This is part of an ongoing series highlighting Signature Dishes at locally owned restaurants in the region. See Trib Total Media’s new online directory of restaurants, Dine Local, at dinelocal.triblive.com.
A new restaurant housed in a historic venue in New Kensington is dishing up lots of buzz.
The Bloser Mansion, located in the Parnassus section of the city, opened last month. The co-owners are Alyssa and Corey Pistininzi and Kelly Corridoni.
Chef R.J. Favro’s signature dish is his own creation: Chilean sea bass with lobster risotto and fresh greens ($30).
“This is the customers’ favorite dish and we sell out every week,” Favro said. “It’s just something I came up with a long time ago. I love cooking seafood and Chilean sea bass is my favorite fish. The risotto shows my southern Italian roots and the lobster, it just pairs so well.”
Chilean sea bass is a mild, white fish with a flavor similar to swordfish, found in cold waters in the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian and Southern Oceans. Bloser Mansion orders whole fresh, never frozen, fish flown in weekly.
Favro, who studied at the Pittsburgh Culinary Institute and trained in Italy, has worked as a chef across the nation. He says the secret to this dish is in the seasonings, pan-searing cooking method and a really hot pan, with a careful eye as not to overcook the fish.
The Bloser Mansion was built in 1921 for E.A. Bloser, a prominent businessman who owned Bloser Jewelry.
He designed the home and spent five years constructing a home for his family. Wood was imported from Michigan, the Phillippines, Ohio, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi and Washington.
Local artist Sandy Schantz spent countless hours helping to restore original murals located throughout the home, previously painted over by a past owner. Renovations took several years and are still ongoing. Future plans include offering several rooms for rent on Airbnb.
“This house was built during the 1920s, so it has that feel to it,” said co-owner Corey Pistininzi. “We want guests to feel more like you’re in a house party. There’s a lot of interaction between tables so it’s an experience here.”
The Bloser Mansion (479 Sixth Ave.) is open Wednesday and Thursday from 3 to 9 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 3 to 9:30 p.m. Call 724-331-0299 or see the Facebook page at facebook.com/blosermansion to make reservations via TableAgent.
