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Watch a special feature about Battistella's on ABC TV 11 in Raleigh:
CHEFS TAKE HOME TROPHIES, PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES BENEFIT
2010 Epicurious Vino Challenge is a huge success.
June 17, 2010 (PINE LEVEL, NC) – Two North Carolina chefs took home trophies and six others received accolades, but the real winners of the second annual Epicurious Vino Challenge held recently at Hinnant Family Vineyards in Pine Level are the people with disabilities served by RHA Howell, Inc. The wine and food event raised $30,000.
For the “challenge,” professional chefs competed to see who could come up with the best dish using a Hinnant Family Vineyard wine that they pulled out of a hat. The crowd in attendance chose a People Choice Award winner and executive chefs from US Food Services named the Chef’s Choice through a blind judging.
The Chef’s Choice Award went to Chef Brian Battistella of Battistella’s New Orleans Kitchen in Raleigh (located in the Crabtree Inn above Crabtree Valley Mall). Using Hinnant Family Vineyard’s “Tar Heel Red” wine, the chef, a New Orleans native, created Creole spiced pork tenderloin served with Tasso ham, mashed sweet potatoes with muscadine gastrique, charred sweet pepper salad, and crisp sweet potato chips.
The Peoples Choice Award went to Chef Robbie Lilly of Sisters Garden & Catering, also in Raleigh, who created Beef Tenderloin with a “Hinnant Bordelaise,” using Hinnant’s “Noble” red wine, laced with sautéed shitake mushrooms and served over Gouda grits.
In the Chef’s Choice category, US Foodservice Executive Chefs Bob Passarelli, Mark Turner, and Wes Dills named Chef Tom Armstrong of Vinnie’s Steakhouse and Tavern in Raleigh in second place and Chef Pat Walston of House Autry in Four Oaks in third.
In the People’s Choice category, the crowd in attendance placed Chef Battistella in second place and Chef Walston in third.
Other participating chefs included Executive Chef Clifton Vogelsberg of Solas Restaurant, Lounge & Rooftop in Raleigh; Colleen Speaks of Posh Nosh Catering in Raleigh; personal chef Melinda McGuirk of Charlotte, and Chef Martin Nessley of Sunset Grille in Durham.
“We couldn’t be more pleased with the results of the 2010 Epicurious Vino Challenge,” said Debbie Valentine, special events and marketing planner for RHA Howell. “Our guests couldn’t stop talking about the fantastic dishes all the chefs created. And it’s all of those chefs, who set aside precious time from their hectic schedules to contribute to this event, that a good idea last year became a great idea this year. Along with Hinnant Family Vineyards, our sponsors and everyone who attended, we’ve sent the message that even in the most stressful times, caring for people with disabilities is still a top priority.”
Presented by RHA Howell, the event was sponsored by Hinnant Family Vineyards, US Foodservice Raleigh, and Fallon Benefits Group.
RHA Howell is a statewide organization that has been helping people with disabilities and their families for 35 years. For more information, visit www.rhahowwell.org.
About RHA Howell, Inc.:
RHA Howell is a not-for-profit 501 (c) (3) organization that has been helping people with disabilities and special needs, and their families, make choices to live more independently for more than 35 years. Integrity, high standards for quality, and hard work are at the core of every RHA Howell disability assistance program. Proven leaders in caring for people, RHA Howell, Inc. is a pioneering force in the field of human services, particularly supporting infants and children. For more information, go to www.rhahowell.org.
Epicurean:
Published: Jun 18, 2008 12:00 AM
Get off your beaten path
By Greg Cox, Correspondent
Looking for new ways to spice up your dining? Willing to stray a little off the beaten path? Check out these new hidden treasures.
You'll find Battistella's New Orleans Kitchen (3920 Arrow Drive; 741-9958; www.battistellaskitchen.com) in the Raleigh Crabtree Inn, ensconced in the dated but cozy space that was once the lounge. Not exactly the first place you'd look for authentic Cajun and Creole fare.
