Chef Mandana Shabani
Private Chef In IrvineGet to know me better
Award nominated chef & one part of a husband & wife chef duo, w/ a combined 32 years of experience. Focus on fresh, vibrant & healthy upscale cuisine
Multiple Award nominated chef, and one part of a husband and wife chef duo. After graduating from the French culinary Institute in NYC, I went on to work at Marlow & Sons, the Marrow, Kinshop in NYC before heading to Dubai to own and operate a vegan friendly cafe. Specialize in healthy, fresh and veg forward cuisine influenced largely by my california and persian roots.
More about me
For me, cooking is...
How we understand people and cultures. It's the way we connect to each other.
I learned to cook at...
The French culinary Institute in NYC. Marlow & sons, the Marrow, kinshop, and wyebrook farms.
A cooking secret...
Finding the perfect balance in each dish, while showcasing the beauty in local ingredients. Putting my own spin on things with lesser known spices
My menus
Blistered cherry tomatoes & lemon infused labneh, barbary toasts
Grilled watermelon salad, avocado, mint, strawberry, local greens, charred lemon vinaigrette
Charred Romaine salad, burrata cheese, w/ hazelnut vinaigrette, chives
Oysters, grilled w/brown butter chorizo
Ember grilled corn,, scallion & leek salad w/ pomegranate, poblanp & feta
Smoked & fried artichoke & white bean spread w/parmesan & mint salsa
Chicken lollipops, sweet chili gastrique
Turkish meatballs, kale borani, spicy shakshuka tomatoes
N'duja polenta & mushrooms, greens & mustard seed vinaigrette
Mussels in cioppino broth w/ crusty bread
Crab Mac & cheese, old bay, panko, parsley
Prawn & crushed potato w/ oyster bar butter
Italian sausage (small batch local producer), grilled broccolini, kale, lemon
Clams & tuscan white beans, olive oil, crusty bread
Duck Confit cassoulet, charred greens
Seafood paella, mussels, prawns, scallops, rice, saffron
Dry aged (mary's) chicken, madeira jus, farmer's green veg, sunchoke puree, morels (favorite)
Cast Iron steak & criole salsa w/warm chard salad
Apple pie cheesecake, poached apples, apple butter, praline
Skillet peach cobbler & vanilla ice cream
S'mores, housemade marshmallows, chocolate ganache, graham
Skillet chocolate chip cookie, vanilla ice cream, berry compote
Ice cream sandwiches, wafer, cookie butter ice cream
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Fresh made Salsa & guacamole w/chips
Trio of salsas, pineapple salsa, mango salsa & strawberry salsa
Local Seafood ceviche, lime, jalapeno, cilantro
Prawn & Jicama salad, watermelon, pepitas, mint cream, lime vinaigrette,
Oysters, jalapeno mignonette
Tortilla soup shooters, tomato, corn, chicken, cilantro, cumin, avocado, crispy tortilla strips (favorite)
Prawn & charred romaine salad, corn, cotija, cilantro, watermelon radish
Pumpkin soup with ancho & apple
Prawn tacos, shredded cabbage, mango salsa
Steak tacos, chipotle salsa, onion cilantro
Chili rellenos, poblano peppers, cheese, spicy tomato sauce
Carnitas tacos, pickled cabbage, salsa
Tacos al pastor, pineapple salsa, red onion, cilantro cream
Chard & corn tacos, pickled onions, charred scallion, avocado crema
Fish tacos, cabbage slaw, pickled onion
Chipotle chicken tacos, cilantro crema
Seafood paella, mussels, prawns, scallops, rice, saffron
Cauliflower tacos, pickled cabbage, pineapple salsa
Local white fish, pistachio mole, squash, serrano, rice
Spiced Dry aged chicken, cuban black beans, farmer's greens, salsa
Chipotle rubbed filet mignon, cayenne sweet potatoes, sauteed kale & corn
48 hour pernil, chilean avocado cabbage slaw, corn
Spice rubbed salmon, charred endives, mango salsa, rice
Mexican hot chocolate tart, vanilla ice cream
Churros cheesecake
