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Food & Drink

What was served at Buca Yorkville’s $300 Michelin-starred dinner

By Caroline Aksich| Photography by Caroline Aksich
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Last Tuesday’s dinner at Buca Yorkville was the sixth edition of the restaurant’s “Sotto una buona stella” (“under a lucky star”) series that teams up Rob Gentile with Michelin-starred Italian chefs. It was supposed to be the last of the series, but the one-off meals were such a hit that another three dinners have been added for 2017. Chef Mauro Uliassi, who holds two Michelin stars, took over the Yorkville kitchen on Tuesday for a $300 multi-course feast with wine pairings; proceeds went to the Central Italy Earthquake Relief Fund. Here, some shots from the evening.

What was served at Buca Yorkville's $300 Michelin-starred dinner

Instead of dough, these ribbons of tagliatelle “pasta” were made from paper-thin squid that was cooked for four hours. The delicate strands were finished off with cuttlefish ink, seaweed pesto and puffed quinoa. A flute of Bianca Vigna prosecco accompanied the plate.    

What was served at Buca Yorkville's $300 Michelin-starred dinner

Roast lobster tail was served on a trio of sauces: swiss chard, white-wine shallot and mantis shrimp. A rosé from Piedmonte accompanied the Senigallia specialty.    

What was served at Buca Yorkville's $300 Michelin-starred dinner

This homey plate, billed as “calamari soup, country salad,” was inspired by a dish from Uliassi’s food truck in Senigallia, Italy, Uliassi Street Food. Stewed calamari and sweet peas arrived with a country salad made from fresh green peppers, tomatoes and onions. It came with a crisp verdicchio from the Marche region.    

What was served at Buca Yorkville's $300 Michelin-starred dinner

For the fourth course, cloud-light potato gnocchi came in a buttery lemon sauce, with a sprinkle of fresh Sicilian almonds. The bowl was paired with a glass of Parusso’s 2015 Langhe sauvignon blanc.    

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What was served at Buca Yorkville's $300 Michelin-starred dinner

Gentile’s dish was seared Alaskan black cod topped with pork hock consommé, pickled fennel, potato spuma (like velvety mashed potatoes) and a sprinkling of saffron. The pairing for this was a montepulciano from Uliassi’s home region of Marche.  

What was served at Buca Yorkville's $300 Michelin-starred dinner

The evening ended with a cake made with Gianduja chocolate and squid ink, and covered with Italian meringue. Gentile torched each guest’s plate tableside.    

What was served at Buca Yorkville's $300 Michelin-starred dinner

Here is he torching one now.    

What was served at Buca Yorkville's $300 Michelin-starred dinner

Chef Uliassi (centre), looking serious.    

What was served at Buca Yorkville's $300 Michelin-starred dinner

Not so serious this time.    

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What was served at Buca Yorkville's $300 Michelin-starred dinner

Chef Rob Gentile.    

What was served at Buca Yorkville's $300 Michelin-starred dinner

Uliassi captures a moment for posterity (or Instagram).    

What was served at Buca Yorkville's $300 Michelin-starred dinner

And signs the evening’s menu with Gentile.    

What was served at Buca Yorkville's $300 Michelin-starred dinner

The Uliassi and Buca kitchen staff.

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Caroline Aksich, a National Magazine Award recipient, is an ex-Montrealer who writes about Toronto’s ever-evolving food scene, real estate and culture for Toronto Life, Fodor’s, Designlines, Canadian Business, Glory Media and Post City. Her work ranges from features on octopus-hunting in the Adriatic to celebrity profiles.

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More of Buca's Michelin-Starred Meals

Way-out wagyu: Michelin-starred Massimo Bottura's psychedelic steak from Buca's one-of-a-kind dinner

Way-out wagyu: Michelin-starred Massimo Bottura’s psychedelic steak from Buca’s one-of-a-kind dinner

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