In Robert May's cookbook"The Accomplished Cook" (published in 1660), Mays deplores the fact that "the custom of making dishes that startle and arouse the diner is fast disappearing." Three hundred years later, modern day chefs share the same lament as they are daily faced with the challenge to create dishes that inspire and delight, menu after menu. Our Feast to Celebrate a Painting will startle, arouse and make Mr. May proud.

We had great fun researching not just styles of painting for the "Palace Kitchen", but the history of food, restaurants, cookbooks and kitchens. We discovered a fascinating array of food history books; Sara Paston-Williams' The Art of Dining, covers the perspective of the English noble class with passion. Reay Tannahill's Food in History is chronologically helpful, and has some terrific menus from Italy, Spain, Russia, France and even the Americas. More of an encyclopedia than a narrative, but with plenty of historical perspective beyond the topic of food, is James Trager's Food Chronology.

From these books we've culled a menu that represents a typical banquet menu as depicted in the "Palace Kitchen" painting. Please join us for a memorable and delicious party as we officially dedicate Jennifer Carrasco's wonderful new painting. The dinner will be served in the manner of a feast, family style, and includes the following (with some additional surprises):

The Menu

* Malaga wine and Pisan biscuits * Eels in a thick, spicy puree * Oysters * Saltwater fish fritters * Roast bream and darioles * Cabbage soup with sausages * Pomegranate-sauced sturgeon * Spit-roasted quails with sliced aubergines * Spit-roasted rabbits with sauce and crushed pine nuts * Pastries filled with minced veal sweetbreads * Leg of goat, spit-roasted, with a sauce made from the juices * Soup of almond cream with pigeons * Stuffed fat geese with mushrooms * Marigold Tarts * Apple Snow * Spiced Meringues * Quince Pastries *

The price per person is $75 plus tax and gratuity and will include carafes of house wines. Seating is "festival" style at large tables. Please call Maureen at (206) 448-2001 to make your reservations or send an e-mail to office@tomdouglas.com

Sakonnet Vineyard Wine Dinner

Tuesday, March 2nd

Join us on Tuesday, March 2nd for a Wine Dinner at the Palace Kitchen, featuring the delightful varietals of the Sakonnet Vineyards of Little Compton, Rhode Island.

Founded in 1975, the vineyard was built on the premise that the climate and soil conditions of the Southeastern New England coast closely resemble some of the great wine regions of the world, particularly, the maritime climates of northern France. Sakonnet has fifty acres planted with many Vinifera varietals, including Chardonnay, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc, as well as Vidal Blanc, one of the French-American hybrids. The vineyard produces over 50,000 cases annually.

Tom and Jackie have traveled to Little Compton to cook at the winery at Sakonnet's for their annual summer festivals. This year, Sakonnet has accepted our invitation to visit us and introduce to the Northwest what the Northeast has to say about wine production. Owner Susan Samson will tell us all about her winery, and Palace Chef Matt Costello will create a classic Northwest menu to match the wines.

The cost of the dinner is $75 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Please call (206) 448-2001 to reserve your seat.

Back