THERE’S NO REASON to be ashamed of your cravings for cheesy mac or your penchant for Pop-Tarts. In fact, playful chefs around the world are encouraging patrons to eat like a kid by putting a sophisticated spin on childhood staples. Here are four of our favorites:
LOBSTER POP-TARTS
Barton G. The Restaurant, Los Angeles
These flaky pastries are filled with a creative combination of Maine lobster, Gruyère and a Pernod Mornay sauce. Instead of a frosting finish, tarts are served with Tabasco hollandaise and tarragon aioli. Bartongtherestaurantla.com
FRIED HOUSEMADE BOLOGNA SANDWICH
Remedy, Dallas
This lunchbox favorite gets a gourmet upgrade with shavings of house-made bologna, melted American cheese and sweet onions piled between two slices of buttery, griddled challah. Remedydallas.com
STUFFED MACARONI
Epicure, Paris
Four-Michelin-starred chef Éric Fréchon serves a grown-up version of mac ’n’ cheese: handmade pasta stuffed with black truffle, artichoke and duck foie gras, gratinated with matured Parmesan cheese. Lebristolparis.com
BURGER DI TARTARE DI MANZO
T Bar; Lake Como, Italy
This sultry burger will be your new happy meal. Made with a melt-in- your-mouth patty of beef tartare, the burger is blanketed with delicate shavings of black truffles and tartar sauce served on a freshly baked bun. Grandhoteltremezzo.com –KRISTY ALPERT