Before welcoming fellow reality TV culinary star Mike Isabella to his eponymous restaurant for a one-off collaboration on September 18, Top Chef champ Kevin Sbraga is going to make good on a bet he made with Hop Sing Laundromat owner Lee (no last name) in the run-up to last February’s Super Bowl. Terms of the wager dictate that the loser would work one night for free at the other’s place of business. Though almost four months overdue, Sbraga will be on hand at the Chinatown cocktail hideaway this Sunday to keep up his end of the bargain.
Sbraga who’s been on Twitter proclaiming his inability to bartend, jokes that there will be “Shirley Temples for everyone.” Next up, Square Peg’s Matt Levin is supposed to follow through on a similar bet with Lee.
On September 18, Isabella, who owns Graffiato in Washington D.C. and competed on the sixth season of Top Chef along with Jen Carroll and Jen Zavala, will come to Sbraga’s restaurant for a one night collaborative dinner. No stranger to Philly, Isabella did time here as part of the Starr fleet, working alongside Jose Garces at El Vez, Marcus Samuelsson at Washington Square (now Talula’s Garden), and Douglas Rodriguez at Alma De Cuba. While here for that one night, he will team up with Sbraga’s kitchen for a four-course prix fixe that will fuse his own style of contemporary Italian with his host’s “no boundaries” approach to cooking. The dinner will cost $85 per person, and will have a $35 wine pairing as an added option. Reservations are a must. The full menu is below.
Amuse Bouche
Zucchini Vichyssoise with Bone Marrow Toast and Tomato Confit
First Course
Pork Belly Fettuccini with Red Onion, Garlic, and Pecorino
Second Course
Scallop with Calamari Noodles and Squid Ink Sauce
Third Course
Veal Stracatto with Pearl Onions, Thumbelina Carrots, and Porcini Mushrooms
Fourth Course
Rum Raisin Rice Pudding with Banana Fritter
