James Beard House Events

A few months ago, courtesy of a generous friend, I experienced one of the most sublime meals and gastronomic nights of my life. Quite a statement but I promise you, a dinner at the James Beard House in Greenwich Village is a magical time. I attended the "Wine Lovers Dinner" presented by Paul Kulik, celebrated Nebraskan chef of The Boiler Room in Omaha along with Jesse Becker, Master Sommelier. The evening began in the greenhouse with delectable passed hors d'oeuvres and a delicious "old-fashioned inspired" cocktail made with Bonal (a complex aperitif wine), prosecco and orange peel - and I use quotation marks b/c trust me, it tasted exactly like an old-fashioned. The hors d'oeuvres: wagyu beef navel pastrami with marrow sabayon on brioche, house 18 month prosciutto, corned beef tongue with puffed crawfish & horseradish, and sweet potato churros and house cured salmon roe. After an hour, and mind you it is a bit like an opera so expect to stay 3-4 hours, we ascended into the dining room and took our places at immaculately laid tables with champagne in James Beard's very own living room. I ended up going by myself and was wondering whether I might be seated at a table for 1, however everyone is seated at circular tables of 10 so be prepared to mingle - and what better company than a bunch of food and wine lovers! We then began a six-course meal with fabulous wine pairings and Jesse Becker narrated with each offering. I've included the full food and wine pairing menu below - it was just divine. Right before dessert, Chef Kulik and team came out to thundering applause from his happy diners and stayed to answer questions from an admiring crowd. Truly, it was a night to remember and thankfully, there will be many more nights to come. The James Beard Foundation offers 20 events each month and are open to the general public. Discounted prices are available to members.

For a list of upcoming events, click here.

For membership details, click here.

For the amazing meal I had, which should have been renamed Pork Lovers' Dinner (which is why I deliberately chose this one), please see below:

Wine Lovers' Dinner at James Beard with Paul Kulik and Jesse Becker
March 30, 2011

Dinner Menu:
House Charcuterie
dried chorizo, finocchiona, bresaola
Vigna Dogarina "Oro", Prosecco, Veneto, Italy NV


Araucana Chicken Egg Raviolo
shadowbrook farms chevre, smoked ham, claytonia
Rudi Pichler, Gruner Veltliner, Federspiel, Wachau, Austria 2009

TD Niche Red Wattle Pork Belly
royal red shrimp, pea shoots, cherry belle radish
Movia, Sauvignon Blanc, Brda, Slovenia 2008

Nebraska "Ossabaw" Pork Loin
cheeks, sunchokes, oregon yellowfoot mushrooms, obtuse du doubs carrots
J. Hoffstatter, Lagrein, Steinraffler, Alto Adige, Italy 2002

Slow Roasted House Red Wattle Coppa
lemongrass sausage, iowa flageolets, minutina
Tardieu-Laurent, Gigondas, Rhone Valley France 2008

Shadowbrook Farm Goat Milk Panna Cotta
strawberry-rhubarb macaron, coffee froth
Cultiva Coffee Roasters coffee, Chemex-brewed, Lincoln, Nebraska