Taking cues from musical scores with a botanical theme, our festive floral menu showcases a bouquet of blossoms. Presented in an alcove of the garden, this symphony of flavors is certain to leave a lasting impression.
“Dewy, scented, pretty violets, you are standing, shy, half hidden, among the leaves,” declares a hopeful lover who retreats to the garden in “Le Violette,” an aria from Italian Baroque composer Alessandro Scarlatti’s opera Pirro e Demetrio. As fresh and playful as the charming melody, our Violet Champagne Cocktail highlights the delicate flowers described in the lyrics.
Befitting the influential French artiste Claude Debussy’s energetic and rhythmic “Jardins Sous la Pluie” (Gardens in the Rain), the final movement in his Impressionistic solo piano triptych Estampes, Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho conveys bright flavor in every bite. For our version of the chilled soup, cooling cucumber balances spicier ingredients, creating a vibrant harmony.
Dessert ends the soirée on a sweet note. The lighthearted Rosen aus dem Süden (Roses from the South), a waltz by Austrian virtuoso Johann Strauss II, inspires Rose Petal cheesecake, a creamy delight with tantalizing hints of lemon.
Text Melissa Lester Photography Marcy Black Simpson Styling Melissa Sturdivant Smith Recipe Development and Food Styling Rebecca Treadwell
