Meals

Chez Vilardi 👨‍🍳

Posted by markhadland on
Grilled lamb chops on a stovetop grill with a hand using tongs to turn them, alongside a cast iron pan of crispy hash browns and various cooking ingredients in the background.
Joe’s classic grilled veal chops.

Few people know how good friends Joe and I are. I have known Joe well for about 15 years, when he was in his fifties! I met Joe when he was the famed proprietor and owner of Bellevue’s esteemed Bis on Main restaurant. By far the best restaurant in the greater Seattle area under Joe’s fine stewardship, but also my favorite place to dine. I had all of my family’s birthday dinners there, a couple of company-wide holiday parties, and dinners with special friends such as Ron and Bonnie Elgin. For many years, there was no better place to dine, drink, and be merry with friends and strangers.

In the mid-2010s, Joe and I began cooking for each other at our respective homes, which we affectionately referred to as our Iron Chef sessions. It became a serious affair with each of us trying to one-up the other with exceptionally planned and executed meals. It became so severe and intense, with extreme competition, that we had a trophy made, which the victor would keep until they lost a competition.

Since then, Joe has graciously hosted me and some combination of my kids over the years, serving up truly heartfelt meals where we share friendship, fatherhood, wine, and fantastic food – all paid for and prepared by Joe! Thank you, Vilardius.

The following is a collection of the many meals we have enjoyed at Chez Vilardi.

A silver trophy with the name 'VILARDIUS' engraved on it, featuring decorative handles, placed on a table with a textured background.
A silver trophy with the engraved name 'HADLANDIUS', featuring decorative handles.
The famed Hadlandius Vilardius Trophy.
A close-up of a shiny silver trophy with decorative handles, inscribed with the name 'Villardiu'. Surrounding it are hints of greenery and festive decor.
The current winner.

Needless to say, in addition to running an exceptional restaurant, Joe is an excellent chef, so much so that I choose to acquiesce to his greatness, let him cook for me at his home, and graciously let the trophy rest well at his domicile. I have not held it in possession for years. Joe thinks I’m a cheap chickenshit and won’t cook for him at my house.

Joe also has an exceptional wine cellar that he generously shares with Carter and me.

Wines

A close-up of a 2008 Tokaji Sárga Muskotály wine bottle is displayed on a textured tablecloth, with a hint of candlelight and a bowl in the background.
A close-up of a bottle of Hourglass Estate Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, 2013 vintage, displayed on a textured tablecloth.
A close-up of a bottle of Nicolas Feuillatte Champagne, vintage 2002, labeled Palmes d'Or Brut, displayed on a wooden table.
A close-up of a wine bottle labeled 'Vérité La Muse' from 2006, showcasing the elegant design and details of the label.
A close-up of a bottle of Pahlmeyer wine from the year 2012, featuring a classic label design.
A bottle of Continuum wine displayed on a table, with a blurred background featuring a chair and a candle.
A bottle of Vérité La Muse, a 2006 Sonoma County red wine, displayed on a wooden table.
A close-up of a bottle of Kosta Browne Bootlegger's Hill Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley, with a white label and dark glass bottle, set on a table with white linen.
Two glasses of red wine filled to different levels, placed on a countertop with a blurred kitchen background.
A variety of wine bottles displayed on a kitchen countertop, including both empty and full bottles from different vineyards.
The damage in one evening

Veal Milanese

Joe prepared a classic Italian dish, true to his heritage, Veal Milanese. It was accompanied by sauteed haricots vertes and larger string beans.

A chef holding a breaded veal chop above a frying pan in a modern kitchen, wearing an apron and a checkered shirt.
Two breaded veal chops cooking in a skillet with oil on a stovetop.
Two grilled veal chops cooking in a frying pan, with a hand holding tongs to flip them.
A crispy, breaded veal chop resting on a paper towel, showcasing its golden-brown crust.
A tray of crispy, breaded veal chops resting on paper towels, showcasing their golden brown texture.
Chops for Vilardius, Hadlandius, Jack, Carter, and Charlie. Father-son dinners are the best.
A pan filled with red tomato sauce, garnished with herbs, sits on a stove next to a smaller pan with remnants of sautéed garlic.
A person stirring a pot of pasta in a modern kitchen, wearing an apron and a checkered shirt, looking content.
A wooden countertop with a cutting board displaying minced garlic, a knife, and various cooking utensils. Nearby are bowls of asparagus and green beans, a glass of white wine, and seasonings.
Mise en place – a true master, Vilardi is!
A chef preparing asparagus in a kitchen, with a stovetop and cooking utensils visible.
A person cooking asparagus in a skillet on a stove in a modern kitchen, with a view of the kitchen countertop and tools in the background.
A plate featuring a breaded veal cutlet accompanied by sautéed sugar snap peas and a mix of colorful roasted peppers.
A true masterpiece!

