Antonello Debuts Vegetarian Caviar Dishes

SANTA ANA, Calif. - Feb. 17, 2015 - PRLog -- One of the OC’s best-known Italian restaurants is introducing several new dishes that are raising some eyebrows as each of them features vegetarian “caviar” as a central ingredient.  Boasting the flavor, consistency and appearance of the real thing, the vegetable product is made of molecularly treated seaweed and is low fat, low salt and cholesterol-free, announced chef/restaurateur Antonio Cagnolo, owner of Antonello Ristorante at South Coast Plaza Village.

“When I first heard of the product, I was skeptical that it could even compare with the real thing,” said Cagnolo, who revealed that the faux caviar is imported from Denmark.  “I was astounded at first bite, though, as the consistency, color and, most importantly, flavor truly resembles fine caviar.  Immediately, I went about devising some dishes that feature the unique product.”

·      Vegetarian Cavi-Art Stack– The only entirely vegetarian dish featuring the new product layers grilled polenta, chopped hardboiled egg, chives, sour cream and avocado and is topped with vegetarian caviar & microgreens.

·      Cavi-Art Stack – Is features the same ingredients and presentation as the Vegetarian Cavi-Art Stack but substitutes smoked salmon for the avocado.

·      Smoked Salmon with Cavi-Art—Thinly sliced Norwegian smoked salmon is topped with crème fraîche and vegetarian caviar and sits on a bed of microgreens and drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and fresh squeezed lemon.

Cagnolo said that the new product is especially environmentally friendly since only a limited amount of seaweed is harvested and it does not contribute to the depletion of the fish stock in the seas.  It was discovered “by mistake” by Jens Møller who was showing his children how seaweed could be used to capture enzymes, but the experiment went awry and, after years of experimentation, the result was faux caviar.

Highly rated in the noted Zagat Guide for several years, Antonello Ristorante has earned a sterling reputation for having served luminaries the world over including presidents, foreign dignitaries, movie stars, entertainers, industrialists and other leaders. Co-Executive Chefs Salvatore Ferrara and Gino Buonanoce are earning kudos for reinventing the long-standing lunch and dinner menus of Italian fare to offer today’s guests what they are looking for.  New items boast high flavor profiles, more organic ingredients and an overall lighter approach to preparing them

Antonello Ristorante is located at 3800 Plaza Drive, at South Coast Plaza Village.  Call (714) 751-7153 for reservations and visit www.antonello.com for more information.

Contact: Groff-Hinman (562) 491-1000