Everyday Entertaining
A Case Study Dinner
I was California dreaming on a winter’s day—or maybe it was late spring. Anyhow, I was thinking fondly, nostalgically about the friends I left in Los Angeles when I moved to the East Coast. I lived in L.A. for thirteen years, and my connections to the people and the place are still strong. I decided the next time I was in town and had a free evening, I’d organize a small reunion.
When I first moved to Los Angeles, I toured many houses from the outside. This gem, in the hills of Bel Air, was always among my favorites. Ironically, I had long since moved to New York before I had ever set foot in it. Through a series of fortunate coincidences, my friend Reagan Silver became its owner, and my best friend, the extraordinary interior designer Charles Allem, renovated its interior. It is an absolutely stunning piece of architecture, perched on a ledge with expansive views spreading toward the horizon. At night, the house seems to float above the shimmering lights of the city below.
The house is poured concrete and reinforced steel construction, with a large open plan and floor-to-ceiling glass on the “view” side. Very much in the avant-garde, a real case-study house, it was designed by Richard Dorman in the Post and Beam Style, which is rare for this type of architecture, and built in 1964. Charles brought back its original glory, opening up the interior spaces and creating room to breathe. He introduced numerous shades of green as the accent color, right down to the collection of chartreuse martini and champagne glasses lining the shelves of the well-stocked bar.
The guests were my close friends Karyn and Joel Silver, along with photographer Lyndie Benson, Judy Feder, and my partner Stuart Brownstein. Joel’s latest action-packed film had opened to a superb box office, so if the reunion wasn’t enough of an excuse to celebrate, then the opening-weekend success certainly was. What could be better than bringing old friends together in such a spectacular setting? Karyn, Joel, Judy, Lyndie, and I all share a love of great architecture, so it was doubly exhilarating to stage our reunion in this sensational structure.
Timing
The salad can be prepared quickly just before serving or made in advance and refrigerated if you like. The batter or dough for the fritters needs to sit for 30 minutes before frying; the fritters can be cooked in advance of the guests’ arrival, then reheated, or they can be fried at the end of the cocktail hour, drained, and served immediately. Likewise, the lamb chops need to marinate for a half hour; they can be prepped in advance. The lamb chops can be seared before the guests arrive, then finished in the oven just prior to serving. The lentils take about 30 to 35 minutes total for preparation and cooking; they can be made in advance and kept warm in the oven. Ditto the cauliflower.
Menu
Watermelon, Tomato, and Basil Salad
Corn and Crab Fritters
Pan-Roasted Spiced Lamb Chops
Red Lentils
Curried Cauliflower
Caramelized Bananas
Tip
As always, there's more to come!
