PB&J as a French Delicacy…
[David Burke and Donatella's foie gras PB&J photo from the Observer]
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches are incontestably American. Paired with a tall glass of milk, we have not met one American that hadn’t eaten this combo, for many it was a staple of their childhood lunches. Living in a city where Americans are becoming the minority, we quickly found out that this sandwich has never been popular for our European/Australian counterparts. Most had never even TRIED a PB&J (and are not, surprisingly, overly excited to do so any time soon). So, in case you care, here’s why: Peanut Butter has not been around for that long. It was invented by a physician in St. Louis in 1890, which is why the stuff in general is mainly “American”. It is like the equivalent of the Australian “Vegemite”. Sliced bread wasn’t even invented until 1927 in Iowa of all places. Though the exact inventor of the sandwich is unknown, it seems to have become extremely popular here in the 1940s after it was used as military rations during the war. (Here is a timeline of the origin of the sandwich from Smuckers).
Why all the ramblings on the sandwich anyway? Because we just found out what David Burke & Donatella, the posh UES restaurant has done with the PB&J. They have paired it with FOIE GRAS! Here’s what Doree Shafrir of the Observer had to say: “a special, though almost every night it’s on the menu, described as a “torchon of foie gras, macadamia nut butter, strawberry-vanilla jam, toasted brioche.” At a restaurant known for taking culinary whimsy to a sometimes illogical extreme, this invention seems decidedly illogical: a kitschy bastardization of a fourth-grader’s lunch.”
Our own bastard president George W. Bush revealed on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2000 that his favorite sandwich was the PB&J…we hope the establishment rushes one over to his hotel room pronto. Pictured above, it is a sandwich that seems fit for a moron.
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Wow I’m speechless. I think I’ll just stick with my grandmother’s good old fashion kind (bread and butter). Will I see you at this Spring, music, Nikon Buddha Bar thing tonight? I’ll for sure be there (yes, even though I don’t even know who the party’s official sponsor is) so if you are let me know
@ Model
Unfortunately for us we are still catching up on nasty cold. Have fun and we’ll be anxious to hear about it!
I have had this dish and I have to say, while it may seem a bit off-putting pairing foie gras with pb&j, it really is quite delicious. Before going around and taking sides, think about what your mother told you - Don’t judge a book by its cover. Wash that down with a glass of milk, or rather, a 2005 Burgundy.
This dish really is delicious. In fact, it’s incredible. I had it back in March or April of 2007 as part of the tasting menu. The presentation was different back then, so I can’t vouch for it now, but according to the David Burke & Donatella website the course is still offered with a new price tag of $21. It was the best course by far and probably one of the best dishes I have had in Manhattan. Then again, I am the “peanut butter boy” and suppose I may be bias to a dish entitled “PB & J”.