Viriditas
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON | JULY 17
Nearly two years later, we finally gathered for this sold out Supper—it was an absolute joy to return to Seattle and host our first Pacific Northwest Supper since Summer 2019! On the stunning grounds at Dunn Gardens, with Puget Sound peeking behind the dense, lush gardens, we set our table for a slow summer soiree.
It was terrific to reunite with our friend Ashley Rodriguez for this gathering and to see her magic in every dish, from a salad to the most pillowy pavlova we ever did see—it was fascinating to see guests enjoy every bite!
Keep reading for more details from a perfect evening in a rather enchanting Seattle during summer.
WELCOME
At our cocktail station, guests were greeted with a refreshing summer punch, delicious zucchini blossom and pea pakora, and smoked salmon rillettes, before heading to the table for the big feast!
A MENU BY CHEF ASHLEY RODRIGUEZ
After reading John O’Donohue’s beautiful poem, Grace Before Meals, Ashley presented our guests with a bright Pacific Northwest summer feast. Complete with foraged treasures, American Lamb, and the freshest of local fruits and vegetables sourced by MilkRun, Ashley’s menu was a true celebration of summer in our neck of the woods!
MENU
Start
Zucchini Blossom and Pea Pakora, Wild Mint & Cilantro Chutney
+
Smoked Salmon Rillettes on Homemade Butter Cracker,
Black Mustard Seed Caviar, Chive Flower
First
Greens, Herbs and Flowers in a Summer Goddess Dressing
Second
Charred Summer Squash, Smoked Raita,
Candied Seeds and Spruce Tip Salt
Main
American Lamb Braised in Forest Floor with Roasted Apricot Achar,
on Fresh Corn Polenta, Feta and Wild Mushroom Powder
Locally sourced lamb by American Lamb Board
Dessert
Wild Rose & Raspberry Pavlova with Fresh Bay Cream
As we begin this meal with grace,
Let us become aware of the memory
Carried inside the food before us:
The quiver of the seed
Awakening in the earth,
Unfolding in a trust of roots
And slender stems of growth,
On its voyage toward harvest,
The kiss of rain and surge of sun;
The innocence of animal soul
That never spoke a word,
Nourished by the earth
To become today our food;
The work of all the strangers
Whose hands prepared it,
The privilege of wealth and health
That enables us to feast and celebrate.
John O’Donohue
WINE PAIRINGS
Summer alfresco dinners are not complete without rosé and one of our personal favorite white wines! To pair this delicious meal, we poured Suzor’s 2020 l'escargot rosé—a beautiful Oregon rosé of Pinot Noir, and their 2018 The Sunflower Chardonnay throughout the evening.
It was so sweet to pour Suzor Wines again at one of our gatherings! Some of our guests had attended past Suppers and fondly remember sharing the table with Greg & Mélissa—co-founders of Suzor—back in 2019, when they poured their wines for our guests in Tillamook! We love revisiting the beautiful memories from Suppers past.
SECRET LOCATION: DUNN GARDENS
Designed by the renowned Olmsted Brothers Landscape firm in 1915—the only residential garden designed by the Olmsted firm that is open to the public in Washington state. Their magnificent Cucumber Magnolia tree—part of the Heritage Tree Collection found at Dunn Gardens—lent a perfect canopy for our long table.
The gardens are truly a lavishing respite from the hustle and bustle of the city, the perfect spot to dine slowly and with intention.
After sunset, we raised a glass to the beauty of gathering and we had sweet conversations with guests as they slowly made their way out through the stunning gardens. Until we meet at a long table, in an unexpected but breathtaking setting again!
