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Dana Klitzberg

Chef/Owner, Blu Aubergine

Profile_1 Red wine poached pear tart with homemade ginger ice cream and spiced wine reduction Udon seafood noodles with calamari and rock shrimp Lobster feast/Clambake Coconut tapioca pudding with homemade blackberry-buttermilk ice cream Grilled lobster with summer succotash, sea beans, and kaffir lime leaf beurre blanc Seared duck breast with squash blossoms, asparagus, and a black cherry-port sauce Rigatoni alla Norma (eggplant, tomatoes, basil, and ricotta salata) Hangar steak with chimichurri, purple and sweet potato coins and cherry tomatoes Flourless chocolate cake with lavender creme chantilly and fresh figs Braised Roman duck legs and seared breast with balsamic, cipollini, and figs Oven roasted branzino over sauteed artichokes with sea beans and meyer lemon aioli Watercress and microgreen salad with butternut squash, pepitas, gorgonzola, and pomegranate vinaigrette
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3 things diners should know about me:
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Former executive chef of much-loved eateries in Rome.
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I specialize in authentic, regional Italian fare, from seasonal Roman specialties to the seafood of the coastline, rustic Tuscan to Moorish-influenced Sicilian fare.
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My planning skills are honed by years working in PR and events. Expect friendly, professional service with a smile.
What is your signature dish?
Very hard to select one, but I'm known for my great Italian dishes, including amazing pastas, seafood, and meats, and in particular: EGGPLANT. Melanzane. Yes, I'm obsessed. I've turned many eggplant-haters into ...
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Overall satisfaction based on 12 reviews
Review date:
05/19/2013
Host:
John F.
The Custom Cooking Lesson for 2
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Dana made us an amazing Mexican meal, and was fun and informative in the process.
We enjoyed having her with us!

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Review date:
05/15/2013
Host:
Courtney H.
Cocktail Party - Basic for 20
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Chef Dana and her team were FANTASTIC. This was my first time booking a kitchit event, and it couldn't have been easier. She took care of every last detail, and the kitchen was spotless when she left. I had about 15 people over for a heavy hors d'oeuvres cocktail party. Dana brought two additional

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Review date:
04/05/2013
Host:
Laurie C.
Four-star dinner party for 7
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Dana prepared a fantastic southern Italian dinner for me and my friends. She started with olives and three different types of crostini for hors d'oevres. Then we sat down for dinner of a salad, a delicious swordfish main course, and chocolate chip ricotta cheesecake with balsamic berries. And she

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Review date:
01/30/2013
Host:
Samantha S.
Casual meal for 36
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Dana exceeded every expectation we had. We were able to pull off a 40 person birthday party for my mother in less than 5 days. The food was amazing and everyone was relaxed and kept their cool even when the kitchen appliances were not working as well as they would have liked. The staff was also fr

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Review date:
11/22/2012
Host:
Jim C.
Casual meal for 7
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Our experience with Dana was fantastic. I used the Kitchit service to get in touch with her to plan a dinner for my wife's 30th birthday. The food was absolutely fantastic, all the guests agreed, and it made for a singularly memorable experience for my wife. Dana was very friendly and easy to work

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Review date:
10/23/2012
Host:
Dana G.
Casual meal for 12
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The food was awesome! Chef Dana was very organized, thorough and professional. We enjoyed our experience profoundly and would definitely recommend her and Kitchit to our friends!

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Review date:
10/23/2012
Host:
Derron S.
Review date:
10/18/2012
Host:
Jaspar W.
Review date:
09/03/2012
Host:
Michael F.
Casual meal for 20
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Dana was wonderful. All of my guests thoroughly enjoyed her cooking and she was a pleasure to work with. Thank you Dana and Kitchit for making my "Winding down the summer" party a tremendous success!

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Review date:
08/15/2012
Host:
Tony
Casual meal for 18
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Dana was incredibly professional and friendly. She prepared an Italian, family-style feast for my family and (and very particular) in-laws. Because we were short on time, I did the food shopping, and Dana then worked with all of my "raw" ingredients to create a fabulous on-the-spot meal. We had ap

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Review date:
07/02/2012
Host:
Jim W.
Casual meal for 4 in New York, NY
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Dana is totally professional, presents an enthusiastic personality but never becomes a guest at the party. She is eager to pick up on the host's culinary tastes, and finds fresh, great tasting market ingredients to match. She is really a top notch chef, creative and friendly to boot. She has a first

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Review date:
06/30/2012
Host:
Tim L.
Casual meal for 12 in New York City, NY
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Dana is a great chef, and easy and fun to work with. She had great menu ideas, and the food was really delicious. One of the reasons I was drawn to Dana was that she talks about using what is fresh and seasonal- and she totally did. Great job, and thanks- everyone had a great time- and it was all

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based on 12 reviews
My culinary résumé
Education
Institute of Culinary Education, New York, NY
University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Syracuse University Florence Program, Florence, Italy
Restaurant Experience
Ristorante Cibus, Rome, Italy, Executive Chef
Ristorante Pasquino, Rome, Italy, Executive Chef
Le Bain, Rome, Italy, Chef de Partie
San Domenico NY, New York, NY, Chef de Partie
Helpful notes
My top cuisine specialties
  • Italian
  • Mediterranean
  • Pastry
  • Seafood
  • Southeast Asian
  • Argentine
  • BBQ
  • Brazilian
  • Cajun/Creole
  • Farm-to-Table
  • Caribbean/Jamaican
  • Classical French
  • Greek
  • Indian
  • Middle Eastern
  • Moroccan
  • New American
  • Pan-Asian
  • Peruvian
  • Soul Food
  • Southern
  • Spanish
  • Thai
  • Vietnamese
  • Wine Pairings
Diets I can accommodate
  • Diabetic/Low-carb
  • Gluten-free
  • Kosher
  • Nut/Allergen-free
  • Vegetarian/Vegan
Travel
I serve the New York Metropolitan area. Outside of the 5 boroughs, I charge set minimums for my time and travel fees. I am also available in most cities around the country -- travel expenses to be discussed.