Going for Baroque

I was experimenting with the word epicurean, which means “fond of or adapted to luxury or indulgence in sensual pleasure; having luxurious tastes or habits, especially in eating or drinking.” Hm, now I can get down with that. So, where are my “epicurean experiences’ going to come from?

Lo-and-behold, synchronicity! Enter stage left, Samantha Hilton, founder of Bach & Bacchanalia, a company that partners with mixologists, food historians, the avant-garde distilleries, and Juilliard-educated classical musicians to create deeply immersive events.

Samantha is clear about her goal for these events. Keep it affordable, create deep listening experiences, and tie in historically inspired cocktails that reflect the theme. In this way, she takes you on a sensory journey that is true immersion.

After picking the theme, the environment is key. The ideal venue can set the visual and physical tone, making you feel as if you have stepped back in time. Samantha combs the city, searching for the ultimate space that gives her the “AHA” feeling she was seeking.

Next is the libation. Mixologist John Carlson exhaustively researches and taste tests (I am volunteering for that position), to ensure the cocktails accurately reflect the era and are delicious. Yes, that’s right, drinks that honor history. Hey, you didn’t think that we just started imbibing yesterday.

Depending on the event, Samantha partners with various classical musicians, rounding out the musical component, deepening the immersive experience. 

Finally, Samantha collaborates with various chefs and food historians to create the menus that accurately depict the recipes and flavor profiles of the region and era for each event.

A recent event, “Japan and its Influence,” embodied the Japonisme movement, a fascination with Japanese art and design that occurred among Western European artists in the nineteenth century.

The light, yet soaring, sounds of the musical selections by Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel revealed Japanese art deeply influenced these composers.

The four-course menu provided by WakuWaku @ Industry City was visually elegant and lip-smacking good. This was the perfect opportunity to try some new foods, and I fully enjoyed Kushiage, Maki, and Takoyaki. You haven’t lived until you’ve tasted Takoyaki or “octopus balls.” I’ll leave that there.

The six cocktails created by John Carlson introduced us to unusual ingredients such as Shiso, a green leaf herb reminiscent of cinnamon and cloves, and Sudachi, a citrus fruit native to Japan. My favorite was a highball called “The Penta-Tonic,” one of the most popular cocktails in Japan, which combines Chamomile-infused Suntory Toki and St. Germain.

The food, cocktails, music, and ultimately the people that came together made for a truly exceptional evening, immersing me in the “epicurean experience” I was searching for. I enthusiastically look forward to Bach & Bacchanalia's next musical cocktail event, a series of 3 baroque concerts over the summer with cocktails inspired by a 17th century Italian cookbook fit for the pope. Should I dress up? Perhaps I’ll rent an outfit, in the best tradition of the smart Venetian set, who abhorred being seen in the same party outfit twice. Decisions, decisions.

The series kicks off June 24th in Industry City at Camp David, with a 50-minute concert and OPEN BAR with wine and beer! The official after party takes place at Standard Wormwood Distillery, one courtyard over. I hope you will join me at this unique event. In the meantime, we’d love to hear about your “epicurean experiences,” and, as always, remember to indulge in the tasty pleasures of life.

https://www.bachandbacchanalia.com/

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/classical-cocktails-going-for-baroque-tickets-355222097857

 よく食べる

Yoku taberu

Eat well