A new event at Locust Grove, Sunset Sensations for the Holidays held on Thursday, 12/13/12, went very well.
Guests arrived at the visitor center where they were greeted and ushered to the East Gallery for the first course. They then followed the lantern lit path to the decorated mansion for a tour. After the tour, they returned to the West Gallery for the 2nd and 3rd courses.
Sunset Sensations December featured chef was Edward Kowalski of Lola’s Cafe & Crave Restaurant. He was also the June featured chef. Wine pairing was again by Arlington Wine & Liquor.
The first course was an assorted Hors D’oeuvres
Petit Filet/Horseradish Cream/Boursin Cheese/Fried Shallots
Baked Brie/Spicy Aapricot Jam/Pomegranate Canapé
Arancini-Fried Mushroom Risotto/Basil Gel/Black Olive Tapenade
Mojo Shrimp with Mojo Shooter
Paired with
Reginato Sparking Torrontes Chardonnay NV
The 2nd course was Assorted Chinese Dumplings
Turkey Reuben with Sauerkraut and Thousand Island
Spicy Chicken with Peanut Sauce Click here and scroll down for recipe
Nutella and Banana with Chocolate Fudge
Paired with
Ponzi Pinot Gris 2011
Bacchus Pinot Noir 2011
The 3rd course was
Braised Beef Short Rib Pot au Feu with Winter Root Vegetables
Click here for recipe
Paired with
Chateau les Carregades Medoc 2010
Below are some photos of the decorated Mansion
Locust Grove Holiday Events:
Decorated House Tours (click here to learn more)
Saturdays in December (Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22) & the week after Christmas, Dec. 26 – 31, 2012
Holiday Hunt – ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas (click here to learn more)
Holiday Special for Kids Sundays in December (Dec. 2, 9, 16 & 23) 12 noon– 4 pm
Lola’s Cafe & Crave Restaurant
129 Washington Street
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Tele: 845-452-3501
Arlington Wine
718 Dutchess Turnpike
Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
Tele: 1 866 SAYWINE (729-9463)
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Copyright © by Norma Chang. All Rights Reserved. Do not use/repost any photos and/or articles without permission.
Garden to Wok 
What a gorgeous home and I love how it was decorated for Christmas. The trees are stunning. xx
Hello Charlie,
There were more decorated trees in the mansion but my photos did not turn out well.
Lovely pictures Norma! I enjoyed the Holiday Sunset Sensations. The braised short ribs were incredible. I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year!
Love your Garden friend – Pat
Hello Pt,
Thanks. I too enjoyd the Holiday Sunset Sensations, since it was so successful perhaps it will become a yearly event. A Merry Christmas and A Happy, Healthy New Year to you and your family too.
The mansion must be especially lovely…I’m sure everyone enjoyed the tour. The food sounds like a real treat and I’m sure all the guests left happy.
Hello Karen,
You would appreciate all the antiques in the mansion.
Oh yes, all the guests left happy, many would like to see this becoming an annual event.
I’m sure it would be a success if they made it an annual event. I think everyone loves to see these beautiful homes decorated for the holiday. From your photos, I know I would love the antiques.
Hello Karen,
You could, I am sure, identify all the furnitures and other objects.
I hope you won’t so busy, Norma, that you didn’t have a chance to taste these delicious-looking dishes. I’m glad you did have time, though, to photograph the mansion. Its decorations are beautiful. Thanks for sharing them with us.
Wishing you and yours the very best of Holidays, Norma.
Hello John,
I was busy, it was a sold out event, but I did get to sample all the dishes. I went back the next day to take photos of the decorated mansion as I did not have time the day of the event. Best of holidays to you and your Zia.
Happy Christmath. Lovely and gorgeous.
Hello Cocomino,
Happy Christmas to you too and all the best for the New Year.
So Christmasy!
I wish you a wonderful holiday season, Norma.
Hello Angie,
The decorated mansion does put one in the Christmas frame of mind. A wonderful holiday season to you too.
This always looks like such a fun event Norma – great food, good wine and beautiful surroundings. They’ve decorated so nicely. I like the big tree with presents. It looks very warm and welcoming. 🙂
Hello Kristy,
It is a fun event and as a volunteer I get to sample the dishes. The Hudson Valley is a really beautiful place and has many mansions along the Hudson River.
This looks like just the thing to really get people in the mood for the holidays.
Hello GC,
Definitely.
I love all the differently decorated trees!
Hello YC,
There were more decorated trees but my photos did not turn out good.
Wow, what an evening that must have been, Norma. I hope you were able to enjoy the food too. That home is incredible, either you need an army to decorate or you’d have to start in June! I haven’t done much decorating in my house, other than the tree, the mantel and a few little chachkas around and the urns our front. JT puts lights on the house which look lovely too.
I’m going to check out the recipe links now. Thanks again for sharing this splendid evening with us.
Hello Eva,
It was a wonderful evening, and yes, I did get to sample and enjoy all the food, not all the wine though.
A few local florists did some of the decorating. The staff and volunteers did the remainder.
Thank you for the wonderful tour: looked up all the appetizing dishes and actually made a change to one of my recipes! Great! And now that Yule is upon us, may I say a warm ‘thank you’ for having been able to visit ‘your place’ awhile and learn so much from it! Hope you and yours have just the Christmas you hope for and that the year to come will bring health, contentment, success and happiness 🙂 !
Hello Eha,
Glad you enjoyed the tour. I thank you for visiting and commenting on “my place” and enjoyed the exchanges. Happy holidays to you and yours too.
What gorgeous things to eat and see…Happy Holidays, Norma!!
Hello SM,
Everything was delicious, I had a great time. Happy holidays to you too.
Dear Norma,
The table setting looks absolutely stunning! Wishing you and your family a very happy and joyful Christmas!
Hello Chopin,
My photo did not do the table setting justice, you should see the whole table and the whole room, it was stunning. A happy and joyful Christmas to you and your family too.
Oh how beautiful! I really enjoyed this tour Norma! I am amazed by those trees on the dining room table! Merry Christmas to you! Wishing you a wonderful holiday!
Hello Barb,
Glad you enjoyed the tour. My photos did not do the room justice it was stunning. Merry Christmas and Happy holidays to you and your family too.
Beautifully decorated mansion! My husband and I took a tour of the Hearst Castle here in California, which was also decorated for the season. Puts you in a festive mood for sure!