Poi Dog Sauces and Farina Di Vita are Collaborating to Create The Guava Cutlet Royale Featuring a Hawaiian Style Sauce
Farina Di Vita (250 Catherine St.) is no stranger when it comes to collaborations. The premier sandwich shop and deli has produced some of the city’s top creations that has incorporated various cultures including Puerto Rican and Mexican, now Farina DiVita co-owner Jason Okdeh will be going Hawaiian.
That’s right Farina Di Vita is collaborating with Poi Dog Sauces founder Kiki Aranita along with Chef-Husband Ari Miller to introduce The Guava Cutlet Royale, a mouthwatering new sandwich offering available at Farina Di Vita (250 Catharine St) from February 4th through March 2nd.
The Guava Cutlet Royale ($9/6-inch, $18/12-inch) consists of a Farina Di Vita signature chicken cutlet nestled inside a Cacia’s Bakery seeded roll, hit with a stream of Poi Dog Guava Katsu Sauce, layered with Japanese A5 Wagyu Fat sautéed onions (with Wagyu Fat provided by The Wagyu Sommelier); finished with a helping of Farina Di Vita’s signature Mac Salad. The tropical, umami flavors of Poi Dog Guava Katsu sauce bring a bright, transportive note to the otherwise rich and savory sammy.
“We met Chef Okdeh at a holiday party – where he was dressed as South Philly Santa, of course. After trying some of our sauces that night, he proceeded to drink one right from the bottle!” noted Chef Kiki Aranita, founder of Poi Dog Sauces. “We all immediately knew we needed to team up to create something delicious together.”
Farina Di Vita is known for over-the-top sandwiches that often showcase Italian flavors and ingredients – but Okdeh is often open to collaborate with other chefs and makers.
“As soon as I tried Kiki’s Poi Dog Sauces I knew we could do something great,” noted Okdeh. “As much as I love my own menu, I also love to work with other chefs to shake things up and create something one-of-a-kind. The Guava Cutlet Royale has so much going on – you don’t want to miss it.”
Aranita spent seven years as co-chef and owner of Poi Dog, a Philadelphia-based restaurant and catering company that served Hawai’i’s local food. The brick-and-mortar location closed in July 2020, but Aranita has kept the brand alive in her line of retail sauces and through pop-ups spanning Huli Huli Lobster Rolls at Oyster House, Hawaiian Pulled Pork at Fette Sau, a Huli Huli Chicken Bowl at Chopt, Chili Peppah Water over Salmon Shoyu Poke, Chili Peppah Water Caesar dressing, and many more.
More info on Guava Katsu sauce: Tropical, umami-rich, fruity and gingery. A Japanese-style bbq and dipping sauce made with guava, miso, ginger, tomato and dried mushroom. Meaty, rich and deeply flavorful — but it happens to be vegan! Ingredients: Tomatoes, Guava Paste, Filtered Water, Soy Sauce, Vinegar, White Miso, Ginger, Fresh Garlic, Onion, Mushroom, White Pepper, All Spice.
The Guava Cutlet Royale is available at Farina Di Vita (250 Catharine St) from February 4th through March 2nd. Hours of operation: Tuesday to Friday 11am – 6pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am – 4 pm.
