Even though Chef Michael has moved on, his legacy lives on at La Strada (322 Westheimer, 713-523-1014) in “Michael’s favorite chicken” ($12.95). Thin slices of chicken scallopini, which have been coated with spicy bread crumbs and then sautรฉed in a lemon-butter sauce, are piled high on a bed of smooth mashed potatoes. A simple topping of diced fresh tomatoes and capers adds a nice touch of color and another depth of flavor. The accompanying mรฉlange of sautรฉed vegetables, which includes onions, carrots, broccoli and red cabbage, adds a rainbow of colors to this traditional Italian dish with a spicy undercurrent.

This article appears in Aug 12-18, 2004.