That is a part of an ongoing sequence highlighting Signature Dishes at locally-owned eating places within the area. See Trib Whole Media’s new on-line listing of eating places, Dine Native, at dinelocal.triblive.com.
Jimmy Zipparo, head chef and co-owner of 424 Walnut, can not assist however really feel a little bit nostalgic making a few of the meals on the Sewickley restaurant.
The borough resident with greater than 30 years within the culinary business realized the craft underneath the tutelage of Chef Nick Fusco in the course of the Eighties.
One of many dishes that grew to become some extent of satisfaction for the apprentice was the grasp’s crabcakes.
“It’s caught with me wherever I’ve gone,” mentioned Zipparo, 56. “It’s most likely certainly one of our primary sellers. I all the time name it the Carolina crabcake due to him. He educated me on making them and I tweaked them into my very own little factor. They’re gluten-free. There’s no filler in them in any respect. It’s all 100% crab.”
The 4- to 5-ounce patties are made with lump and jumbo lump crab meat and oven-baked to perfection. They’re seasoned with a couple of dozen herbs and spices and served both as a single ($32) or duo ($42) with a honey mustard sauce, a slice of lemon and the vegetable and starch of the day.
Almost 25 kilos of crabcakes are served weekly at 424 Walnut.
Zipparo mentioned Fusco’s coaching involves thoughts at any time when such a plate is made.
“I take into consideration him on a regular basis,” Zipparo mentioned. “After I bought occupied with meals, somebody talked about how good of a chef he’s and I went all the way down to the restaurant and met him. We talked. We type of bonded. I educated for a pair years … Me and him remained shut.”
Fusco, a longtime chef on the Pittsburgh Hilton, opened Fusco’s Restaurant in Stowe Township within the early Eighties and taught culinary courses on the Neighborhood Faculty of Allegheny County. In 1986, he moved the household to Myrtle Seaside, the place they opened up store on the Seaside Colony Resort and ran a restaurant for 21 years.
Zipparo mentioned he would typically go to his mentor throughout these years and even helped prepare dinner yearly. A member of the Academy of Cooks and several other different teams, Fusco died March 28, 2009, at his dwelling after a battle with ALS. He was 70.
Zipparo ran what was the Sweetwater Grille in Sewickley for about seven years earlier than becoming a member of forces with Joe Piccirilli in 2013. The pair reopened the enterprise as 424 Walnut.
Additionally they companion with close by organizations akin to Sweetwater Middle for the Arts for particular events, akin to offering Valentine’s meals to native households.
Different menu standouts embody the veal piccata or veal and peppers ($32), hand-cut Santa Carota prime New York strip steak ($49) and the rooster penne ($23). The rooster penne is touted as an unique creation with chargrilled, sauteed candy bell and onions over child spinach topped with crumbled blue cheese.
Zipparo mentioned they like to alter the menu with the seasons, however the aforementioned meals will stay accessible.
The outside eating space was additionally just lately upgraded.
424 Walnut (424 Walnut St.) is open 4-8 p.m. Tuesdays via Thursdays and 4-9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Name 412-741-7143 or go to 424walnut.net for extra info.
Michael DiVittorio is a Tribune-Assessment employees author. You’ll be able to contact Michael at 412-871-2367, mdivittorio@triblive.com or by way of Twitter .
