In a New York state of mind at TGIFridays

The versatile flavors found in the Big Apple were enough to put chef Josh Boutwood in a New York state of mind as he whipped up six iconic American dishes in celebration of TGIFridays’ 50th anniversary.

While the city is known for its high-profile eats — think celebrity chef-owned restaurants serving fresh farm-to-table fare — street food is also a fun and delicious way to experience the city’s gastronomic inventions. And that’s exactly what chef Josh brings to your plate with TGIFridays’ “A Taste of New York” promo, a fitting tribute to the American diner’s birthplace.

A fat, juicy burger is chef Josh’s go-to food, aside from adobo, of course. So when he makes one, it’s definitely good. TGIFridays’ Big Apple Burger is the amiable chef’s homage to the popular dish. The flame-grilled premium beef patty is layered with sautéed onions, Gruyere cheese, and grilled pancetta with apple mustard sauce for a truly decadent treat.

A hotdog, like the Halal Guys, is one of those treats you can grab on any New York street corner. At TGIFridays, chef Josh puts a gourmet twist on this signature street food with the Madison Hotdog. This juicy, char-grilled Andouille sausage in a herb bun gives dirty-water hotdog cart owners a run for their money. Here, diners have the option to “dress up” their sandwich as the condiments — pickled cucumber, mustard, pickles, and mayo — are served separately. It doesn’t only look good, but tastes good as well. The sausage is packed with just the right amount of herbs and spices; it isn’t salty at all. This wiener is a winner!

“At first, our principals in New York didn’t want us to include hotdogs on the menu, because it’s just ordinary fare to them. Everything changed when they saw and tasted chef Josh’s Madison Hotdog,” enthuses marketing manager Roda Patricio-Adriano, who’s confident it would appeal to the Pinoy palate as well.

Roda also recommends the Queens Almond-Crusted Tilapia and Jalapeño Shrimp, which captures the borough’s varied and exciting food scene; and the Manhattan Sausage Stuffed Chicken with rice pilaf and pesto cream sauce.

“I had no idea the Americans love tilapia as much as we do. These dishes are actually offered at TGIFridays New York. Chef Josh just tweaked some of the ingredients to suit the Pinoy taste,” explains Roda.

Touted as New York’s “Little Italy,” the Bronx is home to authentic Italian ristorantes. As a nod to the area’s strong Italian influence, chef Josh created the Bronx Crispy Chicken Parmesan Meatballs, a meaty and cheesy treat with a flavorful marinara sauce. It’s an appetizer but it goes well with plain rice, too!

Named after popular streets in New York, you can enjoy these dishes in a New York minute!

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To know more about TGIFridays, check out its social media sites: TGIFridays Philippines (Facebook), @tgifridaysph (IG and Twitter) and its website www.fridays.com.ph.