Michael’s Epicurean Adventure to New Orleans Pays Tribute to Arnaud’s During Savor Sarasota

 

Drawing for New Orleans Getaway Featured Throughout the Month

 

Each month, Michael’s On East offers a new Epicurean Adventure to a select culinary destination, but this June Michael’s guests will enjoy an extra special menu to savor.

 

The June 2012 Epicurean Adventure menu will salute a New Orleans classic restaurant located in the heart of the French Quarter: Arnaud’s. A three-course dinner featuring original Arnaud’s specialties will be available for $25 per person as well as a two-course lunch for $15 per person, in conjunction with Savor Sarasota presented by Visit Sarasota County. Michael’s On East will offer selected wines paired with the specialty menu in June; Wilson Daniels, Chardonnay, 2010 and Villa San Juliette, Petite Syrah, 2010 will be featured for $10 per pairing during dinner and $5 per pairing during lunch.

 

 

Michael Klauber and Archie Casbarian at Arnaud’s opening night, 1979.

 

 

It was in New Orleans where Michael’s On East Founder and Co-Proprietor Michael Klauber gained his original love for food with bold flavor. Following studies at Cornell

University, Klauber began a management training program at the famed Royal Sonesta Hotel New Orleans where he worked directly with hotel General Manager

Archie Casbarian. In 1978, Casbarian purchased the historic Arnaud’s site and began restoration of the property, inviting Klauber to join him in transition and re-opening of the restaurant. Klauber worked with the Casbarian family from 1977 to 1980.

 

Many members of the Klauber family, a name now synonymous with hospitality in Sarasota, have also worked with the Casbarians in New Orleans. Tommy Klauber

worked at the Royal Sonesta from 1976 to 1978 on the culinary team. Katie Klauber Moulton completed a college internship with the marketing and food & beverage

departments at the Royal Sonesta in the summer of 1975. Subsequently, while working for a hotel and restaurant design and consulting firm in the summer of 1978, she

drafted plans for the Arnaud’s renovation. Along with all three of his children, Dr. Murray “Murf” Klauber maintains a close friendship with the Casbarian family. Michael’s

On East current General Manager Jeffrey Hymel got his start at Arnaud’s as well.

 

Michael Klauber returned to Sarasota in 1980 to take the helm of food and beverage operations at his family’s historic property on Longboat Key, The Colony Beach & Tennis Resort. He opened Michael’s On East in 1987.

 

“Having recently celebrated 25 years, it’s a nostalgic time to reflect and celebrate our history, and New Orleans is certainly an influential part of my history,” said

Klauber. “Count Arnaud (Cazenave) believed that ‘the pursuit of the pleasures of the table is as worthy as anything else one chooses to pursue in life,’ and I take great pride in serving our community and our guests. What I learned from my mentor Archie Casbarian is the philosophy of running the business from the guest’s point of view. A philosophy we continue to live by today at Michael’s On East.”

 

Presently, Arnaud’s Restaurant is being operated by a fourth generation of owners, Katy and Archie Casbarian, Jr. along with their mother Jane. Just as the Casbarian

family continues an instrumental legacy at Arnaud’s, Michael’s daughters Kelly Klauber and Molly Klauber are active members of the Michael’s On East team today.

 

Michael’s On East Executive Chef Jamil Pineda worked directly with Arnaud’s Chef de Cuisine Tommy DiGiovanni in preparation for the special menu.

 

Michael’s Epicurean Adventures present culinary journeys to a new destination each month. The Epicurean Adventure to New Orleans dinner menu will be available Monday through Saturday, June 1 – 31, 2012. The two-course lunch offering is available Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information or to make

restaurant reservations, please call 941-366-0007, ext. 224 or visit www.bestfood.com.

 

Drawing for New Orleans Getaway Announced 

In conjunction with the featured Arnaud’s-inspired menu, Michael’s On East guests will have the opportunity to win a trip for two to New Orleans. The luxurious weekend

getaway will include roundtrip airfare, a magnificent dinner at the famed Arnaud’s restaurant, a two-night stay at the Royal Sonesta Hotel New Orleans on world-famous

Bourbon Street and dinner at the hotel’s new Restaurant R’evolution opening this June. Restaurant R’evolution is the first joint venture of award-winning chefs John Folse and Rick Tramonto, offering modern, imaginative reinterpretations of classic Cajun and Creole cuisine. All guests who dine at Michael’s On East in June will be invited to

complete an entry form during his or her visit in the dining room or lounge. No purchase is necessary to enter. A single winner will be randomly selected on July 2,

2012.

