MEET THE CHEF: Alex Dana of Rosebud Restaurants in Chicago, Illinois
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5 Reasons to Visit® sat down with Executive Chef Alex Dana of Rosebud Restaurants in Chicago, Illinois.
Executive Chef Alex Dana of Rosebud Restaurants in Chicago, Illinois
Where did you grow up, and where have you traveled to that has helped inspire and shape your cooking philosophy?
I grew up on the West Side of Chicago and cooking was always the centerpiece in our family traditions. Sunday dinners were a big deal growing up; beautiful recipes brought us together. In fact, it was Sunday dinners that inspired my family’s nickname for me, “Mystery Man.” (If I told you the meaning behind it.... Well then I wouldn’t be very mysterious.) Everything was always homemade, with a basic, peasant-Italian style of cooking. The process of creating beautiful dishes by hand, and marrying high-quality ingredients together to create something unforgettable, is what made me fall in love with the culinary world. My kitchen philosophy is to create a true red sauce experience: peasant Italian recipes, like what you’d find at Sunday dinner.
Rosebud Restaurants in Chicago, Illinois
Tell our readers an interesting fact or two about yourself.
I make all of my recipes from scratch... It's all about understanding the basic rules of cooking and using the highest-quality equipment. At Rosebud, we make everything, from our pastas to our stocks, by hand. Every dish is a Rosebud original.
Tell us about your absolute favorite food and why readers should try it if they haven’t already.
Pasta, because there is nothing better than a handmade pasta paired with a beautifully crafted, simple sauce. Our Cavatelli Cacio e Pepe is a perfect example. It’s a dish we make à la minute using housemade ricotta dumplings and a creamy, flavorful sauce made from a combination of pecorino and parmesan cheeses, freshly cracked pepper and pasta water.
Rosebud Restaurants in Chicago, Illinois
What are three ingredients that you simply couldn’t live without?
Salt, Pepper and Ketchup. Haha.
We love the art behind plating. What do you love about designing the perfect dish?
When it comes to designing the perfect dish, the food should be the focal point. When you pair the rich, vibrant color of a true red sauce with thinly-breaded chicken and beautifully bubbly, perfectly baked mozzarella, THAT is the secret to a successful culinary artist’s design. It’s everything you want to see... beautiful colors and a dish that makes your mouth water.
Tell us about one of the most creative dishes you’ve created?
The eggplant stack salad is one of my favorite Rosebud originals. It has lightly breaded eggplant, tossed arugula, fresh, made-in-house mozzarella, sliced tomatoes and is finished with a real balsamic vinegar that pulls everything together with a complimentary sweetness. Since its creation, this dish has become a favorite for Chicagoans when dining at Rosebud.
Rosebud Restaurants in Chicago, Illinois
What is one of your greatest accomplishments and/or recent awards you've earned?
In 1972, I opened up my very first restaurant in Chicago on Washington and Wacker. Today, we have 9 Chicagoland area locations and will be opening the first out-of-state location next year. My greatest accomplishment? Serving high-quality, peasant-style Italian recipes to the people of Chicago for 50 years.
What are some of the latest trends you’re seeing in top restaurants across the globe?
Everyone is going retro, back to Mama’s kitchen. Many of the top restaurants in Chicago are featuring traditional recipes... Repurposing what we’ve known for years and years. We’re using food to tell a story, and highlighting the most important element in each and every dish: taste.
What’s your favorite cocktail or beverage of choice?
Red wine. A deep, rich red wine.
Rosebud Restaurants in Chicago, Illinois
