Tall, Dark, and Hungry "Olive (You) Oil Cake"

Mabel Gray

    Is anyone else feeling super nostalgic lately? I feel like this is pretty typical during the holidays, but even more in a year where our whole lives were turned upside down. I think we all miss traveling and exploring, and on tour that was my favorite thing in the world. Today I wanted to share a very special dinner I had with some wonderful people. It was my first tasting menu back when Aladdin was in Detroit during the holidays in the beginning of 2019. My sis Erik Hernandez is local to Detroit, Michigan and planned a meal at "Mabel Gray" with Cornelius and Adrienne (fellow cast-mates) and I. A little back story on the man behind this very upbeat, trendy restaurant. When I researched this history I was very inspired btw. I think we all work incredibly hard to get to certain points of our life, and Chef James Rigato is no stranger to that mentality. Rigato joined the restaurant biz as a dishwasher. He went to school, worked for some of the finest restaurants in Michigan, and then started to take off with National acclaim after opening “The Root” Restaurant and Bar with Ed Mamou . He then competed on Top Chef Season 2013, and won Food and WIne’s “Best New Chef, Great Lakes” in 2015. “Mabel Grey” opened shortly after to rave reviews from Eater, and a nomination from James Beard (semi finalist best new restaurant). So yeah, Chef Rigato is honestly a role model for hard work and dedication to building dreams. He approaches his dishes with bold refined flavors that are full of excitement. And of course, like any of the top chef’s he cultivates his menu based on the local produce. Everything is done in rotation to the seasons, what’s fresh, and “ethical.” I think the food will speak for itself in the below slide show, but I will say the standout for the table that evening was this Olive Oil cake (Course 7). If you happen to be in the Detroit area I highly recommend planning an evening out at this incredible establishment. What I love the most about food is how it creates memories. Even in the toughest of times we can look back, and remember the smells, taste, laughs, and love where we can find a moment of happiness to draw from. @mabelgraykitchen

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