But it's fun to imagine the looks on the faces of weary travelers when they check into the modest motel and discover that they've stumbled across some of the best gumbo this side of the Louisiana bayou. Owner/chef Brian Battistella is a native of New Orleans, where he worked in several noteworthy restaurants (including Commander's Palace) before Hurricane Katrina blew him up to the Triangle. While he was getting back on his feet, Battistella operated Louise's, a catering and takeout shop in Clayton (where I first tasted his excellent gumbo). He opened Battistella's New Orleans Kitchen several months ago, initially as a catering operation, and quietly added the full-service restaurant in April. For now, the restaurant is open for dinner only, 5 to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
The menu is brief but varied, with options including grilled shrimp in a rustic Creole sauce, fried (or blackened) catfish, and several variations on the po' boy theme. There's also a weekly specials menu with offerings such as sugar cane shrimp, crawfish étouffée, red beans and rice with andouille sausage, and grilled filet mignon tips with blue cheese macaroni. The crispy skin red snapper I sampled from that menu recently was first-rate. The country gumbo (chicken, andouille, shrimp and crabmeat) was every bit as good as I recall scarfing down in the car outside Louise's, too. Better, actually, because now I don't have to eat it with a plastic spoon.
My wife, son and I just returned from Battistella's for dinner. We're foodies and visit/travel to New Orleans multiple times yearly visiting friends and family. We've eaten at some of the finest restaurants in New Orleans including Commanders Palace, Emeril's, Brigtsens, Brennan's, Drago's and Ralph's on The Park. We know and love authentic New Orleans cuisine. I can honestly say we just experienced equal to any of the above right here in Raleigh at Battistella's. The atmosphere is casual and the service is friendly making you feel at home. We sampled several appetizers including the seafood gumbo, crawfish remoulade with fried green tomatoes and the blackened chicken and goat cheese tart. All were authentic, delicious and beautifully presented. The salad selection was excellent as well. Our entree's included shrimp and grits, crawfish and tasso jambalaya and a roast beef po-boy and all were delicious. We will be back and back often. We've found a new favorite right here in our own backyard. Chef Brian's move to Raleigh is New Orleans loss and our delicious gain. Truly outstanding meal, many thanks to Chef Brian for bringing New Orleans cuisine here to us.
“The MOST AUTHENTIC New Orleans food you can get in NC”
Had the pleasure of dining at this new establishment tonight. My girlfriend (born in New Orleans) and her parents (lived there over 15 years) read a great review of it in the paper and decided we had to try it. Boy am I glad we did. Friendly staff, located conveniently near 440 and the Crabtree Valley Mall.
Between the 4 of us, we tried the gumbo (amazing!) and sugar cane shrimp (even more amazing!), and for entrees we had the crawfish etoufee (x2), red beans and rice, and blackened catfish, all excellent.
By the time we were done, there was not a single grain of rice or bit of sauce left on any of the plates. Portions are nicely sized, satisfying without stuffing you silly. Which is good, because when we got the bread pudding, it was phenomenal! We only got one to share between us (oops!), and after the first bite, it got a little competitive with the spoons because it was so good!
And while we weren't busy devouring our meals, the rest of the time was spent chatting about New Orleans memories with our very friendly waitress, a New Orleans native (as is the chef).
Summary? If you are used to New Orleans food or want to try it for the first time, do it right! Go to Battistella's!
My wife and I ate here last week and had the best Cajun food ouside of New Orleans. The Chicken Pontalba was outstanding in its flavors and simple execution. The jambalaya, red beans and rice were beyond anything we have had here in the area, and the fried oyster appetizer had some of the freshest, most memorable oysters ever.
Very friendly and attentive staff, and something that I have not seen in a long time, a visit from the chef to check on every table after the entree was served. A must visit for anyone in the Raleigh area who loves not only New Orleans cusine, but anyone who loves food.
Dave
Raleigh
“This is the real thing...”
This is the real thing. Used to live in NOLA. Best I've had outside NOLA. You must try!
This place is amazing! I eat here at least once or twice a week, and they just recently started opening for lunch, which I'm really psyched about! The food is amazing and very authentic. You can get something as simple as Shrimp 'n Grits or a Fried Catfish Po' Boy w/a side of Creole Coleslaw, or something fancy, like a Blackened Chicken & Goat Cheese Tart, or maybe some Crawfish Étouffée. For desert, my favorite is the Bananas Foster that has caramelized bananas and a really yummy rum sauce, all served over vanilla ice cream, but I also really dig the Bread Pudding w/White Chocolate Sauce. I can't say enough good things about this place. I've tried almost everything on the menu, and haven't been disappointed once. The chef even comes out and greets you sometimes to see how everything is, which is a really nice touch.
Pros: Fresh tasting food, nice atmosphere, and friendly staff.
