A dream culinary date at Pubbelly in Miami hosted by Chef José Mendin debuts today in a Serious Eats video series, Date Night Presented by Toyota Sienna. Revealing a front-row seat to Mendin’s inspiration, food philosophy and meal prep at the innovative global-fusion restaurant, the episode is the final launch in a six-episode series that features celebrity chefs hosting private, multi-course tasting menus for Serious Eats couples in some of the hottest restaurants in Los Angeles, New York, Boston, Chicago and Dallas.
Chef Mendin joins Sissy Garza-Selcer of Sissy’s Southern Kitchen (Dallas), Marco Canora of Hearth (New York), Andres Padilla of Topolobampo (Chicago), Jamie Bissonnette of Toro (Boston) and Nyesha Arrington of Leona (Venice, CA) whose episodes have launched on the series. The culinary date night series is a first-time collaboration for Serious Eats and Toyota Sienna.
Here’s a taste of the Chef José Mendin experience (go to Date Night Presented by Toyota Siennafor the full effect):
Atmosphere: A casual gastropub with walls of exposed brick
Chef’s food inspiration: Global cuisine—he’s worked all over the world
Food philosophy: “The most important thing to me is the taste. I like to use flavors that you will crave the next day.”
Menu highlights: Japanese Amberjack Crudo: lemongrass romesco, hazelnuts, morronesand green onions; Tomato & Tofu: soft tofu, amazu ponzu, blueberries and sesame; Veal Brains “Meuniere”: black butter, capers, blue crab tartar and bean sprouts; Short Rib Dumplings: white corn, soy, black truffle and Grana Padano; Stone Crab Fettuccine: jalapeño, ginger, bok choy leaf and miso citrus butter; Cochinillo: local suckling pig, Fuji apple confit, apple pie mustard, sauce Robert; Black Truffle Rice: dry shiitake stock, wild mushrooms, local hen egg, Marsala jus; Leche Frita: butternut squash, fried milk, eggnog foam, pumpkin seed brittle and goma soft-serve.
Serious Eats is the world’s most trusted authority on deliciousness. Millions of passionate, discerning, curious and very hungry people come to Serious Eats in search of definitive recipes, hard-core food science, trailblazing techniques and innovative guides to essential food and drink anywhere and everywhere. We bring a democratic yet scientific approach to cooking the best dishes, busting food myths and delivering strong opinions on what you should eat next, where, when and why.
Toyota Sienna provides the ultimate in versatility and convenience without sacrificing style. Packed with advanced technology, it features the Siri® Eyes Free mode and Connected Navigation Scout® GPS app link. Available in an upscale interior experience in three trim styles with premium soft touch material, it is the only model in its segment that provides all-wheel drive. For those interested in appearance as well as performance, Toyota offers the Sienna SE, a sport sedan with lowered, sport-tuned suspension, 19-inch wheels, side skirt body elements and smoke-look sport trim. Sienna also provides 8 standard air bags, the most in its class, for peace of mind.