 

 

Michael’s On East New Orleans Epicurean Adventure

Featuring Specialties from the Famous Arnaud’s Menu

 

Dinner Menu

 

Appetizers

 

Shrimp Arnaud

Gulf Shrimp Marinated in Arnaud’s Famous Tangy Creole Remoulade Sauce

 

Oysters Arnaud

A Trio of Arnaud’s Classic Baked Oysters:

 

Bienville, Shrimp, Mushrooms, Green Onions, Herbs and Seasonings in a White Wine Sauce

Kathryn, Artichoke Hearts, Garlic, Fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano and Extra-Virgin Olive Oil

Ohan, The Essence of Creole Eggplant and Andouille Sausage

 

Chicken and Andouille Gumbo

 

Entrées

 

Pompano Duarte

Sautéed Fillet topped with Gulf Shrimp & Tomatoes,

Seasoned with Garlic, Fresh Herbs & Crushed Chili Peppers

 

Breast of Duck Ellen

Served Medium Rare with a Blueberry?Infused Port Wine Sauce

& Marinated Blueberries

 

Speckled Trout Amandine

Crisply Fried Almond?Crusted Fillet topped with Sliced Almonds & Lemon Butter Sauce

 

Desserts

 

Arnaud’s Old Fashioned Pecan Pie

Bread Pudding Fitzmorris

Arnaud’s Famous Cap Bread, Rum-Soaked Raisins and Custard with warm

Walker’s Imperial Bourbon Sauce

 

Wine Pairings

 

Wilson Daniels, Chardonnay, 2010

Villa San Juliette, Petite Syrah, 2010

 

Lunch Entrées

 

Speckled Trout Meunière

Crisply Fried Fillet served with Arnaud’s famous Creole Meunière Sauce

 

Remoulade’s Oyster “Po-Boy”

Crispy Oysters, Remoulade Sauce, Lettuce, Steak Tomatoes, on a

French Baguette with Potato Fries

 

 

 

About Arnaud’s

In 1918, a colorful, French wine salesman named Arnaud Cazenave opened the grand New Orleans restaurant that bears his name with a commitment to serving quality

Creole cuisine. Seventy years later, in 1978, Arnaud’s was acquired by Archie and Jane

 

Casbarian, the second family of proprietors the restaurant has ever known. Casbarian sought to return Arnaud’s to the roots from which it had strayed by both restoring the property and reinvigorating the cuisine. In so doing, Casbarian brought world renown and widespread acclaim to Arnaud’s. Located steps off of Bourbon Street in the heart of the French Quarter, Arnaud’s offers classic Creole Cuisine and exemplary service in beautifully restored turn of the century dining rooms. For more information, visit www.arnaudsrestaurant.com.

 

About Michael’s On East

Michael’s On East was founded on April 27, 1987. Located at 1212 East Avenue South in Midtown Plaza, the iconic restaurant is open for lunch 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, open for dinner 6 p.m. to close Monday through Thursday and 5:30p.m. to close on Friday and Saturday. The restaurant is closed on Sundays, with the exception of Easter and Mother’s Day each year. The establishment is the winner of the 2009 Fine Dining Hall of Fame, and recently received their 23rd consecutive AAA Four-Diamond Award. Michael’s On East is a fine dining restaurant featuring an extraordinary supper club atmosphere, inspired cuisine and an intimate piano bar. Michael’s On East Catering is Sarasota’s premiere caterer creating memorable events from candlelit dinners for two to dazzling galas for 1,000. Michael’s Wine Cellar hosts more than 1,000 International estate-bottled wines, national brand spirits and craft beers including more than 200 domaine wines under $20. Michael’s Wine Cellar is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information about Michael’s On East Restaurant and Michael’s On East Catering, call 941-366-0007 or visit www.bestfood.com. For information about Michael’s Wine Cellar or to shop online, call 941-955-CORK (2675) or visit www.mfw.com.