Diane has been climbing the culinary ladder for twenty years; ever since her first boyfriend admitted her cooking tasted like… well. Some things are best left to the imagination. “This led to a lot of sitting on the toilet, reading take-out menus.” Rest assured, her cooking has improved significantly since then. Self-taught; Dimeo has cooked professionally in four restaurants, won on the Food Network’s program Chopped, and bought the Neighborhood Culinary Art School. Originally a Los Angeles native, she’s lived in Brooklyn for the last twenty years. She’s also the proud owner of Red Box Bistro, an invitation only affair… “Like a vagina,” said Dimeo proudly.
She freely admits that her latest exploits would be impossible without a great support team in place. “I have amazing people behind me,” she beams, “But I’m still a flaming bitch.” Those amazing people include a kitchen full of gifted cooks and bus staff. Tattooed hands and fingers danced nimbly over miniature burger patties and vegetables. Raw ingredients were quickly transformed into mouth-watering appetizers and loaded onto trays that returned in minutes, picked clean.
Such bitchin’ flames also cook her burgers, for which she’ll soon be well-known. The menu boasts a number of delicious-sounding combinations, reasonably priced—especially for the financial district. One imposing threat towards the back of the menu is the ‘1834 Super Tasty Roadkill Burger’, purportedly 10 pounds of prime angus for $75. I hear this and my mind immediately goes to The Great Outdoors, and that monstrous slab of cow that nearly undid John Candy.
As I’ve said—those looking for a health-conscious meal had best look elsewhere. Consider 1834 a guilty pleasure, an indulgence to enjoy every once in a while, lest high cholesterol and death-by-awesome-food is on your agenda. Still. I’ve seen what they have to offer, and I like. I like very much.
Bon appétit.
