A culinary journey to the heart and soul of the American cuisine. Tuesday, July 26, 7 pm The Oneness-­‐Fountain-­‐Heart Restaurant 157-­‐19 72 Ave, Flushing, NY, 11367 Discover and taste the favorite dishes of Thomas Jefferson! With special guest Nripal Eric Petersen, editor of the book “Light and Liberty” performing as “President Thomas Jefferson”. For reservations please call 718 591 3663 Welcome! Welcome to a journey to the heart of American cuisine, which is equally a journey to the heart and soul of Thomas Jefferson. During this evening we are trying to reconnect with the spirit and atmosphere of the very frequent dinner parties at Monticello. The dishes that you will taste, served by waiters in traditional costumes!, were among the favorites of President Jefferson. He brought some of these recipes from France to America. Bon appetit! Editor Nripal Eric Peterson will join us dressed as “President Thomas Jefferson”. He will address the guests and also answer their questions, in the spirit of the former president. Sit back, relax and enjoy! Thomas Jefferson’s Place in American Food History It may be difficult to exactly define Thomas Jefferson’s true place in American food history, however his influence was so big that some claim that Thomas Jefferson was at the very center of our national culinary identity. The author of the Declaration of Independence and third President of the United States was not only statesman but also introduced ice cream, macaroni, tomatoes, vanilla, French fries and even the French cuisine to the young republic. The surviving documentation of Monticello’s food culture is marvelously rich, from Jefferson’s own notebook, to the family’s personal letters, to detailed accounts of food purchases. These documents provide a vivid picture and authentic understanding of Jefferson’s curiosity about growing, preserving, and cooking of fine food, not to mention his real passion for eating well. DINING AT MONTICELLO -­‐ MENU APPETIZERS SOUP À LA JULIENNE $4.50 A colorful soup representing the seasonal offereings of the garden at Monticello. Here we are using carrots, turnips, celery and potatoes that are cut into fine strips and then fried for a moment before being tenderly cooked in the soup. OR GARDEN GREEN SALAD $4.50 We are using seasonal mixed salad greens of the season, lettuce, spinach, endive, radicchio and cress, fresh herbs such as sweet basil, marjoram, mint and small scallions. Served with fresh edible flowers for even more color… ENTRÉE CHICKEN FRICASSÉE WITH BAKED MACCARONI GRATIN $14.95 The Chicken Fricassee comes with rich and savory Mushroom gravy. It is accompanied with a baked macaroni gratin with Parmesan cheese, green peas and a medley of different carrots -­‐ all favorite dishes of Thomas Jefferson. DESSERT BREAD PUDDING WITH VANILLA ICE CREAM AND RASPERRY CREAM $5.50 Many of the guests at Monticello particularly mentioned the exclusive and wonderful desserts served there. With this signature combination we are trying to live up to this tradition. The bread pudding is accompanied with homemade ice cream with real vanilla, and lovely raspberry cream. COFFEE or TEA S1.95 Prix fixe for the complete Menu $ 25.00. The dishes are also available individually. (The regular Menu is also served during the evening) About Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson had a charm of manner and conversation
that passes all description - so cheerful - so unassuming - so
free, and easy, and frank, and kind, and gay - that even the
young and overawed and embarrassed visitor at once forgot
his fears and felt himself by the side of an old and familiar
friend. There was no effort, no ambition in the conversation
of the philosopher. It was as simple and unpretending as
nature itself. And while in this easy manner he was pouring
out instruction, like light from an inexhaustible solar
fountain, he seemed continually to be asking, instead of
giving information. The visitor felt himself lifted by the
contact into a new and nobler region of thought, and became
surprised at his own buoyancy and vigor. He could not,
indeed, help being astounded, now and then, at those
transcendent leaps of the mind, which he saw made out
without the slightest exertion. And there seemed to be no end
to his knowledge. He was a thorough master of every subject
that he touched. There seemed to be no longer any terra
incognita of the human understanding; for, what the visitor had thought so, he had now found
reduced to a familiar garden walk; and all this carried off so lightly, so playfully, so gracefully, so
engagingly, that he won every heart that approached him, as certainly as he astonished every
mind.
- United States Attorney General William Wirt's 1826 tribute to Thomas Jefferson.
About Nripal Eric Peterson
acting as President Thomas Jefferson during the evening.
Most in my acquaintance fondly wish to see the standard of our country
raised to the level set by her founders. Nowhere is that lofty standard
more beautifully and powerfully articulated than in the writings of
Thomas Jefferson. I have for some years immersed myself in his
ennobling thought. Here was born and here
breathes the vision of America we treasure,
the light that has steadily guided the progress
of the world to this day.
Light and Liberty: Reflections on the Pursuit of Happiness is a unique book of upliftment. In undertaking this project, my goal was to make Jefferson approachable and his penetrating insight easily assimilable for Americans today.
“In Light and Liberty, Eric Petersen has gathered together a volume of Thomas Jefferson's
writings which are at once deeply spiritual and practical. This inspirational book has the
potential to capture the imagination and energize the present-day world to dream great dreams
and to do good deeds.” - Archbishop Desmond Tutu