In 1700, the traditional cuisine of the late Renaissance is in crisis  because in this period the European cultural axis moves from the Mediterranean to the North Sea so there was an explosion of French cuisine.

There is no the sumptuous lunch with many courses, now dishes with food have to read, admire and enjoy first of all with eyes. So the “reason” enhanced by the Age of Enlightenment , is also applied to the “science of eating well ” , the view must be satisfied ,  not only the view but also the sense of smell changes in 700 , the smells strong and pungent  are rejected with disgust : hard times for the strong odors from foods such as cheese, garlic and onion.

And here we are at dinner by Carlo Goldoni

 

 

 

 

our time machine takes us to Paris in 1765 , Goldoni been living here since 1761, when he was invited to address the Comedies Italienne .

What immediately strikes my attention is the magnificent brightness of the house, large windows make the room sparkling , everything is extremely refined , the table is impeccable … I am amazed …at the center of the table… it is simply ” sumptuous ” , it is a  great temple built in sugar ” masses.”

 

 

 

We begin with a delicate consomme accompanied by a variety of colorful fruit jellies, we continue with the “mirepoix” (they are a  dadolate of vegetables), then makes its entrance the cod served on a creamed of peas with vegetables and boiled potatoes;now fried frogs are arriving .

For dessert theyserved a triumph of meringues and pastries with coffee cream but gets the highlight of the evening, a spectacular dessert ever seen,it  is built on a broad base “en pastillage”, there are even flower vases modeled with almond paste…we drink … (and I’m amazed … we are still in France) liquers d’Italie!

That’s the period of great changes:  coffee, chocolate and tobacco have given impetus to a new way of being together:  in this period born tasting rooms and clubs where people meet and talk about philosophy and politics , so we find a new forms of socialization.

 

 

 

 

 

By now the coffee is very popular and is called “intellectual beverage”, considered to be a refreshing brew but recognize healing qualities.

Allow me one last curiosity … I’m still a woman and so I’d like to tell you something about  the fashion followed by the ladies attending the dinner, they dressed in rich taffetas and silks in pastel shades (highly popular beige and blue), known sumptuous bodices, while hair is  styled, the ensemble makes our ladies irresistible!

 

 

 

 

 

The dinner is over ..I come. back to 2013 … at home waiting for me  my usual coffee … ah Paris, la Ville Lumiere…See you soon!