Dining at the chef's table, camera in hand [View all]

I took a stroll around the neighborhood to shoot some holiday decorations tonight and stopped by a wood-burning (hearth and Neapolitan oven) Italian restaurant, just a few blocks from my home. When I got to the front counter the hostess said there was no table seating available, but I could sit at the bar or at the chef's table. I chose the chef's table, which I now consider the best seat in the house. I ordered the caraflex cabbage: wood-grilled heirloom cabbage, pickled asian pear, gorgonzola fonduta, and thyme. It was scrumptrulescent. While I was enjoying the cabbage, a waiter brought a plate with two items and said, "The chef sent this for you: tempura shiitake mushrooms drizzled with honey." They were divine.











The chef prepares my order of caraflex cabbage.