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Venue # 7
Dinner at Bibendum

In 1987, London entrepreneurs Terrance Conran and Paul Hamlyn bought the 1911-vintage Michelin Tire Building in London's Chelsea district, and ornate, mock-Orientale landmark faced in decorative tiles and inset with leaded glass windows dipicting the adventures of the so-called Michelin Man - whose name, it turns out, is Bibendum, from the Latin nunc est bibendum ("now is the time to drink").There, teaming with a then-unknown young chef, Simon Hopkinson (now the author of best-selling cookbooks), they opened the resturant that would change the way Londoners dined. Gone were the heavy foods and the heavier formal atmosphere; in was a combination of French Bistro and traditional British cooking, and the notion that "dinner" should be a relaxed evening with friends. Tonight we offer a dinner from the menu of Bibebdum and an evening with (perhaps new) friends.

514 Mulberry Street
Jeffery Brautigan & Robyn Ryle

Friday, June 26, 2009
7:30 p.m. - ?
8 guests
No Smoking
$45.00 per person

Menu
Starters: Joan Stirling's Cold Curried Apple Soup.
We don't know who Joan is, but it doesn't matter; Hopkinson created this especially for summer evenings. This velvety soup features (among other yummy things) apples, Madras-style curry, and fresh mint.

Salad: a Salad of Baby Lettuces and Fresh Vinaigrette.
A sliced shallot is allowed to interact with the balsamic vinegar for exactly to minutes. Thena littel olive oil is wisked in and the mixture is tossed with baby lettuce and a pinch of sea salt. This will convince you that sometimes simple is really best.

Entree: Steak au Piovre.
this French bistro classic has never been off the menu at Bibendum and is its signature dish; a six ounce beef filet with a black pepper corn crust.

Sides:
Several Glasses of Red Wine
We will serve you sparkling water if you are abstaining from alcohol, but we recommend the wine if at all possible for medicinal purposes; the tannins in the red wine will counteract any effect the red meat and reduction suace will have on your arteries. Aselection of delightful but unpretentious reds from the marvelous offerings of the Madison Apothecary will be on hand. So far our favorites are the Bogle petit syrah, and nice Toscana, but a couple of big bold cabernets will also be needed to stand upto the pepper crust.

Robyn's Chick PeaSalad with Roasted Red Peppers, Capers, Garlic, and Olive Oil
Okay, this has never been on the Bidendum menu, but it is brilliant, and will ease our health-conscious minds as we devour the Steak au Piovre.

Grilled Seasonal Vegetables
Natures freshest "veg" straight from the Madison Growers' Association's Community Supported Agriculture bag of the week, light brushed with olive oil and on and off the grill quickly to preserve taste and texture.

"Afters": (the Brits really do say this)
Fresh Fruit and Cheese Plate
Really just an excuse to linger and enjoy the company (and perhaps to have one last glass of wine, a tawny port, or cognac)

Beverages: Red wines, tawny port, cognac, or sparkling water (optional)