Bun Boy Eats LA
BUN BOY EATS LA - Entries tagged with perfect world

FINAL DINNER ON THE TITANIC

  • April 14, 2013 6:37 am

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I have been obsessed with the Titanic since I was a kid.

I would read every book, I would watch every documentary. I knew a lot of facts and figures.

And then I forgot it all.

Last year marked the 100th anniversary of the sinking and a lot of food bloggers and restaurants decided to recreate the final meal served to the 1st class passengers before the boat sank at 2:20 a.m. on April 15, 1912.

Since I don’t like to follow the crowds, I decided to wait until the 101st Anniversary to do my epic Titanic gorgefest.

I’m also posting this on April 14th before the boat sank cuz I’m an optimist. Maybe this time there will be enough lifeboats.

Like a lot of people, I’m emotionally attached to the people and events of this tragedy. I could watch underwater video of the Titanic shipwreck for hours, recreating in my mind what it was like on board before the sinking.

This is one of the most important meals I’ve ever been involved in and am proud to have some good friends help me out.

For those of you wishing to have a go at it, make sure you have help. There’s no way you can pull it off otherwise unless you want cold, stale, crappy food.

Not a worthy tribute to the 1500+ souls lost on that fateful night.

In a perfect world, it would be one person per course but you’ve got to have a lot of faith that those folks aren’t gonna eff it up, so best to take on a few yourself.

I used the book “Last Dinner on the Titanic” to guide me in my quest and provide me with authentic recipes, menus and timelines.

I also purchased Music Aboard the Titanic to play in the background while people ate. Supposedly, these are tunes straight from the White Star Line Orchestra songbook.

I also purchased some authentic reproduction china from The Titanic Store. It wasn’t cheap but I thought it would be worth buying for this once in a lifetime meal.

The company that sells the china also owns the rights to the shipwreck so you can’t get more authentic than that unless you have some cash to throw around at Titanic auctions.

Tonight, I shared my love of good food and the Titanic with some amazing friends. Several who helped cook a course or in Captain’s case, rent dishes, glassware, cutlery and chairs!

Anyone interested in taking this epic feat on, it’s worth it.

Authentic Reproduction White Star Line china, as served on the R.M.S. "Titanic"

Authentic Reproduction White Star Line china, as served on the R.M.S. “Titanic”

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The 1st Class Dining tables were adorned with Pink Roses

The 1st Class Dining tables were adorned with Pink Roses

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1st Course - Cream of Barley Soup

1st Course – Cream of Barley Soup

2nd Course - Asparagus Salad with Champagne Saffron Vinaigrette

2nd Course – Asparagus Salad with Champagne Saffron Vinaigrette

3rd Course - Punch Romaine

3rd Course – Punch Romaine

4th Course - Poached Salmon with Mousseline Sauce

4th Course – Poached Salmon with Mousseline Sauce

5th Course - Chicken Lyonnaise with Potatoes Anna

5th Course – Chicken Lyonnaise with Potatoes Anna

6th Course - Roast Lamb with Mint Sauce

6th Course – Roast Lamb with Mint Sauce

7th Course - Waldorf Pudding

7th Course – Waldorf Pudding

The doomed passengers on Titanic's final voyage.

The doomed passengers on Titanic’s final voyage.

I WILL BE UPDATING THIS POST A BIT LATER TO INCLUDE ALL THE RECIPES. STAY TUNED!

THE HAT

  • May 26, 2011 1:01 pm

Last Saturday, I woke up from under my hangover and GPS’d my way to Altadena (Alta who?) to hike up the mysterious Echo Mountain.

At the top of the “mountain” are the ruins of the old resort, White City.

This sounds a bit more exotic than the spray painted cement foundations that remain.

I felt a bit duped.

I also didn’t really realize that the little hike would end up being a “three hour tour” and after licking the remaining liquid from my tiny, empty water bottle, my appetite became voracious.

I remembered driving by a really old Pastrami joint on my way to Echo Mountain. Soon the image and taste of this sandwich became all I could think about.

I had forgotten my sunblock and my abortive attempts to cover my neck with my hand (while making sure the camera bag chafing my shoulder didn’t slip off) were comical.

The Hat is a 60 year old Pastrami chain with several inconvenient locations.

The sandwich was good and greasy….

OK, I had just written a little dialogue about Oprah. Having never seen an episode, I didn’t feel it was fair to spew out my narrow-minded thoughts on this television diety just yet.

Stay tuned to hear what I have to say when I finally get through an episode…FYI, it’s not looking good.