You already know how touched I am by your efforts here, Jolene, and by the friendship that we deepened through the course of this shared project. But I’m also overjoyed to have *learned* so much from you in this beautiful essay: about the history of the artwork on the menus, your personal connection to The Silver Palate Cookbook, and so much more.
Another beautiful coincidence: it seems that Julee Rosso settled in the adorable Michigan town that I visited with my parents as a kid! I have such fond memories of getting Easter baskets from Kilwin’s Chocolates in Saugatuck.
But perhaps my favorite detail here is how much more butter was in the original banana cake recipe. My mom would love knowing that, too! 😅
Maddie, and I’m so touched that you shared this all with me — and that you followed your heart and wonderful curiosity to learn more about your mom and family via the treasures you found in that last box. Breathtaking! I’m so glad we are friends! ❤️
Ohhhh, Jolene! Once again the most wonderful time travel stories from you! The Silver Palate, mmmmm...I was living in the Apthorp (just up from the Dakota) and walked past the shop constantly on the way home from theatre school....all the treats that called to me from the window! I still make the Chicken Marbella recipe of theirs - have you tried it? Completely divine, as is the banana cake :)) Thank you for bringing your readers such joy xx
Daphne, thank you so much for this lovely comment! The Apthorp! One of the great buildings of NY ❤️ and how delicious (literally!) to have lived so close to The Silver Palate. I have not made the chicken Marbella, but I am going to — I saw the original recipe has a link in the NYT, I’m going to see if the 25th anniversary edition is the same. Again, thank you for your comment, I always love hearing from fellow NYer’s, especially now that I’m not there anymore!
Thank you, Jolene! Yes, do try the chicken - it's lovely in summer, I think! And like you, I am no longer a NYer, so I adore your New York tales and memories (helllo, Serendipity!). But it was the most exciting place on earth when I arrived, having grown up in Santa Barbara. Now I appreciate my home town much more, with my mother's ancient lemon trees and arugula year round... X
If I ever make it to Chicago I'll bring you some lemons, Jolene! The Joseph Ryersons of Chicago actually built the house I grew up in as a warm-weather wedding present for their daugher Annie Laurie... the architect David Adler and his sister Frances Elkins designed the library. I just found the blueprints and thought of you! :)
Omg! You know how I love Chicago history and wow on the Ryerson connection! Absolutely fantastic! (Is Joseph related to Martin Ryerson? I spend a lot of time at the Burnham’s and Ryerson Library at the Art Institute) and a big Yes to lemons 🍋:)
Yes, a fascinating family! Joseph was the youngest son of Martin Ryerson; at least one other son and a nephew (?) I believe were lost on the Titanic. Annie Laurie Ryerson was already quite old when she sold the house to my parents, circa 1975. It still had all the original features - wonderful old phones, lots of signs for her butler, Otto :), and most things completely untouched along with a charming old elevator near the butler's pantry :)
Isn't it amazing what people find when sorting through their mother's things! Those cruise menus are gorgeous.
I've got my mum's battered copy of Mrs Beeton, with bits of tissue marking different pages. My mum struggled with cooking (epecially timings) and with "keeping house" but found the guide helpful.
The cake from the Silver Palate recipe looks scrumptious. I am very tempted to try it.
Such beautiful photographs, Jolene! I love the way you set these up.
I enjoyed the part about the old menus of the cruises. Having just been on a cruise for a writing retreat, I could appreciate the another era aspect of cruises when elegance and luxury abounded. Still, the food plays a big part of the experience but the menus are certainly not as florid and fancy.
The ship I was on had a photograph gallery with posters of the sports, entertainment, fashion, and political celebrities who had taken the Queen Mary decades ago. Their dress, hair styles, purses and accessories, poses, and jewelry were so elegant. I can barely begin to imagine what the dining scene liked like.
It was! I highly recommend it. Three classes per day with four instructors, one-on-one time with each, and new people in my writing network. Walking laps and laps of the deck looking at the ocean gave me lots of time to ponder and plan.
Beautiful, Jolene! That cookbook was also one of my mom’s favorites—it’s nestled on the barnboard shelves in her vast collection. When I set sail on my airship back to Maine next month I plan to give it a closer look.
