MUST DO- A Night out at Culinary Gallery in SoWal!!!

[Geo]

This post is well over a month overdue...

I debated posting this one in Events/nightlife, Businesses/goods/services and even About Sowal but ultimately settled on this forum. Kurt, feel free to relocate or duplicate as you see fit...

On the South side of Highway 98 just opposite the Bayou Bills that burned down is a relatively new storefront/concept called Culinary Gallery. It is part Caterer, part Cooking School. I was intrigued by the latter so I stopped in unannounced one day and spoke with the chef- Scott Nelson...

Chef Scott shared with me his plans for his business. One thing led to another and next thing I knew a group of my family and friends and I were going to represent his "inaugural private cooking class"...

A few weeks later we showed up on a Saturday night. We were greeted by Chef Scott and one of his sous (sp?) chefs as well as Scott's mom, Susan. We chose from an assortment of domestic and imported beers and white and red wine...

After some drinking and socializing, Scott talked us through the assortment of dishes that *we* were going to cook. He first demoed them for us and then it was our turn to have at it in their full service, brand spanking new, high-end commercial kitchen...

We did a yummy crab and corn bisque, a spinach and portabella appetizer, a chicken pasta flavored with a white wine sauce and plum tomatoes (with a hint of basil) and then some sort of fancy dessert but because I didn't partake I cannot recall the details (other than everyone else loved it and went out of their way to remind me how odd I am for not enjoying desserts)...

Chef Scott coached us as we chopped, cut, saut?ed, grilled, seasoned (and ate & drank, of course) etc... He not only helped us to cook delicious courses but also taught us how to make them look really good too. He and his staff were patient, knowledgeable and FUN!!!

Anyway, I could go on and on but let me just say this instead-

If you are looking for a really fun night out- a really unique experience with family/friends you really need to check out Culinary Gallery!!!

Here is their website-

http://culinarygallery.com

And here are some pics of our great night there in early April...

Cheers, G

 

[ItzKatzTime]

What a great night of fun....and wonderful food! Thank you for sharing it with us....I love being on both sides learning....and teaching cooking! I'm checking into this!

 

[Geo]

Sushi

Chef Scott called me to thank me for the review I gave them and to tell me about a new offering- Sushi...

Apparently they have a guest chef to teach how to make Sushi. YAY!

Anywho, just thought I would share and give a bump to my post because these guys deserve the attention (hey are great) and also because Sowal deserves an option like this for a great night out. You guys will love it!!!

I am going to get a group together for a private Sushi class. Let me know if anyone is interested...

I will, of course, post a follow up if/when we do it...

G

 

[CPort]

This sounds like so much funn! thanks for posting about this!

 

[Kurt]

Do they have a computer? It would be useful for us and maybe them if they would post more info.

 

[Beach Runner]

Reminds me of the enjoyable experiences we had with Chef Paul Luna, who is now the executive chef at the Four Seasons in Maui.

We met him at his now-closed restaurant in Hogansville, GA, called the Chef's Table, a sensual haven that offered a one-of-a-kind dining experience. The restaurant had no sign, part of its mood of being a hideaway for a tryst (actually he replaced the chairs at one table so that one could dine while in bed). The interior was funky with old brick walls, exposed mechanical components, colorful unhemmed fabrics hanging from poles, simple but mood-enhancing lighting, and an open kitchen. Luna served his customers as though they were friends dining in his home. As a matter of fact, he was the only cook and had one assistant who served and helped with dishes, so he limited his guests to about fourteen. There was no menu and thus no prices posted. Luna would invite you to watch him in the kitchen (actually, because we showed such great interest in cooking, he asked us to help him prepare meals and taught us a lot about cooking). He would stroll to your table after a course was served to discuss how it related to his philosophy of cooking. He kept his frutta e verdure in the front window in order for them to ripen properly, and as he cooked he would go there to gather a red pepper for an appetizer, a cantaloupe for dessert. He'd wander over and grab spices from his crude pantry built into the wall in the dining area.

Let's talk food. Here was a typical evening. We'd start with French bread brushed in olive oil and sprinkled with chopped paprika and rosemary along with a mixture of feta, ricotta, and cottage cheeses. Next might be a salad of mixed greens tossed in a vinaigrette with thinly-sliced apples. Luna then might announce that he would be serving Southern food, and out of the kitchen would come a divine poached beef rib with chopped roasted red peppers in a balsamic vinaigrette. This might be followed by a broiled chicken leg drizzled in an orange reduction and served with what he called an eggplant caviar. A slightly spicy dish of chicken chunks with sesame seeds, hazelnuts, soy sauce, and roasted red peppers might arrive next. The final entree could be what he called an African stew with beef, potatoes, and a subtle taste of nutmeg. Dessert consisted of a mista of cantaloupe, chocolate mousse, and flan. It was all divine, in taste and in presentation - food as art.

The restaurant had no liquor license, so we'd bring our own wine and/or beer. And enough to last for four hours because *this* was a dining experience, not fast food. In case you're wondering about price, we were presented with a simple, handwritten bill for $40 per person. Who knew what the price might be with another menu? The unknown was part of the excitement.

You do not ask for salt at his restaurants, and you weren't surprised by anything that happened there ... Like him going into the back room with a woman and and returning partially dressed. Or birthday parties for girlfriends of mine in which he'd take off a piece of clothing after every course.

He'd also come to your house and cook dinner. That was fun.

BTW after this restaurant closed he opened Caf? Mystique at the old Peachtree Caf? location on Paces Ferry near Peachtree. He had a nude Sunday brunch. That didn't last too long.

Kinda crazy, but we had a great time with him and wish that he hadn't moved to Hawaii.

Culinary Gallery sounds like a fun place to go to for a change of pace. Thanks, geowickey, for the info.

 

[Geo]

Do they have a computer? It would be useful for us and maybe them if they would post more info.

Sure. Per my initial post-
their website is
http://culinarygallery.com

Their contact info is there...

Let me know if you have any questions about these guys. I am not affiliated. I am only a customer of theirs and a fan...

G

 

[InletBchDweller]

Maybe I can give Bb a lesson for her B-day in July!!!


All kidding aside. This sounds like a great local venue. What a funn time for a girls night out....thanks Geo!!

 

[Teresa]

from website:

Calendar of Events

June 23

Cooking Class - "Joy of Pasta"
Learn how to work with pastas effectively and basic sauce preparation.
Call for reservations.
June 24"Soups" - Chef Scott Nelson

June 25Saute "The Basics"
June 26Grilling 101
June 30

"Sushi" - Chef Dan Pettis

 

[Teresa]

oh geow! thanks for this information. I was reading about your family's cooking adventure with Chef Scott! you must share your recipes!!!!

We did a yummy crab and corn bisque, a spinach and portabella appetizer, a chicken pasta flavored with a white wine sauce and plum tomatoes (with a hint of basil)

this place sounds wonderful. thanks for sharing with us.