New Wexford Restaurant Combines International Flavors with Local Ingredients

Wexford, PA (PRWEB) November 12, 2007

When Mark and Barbara Matera returned to Western Pennsylvania after six months in France and years of international travel, they yearned for the cuisine and hospitality they had experienced abroad.

The Franklin Park couple saw that while there were many national and local chain restaurants offering similar fare and dining experiences in the area, few offered the unique foods, presentations and ambience they had in mind. Coupled with their love for hospitality and creating warm welcomes, Passport Café was conceived to offer delicious international foods, skillfully prepared from fine ingredients using both time-tested and innovative recipes.

"We knew that there are many sophisticated and well-traveled diners in Wexford and the surrounding area who would love to have a restaurant like Passport Café right in their neighborhood," said Mark. "We're happy to meet that need by combining our passion for food and travel and sharing it with the community."

The Materas recruited Chef Shawn Carlson to make their passion real by bringing his own interpretations to the kitchen. A native of Greene County, Chef Carlson trained under Toni Pais at the acclaimed Baum Vivant Restaurant in Shadyside, rising to the position of chef. He later opened Isoldi's in the Strip, where he received rave reviews for his work as executive chef.

"Chef Carlson has mastered and reinterpreted a wide variety of international dishes and flavors, using local ingredients," said Mark. "His dishes focus on freshness, great flavors, healthful preparation, a sense of the season and stylish presentation."

The Passport Café features dishes on its frequently changing menus from France, Italy, Spain, Asia and beyond, with special offerings that will rotate with the seasons. The café's lunch menu features homemade soups, fresh salads, sandwiches and lighter entrees. Dinner includes a wide variety of entrees, including vegetarian dishes prepared with the freshest of ingredients.

The café also offers Sunday brunch and an afternoon meal called Goûter.

"Goûter" is a French word meaning "a little taste," and is a popular mid- to late-afternoon meal in France, typically a savory snack, light dessert or pastry along with a glass of wine or a hot beverage. "It's a meal that no one else in town has," said Barbara, who first experienced it as a student living abroad in France. "It's a great afternoon pick-me-up."

The Materas decided early on to combine global cuisine with fresh, local ingredients. "We're surrounded by many wonderful family farms growing and raising seasonal fruits and vegetables and even poultry and eggs," said Barbara. "By working with them, we're supporting the local economy, and we're able to be intimately familiar with, and confident about the quality of, all of our ingredients."

For those who want a closer look at Chef Carlson's work, the Passport Café features a chef's table where diners are served a tasting menu prepared following consultation with Chef Carlson. Wine pairings are also available.

The Café offers a full bar, draft beers and a well-constructed wine list offering hard to find domestic and international wines at reasonable prices. David Cesaro, a native of France, leads the front of the house as Maitre d'Hotel with his encyclopedic knowledge of international wine selections.

Located in the Pine Tree Shoppes plaza on Perry Highway in Wexford, Passport Café opened in September to rave reviews from initial customers. "People are very pleased about the use of locally grown food," said Barbara. "They like the atmosphere and the décor, as well as the food, and the number of repeat customers is growing."

Several local artists contributed to the décor, which is light, airy and meant to be reminiscent of casually elegant homes found in the European countryside. The overall design is by Jennie Makuch of Bluplanit Design Partners.

The Passport Café will celebrate its grand opening with a private party tonight from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Guests will sample drinks, hors d'oeuvres and desserts to the sounds of the Joe Lagnese Jazz Trio.

The café is open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch, goûter and dinner and on Sunday for brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information on Passport Café, including downloadable menus, please visit http://www.passportcafepittsburgh.com.

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