Howard Life - June 2008-September 2008 - (Page 42)

DINING: HOT RESTAURANTS U Kenneth Losurdo, Jr. Kenneth Losurdo, Jr. Foodies Joe and Mary Barbera of AIDA Bistro & Wine Bar named their bistro after Joe’s mom Aida who’s recipes are used for many dishes. Lovely Ivette and Jordan Naftal of Jordan’s Steakhouse have a passion for superb food, fine wine and live jazz music in a luxurious setting – no jackets required. Kenneth Losurdo, Jr. Newlyweds Michel and Angie Tersiguel of Tersiguel’s French Country Restaurant treasure the many romantic moments like engagements at their restaurant. Joe and Mary Barbera Aida Bistro & Wine Bar Columbia Tell us your first kitchen memory. When we were first married, Mary moved to New York and took over Joe’s kitchen. We had very few pots and pans, so Mary made popcorn one evening in a shallow frying pan. You can imagine what happened when the popcorn started popping all over the place! Describe your passion for food/wine. During our honeymoon, we traveled the entire coast of California, visiting numerous vineyards and wineries. It was during that time that we dreamed of opening a wine bar/restaurant, and, in June 2002, our dream came true. A passion for food and wine is also in Joe’s gene pool. His grandfather, Joe, owned a grocery store in Chicago and was a terrific cook and made his own wine. When Joe was growing up, his grandfather babysat him and his brothers. Often, Gramps would cook a terrific meal for the boys and let them drink his homemade wine. 42 howardLIFE Who is your food hero or heroine? It has to be Joe’s mom, Aida. She is a terrific cook (and sous chef when Joe cooks), and her recipes are used at the restaurant for several of our dishes. What is your favorite food? Sunday is our family day. Joe loves to cook risotto and makes an awesome spring risotto using fresh asparagus and tarragon from our garden. He usually pairs it with a grilled meat or fish. And, of course, in keeping with our philosophy that wine is food, he chooses wines matched with the meal from our cellar. Cooking is great therapy after a busy week in the restaurant. What is the most memorable/romantic thing that has ever happened at your restaurant? We’ve delivered three engagement rings with dessert. We’ve also had two men (unbeknownst to us) get up in the middle of dinner, announce to those around them that they were asking for their girlfriends’ hand in marriage, got down on bended knee, and proposed. Fortunately, the women said yes! Jordan Naftal Jordan’s Steakhouse Historic Ellicott City Tell us your first kitchen memory. Cooking with my grandmother, making Eastern European cookies. Who is your food hero or heroine? My father. Everything he made was spicy and bold and took a lot of moving around the pantry and kitchen. You could never recreate any dish he has ever made, except for his Caesar salad. I use his Caesar dressing at Jordan's (with a little twist that our executive chef added). What is your favorite food? After peanut butter foie gras, sushi, Northern Italian, Chinese, Thai. Did I mention peanut butter? What is the most memorable/romantic thing that has ever happened at your restaurant? My friend Gregory Generet came to visit from New York (he is a singer) the same night my accountant and lifetime friend also

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Howard Life - June 2008-September 2008

Howard Life - June 2008-September 2008 Contents Important Numbers Welcome to Howard County, Maryland Join Howard County Tourism The Good Life Events Clark’s Elioak Farm: Home of the Enchanted Forest Farms Merriweather Post Pavilion Ghost Tours Howard County’s Famous Firsts History Resources Volunteerism Getaways: Trips for the Guys and the Girls Golf Resources Spas and Wellness Resources Recreation Resources Howard County Map Ellicott City Walking Tour Savage Mill Artists Art and Music Resources Dining Profiles: Aida Bistro, Jordan’s Steakhouse, and Tersiguel’s Dining Resources Shopping Shopping Resources For the Event Planner Where to Stay Relocation Resources Business and Service Listings

Howard Life - June 2008-September 2008

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