When Hilda told me she was retiring from the restaurant business, I wanted to provide her with a final send off. Many times the restaurants that nourish, indulge and generally feed our bodies and souls go with out much notice as they pass on into our memories. For the creative force that she was and still is in the kitchen, I wanted to pay homage to her passion for cooking and for making beautiful food for others. I invited her closest friends and asked them to bring a handmade business card describing Hilda’s next big culinary or non culinary adventure.  The ideas ranged from the sentimental retired lifestyle to hilarious new business adventures including a wine and “tapaless” bar! We sat for a couple hours after dinner at the sunflower bedecked table just laughing. What a memorable evening.

An Evening in the Garden- September 2003

Peach Sangria

Grilled Prawns in Orange Chipotle Marinade

Fresh Figs and Pears with Cambazola

Wild Salmon in a Blackberry Balsamic Reduction

Torta di Riso

Green Beans with Browned Butter and Toasted Pinenuts

Strawberries Grand Marnier

Port

Coffee