Chef Alfred Portale, Chef’s Recs, Gotham Bar & Grill, New York, NY, Manhattan, Farmer’s Market, The Berkshires, Massachusetts, MA, Connecticut, CT, Where to eat, Where to drink, Where to shop, Chefs Feed, Where chefs eat, Restaurants, Bars, Shops, Ice Cream, Bread, Wine, Beer, Cheese, Farmers, From Greenmarket To Gotham, Union Square Farmers Market, Union Square Greenmarket
Q. As a long time supporter of the Union Square Greenmarket, how has it changed over the years?
A. Mainly, the market is much larger than it was years ago. There are more farmers and there is a lot more product that has expanded in scope to include meat, seafood, and dairy. It’s easy to say that it has at least doubled in size, if not more. And I think the product quality continues to improve, too. Consumers are more aware and engaged with what they eat more than ever before and the more discerning and demanding the clientele, the harder you work to meet those demands.
Q. What are some of the newer products that have come to the market in the recent years that have inspired you?
A. It’s not so much new products, as new varieties and choices. A couple of years ago a rainbow of baby carrots appeared: black and yellow and purple and red. We’re seeing different pole beans and last year I found purple snow peas, which I had never seen before.
Q. Are there recipes and ingredients you love to use at home rather than in the restaurant? What are some of your favorite simple things to cook at home using the bounty from the market?
A. When dining at home my food tends to be more relaxed. And I like to serve it family-style. Especially during the summer months, I love cooking with local tomatoes, strawberries and sweet corn.
Recipe
Exploring The Berkshires
Cheese at Rubiner’s Cheesemongers
Photograph courtesy of Rubiner’s
Find | Shops & Markets
Rubiner’s Cheesemongers and Grocers
I like to go to Rubiner’s Cheesemongers and Grocers. I go here for all my cheese and charcuterie supplies. The owner is Matt Rubiner and he is a very accomplished cheesemonger.
264 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230
T: 1.413.528.0488 | www.rubiners.com
Mazzeo’s Meat and Seafood at Guido’s Fresh Marketplace
Photograph courtesy of Guido’s
Guido’s Fresh Marketplace
It is a go-to stop. Within Guido’s is Mazzeo’s Meat and Seafood run by brothers Mark and Rudy and they have a fantastic selection: certified black angus, 30-day aged meats, grass-fed local beef, fantastic air-chilled chickens as well as great shellfish and fish – their selection is equal to any market in Manhattan.
760 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230
T: 1.413.528.9255 | www.guidosfreshmarketplace.com
Tasting Rosé at Salisbury Wines
Photograph courtesy of Salisbury Wines
Salisbury Wines
Warren Carter is the owner of Salisbury Wines and he carries a very thoughtful collection of wines. In the summertime, I like to pick from their extensive selection of rosés, white Burgundies and Italian reds.
19 Main Street, Salisbury, CT 06068
T: 1.860.435.1414 | www.salisburywines.com
Homemade Pies from Salisbury Bread
Photograph courtesy of Salisbury Bread
Salisbury Bread
They have good breads and amazing fresh fruit pies, which change seasonally.
17 Main Street, Salisbury, CT 06068
T: 1.860.435.8835 | www.salisburybreads.com
Bread from Berkshire Mountain Bakery
Photograph courtesy of Berkshire Mountain Bakery
Berkshire Mountain Bakery
If I’m in the mood to make pizza, I might go to Berkshire Mountain Bakery in Massachusetts. They carry spelt and whole-wheat pizza crusts that are great for making pizzas at home.
367 Park Street, Housatonic, MA 01236
T: 1.413.274.3412 | www.berkshiremountainbakery.com
Find | Ice Cream
SoCo Creamery Ice Cream
Photograph courtesy of SoCo Creamery
SoCo Creamery
They make small-batch handcrafted ice cream with pure flavors and amazing texture, almost like gelato. My favorite flavors are dirty chocolate, cider donut, and salted caramel.
5 Railroad Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230
T: 1.413.528.9420 | sococreamery.com
Eat | Restaurants
The Woodland Restaurant
Chef / owner Robert Peters offers an ever-changing seasonally-focused menu, which features lots of local farms and products. They have an outstanding wine list that also happens to be well priced.
192 Sharon Road, Lakeville, CT 06039
T: 1.860.435.0578 | www.thewoodlandrestaurant.com
The Old Mill in Egremont
Photograph courtesy of Old Mill
Old Mill
Owned by chef Terry Moore, it is great for dinner and even better for brunch.
53 Main Street, Egremont, MA 01258
T: 1.413.528.1421 | www.oldmillberkshires.com
Drink | Tea
Selecting Tea at Harney & Sons in Millerton
Photo Credit: robanhk [flickr]
Harney & Sons Tea
It’s based in Millerton, NY and they have a charming little café.
13 Main Street, Millerton, NY 12546
T: 1.518.789.2121 | www.harney.com
Drink | Cocktails
Stagecoach Tavern in Sheffield
Photograph courtesy of Stagecoach Tavern
Stagecoach Tavern
It’s a cool, funky bar with great cocktails.
864 S Undermountain Road, Sheffield, MA 01257
T: 1.413.229.8585 | www.stagecoachtavern.net
Drink | Wine
Manna Dew Cafe in Millerton
Photograph courtesy of Manna Dew Cafe
Manna Dew Café
It’s great for a glass of wine and burger before/after the movies – happens to be right by the only movie theater in the area.
54 Main Street, Millerton, NY 12546
T: 1.518.789.3570 | www.mannadew.com
More Berkshires Recs
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Chef Alfred Portale has never needed to add the label farm-to-table when describing his food. It’s been a part of his cuisine at Gotham Bar and Grill for nearly thirty years. The restaurant is located just a few blocks from New York City’s most vibrant farmers market, the Union Square Greenmarket. Portale has shopped the farm stalls for ingredients since he took the job in the mid-80s after working in the French countryside.
Portale’s cookbook, called Greenmarket to Gotham Recipe Journal, includes 26 vegetarian recipes and vignettes about many of the farmers he has worked with over the years at the Union Square Greenmarket.
Chef Portale shares a recipe from his book as well as suggestions for exploring the Berkshires, where he has a home. He talks about the places he loves to frequent for eating, drinking and shopping.
Greenmarket to Gotham + Chef Alfred Portale’s The Berkshires
July 2, 2013
Gotham Bar & Grill - New York, NY
General Information
Gotham Bar & Grill
Greenwich Village
New American
12 East 12th Street
New York, NY 10003
T: 1.212.620.4020 (make a reservation)
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