Feb 2023

Chef Kwame Onwuachi x Chef Mattia Agazzi at Gucci Osteria Beverly Hills

Gucci Osteria x Kwame Onwuachi | February 24, 2023

Even though culinary collaborations are fairly common these days, an unexpected meeting of the minds can still garner a lot of excitement. Last Wednesday evening, chef Kwame Onwuachi of Tatiana in New York City made the trip to Gucci Osteria in Beverly Hills to collaborate on a menu with chef Mattia Agazzi in honor of Black History Month. The awesomely creative dinner left me and my date for the evening inspired and impressed.

Gucci Osteria x Kwame Onwuachi | February 24, 2023

The six-course tasting menu brought together chef Onwuachi’s New York-Afro-Caribbean cuisine with chef Mattia’s California-Italian cooking. It was really special to see how the dishes I’d experienced earlier at Gucci Osteria were reimagined with another chef in the kitchen.

Gucci Osteria x Kwame Onwuachi | February 24, 2023

To start, an amuse bouche that consisted of a Parmesan wafer with an apricot compote and shaved Parmesan on top.

Gucci Osteria x Kwame Onwuachi | February 24, 2023

The bread basket was a familiar sight. Alongside the buttery Parmesan crisps and classic poppy seed-crusted sourdough were flakey and buttery rosemary rolls.

Gucci Osteria x Kwame Onwuachi | February 24, 2023

Served with the bread were imported ricotta and bee-shaped pollen butter.

Gucci Osteria x Kwame Onwuachi | February 24, 2023

The first course was called “Caribbean-American Breakfast” and consisted of ackee, saltfish, potato, and Imperial Ossetra caviar.

Gucci Osteria x Kwame Onwuachi | February 24, 2023

The flavors of peppers on onions and the ackee’s scrambled egg-like texture made for a very luxurious dupe for an omelet.

Gucci Osteria x Kwame Onwuachi | February 24, 2023

Each course included a wine pairing. First up was a pour of Domaine Dupuy de Lome 2021 from Bandol.

Gucci Osteria x Kwame Onwuachi | February 24, 2023

Tied for my favorite course of the night was “Our Insalata di Mare Goes to Jamaica.” Bringing together Jamaican escovitch’s bold and slightly spicy flavors with a delicate Italian seafood salad made for a tremendous pairing. The course was paired with a Railsback Soeur Cuvee Speciale Vermentinu 2021 from Santa Maria.

Gucci Osteria x Kwame Onwuachi | February 24, 2023

My other favorite course was the “Raviolo Camouflaged as Curry,” a play on chef Mattia’s signature dish “Risotto Camouflaged as Pizza.” The raviolo was stuffed with braised goat and sauced with a velvety curry, “green seasoning” aioli, and coconut. It was paired with a glass of Weingut Hermann Ludes Thörnicher Ritsch Kabinett Feinherb Riesling 2020 from Mosel.

Gucci Osteria x Kwame Onwuachi | February 24, 2023

The next course, “Tacos are a State of Mind,” looked like a cannolo but tasted like a taquito. The deep-fried corn tortilla shell was filled with smoked sturgeon and prettied with an andouille crumble. It was served with a pour of Dragonette Cellars Pinot Noir 2020 from Santa Rita Hills.

Gucci Osteria x Kwame Onwuachi | February 24, 2023

The final savory course was a very tender oxtail terrine made from braised oxtails with a jerk jus. The Tenuta Cucco Barolo del Comune di Serralunga d’Alba 2013 from Piemonte paired extraordinarily well.

Gucci Osteria x Kwame Onwuachi | February 24, 2023

For dessert, a pavlova sorbet with ginger, hibiscus, and meringue. To sip alongside was a glass of Donnafugata Ben Rye Passito di Pantelleria 2019 from Sicily.

Gucci Osteria x Kwame Onwuachi | February 24, 2023

The final bites of the night: a raspberry beignet, chocolate tart, and nougat square.

Whatta night.

One year ago: Slacker.
Two years ago: Slacker.
Three years ago: Slacker.
Four years ago: Slacker.
Five years ago: Aloha from Kauai
Six years ago: Mr. Holmes Bakehouse – Los Angeles (Highland Park)
Seven years ago: 
Brunch at Taco Maria – Costa Mesa
Eight years ago: 
Boston Lobster – San Gabriel
Nine years ago: 
HomeState – Los Angeles (Hollywood)
Ten years ago: 
Dominique Ansel Bakery – New York City
Eleven years ago: Shaanxi Gourmet – Rosemead
Twelve years ago: Torihei – Los Angeles (Torrance)
Thirteen years ago: Pa-Ord Noodle – Los Angeles (Hollywood)
Fourteen years ago: Yun Chuan Garden – Monterey Park
Fifteen years ago: Eating in Cambodia
Sixteen years ago: Mini Apple Pies

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