I say this without reservation: Except for children, Moveable Feast is the perfect gift for anyone, (including yourself) anywhere, for any occaision. The nationwide subscription and a la carte service brings exclusive dinner parties (for 4, 8, or 12) from celebrated restaurants straight to the recipient’s door. Each feast requires thirty minutes or less of light prep and offers a multi-course, luxury menu from a different acclaimed American chef each month. The program launched in April with chef Nina Compton of Compere Lapin.
Full disclosure, in October, Moveable Feast sent me the Jewel of the South (JOTS) dinner party in a box to share with three others. JOTS is known for Chris Hannah’s peerless cocktail program and Chef Philip Whitmarsh’s British-style cuisine.
Right off we were excited by the beautiful sustainable packaging in the recyclable/reusable insulated box. Components were packaged in reusable stainless steel or glass containers, or compostable pouches, all of which were tucked carefully between reusable Nordic Ice packs to keep them cold. Everything was screamingly fresh and sustainably sourced through a collaborative kitchen in Napa, Ca., with access to top-notch seasonal and sustainably grown ingredients from farmers that employ sustainable, biodynamic, or organic growing methods.
A thoughtfully composed playlist to accompany prep time, the meal itself, and a long hang after was available for download or streaming on Spotify. Instructions for preparing the meal were idiot-proof and available in print, via YouTube videos, or via scannable QR codes. A detailed list of possible allergens in the box was included. A printed menu on cardstock was included for each dinner guest.
What We Ate
In The Moveable Feast Jewel of The South Dinner Party Box:
- Two starters: Eggs Royale with smoked trout roe, and perfect, tiny sprigs of fresh dill; and the most perfectly beautiful, delicate little Hakurei turnips with a squeeze-able packet of bone marrow and a little jar of smoked Maldon
- Salad: Fresh endive, sealed slices of Granny Smith apple, toasted hazelnuts, and lemon vinaigrette
- Entrée: Braised Short Rib Pie “Bourguignon” encased in a flakey crust to be served with an umami-rich short rib gravy
- Side dish: Brit-style mushy peas to be topped with fried shallots and scallions
- Dessert: Eccles cake served with a savory potted cheese of both Stilton and Pecorino
- Optional add-on: Baked Camembert with roast fingerling potatoes, honey, cornichons, and slices of sturdy bread
What We Drank
Wine and cocktails are optional add-ons:
- A premixed Pontchatoula Daiquiri by Fassionola to which we added two ounces of our own rum per cocktail, gave it a shake, and topped each cocktail with the dried lime wheels for garnish (included)
- 2020 Dr. H Thanisch Riesling Kabinett worked with both the salad and the baked Camembert
- 2021 Nottingham Cellars Mogambo Vineyard Syrah that paired with the short rib pie, gravy and mushy peas
- 2007 Topaz Late Harvest Semillon that complemented with sweet spices and sultanas in the Eccles cake, while standing up to the rich potted cheese that accompanied it
The Experts
Moveable Feast was co-founded by restaurateur John Stubbs of New Orleans’ own Jewel of the South and Jon Sybert of Michelin-starred Tail Up Goat in Washington, D.C.
What’s Next for Moveable Feast
December 2023: Birdie G’s, Santa Monica]
January 2024: Dirt Candy, New York
February 2024: Reverie, Washington D.C.
March 2024: Ernest, San Francisco
