Michael White

Tastemaker

Chef

New York

Although Michael White’s soulful, flavorful Italian cuisine indicates otherwise, he isn’t an Italian native who absorbed generations of recipes at birth. In fact, he spent his childhood in Beloit, Wis., playing football and swimming competitively. At the time, cooking was simply a family pastime. By whim or intuition, White decided to try culinary school, enrolling at Kendall Culinary Institute in 1989. A year later, he was prepping in Chicago’s most famous Italian restaurant, Spiaggia. He spent a year and a half learning from chef Paul Bartolotta and, wanting to find the origin of his mentor’s awe-inspiring recipes, he followed the chef’s footsteps to Italy. He trained with the venerated chef Valentino Marcattilii at Ristorante San Domenico in Imola and it was there that he began his Italian transformation. For the next seven years, he studied the hands-on, ingredient-driven cooking style of the Italians. He returned to Spiaggia as chef de cuisine in 2001, and in 2002, he took New York by storm as executive chef of Fiamma Osteria. Then in 2007, White partnered with New York restaurateur Chris Cannon to helm the James Beard Award-winning L’Impero and Alto. In July 2008, White and Cannon reconcepted L’Impero into Southern Italian favorite Convivio. The two followed that up with Marea, a restaurant devoted to the bounty of the sea, in May 2009.

  • Michael White, Chef answered a question:

    • What’s on your travel playlist?

      There’s a whole mix of music. And you know, this day and age, you don’t even have to buy movies or anything. It’s usually on the back of the headrest on the plane. I could be listening to easy jazz or Stevie Ray Vaughn while writing recipes, or Jimi Hendrix.
  • Michael White, Chef answered a question:

    • What are the best five things to see and do in New York City?

      Starting at the bottom, I would say getting on the Staten Island Ferry. It’s one of the great free things in the city. You can take shots of the Statue of Liberty, and it gives you real perspective. The views from Staten Island toward the city and Brooklyn are fabulous. I would definitely walk over the Brooklyn Bridge. I would walk to Central Park. It’s amazing how when you’re in the middle of Central Park, you really get the sense that you’re not in a big city because of the fact that it’s very quiet and peaceful. Then when you get to the edges, you start hearing the taxis and the horns. You smell the manure from the horses. You might smell hot dogs cooking on a hot dog cart. New York City is pretty awesome for all those things. Theater — you must see a show when you’re here. A lot of times, people come to the city because they have to go to a conference or do certain things. I actually had some friends in from Italy recently, and they said the greatest thing about New York City was that we had no plans. I think so many times when people go places, like to Italy or to New York, you have this set itinerary and you have to stay on it. The greatest part of the city is you can just live it the way New Yorkers do.
  • Michael White, Chef answered a question:

    • What are the best places to stay in New York City?

      I would stay at the Mark or the Carlyle because it’s away from Times Square, away from the regular hustle and bustle. All of a sudden, you could take a walk in the morning right out into Central Park and see how the Upper East Siders are waking up. Or you can go to the Bowery Hotel or the Rivington, or even the Thompson Hotel. That’s what’s cool about New York — you can get any kind of vibe you want. If you wanted to have a classic vibe, you could go to the Waldorf or the Essex House.
  • Michael White, Chef answered a question:

    • What do you wear when you travel?

      Loose clothing. I usually wear long sleeves, like a long-sleeve Polo t-shirt or something like that. Some people really get dressed up to get on a plane. And you know, we’re very fortunate. You travel enough, and you get to ride up front. I’ll just stand there disheveled, like I look like I’ve gone three days without a hot shower. There are people who aren’t in business or first class that are really dressed up, so I feel really bad about that. I’m comfortable. I’m having the pork ramen soup at 5:00 in the morning, and everyone else is asleep because they’ve been drinking cognac and stuff like that. I stay right on-point, so when I get off that plane, I can go right into the kitchen.
  • Michael White, Chef answered a question:

    • Who’s your favorite traveling companion? Or who is the person you travel with most?

      That’s a hard question, but my wife. My child as well. And my partner, Ahmass Fakahany. We just went on 14 days together through Asia and Istanbul. So, we travel really well together. It’s really hard for me to pick a favorite. Wherever I go, if I’ve been there before, I enjoy whoever is going with me because I like to show and give my past experiences to the person. Wherever I go, if I have the opportunity, I love to show someone around.
  • Michael White, Chef answered a question:

    • What do you wear when you travel?

      Loose clothing. I usually wear long sleeves, like a long-sleeve Polo t-shirt or something like that. Some people really get dressed up to get on a plane. And you know, we’re very fortunate. You travel enough, and you get to ride up front. I’ll just stand there disheveled, like I look like I’ve gone three days without a hot shower. There are people who aren’t in business or first class that are really dressed up, so I feel really bad about that. I’m comfortable. I’m having the pork ramen soup at 5:00 in the morning, and everyone else is asleep because they’ve been drinking cognac and stuff like that. I stay right on-point, so when I get off that plane, I can go right into the kitchen.
  • Michael White, Chef answered a question:

    • What’s on your travel playlist?

