Fabio Vivani’s Truffle Mushroom Risotto for BALANI

November 17, 2016 Elizabeth Fasula Blog

Truffle Mushroom Risotto Recipe

There comes a time in every man’s life where it becomes absolutely pivotal for him to cook a mouth-wateringly incredible meal. We’re not talking about just any old recipe; it’s THE recipe. A show stopper to be exact. One that makes a lasting impression, and is coveted deeply in your culinary arsenal.

This is that recipe.

Ingredients:
(SERVES 4-6)

– 2 C. Aborio Rice

– 1 T. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

– 2 T. Butter (unsalted)

– 2 EA. Spanish White Onion (diced)

– ½ C. Dry White Wine

– 6 C. Vegetable Stock

– 1½ C. Mixed Mushrooms, Roasted (Shitake & Oyster) **We added baby bella mushrooms to our recipe**

– 1 C. Fava Beans (Cleaned)

– ½ C. Robiola Cheese (Can be substituted for a Mild Brie Cheese)

– 2 T. Truffle Butter

– 1 T. White Truffle Oil

– 2 T. Truffle Pate (Found in specialty stores like Eataly or online at Amazon.com)

– ½ C. Grated Grana Padano

– Salt & Pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

STEP 1: In a large sauté pan, melt the butter with the olive oil, once it is melted and hot sauté the onion until translucent.

STEP 2: Add the Aborio Rice and toast it, stirring constantly for 2 min.

STEP 3: Add the white wine and cook until the wine is completely evaporated.

STEP 4: Add Fava Beans & Mushrooms, cooking till well incorporated about 1 min.

STEP 5: Add 2 C. of the vegetable stock & cook stirring constantly until the stock is evaporated.

STEP 6: Add more stock ½ C. at a time letting it get absorbed before adding the next one. Continue this process until the rice is tender but still has a little bit of a bite to it about 18-20 min. Stir, stir, stir!

STEP 7: To finish the risotto add the Robiola and Grana Padano, cooking the cheeses into the risotto to make it nice & creamy.

STEP 8: Add the truffle ingredients, butter, oil, & pate. Season with salt & pepper to taste.

Serve on plates garnished with micro greens and enjoy!

Charcoal Suit vs. Navy Suit

March 12, 2013 Sonny Balani Blog

When it comes to purchasing your first custom suit, the important thing to consider is versatility. Being that it will be the only custom suit in your wardrobe, it is likely that you’ll be wearing it for a variety of events. Whether you’re going to a job interview, a business meeting or a wedding, this suit must transition effortlessly into each scenario.

So, what color suit should you buy first? For most people, it’s a toss up between a solid charcoal and a solid navy suit. While a strong argument can be made for each suit, our personal preference is to start with a charcoal suit and add a navy suit second.

Our reasoning for this is simple. Not only is charcoal incredibly versatile, it also conveys the appearance of confidence, loyalty and strength making it a fundamental piece of your professional wardrobe. What makes charcoal so versatile is its ability to be dressed up or down with almost any color or pattern. Also charcoal matches beautifully with black, brown, burgundy, and chestnut shoes.

When it’s time to decide upon a particular fabric, our recommendation is to go with a classic sharkskin. The Sharkskin pattern is achieved by basket weaving darker threads with white thread thereby, giving it the impression of having a subtle two-toned appearance. Sharkskin is considered a solid, but its intricate weave gives the fabric more texture and dimension and ultimately makes it more interesting to the eye.

When you’re looking to dress the suit up for an important event, simply add a crisp white button down, a bold tie, and a black belt. For a more casual look, switch out the white shirt for a bold check and pair it with a canvas belt and open collar. Whether you are wearing a bold pattern, a heavy texture, or a basic solid, a charcoal suit will keep you looking dapper every step of the way.

Custom Suit vs. Off-The-Rack Suit

November 8, 2012 Sonny Balani Blog

There are three main factors that separate an off-the-rack suit from a custom suit and they are fit, construction and customization.

1.) Fit

Off-the-rack suits are cut from a generic pattern that is made to “fit” the masses. Obviously, not all of our body types are the same and the most important aspect of a jacket is having the correct shoulder structure. Usually, patterns run in basic shoulder, chest and length sizes. One of the issues most people face is that a 40R jacket likely won’t fit the same on someone who is 5’6” versus someone who is 6’.

When purchasing a custom suit, the first thing a tailor identifies is your personal shoulder structure along with taking a very specific set of measurements. From these measurements, a suit pattern is created and then the suit fabric is cut based upon your established pattern. This process is called bespoke, which allows the suit to fit and mold to your body properly.

2.) Customization

When deliberating between a bespoke and off-the-rack suit, one huge difference is the capability of customization. The bespoke process allows you to have complete control over the final design and look of your suit. It gives you the opportunity to design the cut of your suit, the lapel width, the pocket style and even the buttonhole stitching color. When purchasing an off-the-rack suit, what you see is what you get. You have zero capabilities to design the look of your suit, and ultimately you are stuck with whatever is available for better or worse.

3.) Construction

The canvas of a suit is usually one of the most significant ways to distinguish a custom suit from an off-the-rack suit. Canvas is the skeleton of the jacket and it provides the signature structure and drape of a suit jacket. All off-the-rack suits fuse/glue the canvas to the suit fabric. The problem with this is that over time, the glue will come undone from dry cleaning and you will begin to notice bubbling and rippling in the lapel. Fusing also seriously compromises the drape of the jacket. When a suit is bespoke, the canvas is hand sewn into the jacket allowing the drape to flow properly and eliminating any potential for rippling.

BALANI Bond Takes the Skyline Plunge

October 11, 2012 Sonny Balani Blog

The Mission:

Successfully rappel 27 stories down the side of the Wit Hotel dressed in a one-of-a-kind BALANI custom tuxedo.

Did he survive the plunge?

Did his tux make it out unscathed and unwrinkled?

Watch to see if BALANI’s own James Bond, conquers the Skyline Plunge.

Welcome Elizabeth!

September 10, 2010 Sonny Balani Blog, The Balani Buzz No comments

Balani is pleased to announce our newest clothing consultant, Elizabeth Fasula! Elizabeth’s background in marketing, design, and sales serves to masterfully pinpoint the unique qualities in her individual clients, and blend that style into their everyday attire. We’re very excited to have her as the newest member of the Balani Team!

It’s Official!

August 3, 2010 Sonny Balani Blog, The Balani Buzz No comments

Balani Custom Clothiers Flagship Store, located at 55 W. Monroe, in the Chicago Loop on the ground level, is opening today! The new space boasts triple the space, ensuring ease of scheduling appointments and fittings, as well as a greater variety of men’s furnishings including shoes, ties, cufflinks and socks.
Consultants Ricardo Bucio and Elizabeth Fasula will make the transition to the Flagship Store and would like to invite their clients in for a preview this week between 9:30AM-6:00pm. Moving forward, appointments or fittings scheduled with Ricardo or Elizabeth will be at 55 W. Monroe unless otherwise requested. Joe Mapes will continue to “Keep it Real” and hold down the fort at 10 S. LaSalle.

And while trite, we want to thank our clients for their continued business as this milestone wouldn’t be possible without you.

Cheers,
The Balani Team