Out for Dinner at Delmonico's in 1882: How About Something Light? [Updated]

You mean to tell me that all the folks that would dine at a joint like that would have to be able, speak French?

Posted by chasmatic at February 3, 2014 6:41 AM

Restaurant French.

Posted by vanderleun at February 3, 2014 7:29 AM

I found a recipe for Consomme Sevigne. It starts: Take half a breast of cooked fowl. Pound it to pulp.

Posted by DHH at February 3, 2014 9:41 AM

I found it too as you can see and expanded the entire item.

Posted by vanderleun at February 3, 2014 10:05 AM

Isn't that something! I can't help thinking that Consomme Sevigne must taste like the best baby food ever.

Posted by DHH at February 3, 2014 10:43 AM

This is becoming racist. Or linguist. Something -ist. Foodist. Elitist. Wealthist. I got it ... I know ... er, gimme a sec ...

C'mon Peanut Gallery, I need some help here ...

Posted by chasmatic at February 3, 2014 4:30 PM

So who knew that these staid WASP-y New Englanders were Gilded Age gluttons the equal of any Roman orgy? What can be the explanation?
1. The portions were all very small, or
2. Not everybody ate or tasted everything, and the proprietors of Delmonico's took that into account, or
3. Staid wasp-y New Englanders was always propaganda.

Posted by John A. Fleming at February 3, 2014 8:53 PM

Not really surprising. We of the late modern age forget how little physical effort our lives entail, even compared to historic leisure classes.

The Edwardians were gigantic eaters as well.

http://www.amazon.com/Last-Dinner-On-Titanic-Recipes/dp/078686303X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1391531223&sr=8-1&keywords=dinner+titanic

Posted by ThomasD at February 4, 2014 8:30 AM

It wasn't mere "cooking" and it wasn't mere "eating." It was a love affair -- as most really good dining still is. Anyone who has ever read (or seen) "Babette's Feast" knows this. The people of the austere village thought they would be committing sins of sensual pleasure just by partaking in a "real French dinner."

Posted by AbigailAdams at February 4, 2014 10:52 AM

....and, Gerard, my mouth is now watering! Not a very good post for post-New Years' resolutions!!

Posted by AbigailAdams at February 4, 2014 10:55 AM