A Taste of the Well-Traveled Table
Sample Signature Lunch & Dinner Menus
My menus reflect a love of international cooking, seasonal ingredients, and the pleasure of sharing wonderful food.
The following examples offer a taste of what we might create together. Each menu can be discussed and refined to suit your gathering, subject to ingredient availability and kitchen requirements.
Each menu is designed for intimate gatherings of two to eight guests in the Palm Springs area. I've emphasized international influences, complementary flavors, variety across menus, and the practical differences between plated and family-style service.
Plated Lunch Menus
An Afternoon in Provence
Amuse Bouche: Mini Comté gougère with thyme
First: Chilled tomato gazpacho with basil oil and a crisp Parmesan tuile
Main: Composed Niçoise salad with seared tuna, haricots verts, baby potatoes, olives, tomatoes, and soft-boiled egg
Dessert: Lemon olive oil cake with macerated berries and lightly whipped cream
The Coastal Table
Amuse Bouche: Cucumber round with shrimp and dill crème fraîche
First: Shaved fennel, orange, and arugula salad with citrus vinaigrette
Main: Golden crab cakes with preserved-lemon aioli, sweet corn succotash, and tender greens
Dessert: Individual peach and blueberry crisps with vanilla bean ice cream
The Italian Riviera
Amuse Bouche: Parmesan frico with whipped ricotta and cracked black pepper.
First: Heirloom tomato and burrata salad with basil and aged balsamic
Main: Cedar-plank salmon with lemon-herb white bean purée, roasted cherry tomatoes, and basil oil
Dessert: Individual almond panna cotta with seasonal stone fruit
Plated Dinner Menus
Mediterranean Elegance
Amuse Bouche: Muhammara in a miniature phyllo cup
First: Roasted beet salad with whipped goat cheese, pistachios, orange, and mint
Main: Yogurt-marinated lamb chops with saffron couscous, roasted baby carrots, and mint-pistachio salsa verde
Dessert: Dark chocolate mousse with orange zest and almond brittle
An Evening in France
Amuse Bouche: Wild mushroom and thyme tartlet
First: Frisée and endive salad with warm goat cheese, walnuts, and Dijon vinaigrette
Main: Seared duck breast with cherry gastrique, individual potato gratin, and haricots verts
Dessert: Vanilla bean crème brûlée with fresh berries
A Spanish Evening
Amuse Bouche: Andalusian gazpacho shot
First: Roasted beet salad with candied orange, Manchego, and toasted almonds
Main: Seared scallops with saffron rice, grilled asparagus, romesco, and parsley oil
Dessert: Crema catalana with seasonal berries
Family Style Dinner Menus
A Spanish Gathering
To begin: Gambas al ajillo; mushrooms in sherry; Marcona almonds and olives
Shared table: Seafood and chicken paella with saffron rice, grilled asparagus with romesco, and a simple green salad
Dessert: Crema catalana
The Eastern Mediterranean Feast
To begin: Hummus, muhammara, warm pita, and marinated olives
Shared table: Yogurt-marinated lamb chops; herbed bulgur pilaf; roasted cauliflower with tahini; Israeli carrot salad; cucumber-yogurt sauce
Dessert: Orange blossom panna cotta with pistachios
A French Country Table
To begin: Warm goat cheese crostini with caramelized onions and thyme
Shared table: Lemon-rosemary roast chicken with pan jus; gratin dauphinois; haricots verts with shallots; butter lettuce salad with mustard vinaigrette
Dessert: Rustic apple and pear galette with vanilla ice cream
These family-style dinners would benefit from generous serving platters, attractive bowls, and dishes that hold their quality for a reasonable period at the table.