Dishin': Prostitution and Porking in Princely Dishes

Each month, City Arts' Dish-Off challenges two chefs to prepare a dish based on a song. This month's may be the most provocative to date.

Chef Savuthy "T" Dye, who participated in the previous month's Dish-Off, decided to dish up Prince's "Little Red Corvette" as February's song. Interesting choice for the two Wallingford restaurants taking the challenge. Brian Cartenuto of Cantinetta (all over the news these days, as he'll be cooking at the James Beard House next week, and opening another outpost of his restaurant in Bellevue soon) took one look at the lyrics, said the song was about vaginas, and presented Pork Three Ways because when it comes to porking, "no one likes to do it in just one position."

At Avila, owner Jared Carpenter explained delicately that "Prince is basically talking about a woman who - what's the best way to put it - enjoys life." Therefore, his chef, Alex Pitts, served up Swordfish and Puttanesca (literally meaning is "of a whore") Sauce. His modern take on the sauce was colorful and delightful.

Bravo to both chefs for getting down and dirty for the Dish-Off. Prostitution and porking made for some playful food that was plenty delicious. You can read more about the culinary interpretations of Prince's "Little Red Corvette" by picking up a copy of the new (February) City Arts, available now.

(Photos by Rina Jordan.)