I always wait until I have enough time to settle in, get comfy and read your fabulous posts! And, of course, this one did not disappoint. These old menus are such a find! And the Silver Palate — how nostalgically comforting. I used to be the sommelier at a private club here in Toronto. Seasonally we would put on “retro nights.” They always sold out, popular with young and old. You can’t beat a walk, and meal, down memory lane. 💗
Erin, what a compliment, thank you! I’d love to know more about retro nights — right up my alley” — “You can’t beat a walk and a meal down memory lane” Love that! ❤️
Retro nights were a hoot! Table side caesar salads, cherries jubilee, and crepe Suzettes. Brandy Alexander. Sweet breads. All that was missing was the Mateus! (left out by intention.)
This was so much fun to read, Jolene! I loved the illustrations, the memories of New York conjured up by this famous cookbook, the recipe and the Walt Whitman poem that ends the piece. I have long wanted to find a copy of The Silver Palate Cookbook, which I've been hearing about for years but have never held in my hands. Now I really want to make the Chicken Marbella and the banana cake, which looks just perfect on that vintage Rosenthal plate.
Those menus are “beyond.” And I cannot get over the trip down the Upper West Side memory lane. Chicken Marbella (which I never made but somehow know the ingredients). Columbus Avenue 💛
You already know how touched I am by your efforts here, Jolene, and by the friendship that we deepened through the course of this shared project. But I’m also overjoyed to have *learned* so much from you in this beautiful essay: about the history of the artwork on the menus, your personal connection to The Silver Palate Cookbook, and so much more.
Another beautiful coincidence: it seems that Julee Rosso settled in the adorable Michigan town that I visited with my parents as a kid! I have such fond memories of getting Easter baskets from Kilwin’s Chocolates in Saugatuck.
But perhaps my favorite detail here is how much more butter was in the original banana cake recipe. My mom would love knowing that, too! 😅
Maddie, and I’m so touched that you shared this all with me — and that you followed your heart and wonderful curiosity to learn more about your mom and family via the treasures you found in that last box. Breathtaking! I’m so glad we are friends! ❤️
I’m so glad we’re friends, too! 🥰
That cake looks incredible! 😍💛
It’s so good, Jenovia!
Jolene, we’re coming over for a slice—save us both a seat!
Awaiting your arrival! 🪑 🪑 🍰 🍰 😆
Yessss
C’mon over! 😆
Ohhhh, Jolene! Once again the most wonderful time travel stories from you! The Silver Palate, mmmmm...I was living in the Apthorp (just up from the Dakota) and walked past the shop constantly on the way home from theatre school....all the treats that called to me from the window! I still make the Chicken Marbella recipe of theirs - have you tried it? Completely divine, as is the banana cake :)) Thank you for bringing your readers such joy xx
Daphne, thank you so much for this lovely comment! The Apthorp! One of the great buildings of NY ❤️ and how delicious (literally!) to have lived so close to The Silver Palate. I have not made the chicken Marbella, but I am going to — I saw the original recipe has a link in the NYT, I’m going to see if the 25th anniversary edition is the same. Again, thank you for your comment, I always love hearing from fellow NYer’s, especially now that I’m not there anymore!
Thank you, Jolene! Yes, do try the chicken - it's lovely in summer, I think! And like you, I am no longer a NYer, so I adore your New York tales and memories (helllo, Serendipity!). But it was the most exciting place on earth when I arrived, having grown up in Santa Barbara. Now I appreciate my home town much more, with my mother's ancient lemon trees and arugula year round... X
Ancient lemon 🍋 trees and arugula all year round, how gorgeous! Thank you, Daphne!
If I ever make it to Chicago I'll bring you some lemons, Jolene! The Joseph Ryersons of Chicago actually built the house I grew up in as a warm-weather wedding present for their daugher Annie Laurie... the architect David Adler and his sister Frances Elkins designed the library. I just found the blueprints and thought of you! :)
Omg! You know how I love Chicago history and wow on the Ryerson connection! Absolutely fantastic! (Is Joseph related to Martin Ryerson? I spend a lot of time at the Burnham’s and Ryerson Library at the Art Institute) and a big Yes to lemons 🍋:)
Yes, a fascinating family! Joseph was the youngest son of Martin Ryerson; at least one other son and a nephew (?) I believe were lost on the Titanic. Annie Laurie Ryerson was already quite old when she sold the house to my parents, circa 1975. It still had all the original features - wonderful old phones, lots of signs for her butler, Otto :), and most things completely untouched along with a charming old elevator near the butler's pantry :)
Gorgeous. I so enjoyed these.
