He is serving dishes like seared yellow-fin sashimi tuna rolled in crushed black pepper, napoleon of barbecued eel and grilled swordfish steak with crispy rice noodles and vegetable ragout.

Dinner might begin with outstanding openers of consomme with foie gras ravioli; lusty vegetable ragout with black truffles; or creamy lobster and coral risotto subtly scented with rosemary.

Some say it was first known as Chakchouka, a Berber word meaning a vegetable ragout.

The informal Grill offers light options such as a vegetable ragout subtly dosed with curry.

Instead, there are baby lamb chops on the bone, a vegetable ragout, coq au vin and a roasted beet salad.

A dozen sea scallops, flawless and beautifully seared, surrounded mashed potatoes and a vegetable ragout in a moat of winy broth scented with fines herbes.

At Gramercy Tavern, he showcases them in a roasted vegetable ragout with leeks and also serves them diced and puréed alongside monkfish wrapped in pancetta.

A chicken and wild mushroom omelet shares the menu with sea scallops with vegetable ragout.

Also good was a special, lobster brandade ravioli with a vegetable ragout.

He described the entree as hybird American - grilled Arctic char and lobster sausage with wild mushroom risotto, braised fennel, vegetable ragout and a roasted garlic and lime sauce.