Oranjestad-- Great drama and flair awaited the thirsty, elegant crowd convening at 6:30 p.m. at Access Gallery on Thursday evening to celebrate the arrival of the new wine Le Beaujolais Nouveau, 2005, an occasion celebrated world over.
The drama and flair were borrowed from French romantic painter Eugene Delacroix, whose masterpiece depicting a bare breasted woman-warrior symbolizing Liberty, leading the oppressed people of France during the French Revolution served as the inspiration for a fantastic evening orchestrated by the talented team of Chez Mathilde French restaurant.
The evening started with the revolutionaries, members of the working class, storming Access gallery. La Bohemienne, a disenchanted figure inspired them to revolt against the Bourbon royals and improve their life to achieve: Libertée, Egalitée et Fraternitée.
The talented actors of the CKC theater group staged a whole Tableau Vivant, at Access Gallery, then led guests behind fire-torches and the tricolor French flag through the streets of Oranjestad to Chez Mathilde’s Restaurant.
At Chez Mathilde they found the selfish, corrupt French nobility drinking Beaujolais and not sharing it with the proletarians!!!
A fast trial resulted in a guillotine sentence for King Louis XVI and his entourage. Heads were rolling at Chez Mathilde as one by one Aruba’s pillars of society placed their necks on the lock/blocking device for a souvenir picture with executioner Chris Wild.
The revolutionaries then poured Beaujolais for everyone singing the Marseillaise, the national French anthem which when loosely translated urges citizens to grab their weapons and form battalions, as the day of glory is arriving when tyranny ends.
It was a lot of fun!!! As a result of the mass guillotine executions, the new wine now belonged to the people and was enjoyed by all.
Special congratulations go to restaurateurs Landa & Raul Henriquez which dazzled their guests with a perfectly organized special evening. Costume and Make Up Designer Carmen, and Flower Arranger Hester, are according to Raoul, the secret weapons.
Responsible for impeccable service, a festive atmosphere and most-enjoyable music, restaurant manager Marcel van Berkum and his hard working, costumed, dinning room staff.
Renwich Heronimo from Access Gallery also worked tirelessly to make the evening a total success.
Chef Jim Rooseman and the kitchen brigade with Linda Pool, were the true heroes of the revolutionary evening. His food received a perfect 10 from start to finish. Every one attending the evening sand Jim’s praises . . .
The menu consisted of a Timbale of Tuna & Rock Lobster, followed by a Rabbit Consommé with a triangle of Avocado & Sweet Breads, Forest Fruits Sorbet with Beaujolais Nouveau, Duck Breast with Beaujolais butter sauce, Epoisse Cheese of Burgundy with Fennel and Orange and a most unforgettable dessert Nougat Iced Parfait with Grapes and Hazelnuts.
Naturally bottomless bottles of Beaujolais Nouveau by George Duboeuf were the true reason for celebration. Aruba Trading Company’s Jorge Curiel reports the celebration of the new wine is traditionally held the third Thursday of November.
Aruba’s first bottles of 2005 Beaujolais Nouveau were opened at Chez Mathilde but the wine is available in a number of quality food stores.
The Beaujolais, Jorge adds is the one wine which stands out, because it is straightforward without great pretensions. It is unique and original, to be drunk among friends without ceremony or fuss. It is bursting with color and fruit. It is a new wine. It's Beaujolais Nouveau, the same day, the same hour, the world over.