Thank you so much, Dana!
Now this is special. Just lovely stories. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Jill!
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🎂
🤗 Emily! ❤️
Thank you for these beautiful menus. Also the dishes of food are spectacular and sensual and made me hungry
Thank you so much!
Isn't it amazing what people find when sorting through their mother's things! Those cruise menus are gorgeous.
I've got my mum's battered copy of Mrs Beeton, with bits of tissue marking different pages. My mum struggled with cooking (epecially timings) and with "keeping house" but found the guide helpful.
The cake from the Silver Palate recipe looks scrumptious. I am very tempted to try it.
Very true, Wendy, it’s so sweet (and bittersweet) to find those treasures ☺️🥲
The cake is scrumptious, let me know if you try it! ❤️
Will do, Jolene. I love banana cake.
Such beautiful photographs, Jolene! I love the way you set these up.
I enjoyed the part about the old menus of the cruises. Having just been on a cruise for a writing retreat, I could appreciate the another era aspect of cruises when elegance and luxury abounded. Still, the food plays a big part of the experience but the menus are certainly not as florid and fancy.
The ship I was on had a photograph gallery with posters of the sports, entertainment, fashion, and political celebrities who had taken the Queen Mary decades ago. Their dress, hair styles, purses and accessories, poses, and jewelry were so elegant. I can barely begin to imagine what the dining scene liked like.
Thanks for another intriguing post.
A writing retreat on a ship? Fabulous, Andrea!
It was! I highly recommend it. Three classes per day with four instructors, one-on-one time with each, and new people in my writing network. Walking laps and laps of the deck looking at the ocean gave me lots of time to ponder and plan.
Beautiful, Jolene! That cookbook was also one of my mom’s favorites—it’s nestled on the barnboard shelves in her vast collection. When I set sail on my airship back to Maine next month I plan to give it a closer look.
I love that it’s in your mom’s collection, Amie! Can’t wait to hear what you find when you return to Maine on your airship! ❤️
The Silver Palate Cookbook: forever fave.
Now, Voyager: forever fave.
thank u!
I could be in a remake of Now, Voyager and play ALL the parts, I’ve watched it so many times! 😂 ❤️
I always wait until I have enough time to settle in, get comfy and read your fabulous posts! And, of course, this one did not disappoint. These old menus are such a find! And the Silver Palate — how nostalgically comforting. I used to be the sommelier at a private club here in Toronto. Seasonally we would put on “retro nights.” They always sold out, popular with young and old. You can’t beat a walk, and meal, down memory lane. 💗
Erin, what a compliment, thank you! I’d love to know more about retro nights — right up my alley” — “You can’t beat a walk and a meal down memory lane” Love that! ❤️
Retro nights were a hoot! Table side caesar salads, cherries jubilee, and crepe Suzettes. Brandy Alexander. Sweet breads. All that was missing was the Mateus! (left out by intention.)
The Mateus, then turned into a dripping candle 🕯️ holder when it was empty! 😂
What could be classier than that!?! 😂
Nuthin’ 🍷 🕯️ 😂
This was so much fun to read, Jolene! I loved the illustrations, the memories of New York conjured up by this famous cookbook, the recipe and the Walt Whitman poem that ends the piece. I have long wanted to find a copy of The Silver Palate Cookbook, which I've been hearing about for years but have never held in my hands. Now I really want to make the Chicken Marbella and the banana cake, which looks just perfect on that vintage Rosenthal plate.
Thank you, Ruth! I got the 2007 edition, I’m going to see if I can find us some used 1982 first editions! ❤️
Yes!!! I’ll be on the lookout too. 🧐You’ve inspired me once again, Jolene!
🤗
Those menus are so wonderful. Wouldn't they add such a sense of style to travelling?!
Yes! Glamorous for sure, Julia! ✨
Those menus are “beyond.” And I cannot get over the trip down the Upper West Side memory lane. Chicken Marbella (which I never made but somehow know the ingredients). Columbus Avenue 💛
So gorgeous, aren’t they?! I never made it either, Melanie, but now I feel like I will— love that you still knew what was in it!
The menu illustrations and the dessert plates that you bought on eBay are both so pretty!
Thank you, Vicki! If you go to Maddie’s post there are more gorgeous menus! ❤️✨