My Nepenthe: Bohemian Tales of Food, Family, and Big Sur Review

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(More customer reviews)I have just finished feasting, and am still savoring tasteful images and recipes from the most breathtakingly beautiful "cook book" I've ever read. Perhaps it is because it is so much more than food that is displayed here. Romney Steele has preserved the unique legacy of precious photos, of long forgotten places and faces, of people I have known and loved personally, all bound together in an elegant treasure chest she calls, "My Nepenthe".
Romney (known as Nani) Steel has crafted a lovely monument of history, rendered in the simple language of reverie, that explores her family's roots, and how visionary people brought the gift of Nepenthe to Big Sur and the world. Nepenthe (no sorrow) is an architectural wonder of a restaurant with an unrivaled view of the coast that has become a world-class tourist must-see place during its 60 year history. People still come to look, to wonder, to drink deeply of the beauty, to dine and to dance on its moon-washed balcony overlooking the ocean. Visitors in the past might have been treated to a fashion parade from the Phoenix Boutique, or to an impromptu folk dance. There are those who would line the stone bleachers festooned with pillows, sipping martinis,watching from a distance the fire dancing in the huge fire pit, or the Fire dancers, and belly dancers who often came to grace the gleaming red-stained dance floor. In the sparkling summer days brightly colored umbrellas shade the diners as they enjoy a classic house specialty called "ambrosia" burgers served with homemade french fries, a bean salad, and fine local wines, creating a French Riviera atmosphere.
Last year Nepenthe withstood the most devastating fire ever to sweep through the Ventana wilderness area. Nani's cousin Kirk, Nepenthe's manager, and staff had to beat back the burning embers from the roof and outlying timbers for one whole night, as the blaze threatened to destroy the inheritance of his beloved grandparents. It remains a place deeply loved and revered by local residents, famed for the overarching hospitality of the owners, Bill and Lolly Fassett, Nani's grandparents. Their original home, called the "log cabin" still sits above the restaurant,and is now home to Erin Gafill and her husband Tom Birmingham.
Nani's book strikingly displays well-photographed food dishes, and their storied recipes right from her grandmother Lolly's table. She has learned one of the great secrets of any kitchen, that the presentation of food is as important as its flavor, and has skillfully woven the food, the fame and the fable that is Nepenthe into an artistic fabric. It is as complex and colorful as any of her Uncle Kaffe Fassett's tapestries, and as hauntingly beautiful as any of her cousin Erin's paintings. Nani's family have each contributed works of art to create a lovely window display, featuring her book, at the Phoenix Gift Shop just below Nepenthe.
She has lovingly traced her family's history and drawn a fascinating story of how these early bohemian, avante-garde pioneers in the art world helped to nurture Lolly's vision, and shape the dream of Nepenthe into a reality.
Nani has called this Kingdom, where she grew up under the loving eyes and smile of Lolly her grandmother, MY NEPENTHE. In a sense she has laid claim to it like no other descendant has, but not selfishly. She has put it on display, like the work of art that it is, for the delight of all her family and friends. Now we may all marvel and partake of its unique beauty.


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