STORIES
Explore Every Day
Pinpointing the extraordinary in the routine. Getting lost in the complexities of the many things we take for granted. Finding the common ground that connects us all.
Rayan
The evening was cinematic. The amber glow of candlelight flickered against velvet tablecloths and brassy chandeliers as piano music accompanied percussive rain on window panes. The crowd was boisterous, their voices and cheers filling the dance hall of the Refectory at Columbus Park, each course served a new reflection of Midwest autumn.
Harvest Season Spritz
Today, we are taking a moment to toast this micro-season that holds the harvest. Be it a pause before the abundance of autumn, a last look at lazy beach days and lingering back porch dinners as the sun sets, or just extending the feeling of al fresco season a little bit longer, take a break and make yourself a cocktail that connects the freshness of summer with the warmth of fall.
Sea Smoke
After wandering the botanical gardens with seasonal welcome cocktails, lacy leaves glistening with water droplets against grey skies, we gathered in the greenhouse. We listened to the patter of rain on the roof and the chatter of good conversation while the chefs stayed warm over hissing cooking fires just outside the translucent walls.
Heritage (Grains) and Griddle Cakes
These cakes have been popular for hundreds of years in part due to their versatility — “a pancake is just an avenue for sauces, or to add things on top,” Brent explains. The toasty flavor of cornmeal caramelizes on the outside of these griddle cakes to create a delicious, subtly sweet pancake perfect for topping with any variety of sauces or garnish.
Doppelgänger
There’s a very short window of time when the days blend together with blissful regularity, the sun shining steadily over warm days and the farmers market. We took inspiration from the languid mingling of summer days and hosted two Suppers in a row celebrating the height of Maine summer.
Summer Paella Party
This dish is designed to feed a group, cooked and served all in one pan. Paired with a crisp Txakolina or fruity red wine and a summer salad, it makes the perfect summer dinner. Throw down some festive linens and a trivet, present your paella, and linger as everyone helps themselves to seconds. Enjoy a sobremesa that lasts long into the evening; the Spanish tradition of post-dinner conversation around the dinner table is almost as good as the dish itself.
Cultivate
A few of the farmers, like Akilah Zuri Campbell, who grew the gorgeous Alabama Blue collard greens featured on the menu, were even able to join us at the table to experience the fruits of their labor and connect our guests to the source of their meal. The evening ended with a stunning mountain sunset, summer finally winning the war of seasons that had been waging all day, while everyone lingered at the table to stay connected a little bit longer, to this place and each other.
Rifugio
Our first Italian Supper was our most romantic Supper yet! On a hilltop overlooking Spina, Umbria, we set a secluded table in the dim candlelight of the medieval Castello di Saint’ Apollinaire. We started the evening with welcome cocktails in the courtyard, made with elderflower and olive oil pressed just down the road, as the light slanted low through the trees during golden hour.
Callisto
It was so fun to look out across the orchards and rolling hills to see silhouettes floating through the tall grasses with glowing orange glasses in hand. Meanwhile, Chef Daniel Sabia of Wood Fire Food was stoking the cooking fires to prepare a midsummer feast of local treasures, showing off this region’s spoils. We sat down together for dinner against the beautiful backdrop of the farm, the heavy grey skies of the cloud-covered day serving to brighten the greens of the surrounding grasses and set the white fur of the goats in their pens gleaming.
Champagne
On a sultry afternoon just days before the summer solstice, the Frey Family opened their private Château in Champagne to us to host a beautiful Supper in their backyard. The storied rooms of Château de Mareuil have hosted Queens of England and Czars of Russia throughout history. We were delighted to work with Hautes-Côtes to set an intimate table amongst the trees to join in good company.