As Yelp frames 5 stars, Chef Elisa IS "Woohoo! As good as it gets! " The simplest distillation of…read moreher talents is this - none compares that I've seen here in southern Florida. Every dish was beyond delicious, interesting, packed with flavor. Every plate passed with joy, respect and an enthusiasm for the artistry of her chef, every cocktail perfectly blended and delivered with a smile. From the first conversation to the final goodbye hugs, every moment with Chef Elisa and her crew was 5 STAR! (6 if Yelp would allow).
Longer story, my hubby decided to buck our nearly 20 year tradition of cooking everything ourselves at our parties, (he's Sicilian, after all, so there is no one else who can cook right! haha).. so for his impending 50th birthday, he chose to cater a chic at-home 4 hour "cocktail party with heavy hors d'oeuvres" for a diverse, well-traveled, international crew of 20 or so. I think every taste and variation on diet was represented, and everyone left the party stuffed, fluffed and full of love for Chef E and her Crew of 2.
Food highlights... this is tough, because everything was stellar... but the menu reads: Mini kobe beef sliders and giant chilled copper trays of sushi.. Lauren then started passing trays of mini sausage/pepper and onion bites with ricotta, the best coconut shrimp with a lime coconut dipping sauce I've ever had (Ken wanted to drop this from the menu as "too pedestrian", but Chef prevailed and thank God! They were a huge hit!), ceviche in little cones with plantain chips, steak tartare, these amazing bite-size polenta pods dolloped with an olive tapenade to die for, potato pancakes with smoked salmon, creme fraiche and chives...and for dessert, she did these gorgeous dessert "shots"... individual key lime pie, cannoli or chocolate ganache treats perfectly sweet, tangy, creamy, crispy, and all candlelit for the birthday boy!
Now that I'm salivating, I will bring myself back to reality with a few more mundane, but also important tidbits (things I would like to know when choosing a caterer)... She and her crew were absolutely balanced between professionalism and fun. They were working two floors up in our catering kitchen and did their complete set-up, service and clean up without a single incident or disappointment (no lost deposit for you fellow condo dwellers), they packed up leftovers and stocked the fridge for all those morning cravings that hit after a hearty party.. and maybe best for me, when I walked the dogs at 11 pm (and they were knocking down), I noticed the bumper sticker on her car.... "No Farmers, No Food", and it struck me that we had just experienced the artistry of a person that understands the farm to table movement and shares it through all she prepares.
PS. Don't tell Ken's Sicilian family, but I think we have a new tradition.