Some recipes from the Old Talbott Tavern, Bardstown, Kentucky

donna

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The Old Talbott Tavern in Bardstown, Kentucky is believed to be the oldest continuously operating tavern in the country. It was constructed in 1779.


Visitors to the tavern may lunch in the room, which served as General George Rogers Clark's headquarters during the American Revolution. Other famous guests were Henry Clay, Andrew Jackson, William Henry Harrison and Aaron Burr. Young Abraham Lincoln and his family stayed in the upstairs front room during a trial for ownership of the family farm which they lost and moved to Indiana. Lodging is still available in that room and some other rooms.

Diners will enjoy the early 1800s Colonial Room in which Queen Marie of Romania had tea in 1926, and the upstairs room, where according to tradition, murals painted by companions of exiled King Louis Phillippe were defaced by Jesse James, who fired his pistols at the picture.

One of the Tavern's famous dishes is Chicken Phillippe, named after King Louis Phillippe of France.

Old Talbott Tavern Chicken Phillippe

For each serving:

2 boned chicken breast halves
Flour for dredging, seasoned with salt and pepper
Lard for frying
Worcestershire sauce
Poultry seasoning
bay leaf
2 to 3 teaspoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon brandy
1 to 2 tablespoons Burgundy wine

Dredge chicken breast halves in seasoned flour; in skillet. braise chicken in lard until flour is browned. Place in oven-proof pan, sprinkle with Worcestershire sauce and poultry seasonings, and top with bay leaf and wine vinegar. Cover and bake at 350 degrees 15 minutes, uncover, remove from oven, and flame with brandy. Replace in oven when flame is out and cook additional 5 minutes. Just before serving ladle Burgundy on top. Serve on wild rice.

This is a delicious dish. I have had it and others several times at the Old Talbott Tavern. It certainly was a dish fit for a King.

From: "Dining In Historic Kentucky", by Marty Godbey, page 118.
 
Old Talbott Tavern Corn Fritters

2 cups self-rising flour
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup canned whole kernel corn, drained
milk
deep oil for frying
powdered sugar

In bowl, mix all ingredients, using just enough milk tp moisten; batter should be stiff. Drop by tablespoons into deep oil at 325 degrees and fry to a golden brown. Roll in powdered sugar and serve warm

from: "Dining In Historic Kentucky", page 119.
 
Annie this is an old recipe, just updated for today.

King Louis Phillippe arrived in Bardstown on October 17, 1797. He stayed at the Talbott Tavern. It has been told that he very much enjoyed his time in Bardstown. Later, after returning to France, he presented the Basilica of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral which is a Catholic Parish Church in Bardstown with several gifts. He gave some very valuable paintings and gifts of royal embroidered vestments, which were the handwork of the Queen and her court and sacramental vessels.

The paintings given were:

The Crucifixion , Phillippe Van Bree
The Flaying of St. Bartholemew, Rubens
Descent of the Holy Ghost, Van Eyck
The Winged St. Mark, Van Dyck
St Peter in Chains, Van Dyck
St. John the Baptist, Van Dyck
The Coronation in Heaven of the Mother of God, Murillo
The Annunciation, Van Eyck
Teaching the Boys, Artist Unknown

These are very valuable paintings. Actually the paintings were stolen from the Church Nov. 12, 1952. They were recovered during April and May 1953.

This Church is well worth a visit when in Bardstown. It is very beautiful.
 
Another fact about this Church. The Cathedral is the first Catholic Cathedral west of the Allegheny Mountains. The cornerstone of the Church was laid on July 16, 1816. In 1819 the first Mass was held in the Church. It was completed in 1823.
 
Old Talbott Tavern Pie

one 9-inch baked pie shell
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups water
2 egg yolks, beaten
1/2 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon grated orange rind
2 tablespoons lemon juice
whipped cream

Combine sugar, flour, and salt in top of double boiler; add water and stir until smooth. Cook and stir over direct heat for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, add yolks and cook 5 minutes longer over boiling water, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and add fruit juices and rind. Chill and turn into pie shell. Top with whipped cream. Serves 8.

Note. It may also be topped with meringue instead of whipped cream.

From: "Dining In Historic Kentucky" page 119.
 
Since had post on Song "My Old Kentucky Home" and discussed Federal Hill, house in Bardstown, that inspired the song, thought bring up these recipes from the Talbott Tavern. If you in Bardstown, one must stop here and eat.
 
Nevermind the fancy-schmancy. If you're in Bardstown, there is a sterling Mexican restaurant downtown. I still rate local Mexican restaurants against the rather high bar set by that one.
 
JPK,
Do you think she does this on purpose? I sure am hungry now, I could eat a corn fritter for breakfast, or pancakes, or country fried steak and eggs, or waffles, you know a lite breakfast:smile coffee:

I only came across this today, TC, ( no idea how it became missed! ) but the thing is, I know she does because that was September and I'm STILL hungry! :spider: Also do not know what that might be, it looks like it eats a lot, too.
 
Ole I am sure the Mexican restaurant is great. However, when in Bardstown, Ky. it you are interested in history and food from those times. the Old Talbott Tavern is the place to go.

When we travel, we search out the restaurants from early days and try them out. Have yet to be disappointed but that is us.
 
Ole I am sure the Mexican restaurant is great. However, when in Bardstown, Ky. it you are interested in history and food from those times. the Old Talbott Tavern is the place to go.

When we travel, we search out the restaurants from early days and try them out. Have yet to be disappointed but that is us.

Love old restaurants. Like the Jack London saloon in Oakland - never knew about pirates of San Francisco Bay until we had lunch there one day. (No, Jack London not Jack Sparrow...!) There are some Spanish and Mexican ancient eateries up and down the old Camino Real - the missions and old towns founded by the Spaniards and land grant haciendas. General Vallejo, for instance, who owned everything north of the bay. They're like old meeting halls - just full of stuff! (Speaking of that, the Masonic Hall over the valley burned to the ground last night. Very sad. They had an enormous amount of old photos, letters, documents, etc. of the history of the county. Lots of old meeting halls are like that. Strange, it used to be churches!)
 
Nevermind the fancy-schmancy. If you're in Bardstown, there is a sterling Mexican restaurant downtown. I still rate local Mexican restaurants against the rather high bar set by that one.
I'll have to agree with you about this Mexican Restaurant, I'll have to try the Old Talbott Tavern the next time that I'm in Bardstown.
 
Donna. Thanks for sharing the delicious chicken and fritter recipes as well as providing the historical information on this tavern in Kentucky. This is another historic place to add to my ever growing bucket list. David.
 
Another old continuous operating tavern. I saw old restaurant that was mentioned in Boston. Thought just bump this thread. This is great place to eat and see if you in Bardstown, Ky.
 
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