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CHEFS WITH PANACHE - PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC
Coda Restaurant at the Aria Hotel
Since its debut in early 2003, CODA has become Prague's culinary destination for discerning gourmands and oenophiles alike.
                                                                                                      By Diana Mehl

Chef David Sasek, Coda Restaurant at the Aria Hotel
Chef David Sasek.

 

CHEF DAVID SASEK
Chef Sasek has been directly involved in the culinary profession under the leadership of experienced chefs since he was 12 years old. His initial learning experience at his family's bed & breakfast and 90-seat gourmet restaurant in Pistina, certainly influenced his future career path.

After completing his culinary studies he perfected his skills working at five-star hotels in Prague, such as the Hotel Savoy, Movenpick and Palace-Gourmet Club, and other international fine dining establishments. He then took a position in Ireland as second sous chef at the luxurious restaurant hotel at Ballynahinch Castle. 

Upon returning to the Czech Republic he joined the Hotel Aria, first as second sous chef, and then, since 2007, as executive chef of the hotel. At the Aria he had the opportunity to work and consult with celebrated chef Laurent Gras, former chef de cuisine of Alain Ducasse, Guy Savoy and L2O Restaurant.

 

Coda Rooftop Terrace at the Aria Hotel, Prague
Coda Restaurant Rooftop Terrace at the Aria Hotel.


VELVETY DUCK LIVER PARFAIT,
HOME-MADE BRIOCHE TOAST,
AND ORCHARD PEAR CHUTNEY

Serves 7 (100ml ramekins)


Parfait of Duck Liver

200g Cleaned Duck Liver

2 Whole Eggs

To taste:
  Thyme, Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic

50ml Madeira Wine

20ml Cognac

200g Melted Butter

80g Duck Fat

  1. Clean liver by removing any membrane and veins.
  2. Marinate cleaned livers in Madeira, Cognac, and seasonings, in refrigerator overnight
  3. Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor until smooth and fine in texture. Add melted butter and continue blending until desired consistency is reached.
  4. Strain through fine sieve pushing down with a spoon.
  5. Fill ramekins to top with mixture, allowing 1 cm from top.
  6. Cover each ramekin with aluminum foil, and bake in a water bath in a pre-heated oven at 150°C for approximately 20-30 minutes. After 15 minutes of baking, check the inside temperature with a thermometer. Final done temperature of Parfait is 57-60°C. This is ideal temperature to ensure proper color and texture of final parfait.
  7. After removing from oven, uncover the foil and place approximately 1 tablespoon of the melted duck fat atop each ramekin. Gently move each ramekin to ensure that the fat covers the entire top surface.
  8. Refrigerate till cool and serve cold with Toasted Brioche and Pear Chutney.
Pear Chutney

300g Pealed pears – cores removed

100g Brown Sugar

100ml Balsamic Vinegar

20g Shallots

  1. Dice pear into small cubes, approx. ½ x ½ cm. Peal shallot and cut into a fine julienne
  2. Place all ingredients, except Vinegar,  together in a small sauce pan and caramelize over a very low heat, approximately 15-20 minutes
  3. Add vinegar to pan while stirring.  Cover pan with plastic wrap, make small holes in wrap, and allow to sit on low heat for an additional 30 minutes.
  4. Chutney may then be stored in a mason glass jar in refrigerator, and served at room temperature
Home-made Brioche

320g Bread Flour

40g Icing Sugar

4ks Whole eggs

Pinch Salt

30ml Warm Milk (35-40°C)

25g Fresh Yeast (not dry yeast)

120g Melted Butter

  1. In a machine mixing bowl, mix flour, salt, sugar.  Add eggs one at a time while mixing at low speed.
  2. Add yeast to warm milk and 1 Tbl sugar.  Add to mixing bowl and continue mixing at low speed for 5 minutes.  Slowly add melted butter and continue mixing approximately 5 additional minutes.  Dough should be sticky and elastic at this stage in the process.
  3. Remove bowl from mixer and allow to rise in a warm place in kitchen covered for approximately 30 minutes, or until almost doubles in size.
  4. Gently knead the dough on a floured surface and shape in an oblong shape to fit the bread pan.
  5. Butter and lightly flour the bread pan and place the dough in the pan.  Allow to rise once again in warm place in the bread pan until double in size.
  6. Place in middle rack of an oven preheated at 160*C for about 35minutes.
  7. You can ensure the bread is finished baking when a wooden skewer placed in the bread comes out clean.
  8. Allow to cool in a rack.
Velvety Duck Liver Parfait, Home-Made Brioche Toast, and Orchard Pear Chutney
Velvety Duck Liver Parfait, Home-Made Brioche Toast, and Orchard Pear Chutney.

Set in the quiet, and yet very central Mala Strana quarter of Prague, the romantic nooks and beautiful vistas of Aria Hotel's Coda Restaurant, offer a most fitting backdrop for the shared enjoyment of fine food and wine.

Coda offers artful dining composed of the essentials of elegance. The very finest in service, ambiance, and hand-selected seasonal ingredients, are orchestrated together by true artisans in order to provide unparalleled dining experiences.

The ever changing a-la-carte, and chef tasting menus, are an excellent representation of the restaurant team's passion and commitment to preparing the most vibrant and flavorful ingredients available throughout the world. An extensive and carefully assembled wine selection is also atttentively looked after, serving as the perfect complement to a symphony of perfection.

CODA RESTAURANT at the ARIA HOTEL
Trziste 9
118 00, Prague 1, Malá Strana
Czech Republic
+420.225.334.7611www.codarestaurant.cz

Photos: Courtesy of Coda Restaurant.
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