Tres leches cake, fresh local starwberries
Creme brulee cheesecake, tropical fruit coulis, sesame praline, crumb
Champagne macerated strawberries, sour cherry syrup, whipped cream, lady fingers, candied hazelnut
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Fresh made Salsa & guacamole w/chips
Trio of salsas, pineapple salsa, mango salsa & strawberry salsa
Avocado taquitos, spicy crema, pico de gallo
Empanadas, impossible meat, caramelized onion, cumin, cinnamon, paprika, romesco sauce
Butternut squash salad w/ chili (vegan) yoghurt & cilantro sauce
Mushroom ceviche, lime, jalapeno, cilantro
Mexican corn salad, paprika oil, cilantro, radish, crumbly cojita (vegan subsitute available), jalapenos, pickled red onion
Jicama salad, watermelon, pepitas, mint cream, lime vinaigrette,
Mushroom ceviche, lime, jalapeno, cilantro oil
Cuban black bean Flautas, cilantro crema, pico
Tortilla soup, tomato, corn, jackfruit cilantro, cumin, avocado, crispy tortilla strips (favorite)
Vegan rajas con cremas & chips
Summer squash, Pistachio green molé, pickled cabbage, cilantro
Cauliflower tacos, pickled cabbage, pineapple salsa
King oyster "scallops" tacos, chipotle salsa, cabbage
Impossible meat tacos, pico de gallo, avocado, pickled red onion
Vegan birria tacos, chipotle jus, cilantro onions
Vegan carnitas tacos, jackfruit, guajillo chilis, guacamole, jalapenos
Mexican hot chocolate tart, vanilla ice cream
Churros cheesecake
Tres leches cake, fresh local starwberries
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Oysters 3 ways. Yuzu, soy ginger & cucumber rice vin
Chicken Karaage, yuzu mayo & watermelon radish salad
Blistered shishito, yuzu, salt
Beef tartare, kewpie, umeboshi
Crispy sake chicken wings, radish cucumber salad
Vegetable tempura, citrus ponzu, lotus root, sprouting cauliflower, japanese flowering broccoli, sweet potato, prawns
Spicy lotus root & scallop salad, chili crisp, black vinegarette, scallion, cilantro (favorite)
Seared bluefin tuna, miso, pea shoot
Pork lettuce cup, kimchi, scallion, little gems
Chicken & scallion yakitori, teriyaki glaze
Pork belly wrapped garlic scapes, japanese bbq sauce
Spicy salmon pizza, crispy wonton, yuzu kewpie, jalapeno, sesame
Crab fried rice, tobigo, crispy garlic, scallion
Ahi aburi sushi, crispy rice, scallion
Assorted sushi plate
Assorted sashimi platter, greens, ponzu
Sea urchin crostini, shiso, lime, tobiko
Wagyu steak rolls, market fresh greens, olive oil, yuzu salt
Seared beef tataki, ponzu, cucumber, market greens, puffed ricegreens
Teriyaki salmon, sesame yau choy, purple rice, tobigo
Miso 24 hour sous vide shortrib, kabocha no nimono, kabocha dashi
Dry aged (mary's) chicken, sake jus, farmer's green veg, maitake(favorite)
Miso butter Cod, clams, japanese flowering broccoli, jus
Reverse seared steak, truffle jus, steamed sesame yau choy, charred scallion
Persimmon cheesecake
Passionfruit cheesecake
Chocolate ganache tart & matcha ice cream
Champagne macerated strawberries, rhubarb surup, whipped cream, lady fingers, candied hazelnut
Kinako mochi, ice cream, toasted soy powder, maple syrup, fried mochi
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Local Oysters, seasonal mignonette
Sardine crostini, quail egg, pickled chili
Duck liver mousse, cippolini balsamic onions, mushroom, herbs
Prosciutto & chateaux de bourgogne, fig, crostini
Salad nicoise, quail egg, haricot verts, baby potatoes, dijon vinaigrette
Seared tuna, sauce vierge
French onion soup, gruyere, thyme
Baked brie, rosemary honey, blueberry compote, thyme
Tartare de Beouf, capers, parsley, dijon
Smoked salmon mousse, salmon caviar, fennel
Prawn, braised leeks, shallot vinaigrette, herb oil
Rilette, cornichons, toast, mustard
