PRAXIS: WNY's first pop-up restaurant
Christa Glennie Seychew
We've told you about chef Ross Warhol before. Many times, in fact. It's rather easy, actually, because Warhol is so accomplished for his age, terribly humble, and a real talent. But what makes Warhol one to watch is that he is always pushing himself, and looking to raise the bar, to shake people by the shoulders—culinarily—until their perceptions of what dining is and should be just fall away.
After a few years of world travel and a couple of summers as the chef at Chautauqua Institution's gorgeous Athenaeum Hotel, he's settled down. Well, sort of. If you call 80-hour work weeks feeding hundreds of people three times a day slowing down. Add in his garden, which he confessed to me is sometimes tended at 2 a.m. during his busy weeks. Then there is his fervent sourcing of local products, which requires quick jaunts to several counties to obtain the freshest, tastiest ingredients. See how easy it is to get excited about this vibrant young chef?
This summer, in addition to re-engineering the entire dining experience at the venerable Athenaeum, Warhol is also offering a pop-up restaurant in one of the hotel's large dining rooms, overlooking Lake Chautauqua. Praxis is its name, and it is open on only three occasions this summer, offering a unique menu and dining experience on each night.
The first event occurred a week or two ago. Inspired by a menu from the 1884 opening of the hotel, Warhol re-interpreted classic recipes using the classic and modern skills he's honed over his intense career. You can see a slideshow of the meal served below.
The other two dates for Praxis are August 4, where Warhol and his team will offer a potluck-style menu meant to reflect the importance of community, hence the event's name, Praxis: Community. On August 16 Warhol will reimagine master artists through the medium of cuisine by preparing dishes that hearken specific, recognizable traits in each artists' work. Praxis: Painted looks to be a remarkable event. It's not too late to get tickets to either of these pop-up dates, and after my experiences at Warhol's table, I suggest you consider it.
Below you can also watch a video from Praxis:1884, produced by the Athneaeum.
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