What might have happened if Columbus got it right…

This next post is going to be difficult for people to believe. It was difficult for me. The very fact that I am writing this post may put my life in danger. Many things that I do for our readers puts me in danger though, so that is okay. Somewhere in the heart of Oregon lies a secret society restaurant. Witness:

Anyone who is familiar with secret societies such as the Freemasons, Priory of Scion, Knights Templar or has read Dan Brown’s book The DaVinci Code will be familiar with the concept of sub rosa. What goes on here, stays here.

The Sub Rosa restaurant began in a cottage on our property that was once the caretakers quarters for a 90 acre orchard here in Dundee. It remains primarily a workshop for Talisman Stoneworks, a stone carving studio though we do whip up some tasty meals from time to time.

During the day when the workshop is humming, you can drop in from noon on for a bowl of spicy soup; an onion tart; some tasty dessert; a beer or a stiff shot of grappa. Dust flies. Music pulses. Food smells waft into the air creating a exotic blend of workshop meets hole-in-the wall cafe meets underground radio station and WiFi hotspot.

At night - well, the ‘restaurant’ is rarely open. This is an invitation only gig. If you know us or know someone who knows us - you’re in. Otherwise you just get to read about us on this web site.

I just got the shivers. It is actually kind of sadistic what these people do. They prepare virtual menus that will bring tears to your eyes, and perhaps affect your nether regions with the skills of the Merovingian. Your tongue is not allowed to taste however:

You can download recipes and music and order a t-shirt but that’s about it. We’re more a state-of-mind than an actual place to eat.

Then why, dear God why, did they send the following menu/recipes into my inbox? This is beyond even my considerable culinary skills.

Thanksgiving Dinner:
Appetizer: Curried Nuts
Greens: Gujarat Green Beans
Starch: Horseradish Mashed Potatoes
Curried Yams with coconut milk
Turkey: Cumin and Coriander spice rub
Condiments: Cranberry Chutney
Cucumber Raita
Stuffing: With raisins, cinnamon, almonds, celery and of course, bread
Dessert: Chiffon Pumpkin Pie with crystallized ginger galore
Garam Masala - Classic Indian spice mixture

They even included a suggested music list for both before and during dinner to help people get into the mood of eating:

Prep Music:
Ashwin Batish - Bombay Boogie
Ashwin Batish - New Delhi Vice
Habib Kahn - Indian Blues
State of Bengal - Walking On
Bally Sagoo - Funky Indian Dub
Yerida Gunginalli - The Drink That Has Gone Up
Zakir Hussain and the Rhythem Experience - Rap-anagatum

Dinner Music:
Ry Cooder & V.M. Bhatt - Meeting By The River [needs volume]
Talvin Singh - Light
Ustad Sultan Khan - Rag Bhupali
Habib Kahn - Triangle
Habib Kahn - Raindrops
Thievery Corporation - Lebanese Blonde

This all left me with a vision in my head. What if Columbus really had landed in India, and the first Thanksgiving later took place there?

If anyone tries out these recipes next week, SM would appreciate a report on the aftermath (provided the results are G-rated). If anyone actually makes it to Dundee, good luck and may your desires be fulfilled.