We all know that the Titanic sank 100 years ago, after striking an iceberg in the early hours of 15th April 1912 on its way from Southhampton, England to New York City. But what were the passengers eating just before being shipwrecked?
Only two Titanic menus from the night of the 14th April were among the documents rescued from the fleet. One of these was a dinner menu for first-class passengers, some of whom paid today’s equivalent of $124,000 for their sea voyage. The menu featured a 10-course extravaganza of the haute cuisine of the era. Diners enjoyed hors d’oeuvres, oysters, filet mignon Lili, pate di foie gras, Waldorf pudding and a host of other delicacies.
Each course was accompanied with a different wine chosen to enhance the flavor of the rich dishes. If their hunger had not yet been satiated, guests were offered cheeses and fresh fruits. These whopping 10 courses were followed by coffee and cigars paired with port or distilled liquors.
Here is the whole first-class menu, as reported in the book Last Dinner on the Titanic. Menus and Recipes and Recipes from the Great Liner. Exactly the same menu you could taste on April 14: a Houston's restaurant is replicating the 10-course dinner served to first-class passengers the night the ship went down. The price for the meal? $12,000, but the experience accommodates 12.
The First-Class Menu
As served in the first-class dining saloon of the R.M.S. Titanic on April 14, 1912
First Course
Hors D'Oeuvres
Oysters
Second Course
Consommé Olga
Cream of Barley
Third Course
Poached Salmon with Mousseline Sauce, Cucumbers
Fourth Course
Filet Mignons Lili
Saute of Chicken, Lyonnaise
Vegetable Marrow Farci
Fifth Course
Lamb, Mint Sauce
Roast Duckling, Apple Sauce
Sirloin of Beef, Chateau Potatoes
Green Pea
Creamed Carrots
Boiled Rice
Parmentier & Boiled New Potatoes
Sixth Course
Punch Romaine
Seventh Course
Roast Squab & Cress
Eighth Course
Cold Asparagus Vinaigrette
Ninth Course
Pate de Foie Gras
Celery
Tenth Course
Waldorf Pudding
Peaches in Chartreuse Jelly
Chocolate & Vanilla Eclairs
French Ice Cream
