Food & Wine Chickie Insider

This great soup is adapted from a popular soup I had at Dan Marino’s Town Tavern in Ft Lauderdale.  It was published in Taste of Home Magazine!

Tomato Bisque

Ingredients:

• 6 celery ribs, chopped
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 medium sweet red pepper, chopped
• 1/4 cup butter, cubed
• 3 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 3/4 cup loosely packed basil leaves, coarsely chopped
• 3 teaspoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream

Directions:

In a large saucepan, sauté the celery, onion and red pepper in butter for 5-6 minutes or until tender. Add tomatoes and tomato paste. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 40 minutes.
Remove from the heat. Stir in the basil, sugar, salt and pepper; cool slightly. Transfer half of the soup mixture to a blender. While processing, gradually add cream; process until pureed. Return to the pan; heat through (do not boil).

Yield: 5 servings.

Aspen Social Club Foyer

Aspen Social Club – It’s part Colorado ski lodge, part sexy South Beach.  The space is beautiful.  The entryway looks like you’ve arrived at a slope side cozy restaurant with its log home look- and-feel.  The dining room is appointed in whites and features amazing rawhide banquettes that have a Danish feel.  Drastic contrast to the bar and foyer area.

The menu features tapas for sharing between diners and offers familiar dishes, but with an eccentric and fun twist.

Each dish is as scrumptious as the next.  The tuna sashimi stuffed deviled eggs were exceptional.  The, although a bit overdone, was very flavorful.  The shrimp quesadillas served with salsa verde was outstanding with just the right amount of citrus.  The artichoke dip was very different than others and quite tasty.

Drinks, as is the crowd at this trendy spot, are sexy and beautiful.  The Aspen Social Club is an excellent place for a fun date or to try with a group of friends.

Aspen Social Club

157 West 47th Street

New York, NY 10036

http://www.aspensocialclub.com

(212) 221-7200