Grilled Veal Chops

Next up is one of Joe’s specialties and one of my favorite dishes he cooks, grilled veal chops. His prep course was a lovely, dungeoness crab wasabi salad in lettuce cups. A true Northwest meets Asia delicacy.

A person in an apron prepares food in a modern kitchen, mixing ingredients in a bowl, with plates of lettuce nearby.
A chef holding a bottle of champagne in a kitchen, wearing a white apron and a blue checked shirt.
A chef in a kitchen preparing vegetables on a wooden cutting board, with a mixing bowl and various ingredients visible in the background.
A chef smiling and holding a mixing bowl filled with ingredients, surrounded by cooking utensils and fresh produce in a modern kitchen.

I always pay close attention, savoring copious glasses of fine wine, learning from the master, Viladrius. Joe has truly upped by cooking game.

Two wine glasses filled with red wine on a kitchen countertop, with wine bottles in the background and kitchen utensils visible.
Three friends posing together in a kitchen with a large inflatable chicken between them. The scene has a warm and cheerful atmosphere.

Charlie the Chicken made a special guest appearance.

A smiling man in an apron holds a large plate of meat in a modern kitchen.
It was time for the blessed veal chops.
Grilling veal chops on a barbecue grill with smoke rising and warm lighting.
Two men standing near a grill smoking while preparing food, one wearing an apron and the other dressed casually, in a warm indoor setting.
Joe and Carter at the grill.
A fresh green salad served on a light blue plate, featuring a mix of lettuce leaves and cherry tomatoes, lightly seasoned with pepper.
A plate featuring grilled veal chops, asparagus, and a medley of sautéed bell peppers and onions, showcasing a colorful and appetizing presentation.
Close-up of a wine decanter labeled 'Vilardius' with colorful reflections and bubbles on its surface.
Close-up view of a silver cup engraved with the name 'HADLANDIUS'.
Up for grabs?
Table set with wine bottles, glasses, and a candle, creating an inviting dining atmosphere.

Grilled Veal Chops Part Deux

A man preparing food in a kitchen, mixing ingredients in a bowl with lettuce leaves on a plate in front of him.
A chef preparing a dish in a stainless steel mixing bowl, holding a fork in one hand and a container of green sauce in the other, inside a modern kitchen.
A man with gray hair wearing a black vest is preparing a dish in a kitchen, handling a bowl of ingredients while arranging lettuce leaves on a plate.

One may notice a trend here: Joe only prepares veal chops. He may be a one-trick pony, but boy, can that pony turn tricks. The only way I can discriminate between Joe’s meals is by the different shirts he wears.

Plate of marinated grilled veal chops seasoned with herbs, resting on a decorative plate on a kitchen counter.
A marble countertop with three plates: one with blue cheese, another with thinly sliced meats wrapped in plastic, and a third with large, marinated veal chops ready for cooking.
A person wearing an apron pours wine from a bottle into a decanter on a dining table, surrounded by wine glasses and a candle.
Master Somm.
Two smiling men posing for a selfie in a kitchen setting, one wearing a blue blazer and the other in a plaid shirt.
Grilled veal chops cooking in a cast iron skillet over an open flame, generating smoke.
A man in an apron preparing food in a modern kitchen, surrounded by fresh vegetables, a mixing bowl, and various cooking utensils.
A man in a checked shirt and apron prepares a salad in a modern kitchen, with kitchenware and ingredients visible around him.
A person grilling veal chops on a cast iron skillet, focused on cooking in a dimly lit interior.
A chef grilling meat on a barbecue while holding two plates of food, one with slices of meat and bell peppers, and another with a large grilled chop and sides.
A beautifully plated dish featuring grilled veal chops with a side of sautéed mixed vegetables, including peppers and squash, against a kitchen backdrop.
A beautifully plated dish featuring a grilled veal chop topped with a dollop of butter, accompanied by a mix of roasted vegetables including zucchini, carrots, and potatoes.
A chef in a kitchen plating food on blue plates, surrounded by various cookware and ingredients.
A plated dish featuring grilled veal chops topped with mushrooms, accompanied by assorted sautéed vegetables including zucchini and bell peppers, presented on a blue and white plate.
A true masterpiece – if Joe ever ran a restaurant, I would surely dine there!
A glass decanter filled with red wine on a dining table, accompanied by a water bottle and various dishes in the background.

Grilled Veal Chops Part Trois

Two men sharing a warm embrace at a restaurant, with one man playfully kissing the other's cheek.
A man holding a bottle of Pol Roger champagne in a modern kitchen, wearing a light blue shirt.

