The farm-to-fork philosophy at Vicia is nothing new to the culinary world, but owners Michael and Tara Gallina’s execution of their vegetable-forward menu is turning the usual meat-first habit on its head. Proteins that would normally dominate the plate often take a backseat to unexpectedly hearty plant-based alternatives.
Award-winning executive chef Michael Gallina, who opened Vicia with wife Tara as the general manager just over a year ago, honed his skills alongside his future wife at James Beard Award-winning Blue Hill under chef Dan Barber. There, the pair learned valuable lessons in cultivating the finest ingredients and elevating even the humblest ones to new levels.
“It’s a celebration of what's coming in from the farm each day,” says Tara. “Sometimes you’re awash in lots of beautiful produce. Sometimes it’s a bunch of rutabagas and you have to figure out how to make that exciting.” For example, those same rutabagas — or another firm seasonal vegetable — might be sliced very thin to serve as the “tortilla” for a flavorful build-your-own taco, complete with any combination of pickled vegetable, marinated greens, mushrooms, sauces and more. “It’s one of the most popular things we do, especially with turnips, which is normally kind of a hard sell,” Tara says. “I love hard sells — they always end up surprised.”
The Gallinas enjoy the surprises as well. They pay close attention to what the land provides and let the available bounty guide them. It means twice-weekly menu changes at minimum, and endless opportunities for innovation.
“We’re not doing anything weird or strange, like odd parts and stuff, but we like to take a fresh approach. It’s all pretty friendly and surprising in a positive way,” she adds.
Since Vicia’s opening, the Gallinas have expanded their offerings into snack menus and chef’s tasting menus, both of which have been a hit with their customers. Hungry diners have come in droves for gatherings around the woodfire grill, eagerly indulging in the complex flavors that emerge with each course. “The [tasting] experience asks them to be open-minded and let us serve them,” Tara says. “When they see how satisfying something like a roasted beet aged in beef fat can be, or a rutabaga carbonara, they’re often shocked. Trust me, they’re not walking away hungry.”
Enjoy an up-close demonstration of these three dishes at cooking school on Monday, March 12, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at AUTCOhome.
Cooking School Menu
Rutabaga Carbonara: Hearty rutabaga is the “noodle” in this carbonara dish. The sauce includes egg yolk, bacon and sarvecchio cheese, making for a veggie-heavy dish that’s so rich “it really plays with your mind,” says Tara.
Turnip Shell Tacos: Thinly sliced turnip “tortillas” reign in a wealth of flavor in these tacos: mushrooms, squash sofrito, black beans, kale, hot sauce and whatever else just feels good at the moment.
Beef Fat Roasted Beets: Aging a common beet in beef fat lends a distinct umami to this root vegetable. “It allows this interesting kind of fermentation with the incorporation of beef flavor.” The beets are cooked on a grill and served with yogurt-tahini sauce and oil for dipping.
When: Monday, March 12, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Cost: $35 per person
Where: AUTCOhome, 1694 Larkin Williams Rd., Fenton, MO 63026
RSVP by calling 636-230-9640, ext. 27 or email [email protected]
Reserve your seat online: stlouishomesmag.com/events
*Seating is limited.
