Chef Thomas Boemer and Nick Rancone’s “South of the North” Dinner at the James Beard House
Recently, we were thrilled to attend a dinner hosted and prepared by partners Chef Thomas Boemer and Nick Rancone at the venerable James Beard House. Our team was happy to have secured the opportunity, but even more excited to enjoy Chef Boemer’s signature Low Country cuisine and Rancone’s impeccable wine pairings during their “South of the North” dinner. Boemer and Rancone, co-owners of the acclaimed Minneapolis-based restaurant, Corner Table, and of the uber-popular Revival restaurants located in each of the Twin Cities, were joined in New York by their talented teams from all of their concepts.
The “South of the North” dinner showcased the chef’s elevated take on classic Southern fare while celebrating premium artisanal ingredients from Minnesota. A reception in the House garden treated guests to Johnny Cakes with Caviar and Crème Fraîche, Biscuits and Honey Butter and Tennessee Hot Fried Oysters accompanied by Jazzy Belle, a sparkling wine created by Rancone and his house-made apéritifs. At dinner, plated amuses included Smoked Minnesota Whitefish Torchon with Butter Crackers and Pâte en Croȗte au Foie Gras complemented by Billecart Salmon Blanc de Blanc Champagne. Silence reigned throughout the dining room as guests devoured petite portions Chef Boemer’s elegant version of “Chicken and Dumplings” with glasses of Agricola Paraschos “Kai” Friulano, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy 2011. Succulent Spiny Lobster in Herbsaint Butter with Fennel Confit was a luxurious second course, perfectly paired with Château Vincent Dampt “Les Clos” Grand Cru Chablis, Chardonnay, Burgundy, France, 2010. Elk Cove “Roosevelt Vineyard” Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon, 2008 was a perfectly balanced foil for the chef’s rich Crispy Suckling Pig with Sweet Corn and Chanterelle Pudding, Chanterelle Conserva in the third course. The fourth course, Smoked Zabuton Steak, Chestnut, Charred Shallots, Bone Marrow and Truffle, was consumed in stunned silence as guests relished the buttery, impossibly tender steak with a glass of Le Piane “Boca” Nebbiolo, Piemonte, Italy, 2001. The meal concluded with a deceptively simple “Pecan Pie” that eclipsed all other pecan pies in memory, and the room appreciatively toasted the chef and his team with an indulgent glass of D’Oliveiras, Verdelho, Madeira, Portugal 1973.
Upon leaving, we all agreed that we’d happily travel “South of the North” anytime for another dinner like the one we’d just enjoyed. Minneapolis isn’t that far away, right??
