My husband is really fascinated by American history and spends countless hours watching documentaries and reading about as much of our history as he can. One of the time periods that really intrigues him is the era right after prohibition's repeal. America was finally starting to rise back up after The Great Depression and people were ready to let loose. Since alcohol was no longer illegal to serve, the golden age of the American nightclub was born. Everyone wanted to be a part of the big-city life and a night out on the town enjoying good food, drink, and company was not just for the select few, but Average Joe could also kick back, even for one night, and enjoy a slice of the pie. Today we remember some of the most famous clubs of yesteryear for their celebrity clientele and entertainment, but the food and drink served at the clubs are also what made the nightclub experience a magical one. Now, I love learning about food as much as Jason loves learning about history, so I couldn't wait to get my hands on a copy of What A Swell Party It Was, a cookbook and cocktail book written by restaurant industry pioneer Michael Turback.
What A Swell Party It Was, Rediscovering Food & Drink From The Golden Age of the American Nightclub will take you on a journey through twenty five legendary nightclubs that thrived in the 1930s & '40s. I thought this was a book that Jason and I could both enjoy, him for the history and me for the food, and this book certainly did not disappoint either of us. We were both drawn into little snippets of history from famed clubs such as New York's The Copacabana and Chicago's Chez Paree.
I admit, I knew of the clubs by name only, but after reading through the book I got a much better sense of what the clubs were about back then. The Cotton Club's entertainment was almost entirely made up from African Americans, The Rainbow Room required heroic spending, which made it a place that socialites liked to gather to rub elbows with A-list movie stars, and Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz were frequent guests at the Mocambo, where the club's main stage was replicated on the television series I Love Lucy as Ricky Ricardo's Tropicana Club.
After each mini history lesson on the nightclub, the book features several of the club's original menu recipes. Who wouldn't want to get their hands on The Stork Club's Walter Winchell Burger, The Latin Quarter's Pink Lady, or Ciro's Baked Alaska? With What A Swell Party It Was, you can get a taste of the nightclub golden age right in your very own home. As I flipped through the book, everything looked amazing and I wanted to make it all! Instead, I thought I'd treat my husband to a South Side Cocktail from Chicago's The Blackhawk since we do have a love affair with the city.
What you need for this recipe:
• 5 mint leaves + 1 for garnish
• 3/4 ounce simple syrup
• 2 ounces gin
• 3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
Muddle mint leaves and simple syrup in the bottom of a mixing glass. Add gin and lime juice and fill with cracked ice. Shake vigorously and double-strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with mint leaf, smacked to release the oils, floating on top of the cocktail.
For myself, since I have such a sweet tooth, I thought I'd make The Stork Club's Coconut Snowball.
What you need for this recipe:
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 6 ounces unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 6 scoops vanilla ice cream
• 1 can moist coconut shreds
Mix sugar and water in a heavy saucepan over low heat. Add chocolate, stirring constantly until fully melted and smooth. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
On each of 6 chilled dessert plates, place a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Top each with chocolate sauce and layer with the shredded coconut.
Do you think you would you have preferred the food or entertainment in the nightclubs of yesteryear?
