FOOD NOTES/Expanding your Cool at Bibiana

"Gentleman With Dogs" a Cabinet card circa 1890. Photographic studio Lissan & Wybranowski in London.

Washington, D.C. - Restaurateur Ashok Bajaj is pleased to announce The Modern Gentleman Seminar Series at Bibiana, the 140-seat Italian restaurant located at 1100 New York Ave, NW (entrance on 12th and H Streets), in the heart of downtown Washington.

Based on Jason Tesauro’s celebrated book, The MODERN GENTLEMAN: A Guide to Essential Manners, Savvy & Vice, the four-part series is for gentlemen looking to sharpen their taste buds, enliven their senses and expand their cool.  

Along with the class instruction, Nicholas Stefanelli, Bibiana’s 30-year-old executive chef and recent recipient of the 2010 Restaurant Association of Washington “Rising Star” award, will be serving tastes of tempting menu items that represent the class topics.  Chef Stefanelli is a graduate of The Modern Gentleman series launched by Tesauro in 2005.

“Everyone can benefit from some polishing and newfound knowledge,” says Stefanelli.  “The MG series opened my eyes to a lot of things I had always had questions about and never dared to ask.”

Bibiana’s MG series begins in October and runs through November on Saturdays.  Participants will learn about cigars and whisky, craft beers and deft grilling, cocktails and bespoke tailoring, and of course carving, champagne sabering and the art of a classic shave.  

The Modern Gentleman himself, Jason Tesauro, whose accomplishments run from author to raconteur to sommelier, will guide the seminars.  The classes are individually priced at $125 each or at a discounted rate of $95 per a class when all four in the series are purchased at once.
For more information and reservations for the Modern Gentleman series please visit www.MGaffairs.com or email Jason Tesauro:
Jason@TheModernGentleman.com.  Each class can accommodate approximately 50 men and the schedules and descriptions are as follows:

STICKS & STONES: Cigar How-tos and Whisky Wherefores
October 2, 2010 12pm to 3pm
Neat or on the rocks? Kentucky verses Canada?  What's in a mash bill?  Can one light a Churchill with a Zippo?  This class indulges in Bourbon and Canadian whiskies, plus a tobacco tutorial from filler to binder to wrapper that culminates in a smoke-out of cigars.

BREWS & BRIQUETTES:
Craft Beers and Deft Grilling
October 16, 2010 12pm to 3pm
India pale ales, hops, and barley...deepen appreciation of microbrews and hard ciders as the class explores the grill and chill with Chef Nicholas Stefanelli and a full menu over hot coals.  Learn basic butchery, dry rubs, marinades, and proper doneness while cooking; eat and pair dishes with top-flight suds.

FIZZ & FLASH: Craft Cocktails and Bespoke Tailoring
October 30, 2010 12pm to 3pm
Highlighting vintage cocktails and modern mixology, this class demystifies distillation and outlines the beauties of boutique gins, sipping Tequila, rum agricole, and artisanal liqueurs.  Polish those bartending skills and learn to expertly mix and garnish drinks.  The class will also explore the secrets of tailored suits from collars to cufflinks with custom clothiers.  

BIRDS & BEARDS: Carving, Sabering and the Classic Shave
November 13, 2010 12pm to 3pm
Just in time for Thanksgiving, we'll perfect the art of carving as well as the impressive feat of champagne sabering.  Discover the fine points of matching wine and food while enjoying vital varietals and refreshing necessary formal table manners.  After Chef Stefanelli illustrates how to properly hone a blade, the class will learn deft use of straight razors for a classic wet shave.

Bibiana is award-winning Restaurateur Ashok Bajaj’s newest addition to his stellar collection of elegant dining rooms in the nation’s capital.  Bibiana is open Monday through Wednesday from 11:00 AM to 10:30 PM; Thursday and Friday from 11:00 AM to 11 PM and Saturday 5 PM to 11 PM.  Lunch is served Monday – Friday from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM.  For more information about Bibiana please visit www.Bibianadc.com.