Okay, this one’s a doozy. I was on a momentary history kick. So I’d gone back and done some searching on things that happened in various fields in February of ’97s – starting with 1397 and moving forward. In blog format the table layout isn’t going to work, so the table was laid out with columns for Year, Art (each with a thumbnail of a painting), Literature (each with a quote from something published at that time relating to food), Politics (an event), Food & Wine (my menu). I think this is also the first dinner at which I took some photos….
February 9, 1997
1397
Pisanello (Antonio Pisano), most well known painting “Portrait of a Princess of the House of Este”
“And namely, fro the white wyn of Lepe, … This wyn of Spaigne crepeth subtilly.” Geoffrey Chaucer, The Pardoner’s Tale
Union of Kalmar between Sweden, Denmark and Norway
Asian broth with a medley of smoked shellfishes and fishes served with Hidalgo Manzanilla Fina
1497
Hans Holbein the Younger, most famous for his paintings of Henry Viii and family
“Her is good rink, and here is good pie.” John Heywood, A Mery Play
Cornwall Rebellion, Vasco da Gama rounds the Cape of Good Hope
Cornish root vegetable pasties and green peppercorn cream served with a 1995 Hamilton Russell Vineyards Chardonnay
1597
El Greco paints “St. Martin and the Beggar”
“Will you strive for wine?”
“Give us a fresh cup; I will have ye friends.” John Lyly, the Woman in the Moone
Japan campaigns against Korea
Kanso amazake marinated lamb with mint sauce served with a 1988 Cavalleri Tajardino
1697
Canaletto (Antonio Canale), famous for paintings of piazzas and courtyards in Venice
“Read, read, sirrah! and refine your appetite … feast your mind … read and take your nourishment in at your eyes; shut up your mouth, and chew the cud of understanding;” William Congreve, Love for Love
China conquers western Mongolia
Duck confit and fresh ham with crispy wontons and plum/brandy sauce served with a 1971 Chateau Haut-Brion
1797
Ando Hiroshige, known for his series of paintings of the 53 Stations along the Mt. Fuji pilgrimage trail
“For he on honey-dew hath fed, And drunk the milk of Paradise.” Samuel Taylor-Coleridge, Kubla Khan
Napoleon conquers Austria
A selection of cheeses (Bleu Castello, San Marcellin and San Luca) served with a 1992 Hiedler Weissburgunder halbtrocken
1897
Henri Matisse, known for his use of color, especially in paintings of simple, daily life
“Who will have some lemonade? You know our rules: total abstinence.”
“No use, dear. They’ve all had champagne.” Bernard Shaw, Candida
Turkey declares war on Greece
Lemon curd served with a 1988 Pol Roger Brut champagne
The table, set for dinner.
My boyfriend Mark, and someone who I can’t recognize from the photo.
Raymond, the maitre d’ from Felidia where I was working; Frank, my friend who has illustrated my books; and friend Bob
The lamb.
The duck confit, ham and crispy wontons.
The lemon curd.