      There’s a whole mix of music. And you know, this day and age, you don’t even have to buy movies or anything. It’s usually on the back of the headrest on the plane. I could be listening to easy jazz or Stevie Ray Vaughn while writing recipes, or Jimi Hendrix.
  • Michael White, Chef answered a question:

    • What are your favorite spas?

      I am so into anything self-pampering. I just had a Turkish scrub the other day. Amazing. The Lucky Plaza in Singapore has the absolute best foot massages — knuckle in the bottom of your foot piercing. You won’t fall asleep, but when you get up, you feel like you could do a half marathon. I like the barber at the Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, where you can get the dry shave.
  • Michael White, Chef answered a question:

    • What are the best places for brunch in New York City?

      At Marea, we do it sort of at lunchtime, and there are a couple dishes that are not traditional, like the poached egg with crab. Most restaurants, when they call it ‘brunch’ in New York City, it’s a couple of courses. It’s maybe a bakery basket, a very nice omelet or market vegetables, so I think that type of brunch is alive and well. I might do dim sum in Chinatown, or go to dim sum at Chinatown Brasserie. On Sundays, Red Farm does a really, really great dim sum. Or, for brunch, something fun like Trestle on Tenth, or Five Points is classic. Cookshop on 10th Avenue. Those are actually owned by the same people that own Five Points, Hundred Acres and Cookshop. They’re really doing a fabulous job with brunch. And Minetta is an excellent spot.
  • Michael White, Chef answered a question:

    • What are the best lounges in New York City?

      Pegu Club. Julie Rainer is the bartender and she’s done a fabulous job. But I like drinks outside of the country. The Kona Kai Bar in London—having a beautiful drink made there. The Four Seasons in Hong Kong, the Blue Bar—beautiful. The hotel itself is fabulous, just gorgeous. The Four Seasons in Florence. I mean, drinks there and espresso. <br/><br/>Also, the InterContinental in Hong Kong for drinks. Unbelievable view.
  • Michael White, Chef answered a question:

    • What are the best Italian restaurants in New York City?

      I’m married to an Italian and I cook at home. People have this idea that chefs are always outside eating in their restaurants. And it’s true, but it’s usually always something unhealthy late at night. Then, when we do cook, it’s usually at home. I mean, I cook with my daughter Francesca and I have to tell you, the last thing I want to eat is Italian food. I’m looking for wasabi, I’m looking for dumplings, chile, things like that. I’m going to pass on that question because the last time I had Italian food in New York City, I was at Patsy’s with a friend of mine and that is like a total throwback. Every Italian restaurant has its own niche.
  • Michael White, Chef answered a question:

    • What are your favorite cities to travel to?

      Hong Kong. For food people, there’s so much there to see. Everywhere you turn in Hong Kong, there are pork buns steaming in a basket. You go in the food courts, you go in these complexes, and the food quality is amazing. And then Singapore, Istanbul — I was just in Istanbul for the first time, and it’s just amazing there. The east/west kind of feel, and the food, it’s just amazing. I learn so much when I travel. Travel is knowledge. It broadens your horizons.
  • Michael White, Chef answered a question:

    • What are your favorite cities to travel to?

      Hong Kong. For food people, there’s so much there to see. Everywhere you turn in Hong Kong, there are pork buns steaming in a basket. You go in the food courts, you go in these complexes, and the food quality is amazing. And then Singapore, Istanbul — I was just in Istanbul for the first time, and it’s just amazing there. The east/west kind of feel, and the food, it’s just amazing. I learn so much when I travel. Travel is knowledge. It broadens your horizons.
  • Michael White, Chef answered a question:

    • What is the best time of the year to visit New York City?

      Spring and fall. It’s when the city is vivacious. It’s a buzzing metropolis. It never sleeps. That’s a great thing about New York City — you can do anything you want at anytime during the night. You can go to a bookstore in the middle of the night, you can go to a 24-hour grocery store. There’s just so much to do. Going to the zoo in Central Park, that’s awesome — especially on a date.

  • What are the best five things to see and do in New York City?

    Starting at the bottom, I would say getting on the Staten Island Ferry. It’s one of the great free things in the city. You can take shots of the Statue of Liberty, and it gives you real perspective. The views from Staten Island toward the city and Brooklyn are fabulous. I would definitely walk over the Brooklyn Bridge. I would walk to Central Park. It’s amazing how when you’re in the middle of Central Park, you really get the sense that you’re not in a big city because of the fact that it’s very quiet and peaceful. Then when you get to the edges, you start hearing the taxis and the horns. You smell the manure from the horses. You might smell hot dogs cooking on a hot dog cart. New York City is pretty awesome for all those things. Theater — you must see a show when you’re here. A lot of times, people come to the city because they have to go to a conference or do certain things. I actually had some friends in from Italy recently, and they said the greatest thing about New York City was that we had no plans. I think so many times when people go places, like to Italy or to New York, you have this set itinerary and you have to stay on it. The greatest part of the city is you can just live it the way New Yorkers do.

