The Sweet Story Behind The Dish Named After Bobby Flay's Daughter At Brasserie B - Exclusive
In some ways, Bobby Flay's newest restaurant, Brasserie B in Las Vegas, is just like any other concept from the chef — featuring a stylish design, balanced and bold flavors across the menu, perfect presentations on every plate, and a generally elevated atmosphere. But at the same time, Brasserie B is a little different, and more personal for Flay. It's a nod to his love of French cooking techniques and his culinary roots (he formally trained at the French Culinary Institute), and his appreciation for French style comfort food (which also inspired one of Brasserie B's predecessors, Bar Americain). A love letter to the "bustling brasseries" he loves to frequent in Paris, Brasserie B features a plethora of French classics, but you'll find more of Flay's personal touches all over the menu.
One of includes a signature dish on the menu named after arguably the most important person in Flay's life. Featured a la carte on the extensive raw bar menu and on the impressive "Tower Magnifique," the Bay Scallops Sophie are an ode to Flay's daughter, who has an affinity for crustaceans, as he explained to Tasting Table Senior Editor Alexandra Cass in an exclusive interview. "Sophie has been a shellfish lover since the day she was born," Flay noted. "I mean, literally, she was eating mussels and clams when she was like six months old. Shellfish is always her thing."
A bit of Flay flair
The dish features bay scallops served with tangerine, espelette hot sauce, and crunchy garlic. Anyone with even a passing familiarity with Flay knows that he rose to fame cooking cuisine influenced by the flavors of the American Southwest, so what is he doing cooking French food? Well, putting aside the fact that Flay, like nearly all Western chefs, has a background and training in French culinary technique, the chef explained to us that he's always been drawn to Paris and French cuisine. And, it's a love affair that he's shared with his daughter.
"When she was 12 years old, the first overseas trip I took her on was actually to Paris," Flay remembered. "She and I, we went to the Louvre, stayed for about 20 minutes, saw the two or three most important things... And then we went and ate all over Paris." The pair might have eaten at the famed La Coupole, which Flay called "the most classic French brasserie," and is a spot famous for its stunning raw bar.
Just as likely was the presence of the unique flavor pairings in Bay Scallops Sophie. The toppings are nods to his Southwestern cuisine background, which you'll find all over the menu. "Basically in every category," said Flay, "there's a sense of me taking a little bit of my own creative license in terms of flavor." And if you visit the restaurant, there's a chance you might even see his daughter enjoying her namesake dish. "Sophie can be seen eating a huge tower of shellfish by herself in my restaurants all the time."
Click here for more information, or to make reservations at Brasserie B, located in Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The restaurant is open daily from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for brunch and 4:30 to 10 p.m. for dinner.