Chef Nikki Joniak
Private Chef In PhiladelphiaIn 2018, I jumped into the culinary world: transitioning from managing tradeshows for a large biotech firm to the land of food. Initially starting at Bistrot la Minette in Philadelphia, PA, I picked up new techniques, skills and how to best use top-tier ingredients. I love using seasonal ingredients to create unexpected flavor combinations and presentation - balsamic caviar, anyone?
More about me
For me, cooking is...
something that changed my life, simply love it
I learned to cook at...
a very well-established French restaurant in Philadelphia
A cooking secret...
Respect the mise, take my time, use time-honored methods but come up with my own when applicable
My menus
Antipasto | A glorious selection of traditional cheeses & cured meats; studded with salads & accompaniments
Braciole | Tender, braised beef, cheese, prosciutto, tomato sauce, broccoli rabe
Chicken Fricasee | Crispy-skinned chicken, mushroom cream sauce, walnuts
Mussels | Steamed mussels, spicy tomato broth, fennel, cherry tomato
Caprese Salad | Soft cheese, tomato, basil vinaigrette, pistachio
Ricotta Gnocchi | Fluffy gnocchi, red pepper sauce, basil
Crespelle in Brodo | Crepes, beef broth, beans, basil
Frittata | Baked eggs, cheese, seasonal vegetables, herbs
Broadbean Salad | Beans, greens, olive oil, lemon, cheese, mint
Cherry Peppers | Pickled, stuffed with trout, capers and lemon
Handmade Ravioli | Squash & ricotta stuffed; squash cream sauce, lemon, walnut, oregano
Handmade Gnocchi | Red pepper & tomato cream sauce; sausage, broccoli rabe, confit garlic
Handmade Fettuccini | Confit duck ragu, cheese, herbs
Handmade Gnudi | White wine-steamed clams; clam sauce, cherry tomato, pancetta
Maccheroni alla Mugnaia | Hand-pulled single strand of pasta; olive oil, hot peppers, garlic and cheese
Hazelnut Cake | Chocolate, hazelnuts, sugar
Tiramisu | Coffee-soaked cakes, mascarpone, cocoa
Fiocco di Neve | Cream-filled snowflake rolls
Budino di Riso | Creamy, rice pudding-stuffed tart; vanilla and berries
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Sardine rillettes. Yes, yes, another french word. Don't fret about rillettes (even of the sardine variety!) This salty stuff is perfect for topping fresh bread
Four oysters on their own half shell. We've got these little buddies nestled in their shells, topped with a lemon-horseradish creme fraiche and chives. (It's okay, creme fraiche is just French sour cream!)
Red pepper & shallot sache. What is this, you ask? Well, it's a delicious mixture of roasted red peppers, shallots, olive oil & seasoning, served on lightly-toasted bread. Perfect start!
Potato-leek soup. This cream-based potato soup is almost too good to be true. Smooth, topped with lardons (you know, bacon!), crispy shaved shallots and chives
Nicoise salad. We're harkoning back to a classic, composed take on this one - meaning no lettuce! This rendition includes the usual suspects (egg, tomatoes, olives, potatoes & green beans) but with new additions (fava beans & anchovy vinaigrette, anyone?)
Mushroom tartine. Think about every time you've had an open-face sandwich... that's every time you've had a tartine! Toasted bread topped with mushrooms, pea & creme fraiche puree, shaved leek & arugula salad and finished with toasted pine nuts
Mussels escabeche. Now I've never met an escabeche I didn't like... but one with mussesls? I'm in love. This course melds white wine-steamed mussels, lightly-pickled carrots, roasted peppers & crunchy brown-butter croutons in a lemon tarragon vinaigrette
Chicken rillettes. Imagine the most amazing chicken salad you've had... multiply it by ten & you have the idea of chicken rillette. This is made with confit chicken & married with fats, mustard, seasonings & other tasty secrets. seasonal accompaniment
Flammkuchen. Like a flatbread, but Alsatian! Loaded with herbed goat cheese and vegetables, topped with spiced honey and bitter greens
Steak au poivre. For anyone that wants beef, this one's for you! Seared faux filet, adorned in fresh pepper, finished in the oven. Served with pomme puree (can't go wrong with steak and potatoes!), poached asparagus and a pepper sauce
Roast chicken. A beautiful 1/2 chicken, seared then roasted to perfection. Served with pomme puree (silky, creamy mashed potatoes, yum), haricot vert (fancy for green beans) and a chicken jus
