Cheftimony Snack - Dinner with Frank
Photo Credit: Marilyn Cafone
On the opening night of the 2024 version of ZorkFest, a party bus trekked north on the Las Vegas Strip, from Horseshoe to the Wynn. We arrived at the Encore side of the resort and made our way into the stunning Sinatra Restaurant.
Once inside, gracious servers led us through the dining room and into the private Chairman’s Room. A long table sat in the middle of the room. Two walls were gorgeous glass-fronted wine cellars. The wall opposite the largest wine cellar featured a portrait of Frank himself, immense in scale.
It was here that our dinner for twenty lucky guests – planned meticulously weeks ago on Episode 070 of Cheftimony – was about to begin.
On today’s episode, you’ll hear from a collection of happy diners in between the final savoury course and dessert. These include Michael of TravelZork, Keren from the 360 Vegas Podcast, and Josh from Crap Vegas.
After the dinner, and as we were each waiting for a car outside Encore, I caught up with Byron Copeland, a Barrel Maturation Manager and Master Taster with Jack Daniels. Byron joined us for the evening and led discussions on some beautiful whiskies paired with the courses.
So! Once you’ve perused the menu below and decided which courses you would have selected, join us in the Chairman’s Room. Today’s snack-sized episode about a huge delicious meal awaits.
Sinatra, Chairman’s Room, Encore Las Vegas - Dinner Selections
ZorkFest Opening Night - Friday, November 1, 2024
Welcome Cocktail (please choose one)
· Sinatra Smash - Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel Whiskey, cassis, housemade vanilla infusion, muddled blackberries
· Old Fashioned - Jack Daniel’s, Angostura Bitters, orange oil ***
· Rusty Nail - Jack Daniel’s, Drambuie ***
· Virgin Sinatra Smash - cassis, housemade vanilla infusion, muddled blackberries
· Prosecco Bisol, Relio, Valdobbiadene, Veneto 2022
Insalata (please choose one)
· Insalatina dell’ Imperatore - Caesar salad, anchovy, Parmigiano crouton
· Caprese *** - bufala mozzarella, vine ripened tomatoes, red onion, basil
· Insalata e Caciotta - baby spinach, kale, arugula, envy apple, truffled Caciotta cheese, pistachio emulsion, aged balsamic dressing
Antipasti (please choose one)
· Polipo - Mediterranean octopus, red onions, fried capers, roasted red pepper emulsion
· Polpettine *** - housemade meatballs, polenta fries
· Crema di Fagioli *** - cream of Borlotti bean soup, farro and lobster crostino
Primi Piatti (please choose one)
· Uovo in Raviolo - sheep’s milk ricotta, fine herbs and egg yolk filled raviolo, Parmigiano reggiano, brown butter and fresh (optional) shaving of white truffle
· Gnocchetti e Caviale - Yukon gold potato gnocchetti, leek emulsion, Ossetra caviar, lemon crème fraiche
· Agnolotti - pasta filled with sheep’s milk ricotta and fine herbs, tomato fonduta sauce
· Pappardelle alla Bolognese *** - ribbon egg pasta, beef, pork, veal Bolognese
Secondi Piatti (please choose one)
· Ossobuco “My Way” *** - braised veal ossobuco, saffron risotto Milanese, gremolata
· Milanese *** - thinly pounded veal chop, tri-color salad, tomato marmalade
· Filetto - prime beef tenderloin, sweet and sour shallots, red wine sauce
· Piccione - squab breast, beet risotto, pomegranate reduction
Dolce (please choose one)
· Torta di ricotta *** - lemon ricotta cheesecake, hazelnut crunch, mixed berry sorbet, huckleberry consommé
· Capello - Valrhona dark chocolate mousse fedora, Jack Daniels pana cotta
*** Frank Sinatra selections