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It’s Almost Thanksgiving, Shouldn’t We Just Leave Town?

Saturday, November 13th, 2010

Good Morning Darlings!

Turkeys, stuffing, in-laws, barking dogs, housecleaning. Doesn’t it sound exhausting? Wouldn’t it be nice to wake up on the fourth Thursday, laze around in a cozy robe and slippers, watching the parade on television while someone brings you coffee and pastries on a silver tray?

No, this is not a fantasy. It’s The Ritz-Carlton, Darlings! And of course, they have thought of every way to make your Thanksgiving calm, relaxing and luxurious.

You could head south to Palm Beach and enjoy the ocean breeze and the Eau Spa before indulging in a fabulous meal. Eau..that spa! I can’t divulge too much because my article in Design Is will be coming out shortly, but you know I will tell all here after the issue is online. But I can tell you that the Eau Spa is like nothing else you have ever experienced. It is something from a dream. Our adorable friend, Christine DiRocco, PR Director for The Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach, tells me that you can dine in an oceanfront cabana. Are you kidding me? Book a flight, honey, we are on our way!

Here are the delicious details!

The Ritz-Carlton culinary team will present a traditional family style dinner from the surf and earth. The seasonal cuisine starts with Spinach and Arugula Salad with Port Poached Pear, Crumble Blue Cheese, Spiced Pecans with a Creamy Champagne Dressing, plus Autumn Apple Salad, Walnuts, Currants, Celery Leaves and Apple Cider Vinaigrette.

Bounty from the sea is an appetizer seafood cocktail of Chilled Gulf Shrimp and Oysters on Ice and Lobster Cognac Bisque with Chestnut Marshmallow.

The supper continues with Citrus-Brined Free Range Turkey, Bread Stuffing, Sage Turkey Gravy with Cranberry and Orange Chutney. Meyer Lemon Crusted Cod and Steamed Clams, complimented with Butternut Squash Puree and Wilted Spinach, hail from the shores of the northeast while the Wood Grilled Beef Tenderloin Medallions, Rum Glazed Sweet Potatoes, Cipollini Onion Relish and Beaujolais Sauce provide a hearty gourmand alternative. Additional trimmings to top the table are: Whipped Creamy Potatoes, Candied Yams, Glazed Carrots, Indian Corn, Haricot Verts and Baby Vegetables and warm Rosemary Scones, House Baked Rolls and Cornbread Muffins.

Decadence is carried forth with yummy desserts; Home-made Apple Pie, Country Pumpkin Pie, Croissant Bread Pudding, and Vanilla Rice Pudding are a few of the sweets to grace the table, in addition to seasonal plums, apples, berries and nuts as a nod to the first gathering.

Reservations are required for this special Thanksgiving Dinner and the dinner is available for parties of up to 4 – 8 people; first seating at 4 p.m. Pricing is $150 per adult and includes one bottle of Ritz-Carlton red or white wine. Children ages 12 and older are $50 and children under 12 are complimentary. All pricing is exclusive of tax and gratuity. Please call Dining Reservations at (561) 540-4924 for more information and to make reservations.

Well, yes, I would rather be at The Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach, thankyouverymuch.

Tomorrow I will tell you what’s cooking in New Orleans with our buddy Chef Matt. Heck, you have 4 days off. You could go to Palm Beach and New Orleans! You only live once – I think…

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to Turkey In The Straw (I think this might be from the first Thanksgiving…)

Lights, Cameras – Dirty Dishes!

Thursday, September 30th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

On Monday I was on the set of “Dirty Dishes” as the guest star of this fun series made popular on You Tube. My friend, Barry and his co-star, Cori Davenport invited me to come on and be a guest on the episode entitled “Open Faced Sandwiches With Two Faced Friends”.  You all might remember Cori as Kim Kolciac’s friend on The Real Housewives of Atlanta. We filmed in Cori’s palatial mansion in Gainesville, Georgia. The house even has an elevator! And of course, we dished – Cori had all sorts of delicious tidbits to share with us about being on reality television. I love to know what happens behind the scenes. And no, I can’t divulge….that would not be nice. Ok, a little divulgence. The producers of the reality shows make sure everyone is in serious party mode before they start filming. I guess it should come as no surprise that the chardonnay is flowing, but I never knew for sure. But now I do!

Barry, Troy and I board the elevator - going up!

Visit the set with me, won’t you?