Guess Who is Coming to Dinner?

I have been reading M.F.K. Fisher again. She is a marvelous writer, great essayist. Whether she is reflecting on her life spent in a variety of locations, or whether she is writing about food and its special qualities… she writes in a wonderful sensuous style. Great phrasing and an economical use of words (not my strong suit).

Wouldn’t it be fun to talk to her?

Well… there you go. Talking to a food writer… obviously over dinner. Who else would I invite…

Here is the list:

M.F.K Fisher… writer, traveler, storyteller, lived life filled with parents, grandparents, children, lovers both here and Europe and knew how to pick out great produce.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart… my favorite composer. Musical genius. If nothing else he could play some music after dinner.

Red Smith… sports writer. He had a marvelously literate style and he spanned a time from Grantland Rice to current writers covering sports. It would be a gas to listen to his anecdotes.

I have already picked out the menu.

We will start with the freshest of oysters accompanied by an Alsatian Pinot Blanc that I have just tried by Jean Baptiste. Normally I would have put a Chablis with this course… but this Pinot Blanc has a delightful smokiness that would pair perfectly to the briny oysters.

A simple bistro entree… Steak Frites served with another wine that I have just picked up… Delas Seigneur de Maugiron Cote Rotie.

For dessert Creme Brulee served with Ch. D’Yquem. I adore this Sauternes. And my advice to you is acquire any vintage of this wine, it really makes so little difference. It is always the best dessert wine and “bad” vintages (or vintages of lesser quality, if you prefer) just cost less.

Excellent… OK, Wolfie… what are you going to play tonight?

I think I may do this again.

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You can plan your own dinner and guest list. But first a few ground rules. No one living. It’s only dinner and conversation. Everyone has to keep their clothes on.

By the by… this little exercise also regularly appeared (and maybe still does) on the back page of Bon Appetit as part of questions put to various notables… you know… name three things you keep in the frig, name three people you would like to have dinner with, etc., etc.