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Graffiato's Oven Warming Party
It's been Graffiato fever in D.C. for the past month, as "Top Chef" star Mike Isabella opened his long anticipated restaurant in late June to much acclaim and booked reservations. But the celebrity chef had one more grand opening celebration in store with an exclusive "Oven Warming Party" on Monday July 11th with some very special guests.
The new Chinatown hotspot played host to a number of "Top Chef" alums, including Jen Carroll, Dale Talde, Stephen Asprinio, Kevin Sbraga and fellow Washingtonians Carla Hall, Spike Mendelsohn and current "Next Food Network Star" competitor Mary Beth Albright. Though formerly reality TV rivals, the group were all clearly great friends and respected colleagues, which made for a relaxed night of mixing, mingling and celebrating Mike's new digs. (Though some things clearly hadn't changed from their days at Bravo: Asprinio brought his own bottle of wine to drink at the party and we overheard Dale say he was spending the night on his BFF Mike's couch.)
The kitchen worked overtime with regular service downstairs and the VIP affair on the top floor, serving up highlights from Graffiato's menu of Italian-inspired fare and tasty thirstquenchers from their impressive beverage menu. Guests noshed on a selection of gourmet pizzas, fresh stretched mozarella and seafood, and sipped on cucumber caipirinhas, Brooklyn Lager and pprosecco straight from the tap.
Pictured: Chef Mike Isabella, "Top Chef" star Stephen Asprinio and Graffiato General Manager & Beverage Director James Horn
For more info on Graffiato, be sure to check out our inside look and exclusive interview with Mike Isabella!
