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American Dream Cuisine™ The City Tavern In Philadelphia, USA receives Extraordinary September - 2004 5 Stars & 5 Stripes Cuisine & Service The Ultimate Award: Seven Stars and Stripes® The CITY TAVERN itself is both a Philadelphia landmark and a destination restaurant. First opened in 1773 built like a London tavern , the City Tavern became an important meeting place in the years before the American Revolution. Times changed but the City Tavern has continued to act as a center for political, social, and social activities. In 1774, Continental Congress members met at the City Tavern. In 1777 the first fourth of July was held there. In 1778 the Constitutional Convention held its closing banquet there, both historically significant occasions. Having discovered that, the City Tavern in Philadelphia was probably the first American Dream Gourmet Restaurant. Thorsten Piosczyk & Walter Staib Many of the most important political figures in our early and recent American history have visited the City Tavern, attracted not only its extraordinary culinary history but also to the fact that important political decisions were made there. It is a living link to the city's past. Like thousands of food worshippers and history buffs before us we were silent, at least for a moment. Decorated in authentic 18th century style we were beamed back to back to Colonial Philadelphia. Modern but time period matching amenities and culinary spices enrich the traditional dishes, and we are able to taste and live a wonderful blend of past and present. Celebrating the city's heritage, the City Tavern's West Indies Pepper Pot Soup is today comforting the discriminating diner as it did the colonial soldier. Sir Walter Staib is the official Culinary Ambassador of the Philadelphia, nominated by the Mayor of Philadelphia. We were indeed surprised that Sir Walter speaks perfect German, but no wonder; he grew up in the "Schwarzwald", the Black Forrest, but has lived for decades in the US. He managed about 450 Restaurants and Resorts worldwide and is personally responsible for selecting the chefs that are serving the White House. Sir Walter, who'd served a full three year butcher apprenticeship in the Black Forrest brews his own beer, with ingredients that are only known to him. People are traveling from all over to taste the delicious brew. We fell for his "Sauerkraut", which is flown in from the old world and the most decisions 'kraut' in the country! Sir Walter prepares it with a smoked pork chops the size never seen before by us. Local addicts are found there up to three times a week and begging for more. The City Tavern's cuisine was inspired by founding father Thomas Jefferson. Fried Oysters, West Indies Pepper pot Soup, Glazed Duckling, Venison, and Prime Rib are just a sample of the typical 18th century cuisine. The Tavern's own bakery produces delicious time period Sally Lunn and Anadama breads, Sweet Potato Biscuits and a myriad of fascinating desserts daily. We sampled George Washington's Beer, made from his original recipe, completed to perfection by Sir Walter. Also to be found are the less known Shrub and Madeira. The period costumed staff involved us in lively conversations of and about the history of the Tavern, Philadelphia and the traditions of 18th Century dining, so here we go: Amuse: Smoked Salmon Peppered smoked salmon, capers, red onions & pumpernickel a delightful promise from the old world Schlumberger, Cuvée Klimt, Brut, Austria 1999, Riesling Spaetlese Medium-dry with a light, crisp, perfectly balanced cuvée Jeff Stanfield served us, a very pleasant and knowledgeable gentleman with a lot of background information about history, food and wine. Our complements. At first we were surprised by the home made bread in three variations: flavored sweet bread (coriander & Zimt), white bread, and crusty salt bread. take a closer look Appetizer selection: Crab Cake "Chesapeake Style" with herbed remoulade a nice starter Giant Cornmeal Fried Oysters with herbed remulade A little to much Cornmeal Basil Shrimp Jumbo shrimp, apple-smoked bacon, fresh basil, horseradish barbeque sauce fresh - well prepared, nice combination Mallard Duck Sausage: Broiled duck & pork sausage, sweet & sour cabbage firm, full-blooded - great Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt 1999, Riesling Spaetlese. In 1999, Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt celebrated its 650th anniversary Good acidity, tree fruit, touch of sweetness. Main Course I: Pan-Seared Pennsylvania Brook Trout, brown butter, capers, lemon sauce, asparagus & Sauce Béarnaise they knew how to dine at the old days... Tavern Lobster Pie Lobster, shrimp, mushrooms, shallots, sherry cream sauce, baked in flakey puff pastry dough nestled in a pewter bowl a must to try ... A Colonial Ale Sampler Why not? My favorite: Martha's Summer Ale, a classic, refreshing ale with hints of coriander and orange, lively balance of malt, hops and fruity esters Main Course II: Sausage Mélange Beef & turkey sausage, fried leeks, Pennsylvania style sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, Dijon mustard to die for, our American Dream HOT tip! Roasted Duckling Clover-honey glaze, chutney, herbed barley, asparagus & Sauce Béarnaise Medallions of Venison Leeks, rosemary-bourbon mushroom sauce, herbed barley & vegetable of the season Chaddsford Pinot Noir 2000 - Pennsylvania, not on the Menu A soft, sensuous red with nose of freshly broken wild cherry wood and wilted flowers; medium " body with some vanilla and a nuance of nutmeg ~ something local to try, ask for it Dessert I: Dessert sampler just ask Walter for the American Dream Dessert selection Rasperry, Bedell Cellars, North Fork, Long Island (375ml) Delightful raspberry flavor with well balanced residual sugars. A perfect accompaniment to chocolate deserts heaven, out of this world /*/*/*/*/*/*/ Walter Staib & Thorsten Piosczyk And since the staff wears costumes representing a period long gone, we wouldn't be true American Dreamers, if we wouldn't do so as well. Here is the proof: Sir Walter Staib and our journalist Thorsten. Don't they both look handsome, although we have to admit that Sir Walters's hairstyle is more becoming? And shouldn't we have known, Walter Staib has also published his own cook books! One is the kind American Dream Cuisine is made of, the "City Tavern Cookbook; 200 Years of Classic Recipes from America's First Gourmet Restaurant" & the "Dessert Cookbook". Simone now has her autographed copy with a special a personal note to us. The City Tavern has received many prestigious awards and is recognized in magazines and newspapers found around the globe. It's a different place, a different time in one of the unique locations in the world. We wouldn't have missed this place for the world. American Dream History was written here. Sir Walter Staib will appear as guest on the American Dream Show in New York in January 2004 and tell us about his very own American Dream, which has not only raised the standards of America's gourmets, but also strengthened transatlantic friendship as well. About Walter: American Dream Man, Sir Walter Staib Culinary Ambassador of the City of Philadelphia Ambassador of the Culinary Institute of America Trustee of the Culinary Institute of America Board Member of the Caribbean Culinary Federation Vice President of North America, International Food & Beverage Forum International Advisory Board, Hotels Magazine Les Amis d`Escoffier Society, Inc. National Board Advisors, lÒrdre Mondial de Gourmet American Express Restaurant Advisory Board Founding President, Society for the Advancement of Gastronomic Excellence Founding Member, The Society for American Cuisine l`Union Interprofessionnelle des Vins du Beaujolais International Gold & Silver Plate Society Professional Member, Foodservice Consultants Society International After tasting all the different beers during our City-Tavern VIP-Tour and our unforgettable chats with Walter about the "Schwarzwald" the Black Forrest and all his adventures, it was time for us leave our new friend and go back to one of the most remarkable American Dream Hotels in the world. Our limousine was waiting to take us back to the Rittenhouse. http://www.CityTavern.com Extensive Philadelphia - Rittenhouse Review by Thorsten Piosczyk & Simone Buehrmann Editor: John Lomitola Editor-in-Chief: Ingrid Lemme © 2004 ~ Seven Stars and Stripes, Inc.

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