Lobster risotto. Creamy, french-style risotto prepared with smoked lobster, peas, mushrooms (just a couple!), garlic and tarragon
Ravioli Gratin. Cute little cheese and herb ravioli, creamy sauce. summer vegetables, lemon, vinegar pearls
Sorbet selection. Chef's selection
Cheese selection. Chef's selection of cheese, (cheesy jokes!) and seasonal accompaniments
Caramelized pineapple. Oh, baby, now this is a treat. Pineapple caramelized in vanilla butter served with vanilla ice cream and crushed pistachios
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Gazpacho | Chilled tomato-based soup, pickled mango, jalapeno powder, honey
Spanish Tortilla | Egg, confit potatoes, herbs, aioli
Grilled Eggplant | Eggplant, tomato, garlic, vinegar pearls
Flatbread | Roasted vegetables, chili honey, herbed goat cheese
Chorizo Croquettes | Shallow fried, citrus supremes, paprika aioli
Shrimp | Garlicky and herby, so delicious
Stuffed Dates | Bacon, bleu cheese, almond
Stuffed Peppers | Chorizo, parsley oil, bleu cheese
Patatas Bravas | Fried potatoes, lemon truffle aioli, chive powder
Branzino | Lemon and herb-stuffed branzino,
Lobster | Smoked lobster, mashed chickpeas, sunchokes, lemon beurre blanc
Beef | Pan-seared sirloin, parsley and white bean salad, herb emulsion
Lamb | Roasted lollipop lambchops,
Risotto | Wild mushrooms, manchego, lemon oil
Chocolate olive oil cake | Cake, smashed berries, honey syrup
Crema Catalan | Essentially creme brulee, fruit on the bottom
Cheese | Cheese selection, seasonal accompaniments
Turron | Crispy, crunchy almond bars
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Catrachas | Fried tortilla, avocado, queso fresco, refried beans
Pilones | Intermezzo, sorbet, between third and fourth courses
Sopa de Caracol | Conch soup. Coconut broth, candied ginger, cilantro
Sancocho de Gallina | Chicken stew. Braised chicken, yuca, herbs
Tamales | Braised pork, salsa verde, corn masa wrapped in a banana leave
Pupusa | Bean and cheese-stuffed masa pockets, crispy outsides. Pickled vegetables, onion, oregano, salsa roja
Ceviche | Scallops and shrimp. Coconut vinaigrette, cilantro, red onion, citrus supreme. Crisp plantains
Ensalada del Pulpo | Octopus salad. Fresh and fire-roasted peppers, olives, capers and herbs. , shallot,
Plato tipico | Grilled steak (carne asada). Toasted tortilla, beans, pigeon pea rice, fresh tomato salsa, herb emulsion
Arroz con Pollo | Brined, roasted chicken. Pigeon pea rice, sweet plantains, pickled vegetables, salsa verde
Ropa vieja | Braised, shredded beef - very tender and flavorful! Beans, pigeon pea rice, herbed cream sauce
Pescado | Crisp skin-on white fish. Coconut rice, crisp plantain discs, mango, herb emulsion
Plantinta | Plantain-based pastry, lemon-flavored cream, caramelized berries
Arroz con Leche | Creamy rice pudding, whipped cream, berry compote
Flan caramel | Caramel custard-like dessert, caramelized pineapple and nuts
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Tea Sandwich | Cream cheese and cucumber
Tea Sandwich | Chicken salad
Tea Sandwich | Egg salad
Deviled Egg | Crunchy garlic, bacon, chive
Squash Cube | Roast squash, bacon, honey
Fall Bisque Shooter | Bacon, chive, olive oil
Avocado Toast | Avocado, radish, lime, olive oil
Ricotta Toast | Ricotta, honey, various fruits
Feta Cube | Spiced feta, tomato, basil oil
Ceviche Shooter | Shrimp, citrus, peppers, coconut milk
Crab Cake | Red pepper coulis, scallions, lemon
Salmon Mousse | Salmon, cucumber, radish, chive, lemon
Shrimp Toast | Crunchy toast, shrimp, aioli
Stuffed Mushroom | Crab, artichoke, cheese
Charcuterie Skewer | Assorted cured meats, cheese, melon, basil syrup
Meatball | Slightly spicy red sauce, parmesan
Chicken Skewer | Warmly-spiced chicken, scallion, aioli
Stuffed Mushroom | Pork, cheese, brocolli rabe
Gnocchi Skewer | Gnocchi, sausage, tomato cream sauce
Stuffed Date | Bacon, bleu cheese, almond
Roasted Fig | Walnut, creamy cheese
Potsticker | Pork, scallion, tonkatsu sauce
Potsticker | Veggie, scallion, honey soy sauce
Potsticker | Seafood, scallion, ginger soy sauce
Fruit Skewers | Assorted fruits, vanilla honey
Cookie Cup | Chocolate mousse
Cookie Cup | Lemon curd
Almond Cake Bites | Chocolate sauce, candied almonds
Chocolate Chip Cookies | Classic, chewy, so tasty
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