Sur La Table? Yes, Please!

Where can you get a fantastic meal, with fantastic wine, shared with a group of friends- cooked by... yourselves? {And trust me, it will still taste good.} Sur La Table in Manhasset!

Having never been before I didn't know what to expect. Basically all I knew was we were to cook the meal ourselves. I was game. Tucked in next to Vera Wang in Americana Manhasset and underneath Sur La Table's beautiful culinary store, hides a beautiful professional kitchen fully equipped with every cooking essential you can imagine. For the anti-chefs... have no fear because it's also staffed with a few professionals to guide you along your culinary adventure.

We arrived at Sur La Table around 7:30pm and were greeted by Chef Jordan Carfagno, his assistants and an attractive table of tasty hors d'oeuvres to get us started. We supplied the wine and they supplied the glasses and everything else. 

First we were given a brief introduction of what we would be cooking- Spanish tapas tonight. No complaints here! We were then whisked over (pun intended) over to the professional grade work stations and stovetops which were already prepared and waiting for us with the proper pans, tools and ingredients for our meal. We cooked under the guidance of Chef Jordan and enjoyed our wine throughout the meal preparation. Of course, the chatting and drinking took over occasionally and our group had to get back on track, but all in all, I'd say we did a great job. Chef Jordan instructed us step by step but we did the majority of the work. Everyone was involved and excited. With a delicious menu planned, fresh ingredients set up and ready to go, the right environment and friends- how could you not have a good time?

On our menu included a delicious seafood, chicken and chorizo paella, garlic-seared shrimp with sherry, chorizo-stuffed baby red potatoes and my favorite- dates stuffed with goat cheese, wrapped in Serrano ham and drizzled with a sherry reduction. Chef Jordan and his staff took care of setting out the prepared food when it was ready while we all headed upstairs to Sur La Table's amazing cooking store that basically has everything you could ever want in your kitchen. After a little shopping came the best part. Having worked up an appetite, we were ready to sit back and enjoy the product of our labor! The meal was fabulous and there was plenty of it as well.

I highly recommend Sur La Table for a night out with friends or a birthday celebration. You will leave with some delicious recipes (perhaps some kitchen goodies if your shopping was successful), more cooking skills and knowledge than you came in with and the experience of turning out a delicious, professional quality meal with your friends. Food, wine and friends. Really- who could ask for more?


Please like Inside Garden City on Facebook!