We can confirm that we have taken a bold step to rent the penthouse apartment on the 4th floor of our building for our 4th of July party. This will be a private RSVP party, and the only way to find out how to attend, with a lush Persian banquet, a clear view of the fireworks display on the Mississippi River during the night of Independence Day, and a preview of a few of our creative cocktails soon to be available at The Green Goddess, only happens if you get an email invitation from us. The only way to score an invitation is to ask me for one on our website email listing for your chef correspondent.

Here's the new Persian tasting menu we will be running all this week, and maybe if you have a good excuse--- like you were out-of-town blowing up stuff, or hanging with your family on the holiday week--- we will possibly run it next week, too. I even bought a few authentic Middle Eastern tea glasses... although our fruity tea is something a little more fragrant than the classic blend of Darjeeling and Earl Grey that most Iranians make at the end of a meal, or to enjoy anytime for refreshment all day long -- except not with food until near the end of the feast.


Our 4th of July Tasting Menu, to Persia and her people,
Let us remember their courage this Summer 2009

Chilled Cucumber Soup (for Rumi)
Blended with Yogurt and Sumac,
Finished with “Snow” from Lemon Balm,
Crenshaw Melon, & Pimm’s #1 $8

Shamsi’s Refreshment
Watermelon Juice, Izze Sparkling Pomegranate & a Big Sour Cherry Ice Cube $8

A Fragrant Slice of Koukouye,
A Persian Frittata redolent with herbs, &
Homemade Havashu Naan Flatbread $9

A Pair of Stuffed Vegetables
Eggplant filled with Roasted Red Peppers and Pomegranate,
Swiss Chard Dolma filled with Zeresk Pilaf of Barberries, Basmati Rice,
Saffron, Ivory Lentils, Pistachios, and Black Lemon $15

Peach-Passion Fruit Tea with Green Cardamom $4

Oasis Sweetmeat
Medjool Date stuffed with Rose-Scented Almond Filling $8

Pistachio Gelato in a “Nest”
Shredded Phyllo, Orange Blossom Water,
Saffron, & Candied Yuzu Peel $9

Tasting Menu $54 (including drink pairings)

Let's discuss the wherefores and whys of this menu in the next post. I will tell you that Shamsi's Refreshment is a tribute to Rumi's great friend, Shams (or Shamsi Tabrizi), the Sufi mystic who ignited Rumi's passion and understanding of the tenets of deep friendship and love, and whose unexplained sudden absence brought forth the torrential spiritual longing that characterizes Rumi's wonderful, searching poetry. I don't know that our little juicy cocktail can be as refreshing to the soul as Shams was to Rumi, but we think we've hit upon a rich, red as an beating heart, dramatic refreshment.

As to the food side of this culinary equation, we will go over the proofs behind the menu soon!

Finally, for our rooftop fireworks 4th of July party, we have a few additional Persian dishes we'll do -- in addition to other unique canapes, cheeses, platters, and other lovely things to nosh upon in a ceaseless parade of delight and wonder to satisfy your hungers & desires. We want this to be a party to remember, as we celebrate our friends and the long process to earn freedom, liberty, independence, and happiness!