  • What are the best Italian restaurants in New York City?

    I’m married to an Italian and I cook at home. People have this idea that chefs are always outside eating in their restaurants. And it’s true, but it’s usually always something unhealthy late at night. Then, when we do cook, it’s usually at home. I mean, I cook with my daughter Francesca and I have to tell you, the last thing I want to eat is Italian food. I’m looking for wasabi, I’m looking for dumplings, chile, things like that. I’m going to pass on that question because the last time I had Italian food in New York City, I was at Patsy’s with a friend of mine and that is like a total throwback. Every Italian restaurant has its own niche.

  • What are the best lounges in New York City?

    Pegu Club. Julie Rainer is the bartender and she’s done a fabulous job. But I like drinks outside of the country. The Kona Kai Bar in London—having a beautiful drink made there. The Four Seasons in Hong Kong, the Blue Bar—beautiful. The hotel itself is fabulous, just gorgeous. The Four Seasons in Florence. I mean, drinks there and espresso. <br/><br/>Also, the InterContinental in Hong Kong for drinks. Unbelievable view.

  • What are the best places for brunch in New York City?

    At Marea, we do it sort of at lunchtime, and there are a couple dishes that are not traditional, like the poached egg with crab. Most restaurants, when they call it ‘brunch’ in New York City, it’s a couple of courses. It’s maybe a bakery basket, a very nice omelet or market vegetables, so I think that type of brunch is alive and well. I might do dim sum in Chinatown, or go to dim sum at Chinatown Brasserie. On Sundays, Red Farm does a really, really great dim sum. Or, for brunch, something fun like Trestle on Tenth, or Five Points is classic. Cookshop on 10th Avenue. Those are actually owned by the same people that own Five Points, Hundred Acres and Cookshop. They’re really doing a fabulous job with brunch. And Minetta is an excellent spot.

  • What are the best places to stay in New York City?

    I would stay at the Mark or the Carlyle because it’s away from Times Square, away from the regular hustle and bustle. All of a sudden, you could take a walk in the morning right out into Central Park and see how the Upper East Siders are waking up. Or you can go to the Bowery Hotel or the Rivington, or even the Thompson Hotel. That’s what’s cool about New York — you can get any kind of vibe you want. If you wanted to have a classic vibe, you could go to the Waldorf or the Essex House.

  • What are your favorite cities to travel to?

    Hong Kong. For food people, there’s so much there to see. Everywhere you turn in Hong Kong, there are pork buns steaming in a basket. You go in the food courts, you go in these complexes, and the food quality is amazing. And then Singapore, Istanbul — I was just in Istanbul for the first time, and it’s just amazing there. The east/west kind of feel, and the food, it’s just amazing. I learn so much when I travel. Travel is knowledge. It broadens your horizons.

  • What are your favorite spas?

    I am so into anything self-pampering. I just had a Turkish scrub the other day. Amazing. The Lucky Plaza in Singapore has the absolute best foot massages — knuckle in the bottom of your foot piercing. You won’t fall asleep, but when you get up, you feel like you could do a half marathon. I like the barber at the Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, where you can get the dry shave.

  • What do you wear when you travel?

    Loose clothing. I usually wear long sleeves, like a long-sleeve Polo t-shirt or something like that. Some people really get dressed up to get on a plane. And you know, we’re very fortunate. You travel enough, and you get to ride up front. I’ll just stand there disheveled, like I look like I’ve gone three days without a hot shower. There are people who aren’t in business or first class that are really dressed up, so I feel really bad about that. I’m comfortable. I’m having the pork ramen soup at 5:00 in the morning, and everyone else is asleep because they’ve been drinking cognac and stuff like that. I stay right on-point, so when I get off that plane, I can go right into the kitchen.

  • What is the best time of the year to visit New York City?

    Spring and fall. It’s when the city is vivacious. It’s a buzzing metropolis. It never sleeps. That’s a great thing about New York City — you can do anything you want at anytime during the night. You can go to a bookstore in the middle of the night, you can go to a 24-hour grocery store. There’s just so much to do. Going to the zoo in Central Park, that’s awesome — especially on a date.

  • What’s on your travel playlist?

    There’s a whole mix of music. And you know, this day and age, you don’t even have to buy movies or anything. It’s usually on the back of the headrest on the plane. I could be listening to easy jazz or Stevie Ray Vaughn while writing recipes, or Jimi Hendrix.

  • Who’s your favorite traveling companion? Or who is the person you travel with most?

    That’s a hard question, but my wife. My child as well. And my partner, Ahmass Fakahany. We just went on 14 days together through Asia and Istanbul. So, we travel really well together. It’s really hard for me to pick a favorite. Wherever I go, if I’ve been there before, I enjoy whoever is going with me because I like to show and give my past experiences to the person. Wherever I go, if I have the opportunity, I love to show someone around.