Remember my post on the late Gene Hovis- the man whose gorgeous home and envy-inducing linen and silver collection piqued my fascination? Well, he popped up again, this time in the Tiffany Gourmet Cookbook
Hovis' library/dining room was the setting for this elegant meal. I know, I know- I've read where many are tired of the library cum dining room concept. But don't you kind of fall in love all over again with the idea when you see how smashing Hovis' dining room looks? Good books, good food, and a beautifully appointed room. Really, what could be better?
The menu consisted of Crown Roast of Lamb with brussel sprouts, deviled carrots, and pan-fried shredded potatoes, served on Tiffany's "Yellow Bird" faience platter. Hovis also included a yummy looking tomato aspic with shrimp and crawfish nestled on a Tiffany ribbed silver tray. (And please, don't knock the tomato aspic- it's really good. I swear!).
The dessert course- coffee profiteroles with chocolate sauce- is laid out in front of a 19th century French hand-blocked paper screen- yes, I am coveting this. And wouldn't you be pleased to take tea or coffee served from this Louis XIV service from Tiffany's?
So my question is- do any of you still entertain like this? And if so, how often? I love formal entertaining but don't do it often enough. I think Mr. Hovis has inspired me to do so.
(You might also be interested in Gene Hovis' Uptown Down Home Cookbook
Jennifer -- I never tire of this stuff. Never tire of library/dining rooms. And the cookbook sounds great. What a Food Network show Hovis could have had -- I mean in the elegant spirit of Ina or Nigella.
ReplyDeleteGlad to have my Internet access restored!
I LOVE tomato aspic... It's a great, light (and lite) summer supper!
ReplyDeleteJennifer, what a lovely post!
ReplyDeleteOnly wish I could replicate this fabulous menu for a dinner party I am having tomorrow night!
Thanks for another inspiration!
I have not done that in years. I remember how excited I would get. It is an art and a labor of love. I do miss it. This has inspired me to pick a date and do it soon. Ironing linens and polishing silver is part of the joy, we should slow down long enough to do this.
ReplyDeleteCourtney- Glad you're back in business! :)
ReplyDeleteMeg- Me too! Love the stuff!
ReplyDeleteMimilee- Doesn't that menu sound yummy? Although, I'm not a big lamb fan, but I might make an exception for this!
ReplyDeleteShandell- Good for you! Yes, it is a labor of love, but isn't it fun to display all of your pretty things? I'm going to do this soon too!
ReplyDeleteWe entertain somewhat formally once a week, usually on Saturday night, in the country. Honestly it's the only excuse I have to put on the dog, at least as far the table setting goes. Last week-end it was dinner for eight, with a coral-and-cream toile de Jouy tablecloth, cream linen napkins, and a centerpiece of red, brown, and cream Staffordshire dogs of various sizes (not my finest hour but the colours worked and all the guests seemed pleased by the candlelight).
ReplyDeleteAesthete- I wish I could get my act together and entertain like you! I think your table setting sounds really charming, especially the Staffordshire dogs.
ReplyDeleteOh, man. This looks amazing, especially the lamb and the dessert!
ReplyDeleteI don't entertain much; lately my husband and I prefer small intimate dinners (with our best silver and china) or to go out. We keep meaning to be social but I guess for now we're just enjoying being empty-nesters after 22 years of raising children!
Looks to me like a proper dinner party in terms of coziness and recognizable, unpretentious food. I would even be tempted to overcome an aversion to the sprouts from Brussels, that's how attractive
ReplyDeletethat main course looked on those ravishing plates!
Has there been a "reaction" to the dining room cum library? If so I cannot imagine why.
Cashmere- That's perfectly understandable- you and your husband just want some alone time! I prefer small, intimate dinner parties too. :)
ReplyDeleteToby- That's how I feel about the lamb! Yes, I have read a few comments lately (on blogs and in magazines) about how the dining/library combo is a bit stale. But they might change their mind if they saw Hovis' dining room!
ReplyDeleteWow! That screen is just beautiful! Just am in love with it.
ReplyDeletePorter- Me too! I would LOVE to have a screen like that.
ReplyDeleteI met Gene Hovis a number of times over the years, at a couple of parties at a mutual acquaintance's house and then in a shop that he had in Hudson, New York. Never found him to be anything other than waspish and dismissive. Probably says more about me than him, but I was always startled at how rude he was.
ReplyDeleteReggie- Oh dear, that is disappointing to hear. Well, at least he knew how to set a beautiful table! ;)
ReplyDelete(I have an avatar name, but it's been lost on blogger. I'm teamrookie)
ReplyDeleteRudeness is often a mask for some shortcoming, maybe he just isn't comfortable talking to people. I rarely take rudeness personally.
I love to entertain like this, but haven't really done so since moving from my home of the Eastern Shore in Maryland. My Chicago apartment has great views, but I just haven't all the components with me here. Working on it though.
Teamrookie- You just might be right about Hovis. My new home is not quite together yet, so I have not started the entertaining either. Good luck on your project!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny you should mention tomato aspic. I just discussed the merits of this food with a friend of mine who was lamenting the fact that a whole generation of younger women (her daughters, in particular) really don't enjoy it. On the other hand, I cannot remember a family holiday meal or lady's luncheon without it, and I rank it high on my list of favorite dishes, in all of its incarnations.
ReplyDeleteThis is my first post on you blog, and I can't wait to read through the rest of it. Apparently, it's a treasure trove of design information. Thank you for what must be the considerable time and effort you've spent on this endeavor.
Sheila
Sheila- Thank you so much for your kind comment! I'm predicting a comeback for tomato aspic- I'm starting to see it served more often down here, so I'm holding out hope :)
ReplyDeleteThe Tiffany design books of that era are fabulous! There are nuggets to be mined.
ReplyDeleteGene Hovis - a yummy classic!
And yes I give dinner parties like this.
Not as often as I used to, because it is getting more and more costly.
But we still manage at least 4 a year.
And yes I cook this way.
Everyone is watching their diet for better health, so a once-in-a-while dinner like this is a special treat.
Fall is here, and with it comes my desire to give a dinner party. I have one planned in the next couple of weeks.
Wish you all lived near so I could set a place for you!
xo xo
I can't imagine ever getting tired of the dining room/library concept! It's a great way to give dual purpose to a room that is often not used so much - plus I think dining among books has a romantic and classic feel. I do have nice dinner parties occasionally, but I don't have the formal china, silver tea service and fine linens. I live a more casual lifestyle - but always fresh flowers on the table, candles and silverware with simple linen tablecloths and napkins.
ReplyDeleteTT- That's proof that you can entertain graciously in both formal AND casual homes!
ReplyDeleteIt's weeping lamb and oven roasted potatoes tomorrow night. Just finished unpacking a couple of more china patterns that had been in storage for a couple of years, so I'm looking forward to the dinner party. Might have to go the tomato aspic route -- my fishmonger carries a very good one.
ReplyDelete