Trendspotting: Lamb Belly

Maryse Chevrière — April 23, 2010

Clockwise from top: Crispy Colorado Lamb Belly at Perilla, Kleftiko of Lamb Belly with Tzatziki at August, Duo of Lamb: Loin, Belly, Carrot Purée, Ramps, Morels at 5 & Diamond.

We had a feeling that lamb belly was going to take off, and now the proof is rolling in.

An early player in the trend, August’s Kleftiko of Lamb Belly, was profiled back in January. Then lamb belly showed up again at the SoBe Wine and Food Festival event, BubbleQ, in a form of a BLT from Lonesome Dove Western Bistro’s chef Tim Love. And even more recently in New York at chef Ryan Skeen’s new restaurant, 5 & Diamond.

And now, Harold Dieterle too has hopped on the lamb belly bandwagon. Perilla’s Crispy Colorado Lamb Belly has only been on the menu for two or three weeks, but this rendition might just be the trendiest of all, considering it is served over a bed of— you guessed it— black Beluga lentils.

Here, the shreds of meat have been fashioned into a meatball— seared and crispy on the outside, tender inside. Not as fatty as you might expect, not as gamy either. Lentils add a toothsome bite, a more assertive texture. They’re mixed with pickled rhubarb, and small slices of pink muscat grapes for a citrusy-sour tang effect. You’ll find Banyuls-vanilla caramel in there too, unexpectedly, for a sweet note.

Trendspotting: Beluga Lentils

Jeff Zalaznick — April 20, 2010

Aromatica Organics’ Black Beluga Lentils, available at Whole Foods.

A Whole Foods employee said they’ve been selling Black Beluga Lentils for years, (a bag of turmeric-smelling dry Black Beluga Lentils goes for $5.39), so they’re not exactly a secret, but they there is no doubt that they are having a moment on the New York restaurant scene.

Vinegar Hill House makes a Beluga Lentil and Foie Gras Presse, Recette is serving them with Branzino and Roasted Parsnip Purée, and they’re at the very top of the menu at Anita Lo’s newly-reopened Annisa. Beluga Lentils have also been showing up regularly in recent restaurant reviews, recipes, and at events. Be on the look out and you too will find the path of Beluga Lentils.

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