When chefs eat out at restaurants, it’s never a bad idea to make note of the dishes that arrive at their table.
This weekend was no exception as this year’s Top Chef winner, Melissa King, feasted on a multi-course spread at Chef-owner Evan Funke’s Felix Trattoria in Venice, California.
Felix means “lucky” and “happy” and nothing could better sum up Chef Melissa’s reaction to the meal prepared by Chef Evan who trained with pasta masters in Italy.
Chef Melissa tasted some classic dishes with a California twist from a light salad to pasta all’amatriciana. Among the highlights were burrata with slices of nectarine, a Neopolitan pizza baked with squash blossoms and anchovies, and a glistening round of focaccia perfectly dimpled and sprinkled with rosemary and salt.
"Thank you and your team for the incredible meal and hospitality," she wrote. "Felt semi normal again to dine out."
Absent from photo highlights were dessert and wine pairings. During the Top Chef finale in Italy, Chef Melissa moved a guest judge to tears with her milk tea version of a classic Italian dessert, tiramisù, and she happens to be a level-1 sommelier.