A table setting with several bowls of food, including crab meat, lemon slices, and sauces, alongside a platter of sliced meat in the background, with a hand reaching towards a bowl.
A platter of smoked salmon garnished with capers and thinly sliced onions, served with a bowl of toasted bread in the background.
A platter of fresh endive leaves arranged neatly, accompanied by bowls of toppings including a mixture, shredded ingredients, and a sauce, set on a dark wooden table.
A plate of marinated grilled veal chops, seasoned with herbs and sliced onions, ready for cooking.
A person whisking a mixture in a large stainless steel bowl with chopped herbs and red liquid remnants, suggesting preparation for a cooking process.
A person whisking a mixture in a stainless steel bowl, with remnants of ingredients visible at the bottom. In the background, there’s a kitchen setting with an oven and plates of food, including cherries.
A person's hand whisking a mixture in a large silver bowl, with remnants of herbs and sauce visible, set on a countertop.
A person in a white apron is pouring olive oil from a large can into a mixing bowl while whisking ingredients in a kitchen setting.
A hand using a spatula to flip a golden-brown potato dish in a cast iron skillet, with grilled veal chops in the background.
A skillet on a stove filled with sautéed green beans and leafy greens, garnished with bits of garlic.
Grilled veal chops seasoned with herbs, cooking on a grill, with sautéed vegetables and a pan of sauce in the background.
Grilled veal chops on a gas grill with smoke rising, showcasing their charred surface and garnished with herbs.
Grilled veal chops on a stovetop grill, with a hand holding tongs. A skillet with fried potatoes is visible in the foreground.
More grilled veal chops.
A skillet filled with chopped green cabbage on a stovetop, with a silver bowl and knife set in the background.
A frying pan on a stove with sautéing garlic and oil, next to a large bowl of chopped lettuce and kitchen tools.
A frying pan on a stove with sautéed Brussels sprouts, showcasing vibrant greens and a slightly caramelized appearance.
Fried Brussels sprouts salad.
Grilled veal chop served with sautéed haricots vertes, string beans, and a side of shredded lettuce.
Perfection again.

To McIntosh HiFi & Friendship

A McIntosh audio system with multiple components including a turntable, displayed on a modern shelf. The turntable features a yellow vinyl record, with various audio CDs visible overhead.

Joe inspired me to elevate my HiFi game, as I have, over the many visits and years, admired his McIntosh setup, especially the large dual monoblock amps, vintage tuner, CD player, and quaint vinyl player. My setup is below. Thanks for the inspiration, Vilardius!

A high-end audio setup featuring multiple McIntosh components including amplifiers and speakers, with a large TV displaying music content in a room illuminated by blue lighting.
Two men smiling together in a restaurant setting, one wearing a blue blazer and the other in a white shirt with a purple tie.
Joe and I are at Bis on Main. I sure miss Joe there!
Two smiling men posing for a selfie in a dimly lit setting, with a colorful mural or wall art in the background.
Two smiling men embracing in a restaurant setting, one in a white shirt and tie, the other in a blue blazer.
Two friends smiling for a selfie, with a colorful abstract painting in the background.

With all the Verite in my heart and stomach, this depicts the nature of our friendship. Vilardius, you are a true friend, and I am much better for having you in my life. I love and adore you, Hadlandius! Time for me to regain the trophy!

True friendship in action!

I also want to express my gratitude to Joe, as he generously gave Carter his first job, working as a busboy at Bis on Main. That’s what many corporate holidays I sponsored at Bis, years of extravagant birthday dinners, and dining there multiple times a week for over 10 years, upping my wine orders from mediocre Washington wines to the finest Napa produced, such as Spottswoode and Opus One, and hundreds of thousands of dollars keeping him afloat got me. You’re welcome!

Joe sold Bis on Main in late 2023. Sad for me, but great for Joe to retire in style. One of his most significant legacies is his eponymous cookbook, ‘Bis on Main’. It is, by far, one of the best-written and photographed tomes on cooking I have ever read. I proudly keep my copy in my kitchen for quick reference to recipes from which many memories originated, and for the writing that reflects the career of a great human, and serves as a good guide on how to live one’s life. I love the photos of all the staff who became friends over the years, and I cherish them greatly. Upon Joe’s departure, he gifted Carter the host station copy—a beat-up, dog-eared book with marked-up pages—a generous gift and a lasting legacy of what Joe had given to so many people in the community. I genuinely love you, my friend! Hadlandius.

A cookbook titled 'bis on main' by Joe Vilardi, featuring images of dishes and people dining.
Buy this book!
A handwritten envelope addressed to Hadlandius in colorful letters, featuring a snowman and a reindeer on stamps, dated December 16, 2024.
Still on the mailing list!

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