Madeleine, je t’aime, especially when butter and radishes are involved. The CORN MADELEINES at HERBIE’S VINTAGE ’72 hold this classic French combination – with a touch of Asian and Midwestern flair. Smear those petite, slightly sweet cakes with a swath of butter that’s whipped into waves of briny ocean goodness, thanks to the addition of red, orange and wasabi-green tobiko, then garnished with Missouri paddlefish caviar. Follow it up with a bite of crunchy radish salad, brightened with mint ribbons and a squeeze of lemon. This standout, summery hors d’oeuvre is what fusion dishes aspire to be: a subtle, seamless blend of culinary traditions.
Herbie’s Vintage ’72, 405 N. Euclid Ave., St. Louis, 314.769.9595, herbies.com
This article appears in June 2014.