Spirited Dinner: The Magic of Sidney Frank at Iris

Posted on June 29, 2011
Filed Under Marleigh Riggins | 1 Comment

Cocktails from the Sidney Frank portfolio with dinner by chef Ian Schnoebelen

My last trip to New Orleans was in 2009, and that week passed in a blurry whirl of amazing meals and awesome drinks. Hard to believe that you could spend an entire week eating pretty much nonstop, but that’s what I did. One of the meals I managed to shoehorn in was lunch at Iris, a lovely little bistro known for its excellent food and well-made cocktails. The drink above is a lovely Aperol spritzer with tarragon, orange and cucumber which I enjoyed before the adjoining gnocchi with bok choy, tomatoes and ricotta; both were delicious, and I won’t even mention the sinfully amazing dark chocolate torte that was served with mocha ice cream. (I know, I know—dessert with lunch? In my estimation, calories don’t exist when you’re in New Orleans.)

This year Iris is hosting a Spirited Dinner featuring Todd Richman, Corporate Mixologist for Sidney Frank Importing, as well as mixologists Mark Stoddard (Bitter Bar, Denver) and Spencer Warren (Embury and Firehouse Lounge, Pittsburgh), who will be mixing cocktails using Michael Collins Irish Whiskey, Bärenjäger, Gekkeikan sake and American Harvest Organic Spirit. The full (and nom-worthy) menu will be:

First Course


Guanciale on Bruschetta

A lock of a girl’s hair brings you good luck (Todd Richman)
American Harvest Organic Spirit, Mystic Melon Syrup, Aperol

Second Course


Six Lettuces, Duck Prosciutto, Soft-Boiled Duck Egg, Fennel, Pecans

Laying a broom across the doorway keeps a witch out at night (Spencer Warren)
Gekkeikan Junmai sake, Gekkeikan Kobai plum wine, lemon juice, Bärenjäger, R.W. Knudsen’s black currant juice, basil syrup

Third Course


Diver Scallops & Wild Boar Bacon with Edamame Hummus

The Gypsy Fortune (Mark Stoddard)
Michael Collins 10-year single malt, aquavit, verjus blanc, Cocchi Americano, “Magic Pearls”; served on a sphere of ice in a rocks glass

Dessert


Chocolate Terrine, Goat Cheese Quenelles, Fresh Blueberries

The Magic of Sidney Frank takes place at Iris, 321 N. Peters Street, New Orleans, on Thursday, July 21 from 8–10:30 pm. Tickets are $100 per person. To reserve your place at this enchanting event, call (504) 299-3944.