New Pop-up Event: Formal French Dinner in Paris

What is the ultimate dinner experience? Some say it's the classic French gastronomic meal which starts with an apéritif (drinks before the meal), ends with a digestif (after dinner drink), and contains multiple successive courses in between all paired with specially selected wines. It is a festive meal bringing people together for an occasion to enjoy the art of good eating and drinking, emphasizing togetherness, the pleasure of taste, and the setting of a beautiful environment. Since 2010, this traditional French ritual has been inscribed as one of UNESCO's "intangible cultural heritage of humanity."

We're going to recreate this "formal" French dinner experience with seven courses right here in downtown Urbana for ten special guests. Instead of flying to Paris and paying $360 per person (without wine) at a fancy Parisian restaurant like Le Cinq, you can have the same experience for $90 per person (with wine pairings for every course). Best of all, you don't even have to dress up for this dinner.

Here's what's on the menu for this special "formal" dinner:

• L'Aperitif: Charcuterie Board
• L'Entree (appetizer): Vichyssoise (chilled potato soup)
• Poisson (Fish): Seared Tuna Provençal
• Le Plat Principal (Main Course): Coq au Vin
• Salad: Salade Lyonnaise
• Fromage (Cheese): A selection of imported cheeses
• Dessert: Crêpes Suzette Flambé
• Imported wine pairings all evening long, plus a few surprises!

This dinner is scheduled for Sunday, November 12, 2023 from 6–8:30pm. Seating is extremely limited. For more information about how to score a seat at this event, please join the popup_dinners_cu Facebook group, follow @popup_dinners_cu on Instagram, or subscribe to my email newsletter.

More information about upcoming pop-up events and cooking classes can always be found at www.cooking-with-paul.com. For the latest news, feel free to subscribe to my monthly email newsletter.