Dinner in the Rose Garden

roses 09



Once a year for 2 weeks only, we have these unbelievable bright pink roses that grow up the sides of our house, up the front, in the back and up around the roof! They really are a sight to see.



The variety is called Zephirine Drouhin. They are an antique, thornless, climbing rose from 1868. The aroma is intoxicating and they really are show stoppers. They are the pride and joy in our spring garden.



The only bad thing about them is there is only a 2 week window in which they bloom. They are a once a season bloom only. I have to wait till next Memorial Day for them to open again. We appreciate the time we have with them.



Every year we invite friends to eat in the backyard with the roses. It feels like you are in an English garden. The knockwurst really didn't match the beauty of the flowers, but so what, they were mighty tasty!



Rose Garden Dinner Menu

~ Manchego wrapped with Boquerones (white marinated anchovies)

~ Asparagus and Speck with a Mustard Cream Sauce

~ Ravioli Salad w/ Spring Peas, Asparagus & Haricot Vert w/a Pesto Vinaigrette

~ Grilled Chicken Kabobs w/ Cherry Tomatoes & Skewered Vegetables

~ Knockwurst on Buns!





Comments

Anonymous said…
DEFINITELY A FEAST FOR ALL SENSES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL, ROSES AND FOOD!!
MIL
Dewi said…
WOW, Stacey, you have no idea how much I love Roses. Although I don't really have an antique variety, I do have an old rose that climb on the arbor of my son's cottage in our back yard. I think it is about 65 yrs old now. It is a prolific bloomer, and bloom quite a long time. From Spring to Fall. Maybe because it is in CA, if you know what I mean. Anyway, dinner at the Rose garden sounds fabulous and such a great idea. I bet the food taste so much better.
Have a fabulous weekend dear...
elra
those are some old ass roses...LOL but I do love me some manchego...mmmmmmmm
Ciao Chow Linda said…
Stacey - I just came in from picking some roses I planted last year and checked your blog. For years I thought I had too little sun, but I found a "bushy" variety that needs little care. Unfortunately, there's no scent. How I would love to have a climbing arbor like yours with an old-fashioned rose scent. I loved this post - and you have to tell me (I think you told me once) where you buy those anchovies. Can we have a reservation for next year when the roses bloom?
lisa is cooking said…
Gorgeous roses! I'm imagining how lovely they must smell.
Karen said…
How pretty the roses are. That they only bloom for a few weeks makes them that more precious. The food looks great - love that ravioli salad!
LaDue & Crew said…
Oh I can smell them from here! And I love the bike with the basket along the side of the house~ so picturesque!

I am all over that menu... would be worth a trip back to NY to dine in your garden!
kat said…
I've had no luck with roses so I envy your two weeks!
Your roses are beautiful, picture perfect! Don't you wish they could stay like that all summer long?What a gorgeous setting for a dinner!
Foodiewife said…
I don't what made me drool most-- the roses or your menu. Roses are my favorite flower of all, and mine are blooming like crazy. What a lovely setting...wish I had been there.

Deb
Melissa said…
The roses are gorgeous, though I have to admit being drawn to the ravioli salad even more. ;)
noble pig said…
It sounds magnificent. I love the idea of the outdoor rose dinner!
The Food Hunter said…
Your roses are amazing and all the food looks delicious.
Giff said…
tonight I grilled asparagus wrapped in prosciutto, which I've been meaning to do forever but somehow only did for the first time now. was everything I expected and hoped it would be :)
Lori Lynn said…
So very lovely!
I didn't know there were roses that only bloom 2 weeks a year. That's heartbreaking. So neat that you celebrate them with a party. The menu sounds excellent.
The photo of the singe rose is awesome.
LL
Colleen said…
This looks like a beautiful and delicious menu!