Bone marrow, uni, meyer lemon aioli, brunoised potatoes
Duck Confit cassoulet, charred greens
Bouillabaise de provence, clams, mussels, fresh local fish, fennel, tomato
Filet mignon, cafe de paris sauce, asparagus, crispy potatoes
Boeuf bourginon, classic French beef stew
Dry aged chicken, truffle, madeira jus, broccolini, sunchokes, seasonal mushrooms ( pine, morels, chanterelles, what I can find)
Local fish, meuniere sauce, crispy potatoes, haricot verts, almonds
Tarte tatin
Chocolate ganache tart & berry compote, vanilla ice cream
Creme brulee cheesecake, berry coulis, hazelnut praline, crumb
Champagne macerated strawberries, sour cherry syrup, whipped cream, lady fingers, candied hazelnut (favorite)
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Local Oysters, seasonal mignonette
Artichoke bruschetta, heirloom tomatoes, herb oil, crostini
Truffle pate, assorted pickles, toast
Seared tuna, sauce vierge, greens
Seared scallop, prosciutto, pistachio, citrus vinaigrette, frisee
Beef tartare, crispy capers, mustard dressing, fennel, radish, lemon
Prosciutto & chateaux de bourgogne, fig, crostini
Burrata, pistachio vinaigrette, chives, toast
Charred Romaine, burrata, hazelnut vinaigrette, chives
Burrata, coppa de parma, mediterranean smoked paprika, roasted cherry tomato, barbari bread
Linguine alle vongole, clams, white wine, butter, herbs
Truffle cacio e pepe, fresh pasta
Fresh pasta carbonara, fresh handmade pasta, guancale, parmesan, cream, local eggs
Butternut squash papardelle, sage, fresh ricotta, hazelnuts
8 hour bolognese, handmade ribbon pasta, basil
Slow cooked red wine short rib ragout, fresh pasta, parsley oil
Dry aged chicken, madeira jus, broccolini, sunchokes, morels
Cioppino, clams, mussels, prawns, cod, nduja, foccacia, herb oil
Filet mignon, shallot pan jus, broccoli rabe, garlic potatoes
48 hour Porchetta (house made), caper, heirloom tomato relish. Wilted greens & mushrooms. (72 hours notice)
Local fresh fish, heirloom puttanesca, charred endives, arugula pesto, gremolata breadcrumbs
Warm Chocolate cookie & berry compote, vanilla ice cream
Chocolate ganache tart & berry compote, vanilla ice cream
Creme brulee cheesecake, berry coulis, hazelnut praline, crumb
Champagne macerated strawberries, sour cherry syrup, whipped cream, lady fingers, candied hazelnut (favorite)
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Blistered cherry tomatoes & lemon infused labneh
Burnt eggplant & herb salad w/garlic yoghurt sauce
Local Oysters, seasonal mignonette
Artichoke bruschetta, heirloom tomatoes, herb oil, crostini
Truffle pate, assorted pickles, toast
Grilled watermelon salad, avocado, mint, strawberry, local greens, charred lemon vinaigrette
Charred Romaine, burrata, hazelnut vinaigrette, chives
Seared tuna, sauce vierge, gremolata breadcrumbs
Persimmon & feta salad, pomegranate, herbs, hazelnut
Linguine alle vongole, clams, white wine, butter, herbs
Sweet potato croquetas, manchego, smoked paprika aioli
Mushroom, sunchoke & manchego, mojo verde
Truffle spanish tortilla, arugula salad
Gambas al ajillo, prawns, garlic oil, crusty bread
Adana kebab skewers, cucumber yoghurt dipping sauce, fresh herbs, tomato salad
Organic turmeric braised chicken & caramelized onion, dates & raisins, sunchoke puree
Braised lamb, black lemon, crispy greek potatoes, roasted rainbow carrots, gremolata
Seafood paella, mussels, prawns, scallops, rice, saffron
Filet mignon, shallot pan jus, broccoli rabe, garlic potatoes
Warm Chocolate cookie & berry compote, vanilla ice cream
Halva brownie, pistachios, vanilla ice cream & warm citrus marmalade
Baklava tart cake (favorite)
Chocolate tart & persimmon, pistachio praline
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