Thursday, July 9, 2009

Cooking in Mexico with Chef Ana Garcia & Chef Mark Smith

About 4 years ago I had an awesome culinary experience. It was the most educational & enlightening adventure that I have undertaken. A 7 night 8 day cooking class in Oaxaca Mexico. Talk about increasing my respect for the cuisine that I cook on a daily basis. Watching masters do what me & my staff humbly try to duplicate on a daily basis, was mind boggling. I said as I was flying back to the states, one day I'm going to take a group of friends from the restaurant to Mexico with me so that they may get a chance to experience Mexican culinary intensity at it's source.

Well, the time has come. La Villa Bonita & Chef Ana Garcia have agreed to host & cook with me. We have put together a 8 day 7 night package from Nov 5 to Nov 13 at their specially designed hotel & cooking school in the beautiful mountain village of Tepoztlan, Morelos, Mexico. We will be working with masa, moles & local ingredients for an adventure unlike any that you will experience. The special price is $1450/ person for double occupancy & this includes breakfast & lunch daily with an option for dinner available if you're hungry after cooking all day. We can also decide on side trips & tours of the area as we get together the group. Please contact me at chefmark@thetortillapress.com to sign up or for questions.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Tortilla Press Tweet, Greet, Meet & Eat

The first ever Tortilla Press….Tweet, greet, meet & eat Monday Aug 3, 2009 6:00 to 7:00

What it is, a chance for up to 40 local twitter users to meet at The Tortilla Press to share ideas about how twitter has helped them with their communications about & with the food scene in our area & the impact that Twitter has had on your involvement & awareness it.

To participate Come prepared with ideas that you are willing to share about what you feel is working with twitter, gaining more relevant followers, tips for food blogging & online restaurant reviewing & ideas on how twitter users can communicate more efficiently with their followers.

What we will provide is the place, a personal greeting from chef mark, a chance to meet & put a face to some of our fellow twitter users & some delicious snacks & beverages to nibble on during the event.

Also we’d like to invite you to stay for a special dinner prepared by Chef Mark using the bounty from the Collingswood Farmer’s Market for the special price of $15/ person. Please let us know ahead if you plan on staying for dinner.

Choose 1
Springdale Farms Corn Soup
Sliced Jersey Tomato Salad with red onion, grilled queso & cilantro vinaigrette

Entrée
Grilled chicken breast with Jersey Peach Salsa with chipotle sweet potato casserole & local veggies
Flaim Farms Poblano Chile stuffed with two cheeses, lightly battered & fried topped with Springdale farms tomato broth, served with red rice & black beans
Pan Seared Salmon with jersey grape tomato warm pico de gallo served with chipotle mashed potatoes & veggie

dessert
Blueberry peach cobbler with vanilla ice cream

If you did not get to my blog through twitter, please follow me at twitter.com/chefmarksmith & feel free to sign up for the event.

Sunday, July 5, 2009

Tortilla Press Specials Monday thru Thursday

Special Mon July 5 to Thursday July 9

Appetizer

Viereck Farms Sweet Corn & Avocado Quesadilla served with pico de gallo & mexican crème $7

Brie Cheese & Pecan Flautas with jersey peach, honey & ancho chile glaze $7.5

Soups

Creamed Jersey Corn & Squash Soup

Jersey Tomato Gazpacho

Lunch Entree

Vegetable, Goat Cheese & Quinoa Wrap with local vegetables, artichoke hearts, lettuce & lime chile de arbol dressing served with spicy fries $8

Dinner Entrees
Pan Seared Sea Scallops with cilantro lime vinaigrette, viereck farms red & yellow grape tomato salsa fresca & poblano~spinach rice $20
Grilled Pork Loin with Jersey Peach Salsa served with rice & sautéed garlic jersey green beans $16


Dessert

Blueberry Tangle Jersey blueberry compote served over cinnamon sugared flour tortilla strips, vanilla ice cream & whipped cream $6

Date Night Tuesday July 7

Well the 4th is over, but that doesn't mean that the fireworks have to stop! Tuesday is date night at The Tortilla Press & it's a great way to get away for the evening. Check out our value priced menu below, just $38 per couple with beverage, appetizer, entree & dessert.


Date night menu
July 7th 2009

Start with a half a pitcher of virgin margarita or fresh squeezed lemonade

Appetizer

Loaded cheese nachos for 2
Tossed salad for 2
Sweet corn & avocado quesadilla for 2 (regular size)

Entrees

Fish taco plate for 2 with red rice & pinto beans served with warm corn tortillas, guacamole, pico de gallo & tomatillo sauce

Chicken fajita platter for 2 with red rice & pinto beans served with warm flour tortillas, cheese, pico de gall, guacamole & mexican crème

Chile rellenos & cheese enchilada combo plate with quinoa salad & vegetable medley

Dessert

Blueberry Tangle for Two
Cinnamon sugared flour tortilla strips topped with vanilla ice cream, blueberry compote & whipped cream