Who is Richard Olney?

By now many of you who may have read in the New York Observer (Ten Beer Bars for Beer Snobs) that our chef is Richard Olney. This was an unfortunate mistake, but many under 40 don't know who he was.

A painter and great food writer, Olney found himself in Provence in the 1950's. In the 1970's he inspired a generation of Berkeley, CA food and wine folk such as Alice Waters and Kermit Lynch. Olney died in 1999.

This past summer, while searching for inspiration I circled some quotes in his book Simple French Food. One of them has been printed on the menu since then, in the place reserved for the chefs name:

"Simplicity - is a complex thing"
-Richard Olney

Cheese Cave Girl

Lucky me! I will be leading a class-Beer Pairing 101- at Murrays Cheese on November 19 with Zoe Brickley, the affineur aka Cheese Cave Girl. Click on to some pure cheese joy and read her blog, this post is about sheep dogs.

In the mean time, there are some other delights in The Tasting Room at Jimmy's No. 43. For example, tonight (Wednesday, October 29) at 7pm, sample some local ricotta from Salvatore in Brooklyn. Learn how it is made and enjoy pairing it with local beers.

On November 10 at 7pm Josh Ozersky is back in The Tasting Room for a Bacon, Beer and Chutney tasting. Wendy Smith of Schoolhouse Kitchen will be there to talk about their mustards and chutneys and, as always, Jimmy's No. 43 can be counted on for superb, bacon friendly beer pairings.

I Love Jimmy's No. 43!

Aw, shucks. If there is any reason to do what we do- this post on Sachin's Posterous is it.

Glad you enjoyed yourself!

Chili!

Saturday, October 25 from 2:00- 5:00 PM Jimmy's No. 43 hosts the New Orleans Benefit Chili Festival. In addition to the chili there will be beer from New Orlean's own Abita Brewing Company. Perhaps one of the chili contestants might be Cathy Erway. Check out Cathy's blog Not Eating Out in New York to whet your appetite for chili.

American Cider Makers Should Produce Pommeau

Pommeau is the favorite end of the night beverage at Jimmy's No. 43. Originating in Normandie, France, it is a blend of fresh cider and calvados (a cognac like apple brandy). 16% alcohol. New York state makes a lot of cider. All we need is a local distillery to make some apple brandy and upstate New York could solve its economic crisis with one happy and healthful product.

The kids at Mad Tasty Collective have a few drink recipes, one with Pommeau.

Also, Slow Food NYC's Ed Yowell has his own pommeau and apple brandy cocktail, the Local Jack, which he served at a 100 mile dinner this past spring.

Farm to Fork: Killing Chickens

We all talk the talk, but have you ever killed a chicken? Enterprising photographer and queen of all things local, Cecily Upton, got her shot this summer. Read her post, and marvel at how good food gets from farm to you.

Bacon and Escarole Recipe

Food writer Rob Patronite asked for this escarole and bacon recipe a few weeks ago. Jimmy's No. 43 had featured this recipe on the original menu back in 2005- 2006. I am THRILLED like a teenager to see it published in this week's New York Magazine!

Try your hand at this recipe, then stop by and taste some dishes from our new menu. For a preview of the flavors to come follow this link to see our menu.

Don't forget, on Tuesday October 21 join us in The Tasting Room for a guided Bacon, Beer, and Chutney Tasting featuring the beers of High and Mighty Brewery, with brewer Will Shelton. For further information, visit our website.

Jimmy's Brewhaha!

Tuesday, October 14th, Six Point Craft Ale's will be in the house at Jimmy's No. 43!

We will feature several of their limited beers on draft, offer an a la carte and appetizer menu of beer friendly dishes, and showcase all things local.

Tuesday, October 14th 6pm-11pm reservations accepted, walk-ins welcome, a la carte prices.

Greatest Cookbook Ever?

Food writers Andrew Dornenburg and Karen Page just released their latest book The Flavor Bible. Is it the greatest cook book ever? I definitely plan to keep it in my kitchen next to such classics as books by Marcella Hazan, Alice Waters, and Richard Olney. Read this great review in The Strong Buzz, and buy it!

The Honey Guy

Andrew the Honey Guy (from Bees Without Borders and the greenmarket) will be your guide for a local honey tasting in the Tasting Room at Jimmy's No. 43 this coming Saturday, October 4. In addition to Andrew's honey expertise, there will be local beer, wine, and cheese as well.

There will be one seating at 6:00 PM. Go to Jimmysno43.com for information or call 212 982 3006 for reservations.