The James Beard House
M-F 9am-5pm; Private dining reservations required
One of the most memorable gifts that our children gave to us was an evening at The James Beard House. Certainly, he was a man who had a culinary vision well before cooking and dining out was as popular as it is today. Mr. Beard introduced people in the US to the wonders and joys of food and how eating healthy can enhance our lives in so many different ways. He was an educator, an author, a television celebrity (beginning in 1946), and a friend to an abundance of professionals in the food industry. He passed away in 1985, at the age of 81, but left his mark in the wide world of cooking. And, perhaps, his reputation is even stronger today as every seat is filled in Lincoln Center when they announce the annual James Beard Awards for excellence in the food world. The James Beard Foundation has continued on with his legacy by offering educational programs and outstanding dining experiences in the place that he called home on West 12th Street. Chefs are invited to prepare meals in his kitchen and guests are able to mingle in his garden over a glass of champagne before going upstairs for their meal. My husband and I chose an evening when the food was prepared by Richard Landau, a well known vegetarian chef from Philadelphia. Everyone was seated randomly in what was once Mr. Beard’s living room and we were served multiple courses of excellent dishes. Following dessert, the chef came out to standing ovations and charmed us all while speaking about his craft – his passion – and his desire to educate others about eating healthy. We met interesting people, had a delicious meal, sipped on fine wine and we dined in James Beard’s home! What a perfect night.
