Dinner en homage TILDA

It's been awhile since we dropped an homage dinner and

still they've remained one of the most popular features with kind visitors emailing their approval. A confession: back in 2005 - the literal infancy of Cafe Drake the Website - our first idea for such an homage dinner was to honor Tilda Swinton, an actress whose career we've diligently followed since 1986's art house masterpiece Caravaggio. Subsequently we raced to every other film Swinton made with her personal auteur, the late great Derek Jarman.

After Sunday nights' wildly unexpected Academy Award win and the surreal experience of seeing Tilda on that stage, the time has come for a Cafe Drake tribute in earnest.

After Derek Jarman's untimely passing, Swinton began production on a documentary detailing his illustrious talent over 25+ years, not yet content to drop her status as Jarman's ultimate muse. Even years later when she served the same inspirational function for designers Viktor & Rolf, and finally broke into the Hollywood studio system, Tilda remained fiercely independent, largely sequestered in her native Scotland, more interested in films that challenged viewers rather than pandered to them with convenient, conventional storylines. It is this intellectual pride, combined with the fiercest features seen on a large screen in over 30 years, that keep Cafe Drake enthralled with Ms. Swinton, savoring every magazine spread and cinematic endeavor she graces with her royal beauty.

We'll stop now because we may never quit gushing once started on the subject of Tilda, but provide a selective filmography below and a menu we'd prepare if ever so honored by her presence at Cafe Drake.

Required Viewing: Carravagio (1986); The Last of England (1988); Edward II (1991); Orlando (1992); Love is the Devil (1998); The Deep End (2001)

[Most available on Netflix!!]

DINNER EN HOMAGE TILDA SWINTON

Rob Roys (you know, basically, Manhattans made with Scotch whiskey)

Scottish Smoked Salmon with Buckwheat Silver Dollar Pancakes and Creme Fraiche

Roast Grouse

Parsnips with Butter and Chervil

Braised Turnips

Salad of Wild Greens

Scottish Sheep's Milk Cheddar

Baked Quinces in Cream and Honey

Port