Fabio Trabocchi
678 Indiana Ave. NW
Washington, D.C.
Why Because his menu pits Italian classics against more progressive interpretationsand both sides win.
Born Osimo, Italy, 1974.
Education Istituto Alberghiero Panzini, Senigallia, Italy.
Experience Floriana and Grissini, London; Bice restaurants, Marbella, Spain, and Washington, D.C.
Where he would eat on a $1,000 budget Alain Ducasse's restaurants in Paris or Monte Carlo. "Ducasse is our leader in terms of what a chef can achieve in the 21st century."
Where he would eat on a $10 budget "I would give it to my wife and she would make a Spanish tortillathe best one in the world."
Bedside reading De Re Coquinaria by Marcus Gavius Apicius, a Roman merchant and gourmet in the first century A.D. "It's surprising to learn that ancient Romans were eating foie gras with figsstuff we eat today."
Biggest culinary influence The Marches region of Italy, where he grew up. "We have the sea in front of us and mountains in our backyard."
About his recipe To make sure the capellini with clams and caviar is perfect, Trabocchi suggests rolling the pasta in a towel after draining it. "That way, when you toss the pasta with the other ingredients, the dish won't end up watery."
Won Best New Chef at: Maestro, McLean, VA



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