They used to own Great Events Catering in Key West and the two are graciously hosting me in their three story Staten Island home with its cozy kitchen. Once you have dinner with them you won't want to eat anywhere else. Louie's meals rival any you can get in the city -- he's cooked for the likes of Jude Law, Sienna Miller, Glenn Close and President Clinton.
To start, it was beautifully plated. I felt like we were eating in a high end restaurant instead of their kitchen, where their two adorable children were screaming and throwing rice.
I was a little hesitant because I've never had sea bass, but oh man, I'm definitely going to have to start eating it more often. It was extremely fresh (I helped carry it from the car hours before), and I think that was what made it delicious -- that and the butter of course. So flaky and moist, pieces of the fish fell away into the broth.
He was inspired by the fresh ingredients and just kept throwing things in. He relied on nothing but his palette and his gut instinct. To me, that's what makes a great chef.