Independence Day

03 Jul 2013
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3 min read
Celebrate the 4th of July with these dishes by FOUR’s very own Pierre Gagnaire and Nobu Matsuhisa – two of our US based chefs – along with a few stateside inspired cocktail recipes and Independence Day events
Nobu’s Tofu Burger

A pioneer for Japanese cuisine in the US, Nobu New York is the flagship restaurant of Chef Nobu Matsuhisa and one that is partnered with renowned restaurateur Drew Nieporent, Meir Teper and Oscar- winning actor Robert De Niro, bringing modern Japanese to Tribeca. Chef Matsuhisa’s Nobu Tofu Burger is a wonderful blend of Japanese ingredients and true stateside style.

Click here to viewNobu’s Tofu Burger recipe

Pierre’s Dundee Pinky Foie Gras

Celebrate the Fourth of July in style with this delicious recipe by the master of French cuisine himself – Pierre Gagnaire. Chef Gagnaire has numerous stars to his name and several restaurant concepts around the world, including Twist, which is located on the 23rd floor of Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas hotel.

Click here to viewPierre Gagnaire’s Dundee Pinky Foie Gras recipe

Stateside Cocktails…

Manhattan

The stateside link to this Rye whiskey and Red Martini cocktail from Bar 228 in Le Meurice, Paris, is all in its name…

Serves 1

INGREDIENTS

60ml Rye whisky

15ml Red Martini

A drop of Angostura bitters

Maraschino cherry to garnish

METHOD

Stir quickly from the bottom up, making sure not to cloud the drink. The Manhattan is served in a Martini glass with a Maraschino cherry.

William Oliveri, bar director at Bar 228 says: “I especially like the Macallan as it is a very refined whisky that can be enjoyed either as an aperitif or as a liqueur, alone or with a set of Mikado style canapés or even with a cigar. Winter is definitely the best season to enjoy the warmth of a great whisky, and Bar 228 is typically the best place to order that kind of elixir. In a glimpse of an eye, you are drawn into the typical intimate atmosphere and coziness of an English gentleman’s club – a reminder of the customers who flocked to the hotel in its early years.

Uncle Jack

Brewed in Tennessee, Jack Daniel’s is one of the highest selling American whiskeys in the world. Matched with Cinzano Red and Grand Marnier, this recipe from the Mallard Lounge and Terrace, Fairmont Whistler, makes a great 4thof July celebratory cocktail.

Serves 1

INGREDIENTS

30ml Jack Daniel’s Single Barrel
30ml Cinzano Red
30ml Grand Marnier
2 dashes of angustura bitters
1 dash of orange bitter
Orange peel, to finish

METHOD

Stir all ingredients together and strain into a rocks glass. To finish, garnish with orange twist.

Danielle Da Silva of The Mallard Lounge and Terrace says: “I like to recommend the Oban 14 Single Malt Scotch. It is a beautiful well-rounded whisky with a good price point. It has a medium to heavy body with great balanced flavours and is an all around great whisky.”

Skybar Smash

A recipe from Skybar, Mondrian, in West Hollywood, this cocktail is the perfect 4th of July summer tipple, served with fresh strawberries.

Serves 1

INGREDIENTS

55ml Maker’s Mark Whisky

2 strawberries
Basil
15ml simple syrup
15ml fresh lemon juice

METHOD

Muddle two strawberries with basil, adding the Makers Mark followed by the simple syrup and lemon juice. After combining all of the ingredients, stir and serve over ice.

Events

As Independence Day rolls around again, FOUR brings you the best ways to celebrate your day off across the United States. FOUR favourites include David Chang’s festive pasta suggestions at New York’s Eataly and Wolfgang Puck’s All American BBQ in Chicago.

New York

Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest is New York’s strangely wonderful Independence Day tradition. Last year saw Joey Chestnut win the title for the sixth consecutive year, consuming a total of 68 hot dogs in under ten minutes. He claims he won’t stop until he hits seventy.

Eataly

Mario Batali’s Italian food empire Eataly is celebrating Independence Day with festive pasta and BBQ feast meat packages.

Momofuku

A few of David Chang’s Momofuku outposts are serving up takeout packages. Traditional 4thJuly food with an Asian twist, these packages include Korean style chicken wings and roasted rice cakes.

Hudson Terrace

If you’re willing to overlook the hefty ticket price then the Hudson Terrace is the perfect roof top bar from which to enjoy the city’s fireworks. As well as an open bar, there’s a traditional Independence Day BBQ.

Highpoint Bistro and Bar

Clam bake, baby back ribs, and s’mores. It doesn’t get more Independence Day than that.

Chicago

At Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art, Wolfgang Puck is cooking an ‘All American BBQ’ on the museum terrace.

Washington D.C.

Society Fair

If less than willing to spend your holiday wrestling with a BBQ, Society Fair offer a ready-made BBQ bag for all your grilling needs.

L.A.

Skybar

Another roof top bar but this time the view is Los Angeles. Skybar’s all day BBQ serves Independence Day food with a modern twist. Enjoy mojito chicken skewers while taking advantage of the unlimited cocktails.