Walden
TEXAS HILL COUNTRY | MARCH 2024
Nestled right between Austin and San Antonio, Walden Retreats is a bit of an oasis in Hill Country, Texas. On this rainy spring day, the wildflowers popped out against the heavy backdrop of wooly grey clouds. We kept it cozy, setting up in the cover the retreat’s event space. With a full wall of sliding glass doors overlooking the Pedernales River valley on one side and a living plant wall on the other, it was the perfect place to watch the storms roll across the horizon. Chef Colter Peck braved the ever-changing conditions to man a smoker loaded with American Lamb outside, but we knew he could handle it. The team from Elementary had cooked for us twice before, and their luck with the weather, it turns out, is catastrophically bad. Luckily, their food is really, really good.
Everyone had a chance to explore the grounds with a cocktail in-hand from Brugal 1888 before we sat down inside. A thunderstorm arrived just in time for the first course, giving us dinner and a show with a pretty epic finale — a neon pink sunset that stopped us in our tracks just before dessert.
This Supper was particularly special, because many of the guests (from all across the country) decided to stay the night in the glamping tents at Walden Retreats. Long after the table was broken down and the smoker cooled, the party continued in small pods across the property. Tent Nine was particularly committed to keeping the good vibes going, full of folks who were strangers just hours ago sharing space late into the starry Texas night.
WELCOME
The rain held off long enough for us to host a cocktail hour outside to take advantage of the panoramic valley views from the patio of Walden Retreats. Chris, the bartender from Elementary, showed off Brugal 1888 rum in two beautiful cocktails: Don Andres Old Fashioned + Maracuya Boba Mojito
One bright and tropical, one subtle and warm, the two offerings brought balance to the misty spring day, while the stylish garnishes set us up for an evening of thoughtful details from all of our partners.
A MENU BY CHEF COLTER PECK
Chef Colter Peck from Austin’s Elementary and his amazing team brought their typical playful style to the table, along with a Mill Scale smoker to infuse each dish with true Texas flavor.
MENU
WELCOME
American Lamb Kofka Skewers mint, yogurt
Winter Succotash corn tostone, lime aioli
Cocktails:
Brugal 1888 Don Andres Old Fashioned turbinado sugar, cacao bitters
Brugal 1888 Maracuya Boba Mojito passionfruit, lime juice, passionfruit boba pearls
AMUSE-BOUCHE
Lions Maine Mushroom harissa, nori
FIRST
Fennel & Olive Salad roasted eel, citrus vinaigrette
Wine: 2022 Rodney Strong Vineyards Rose of Pinot Noir
SECOND
Saffron Risotto American Lamb, mint, pomegranate
Wine: 2021 Rodney Strong Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
MAIN
Teres Major Wagu carrot ginger puree, shawarma oil, brown butter, black pearl mushrooms
Wine: 2016 Rodney Strong Vineyards Rockaway Cabernet Sauvignon
DESSERT
Cheesecake Mousse honey tuile, white chocolate crumble
Cocktail: Brugal 1888 Spanish Campfire Spanish liquor, espresso, roasted marshmallow
WINE PAIRINGS
Each course was thoughtfully paired with wines from Rodney Strong, who brought three distinct representations of place with their selections for this Supper, from the Russian River Valley to the Rockaway Vineyard in Sonoma’s Alexander Valley.
Each glass paired perfectly with each dish, and both refreshed us and warmed us up as the evening cooled.
NIGHTCAP
After our technicolor sunset intermission, everyone returned to the table for Brugal 1888 Spanish Campfire cocktails and cheesecake mousse. A pop of espresso with Brugal Rum was the perfect punctuation mark between a leisurely dinner and a night spent under the stars.
SECRET LOCATION: WALDEN RETREATS
Walden Retreats sprawls over 96 acres of rolling hills in Texas Hill Country overlooking the Pedernales River.
Through luxury glamping accommodations and thoughtfully designed gathering spaces, Walden encourages guests to connect with nature for the ultimate escape. Between that mission and the spectacular views, there was no question that we needed to host a Supper at Walden, a perfect retreat from the everyday to reconnect to the land and each other.
