During the Prussian occupation of Paris in 1870, the cupboards were so bare Parisians couldn’t even afford to feed the animals in the zoo. In lieu of letting everyone go hungry on Christmas (day 99 of the siege), Chef Bellanger from Café Voisin acquired some lovely fresh ingredients for the following inspired menu. In this time of over indulging, take a moment to consider how lucky you are to not have to eat this menu.
Here is a selection of some of the choice menu items from the restaurant Voisin’s Christmas Feast, served on December 25, 1870.
Tete D’ane Farcie – Stuffed Ass’s head
Consommé d’élephant – Elephant soup
le Chameau roti a l’Anglaise- English style roast camel (one lump or two?)
le Civet de Kangourou - Kangaroo stewCotes d’Ours roties sauce poivrade – Bear chops with pepper sauceCuissot de loup, sauce chevreuil – haunch of wolf with venison sauce
Le Terrine d’Antaloupe aux Truffes - Stuffed Ass’s headLe chat flanqué de rats – cat served with rats
Happy Statutory Holidays and remember it’s not about the food, it’s about eating too much of it and passing out into a food coma.
Click the book to order your copy...
lost all my appetite now
good thing i celebrate Hanuka LOL…
Merry x-mas
Bon Appetit, indeed! :X
I just found your blog and have immediately fallen in love. I can’t wait to purchase your cookbook!!!
Happy Holidays!
I went to Vancouver and my number one priority was to find your book. I couldn’t… Got home and ordered on-line. I think it’s the most beautiful cookbook I ever had. I sleep with it by my night table every day.
Chameau means 2 humps! (dromadaire is the one hump. we have a word for each).
Also, ew.
Pierre,
You are scaring me now. I am sad that they ate the animals in the zoo.
That’s some bedtime story to tell the kids before bed!
Happy Merry!
Stacey
[...] Anthony if you are reading this check out these old posts: Christmas at the Zoo, Mr.B Russell Sprout, and the BLT Kama [...]
Hi: As you can see my name is Roscoe. I bought a menu about 10 or so years ago in a old house antique store of the ” Voisin Paris , Vins Cafe & Liqueurs, “25 December 1870 99th Day Of The Seige” It features all of the zoo animals on the menu as meals, as well as the animated pictures of each zoo critter to be served as the main courses. I have tried without success to find information other than a menu without the artistry of the critters. I am currently trying to get tickets to the antique roadshow. any info would be greatly appreciated. If you let me know where, I will try to down load a picture to send you. Many thanks, and God Bless. Sincerly Roscoe