"Ahhhhhh" isn't that what we're searching for? There's an "ahhh" place and moment for everyone! For me, it's "The Classics" done right! I'm a romantic and a nostalgic... especially when it comes to food! Do you remember a time when Champagne Cocktails and Martinis were "the" signature drinks of the jet set crowd? When a decent coktail hour preceded every fine dining experience? When the suave and debonair wore smoking jackets and graciously pulled out a chair for their female companions convenience.... Ahhhhh, this is what I'm talking about. There wasn't a problem in the world that couldn't be fixed over the clinking of martini glasses and not a celebration on earth that didn't involve a fluted glass of bubbly! Then came the appetizers.... starting with perfectly chilled bluepoint oysters on the half shell. Briny, succulent and inviting you simply couldn't resist! And there's something so alluring about gargantuan sized shrimp dangling off of a glass bowl that's been filled with a horseradishy cocktail sauce! Remember escargot, duck liver pate or tender, steamed artichokes served with drawn butter???? Ahhhh, this is Le Bon Vivant!
The evening is set, everything is perfect, no attention to detail has been overlooked. I hear Frank Sinatra in the background, I look around the room and see laughter, and hugs, and toasts, and oh so sweet kisses that promise "the night is young...."
And then dinner is served.....! There's Duck a l'orange, the quintessential 24 ounce Lobster Thermidor, double cut and roasted Rack of Lamb with mint and of course double Prime New York Steak! If you are invited to a dinner party at my house, these classics are sure to be the inspiration!
Remember when desserts were flaming and prepared tableside? Remember Banannas Foster and Cherries Jubilee? What ever happened to these honorable distinctions? he sudden burst of flame that erupts when brandy is kissed by fire always results in oooohhhhs and ahhhhhhs..... And everyone in eyeshot of the dramatics being performed at your table wants to be in your seat!
Turn the music up, Frank is signing "The Way You Look Tonite....". Pop open another bottle of Champagne..... ohhhh my dear, these are the things that make you go "ahhhhh...... ".
No comments:
Post a Comment