We are still big Top Chef fans, and this season (Colorado) we were super pumped to see Chef Chris Scott representing from our old Brooklyn neighborhood! (His restaurant, Butterfunk Kitchen, wasn't around when we lived there, but it's actually on the same street where Mel took salsa lessons waaaaayyyyy back in the day.) While watching the competition, we were really impressed with Chef Chris's calm demeanor and ultimate goal: to have the first Michelin-starred soul food restaurant.
Mel even commended him on Instagram (she follows a lot of the chefs on there), and was so pleased he actually "liked" her message!
Every time we saw one of Chris's plates on Top Chef, we knew we'd have to plan a trip to check out Butterfunk. We really appreciated how he put so much love into each dish, honoring his family's culinary traditions. We figured we'd go sometime in the summer in case we had to wait outside (the lines can get quite long now). But then Mel unexpectedly had to drive her mom into Brooklyn and realized the restaurant would be on the way home, soooooo... with an insulated bag at the ready, she picked up an order to bring back to Jersey!
We'd like to go sit and eat there eventually; the atmosphere is quite cozy and welcoming. Definitely feels like visiting someone's home.
In the meantime, we tried a few of the dishes that we heard him talk a lot about on the show.
The lemonade gives the fried chicken just a slight hint of tart sweetness that makes it quite unique. And after just one bite of the biscuits, we understood why every other chef and judge on Top Chef was clamoring for them. Amazing.
Pepper Pot Shrimp with side orders of Collard Greens and Cornbread
Apparently, the Pepper Pot Shrimp is no longer on the menu so we're glad we tried it when we had the chance. Chris actually won a challenge with this dish on the show, the prize being the opportunity to make this video about it:
Perhaps that's why it's off the menu; he showed everyone how to make it themselves! It is a pretty great dish; packed just the right amount of heat and sweetness. And the collard greens and cornbread were also a delight.
We can't wait to be back in BK so we can try some more items from the Butterfunk menu. So happy for Chef Chris and his continued success. Wishing him all the best in the quest for those soulful Michelin stars!
We can't wait to be back in BK so we can try some more items from the Butterfunk menu. So happy for Chef Chris and his continued success. Wishing him all the best in the quest for those soulful Michelin stars!
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