Jasper takes Manhattan

Most people hope to catch a show and maybe a nice dinner when they visit New York City, but most people aren’t chef Jasper J. Mirabile, Jr. In a span of five days — Saturday to this Wednesday — Mirabile cooked dinner for 80 at The James Beard House, helped guide a tour for 25 Kansas Citians around New York and New Jersey, and took his wife and daughter to close to a dozen restaurants.

“We probably did more in four days than most people do in a lifetime in New York City,” says Mirabile.

There were cannolis at Carlo’s Bakery, pastrami sandwiches from the Stage Deli, hot dogs at Gray’s Papaya, a tour of Jacques Torres’ chocolate factory, oysters from the Grand Central Oyster Bar, pizza from Lombardi’s, seared tuna at SD26, every dessert on the menu from Le Cirque, and foam out the wazoo at WD50. 

“I always try and learn something that I can bring back to Kansas City and now I’ve got lots of ideas for the restaurant,” says Mirabile.