From Crab Cakes to Cocktails: Gatsby continued

There’s something about Gatsby.

F. Scott Fitzgerald makes it impossible for us to forget Jay, Nick and Daisy by painting a picture of a world rich with beauty, idealism and tragedy that’s as inherently relatable for readers today as it was 85 years ago. We can sympathize with Gatsby because at one time or another, we’ve all wanted something (or someone) that was out of reach—and have experienced the overwhelming disillusionment that accompanies that reality check. However, despite the novel’s tragic ending, we’re also given a glimpse into the glory and grandeur that defined the 1920s. Excesses? Yes. But marvelously fun and mischievous ones at that.

Unlike my partner in crime, cooking is not exactly my forte. I love reading recipes and saying the names of ingredients out loud—but preferably over a baked potato or a plate of Chinese takeout. So, when it came time for me to make a connection with this fabulous novel, I took a decidedly less DIY route and drew on a true area of expertise: happy hour in Brew City.

I love Milwaukee. I’ve lived here all my life and have come to appreciate its blue-collar elegance, quirky neighborhoods and colorful cast of characters—as well as embrace the habits that have led to our distinction as, yes, America’s Drunkest City. That being said, we’re not solely a town of bowling alleys and dive bars. If you’ve spent any time downtown, hopefully you’ve noticed some of the gorgeous vintage buildings that are either beautifully maintained or waiting for someone enterprising and visionary to restore them to their original majesty. One of my favorites (and an outstanding spot for an after-work cocktail) is the Metro Lounge at Hotel Metro, located at the corner of Mason and Broadway—and it’s here that we decided to pay homage to Gatsby.

The Hotel Metro was actually built in the 1930s, making it a few years too young to be truly reminiscent of our great novel. But the art deco style and feel of this hotel are more than enough to make the space seem magical and Gatsby-esque. The Metro Lounge hosts a happy hour from 4-6:30pm, Monday through Friday, that’s not to be missed. Cocktail and wine lists are updated quite frequently and specials change daily, but martinis on Friday are a standard—and a must-do.  Several appetizers are also offered at a discounted price, a welcome pairing for your drink of choice. Explore the rest of the hotel while you’re there, if you can. The rooms, though modern, are divine, and the ballroom is a sight to behold. I’ve ended my day at the Metro Lounge countless times and on each visit, I fall in love all over again. Hopefully you will, too.

More than anything, the Metro Lounge offers its visitors a distinctive and delicious getaway from the present day to a bygone era…which is exactly what Gatsby would have wanted, anyway.

IF YOU GO:

Hotel Metro | 411 East Mason Street | Milwaukee, WI 53202 | (414) 272-1937 | http://www.hotelmetro.com

Adieu, Sweet Life of ’20s Luxury

This article is from early 2011, but it’s still an interesting read. At least we’ll always have the Charleston!

The Great Gatsby: A new take on an old classic

I was excited when Katie and I decided to start our blog with the greatest of great novels — The Great Gatsby. I recently re-read the book and identified with very different themes than when I read it in high school AP English. As a teenager, the love story between Gatsby and Daisy entranced me, as I’m sure it did most teenage girls. What I missed was the great social commentary on the excesses of the 1920s and American culture in general. It is a great ironic book for anyone who believes in the American Dream, but who acknowledges its pitfalls.

When I read most books, I tear through them as quickly as my brain can process the words, but The Great Gatsby is like a fine piece of dark chocolate (also one of my favorite indulgences). You have to enjoy it slowly and savor the flavors before it melts away leaving you satisfied, yet longing for more.

Beyond the larger themes, the novel is chock-full of witty one-liners. One of my favorite quotes from the book is a line Jordan Baker says during one of the many parties at Gatsby’s. Jordan is not one of my favorite characters, but when I read the novel for a second time, many of her quotes stood out to me.  At a party, Jordan says this to Nick:

“And I like large parties. They’re so intimate. At small parties there isn’t any privacy.”

It’s one of many quotes and passages within the book that sounds at first like a paradox or oxymoron, but actually makes sense in the end. If you think about it, at a small get-together, your conversation is much more intertwined with the group, while at a large party, you can get lost in your own little world with one or two other people.

Now when I think of The Great Gatsby, I think of the East Coast elite, and crab cakes are an iconic East Coast, upper class meal. I found a recipe in a Taste of Home cookbook for Tuna Zucchini Cakes and I think it’s a new take on the traditional crab cake:

Tuna Zucchini Cakes

½ cup chopped onion

1 tablespoon butter or oil

2 cans water-packed tuna, drained (5 oz each)

1 1/2 cup shredded zucchini (A small, six-inch zucchini should do the trick)

2 eggs, beaten

1/3 cup minced fresh parsley

1 teaspoon lemon juice

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon or more of pepper (I always add extra)

1 cup bread crumbs, divided

2 tablespoons canola or light olive oil

1.) In a small saucepan, saute the onion in the butter or oil until tender. Remove from heat. Combine onion, tuna, zucchini, eggs, parsley, lemon juice, seasonings and ½ cup bread crumbs. Stir and shape into six 1.2-in.-thick patties. Coat with remaining bread crumbs.

The uncooked version

2.) In large frying pan or skillet, heat oil. Cook patties for 3 min on each side or until golden brown.

Makes 3 servings

The finished product

The cakes are good with some horseradish sauce. Make some by combining mayo with plain horseradish, in a 2 to 1 ratio. (If you like it less intense, add more mayo).

I would pair the cakes with a spinach salad and oven roasted potatoes. (Cut up three or four red potatoes in bite-sized pieces, place in glass pan, add ¼ cup water, drizzle with olive oil, top with salt, pepper, oregano, dill, rosemary, garlic powder, onion powder. Bake for 30-40 minutes at 350^o)

The tuna zucchini cakes should only take about 20 minutes, so if you do both, start the potatoes first.

Lavilla

Welcome to our blog!

If you’re reading this, you’re probably a family or friend of Katie or Lavilla. (Or an adoring fan after we’ve become famous). We assume you love food, fashion and/or literature. Our goal for this blog is to discuss food and fashion inspired by our favorite books. We don’t want to be limited by this, though and will wander off to random, but still semi-related pop culture tangents, hopefully all entertaining. If you have any comments or suggestions, feel free to email us dressdinedish@gmail.com. Enjoy and bon appetit!

Our next post will arrive within the next week or two