Food.Fun.Stuff: New Executive Chef @ Rustico

Rustico has some new recipes thanks to the appointment of Steve Mannino as executive chef. Mannino will head the current Rustico in addition to the second Rustico slated to open in Ballston, VA in the summer of 2010 (*It will be located at 4075 Wilson Blvd., next door to Buzz Bakery). Mannino has a long list of experience starting with his graduation from the Culinary Institute of America in NY. He spent 8 years with the Olives Group, opening and serving as Executive Chef at Olives Las Vegas and then Olives Washington, D.C. He then worked with Steven Starr and the Starr Restaurant Organization opening Buddakan and the Continental in Atlantic City.

He's already adding his personal touch to the menu with new additions Greek Pizza (*Pizza topped with hummus, chopped romaine salad with olives, cucumber and tomatoes) and Crab-stuffed Trout (*with Chanterelle Mushroom ragu). Mannino also created a new bar menu to include mini corn dogs and onion dumplings. Sounds like Mannino's wasted no time in getting acclimated to this new position, good stuff.

The Where: Rustico, 827 Slaters Lane (Potomac Plaza), Alexandria, VA (703) 224-5051

*Tom Sietsema also has some more info in his report in the Washington Post's Going Out Guru Blog, check it here.

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