Author: Urban Deli

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Chop Chop 2012 – celebrating great chefs and food

Chop Chop: Saint John's Restaurant Week (2012)And we’re off! It’s Chop Chop time! This our third year involved with one of the Uptown’s tastiest events — Chop Chop, Saint John’s Restaurant Week!

“The fine eating establishments of uptown Saint John will again join together this fall in chopping up this mouth watering event. Between Monday, October 29 and Sunday, November 4, patrons will be treated to specials offered exclusively for this occasion.”

Both Urban Deli and Italian by Night are taking part in Chop Chop 2012. Here are the menus we have planned, one for Urban Deli (day time) and one for Italian by Night (evenings):

Urban Deli (logo for Chop Chop 2012)
Monday – Saturday 11:30 – 3pm

Two Course

Chicken Panini
Chicken Panini with caramelized pear and onion, bacon & aged white cheddar. Served with daily soup or regular side choice

Dessert
Two housemade frogs/haystacks/macaroons (to eat in or take away for a mid afternoon snack)

Italian by Night (logo for Chop Chop 2012)
Wednesday – Saturday starting at 5pm

Three Course

Antipasti di Chop Chop
mozzarella di bufala wrapped in crackling prosciutto, crispy fontina stuffed risotto cakes and our famous bruschetta

Lamb Shank alla Toscana
rich slow braised lamb shank, house made potato gnocchi finished with orange and garlic gremalata

Sticky Date and Orange Pudding with Warm housemade Butterscotch Sauce and Candied Orange Zest

Two Course

Bruschetta Board
grilled ciabatta drizzled with EVOO and fresh garlic, served with chopped tomato salad, ricotta drizzled with house made pesto and roasted butternut marmalata

Pappardelle Bolognese
house made hand cut pasta tossed in a rich slow-simmered sauce of beef, tomato, white wine, fresh herbs and cream

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Molly worries for the Saint John SPCA

A rescue dog herself, Molly Bloom is very worried about the Saint John SPCA Animal Rescue and wants to know if you can help them. Although she was rescued by the SPCA up in Fredericton, she has lots of friends – dogs and cats and people – in Saint John. And she’s anxious for them!

Molly asks everyone to help the Saint John SPCA

She’s thrilled to know there has been loads of support for the Saint John SPCA but her concern is that it is a big task and there is so much more that is needed.

So Molly wants you to know you can follow the Saint John SPCA on Twitter (@SPCAAR) and you can like them on Facebook to follow their updates.

And you can also donate pretty easily online on the donation page on their web site.

Everything helps and everything is needed. Don’t let the doors close! Help out and let’s get that anxious look off Molly’s face!

(Urban Deli and Italian by Night will be doing something — we’ll keep you posted on what we plan!)

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This week’s additions (for grads!)

Before this week’s graduation events, consider joining us, Italian by Night. In addition to our regular summer evening menu, this week we also have:

Antipasti

Ravioli di pollo
chicken ravioli in a creamy porcini mushroom sauce $ 12

Primi

Cannelloni di ricotta
finished with a basil balsamella and melted Mozzarella cheese $ 16

Secondi

Lasagna di manzo
beef lasagna – fresh house made pasta sheets, bolognese and bechamel sauce $ 21

Dolce

Affagotto
This classic Italian dessert combines our made in house vanilla ice cream with robust hot espresso & accompanied with our house made cantucci $ 8
(add your favourite liquor)

Pavlova
an Italian meringue dessert with a crisp crust and soft, light inside and finished with fresh whipped cream, berries and mint – a must try! $ 10

buon appetito!

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Michelle (and her blog)

Michelle Hooton - BiteByMichelleIf you haven’t seen it yet, there is great profile of Michelle on the FBC (Food Bloggers of Canada) site.

“Michelle Hooton’s career in the kitchen started out early at the age 5 when her parents gave her an Easy Bake Oven.  She practiced her baking on her dad, who was a willing taste tester!  Michelle was preparing family dinners at the age of 10 and to this day, she still remembers sitting in grade school thinking about what to cook for dinner …”

You can read the full profile here.

We’re very grateful we have such a wonderful woman and culinary artist to work with for our Italian by Night. And if you haven’t been to her blog, BitebyMichelle, do yourself a big favour and go there. Especially if you’re a foodie.

And keep in mind what she says, “The secret to being a good cook is to use great ingredients. The secret to being a great cook is to use your ingredients with love.”

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Italian feast along the waterfront

Michelle and Chef Andrew are partners in crime this year for a great cause … the Boys and Girls Club of Saint John! It’s part of the Fundy Food Festival tomorrow (Saturday, May 5th).

To be more specific, it’s part of the festival’s Chef’s Auction. It’s an Italian feast with not one, not two but seven courses! And a good deal more ….

Poster for 'Italian feast along the waterfront', part of the Fundy Food Festival.

“Experience ‘La Dolce Vita’ this fall with hosts John and Gail Rocca as they welcome you to their luxurious Saint John Harbourfront penthouse. Urban Deli’s Italian by Night Chef Andrew Brewer and food artist Michelle Hooton will prepare a seven course Italian feast for six. An on-site wine representative (Churchill Dauphinee) will offer a wine pairing for each of the seven courses. Luxury transportation will also be provided by Saint John Executive Limousine Services.”

And that’s just one part of the Chef’s Auction. Plus, there is also a silent auction. It’s all part of supporting the Boys and Girls Club of Saint John. You can discover more by having a look at the Fundy Food Festival.

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Our Italian spring menu is worth the drive

Our Italian spring menu is worth the drive or walk if you’re in our Uptown!

It is such a pleasure to serve our customers the Italian by Night Spring Menu. And with all the incredible feedback you have given us, it makes it all worth the work in our kitchen! It makes it rewarding and fun!

We look forward to sharing our summer menu in June as our seasonal food items change.

The Spring Menu items our customers are truly enjoying are…

It begins with Antipasti – the appetizer.

  • Insalata Primavera – New spinach, toasted pine nuts, crispy pancetta in a warm lemon vinaigrette
  • Caprese Salad – My favourite and I begged our kitchen team to carry it over from our winter menu…and they did
  • Bruschetta – The presentation and flavors on this board are by far some of the freshest and most flavorful foods you’ll taste!

Primi – the first course after the appetizer.Primi – the first course after the appetizer (we offer small and large portions)

  • Penne con Sugo di Salsiccie – imported pasta with slow cooked pork, veal and house made sausage in our delicious sauce
  • Linquine Con Cozze – wine steam mussels, tomato, chili, garlic and fresh basil

Secondi – the main course (typically meat & fish)Secondi – the main course (typically meat & fish)

  • Pollo alla Cacciatore – slow cooked chicken with white wine, plum tomatoes, pancetta, garlic and fresh rosemary and served with our house-made focaccia
  • Zuppa di Pesce – jumbo shrimp, scallops, fish of the day and mussels in a spicy tomato broth served with warm crostini
  • Lasagne al Forno – baked layers of house made pasta, sauce, besciamella Parmigiano and mozzarella – you’ll take some home!

And if you finish your dinner….PAVLOVA…this dessert is like eating light fluffy pillows with fresh fruit and mint – even when your full it’s refreshing!

Pavlova with whipped cream, fresh fruit and a sprig of mint (Photo: bitebymichelle.com)Join us any Wednesday through Friday evenings for Urban Deli’s Italian by Night.

Don’t forget to visit us at the Fundy Food Festival May 5th…

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