Roberto Alicea found his calling in high school. The executive chef at Andaz 5th Avenue in New York City admits he was a less-than-enthusiastic student until he discovered his Chicago-area high school offered a food course sponsored by the Hyatt Corporation.
Alicea quickly impressed his instructors — Hyatt executive chefs — earning an internship at the Hyatt Regency Chicago the summer before his sophomore year. And the rest, as they say, is history. Alicea worked at Hyatt through high school and, after graduating, continued to build his reputation with stints at Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress and Hyatt Regency McCormick. He was a member of the opening team for the acclaimed Nomi restaurant in the Park Hyatt Chicago and, in 2003 at the age of 23, became the youngest executive chef in the Hyatt Corporation when he took the helm at Park Hyatt Beverly Hills.
Alicea has opened restaurants all over the world, including venues at Hyatt Regency Trinidad; Grand Hyatt San Antonio; Hyatt Gainey Ranch in Scottsdale, Ariz.; and Andaz properties in West Hollywood and New York City.
Tomato mint soup Serves 4–6
10 tomatoes
15 garlic cloves
5 shallots
5 sprigs fresh thyme
1 ounce olive oil
1⁄2 cup aged sherry vinegar
1⁄4 pound fresh mint leaves
2 cups tomato juice
1 ounce brown sugar
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Cut the tomatoes in quarters. Roughly chop the garlic and shallots. Toss tomatoes, garlic and shallots in a bowl with the thyme leaves, olive oil and vinegar. Spread the vegetables on a sheet pan and roast at 375 degrees until the tomatoes have some charred color. Watch the garlic to make sure it does not burn.
Put all of the ingredients (reserving a small bunch of mint for garnish) into a stainless steel pot with straight, high sides. Bring to a low simmer and cook for 20 minutes. You may want to give the soup a pulse with an immersion blender depending on how smooth or chunky you like it. Season with salt and pepper. Add more brown sugar or vinegar, to taste.
Presentation: Ladle the soup into a bowl. Tear the remaining mint leaves and sprinkle on top to garnish.
Veal meatballs Serves 10
11⁄2 cups whole milk
11⁄2 cups bread crumbs
5 pounds ground veal
1⁄4 pound chopped basil
4 whole eggs
1 caramelized onion, chopped
1 tablespoon red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon chopped herbs
Vegetable oil
11⁄2 quarts chicken stock
16 ounces English peas
16 roasted cherry tomatoes, halved
2 ounces Italian parsley leaves
Salt and pepper, to taste
Combine bread crumbs and milk in a bowl and mix until the mixture takes on a pastry-like consistency. Add ground veal, chopped basil, eggs, caramelized onion, red pepper flakes and chopped herbs. Mix and season to taste. Roll the seasoned mixture into 1-ounce meatballs. Set aside.
Heat vegetable oil in a pan. Sear the meatballs in the hot oil. Place seared meatballs into a pot. Add the chicken stock. Simmer for 20 minutes over medium-low heat. Add the English peas, roasted cherry tomatoes and Italian parsley leaves. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
Andaz 5th Avenue
485 5th Ave. at 41st Street
New York, NY 10017
tel 212 601 1234
Read This Next
Jamaica, Tryall Club, Chef Kai Bechinger
2011 / March 2011
Mar 1, 2012Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Nov 7, 2024Portland International Airport Debuts New Main Terminal
This past summer, arriving and departing passengers at Portland International Airport were able to enter the airport’s newly renovated main terminal for the first time. Built and designed by more than 30,000 local craftspeople, the new terminal doubled its capacity while maintaining the heart and character of an airport that consistently ranks among travelers’ favorites. The new terminal was designed by ZGF Architects, originally an Oregon-based firm, now with seven offices in North America.
Sponsored Content
Royal Air Maroc Relaunches Direct Casablanca–Beijing Route, Debuts Toronto Flight
As part of its international network expansion, Royal Air Maroc will reinstate the direct Casablanca–Beijing route initially launched in January 2020 and suspended just a few weeks later due to the health crisis.
Daily
Nov 7, 2024Secure These 2024 Black Friday Promotions from Velas Resorts in Mexico
Velas Resorts in Mexico joins in on this year’s Black Friday deals. The brand is offering up to 25 percent savings on nightly rates and other perks such as complimentary stays for kids and teens, airport transfers, unlimited access to the spa’s hydrotherapy experience, complimentary golf, suite upgrades, and more. In addition to this discount, each Velas property promises other unique benefits.
Airlines
Nov 7, 2024SAS, Virgin Atlantic Announce Codeshare Partnership
SAS recently announced its new codeshare agreement with Virgin Atlantic. The partnership launched Oct. 7 and allows SAS customers to connect through London Heathrow to Virgin Atlantic destinations. Availability will expand as approvals are finalized.
Sponsored Content
Explore Egypt on the Most Extraordinary Tour Ever
Picture this: You’re standing in front of the Great Pyramid, the last of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, in complete silence, with no crowds in sight. As you step inside, your guide leads you to hidden chambers inaccessible to other tourists. Here, you’re granted a rare chance to delve into the deepest mysteries of ancient Egypt.
November 2024
Nov 7, 2024Embrace the Aloha Spirit on a Cruise to Hawai‘i
To say the Islands of Hawai‘i have long attracted travelers is an understatement. Fifteen hundred years ago, guided only by the stars, Polynesians crossed the Pacific Ocean and first set foot on the islands. Since then, European explorers, missionaries and businessmen discovered the islands in the late 1700s into the 1800s, each arriving with their own agendas. Tourism in Hawai‘i as we know it today began in the 1860s when Kīlauea, an active volcano on the Island of Hawai‘i, was considered a top destination for adventure travelers of the time.
Kimpton Mas Olas Resort & Spa Review
eFlyer Reviews
Nov 6, 2024eFlyer Deals
Nov 6, 2024Independent Collection Hotels & Resorts to Launch Black Friday Deals
With properties across Florida, California, Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Maryland and Washington, D.C., Independent Collection Hotels & Resorts goes big for Black Friday. From Nov. 19 to Dec. 2, book a stay at any one of Independent Collection Hotels & Resorts’ properties and receive up to 40 percent off for stays Nov. 19, 2024–Dec. 30, 2025.
Sponsored Content
United Airlines First to Purchase Sustainable Aviation Fuel for ORD
Chicago O’Hare International Airport will soon receive sustainable aviation fuel, all thanks to United Airlines, which became the first airline to purchase SAF for use at the airport, one of the largest in the United States. Neste, a producer of SAF, will provide up to 1 million gallons of its Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel. The first supply arrived in August.
eFlyer Deals
Nov 6, 20242024 Cyber Week Deals from Avocet Hospitality
Spanning hotels from Charleston, South Carolina, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, Avocet Hospitality debuts some pretty special Cyber Week deals. At The Vendue in Charleston, South Carolina, save 25 percent on all bookings made between Nov. 21 and Dec. 2 for travel through Dec. 30, 2025.
ShareThis