In the run up to spring, restaurants are often pouring over their menus with meticulous detail honing in on the flavors and ingredients to wow diners. However, leave it to two top talents — chefs Enrique Limardo of Imperfecto and Tony Mantuano of Yolan — to up the ante with impeccable style. For MICHELIN’s inaugural On the Road dinner of 2024, Mantuano hosted Limardo at Yolan in the heart of Nashville. As part of Capital One’s continuing efforts to bring once-in-a-lifetime gastronomic experiences to their cardholders, the dinner married Limardo’s bold culinary approach with Mantuano’s celebration of the Italian (and mediterranean) with effortless verve.
Drinks and nibbles finished under the astute gaze of Yolan’s head sous chef Selim Ülker were enjoyed before guests took their seats to indulge in Limardo’s take on cured lamb loin tartare. Elegantly punctuated with yogurt foam and cacao mayo, the balanced effect was the perfect entry point for the meal which was followed by Mantuano’s saffron risotto with Maine lobster.
Aftewards the pasta party continued with Mantuano’s take on spaghetti—think more haute with generous heaps of sea urchin and caviar—before Limardo ended the evening with a braised beef cheek torch that was equal parts indulgent and savory.
However, what meal would be complete without dessert? And Yolan’s executive pastry chef Noelle Marchetti supplied the perfect endnote with her raspberry and Thai basil sorbet providing crunch and smoothness with refinement.
And for those wanting to join the next dinner, act quick as tickets are almost sold out for the next On the Road dinner taking place at One MICHELIN Star Frasca in Boulder, Colorado on March 21. Chef Michael Tusk will be visiting chef Ian Palazzola for a truly unique culinary experience. For more information or to reserve your seat, Capital One cardholders can click here.
Hero image: David Benthal / BFA.com
