traditional sports bars look boring. Don’t believe me? Have you ever had a Mac & Cheese Burger? Well these guys perfected it! Yes, you read right, it’s a layer of panko-crusted mac and cheese, a half pound beef patty, layered with another scoop of mac and cheese. What about a side of Blue Cheese & Buffalo Cauliflower, lightly smothered in bleu cheese, grilled scallions and delicious buffalo sauce. They’ve also got unique items like miso duck spring rolls and tiny bite-sized waffle pancakes with a maple fondue for brunch.

If you want to sip cocktails, among a trendy crowd, while kicking it and watching a game, Ainsworth does just that, in a cozy, yet chic ambiance.

Stay tuned for next week when we feature a recipe by RenoTasteBuds and Sacramento’s best omakase.

Julianne

Actress and Founder of Girls on Food: I was born and raised in the suburbs of Sacramento, California. I grew up a typical “McDonald’s kid”. I was very picky about what I ate and refused to try new foods. No fun, I know. My Mom started taking me on trips to Europe when I was a teenager and that’s when my palate for finer foods began to develop. Some of my most memorable favorite meals include Veal Bolognese in Rome, Gyros in Athens, Paella in Lisbon and Duck L’Orange in Paris. While this helped me grow out of a fast food phase, I still eat out quite a bit. I know I should be at home cooking, but I love dining out. I started working in restaurants in various front of the house positions at age 15. Since my start, I’ve worked in every casual restaurant setting you can think of: a teriyaki stand, brewery, sushi nightclub, trendy Mexican, family-style Italian, American diner, pizza parlor and even a BLT themed food truck. I can't help but notice that many of the LA food bloggers don't have any sort of background working in a restaurant. A lot of my perspective on food and dining out comes from my years of experience in the biz. Since starting this blog, I have shot appearances on a couple of cooking competition shows as a taster (including MasterChef Junior and another upcoming show). We have also started producing a Youtube Channel. IMDb page here: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2023647/ For this site I contribute content from all over Los Angeles (and the world) to showcase my favorite fine-dining spots, steakhouses, exclusive supper clubs, Hollywood nightlife and our very own #GOFx events, which I plan and coordinate.

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