The Menu: Divine Lola
Lola was no stranger to opulence. From her Parisian haute couture wardrobe to her glittering collection of jewels, she knew how to make an entrance and leave a lasting impression. She had a deep appreciation for the finer things, especially at the table. This menu takes its cue from the extravagant soirées she loved to host and her years in Bavaria. If it was fit for Lola’s high-society guests, it’s perfect for your book club gathering.
Drinks
Channel Lola’s extravagant side with a toast of French Champagne or your favorite sparkling wine. It’s a nod to the lavish retirement party she threw for her rival, ballerina Marie Taglioni. Let the bubbles flow and raise a glass to Lola’s free spirit.
Appetizer
Lola was a regular at the legendary Café de Paris, known for its food and patrons. It was here she mingled with artists, authors, and elites, including her famed lover Franz Liszt. Start your soirée with Alain Ducasse’s gougères, warm and airy bites filled with cheesy goodness. You can find the recipe at Food & Wine. Serve them alongside a classic salmon terrine from All Recipes, a creamy French favorite that adds just the right touch of decadence.
Salad
Complement your appetizers with a simple yet elegant French green salad, dressed with a classic vinaigrette from Salads With Anastasia. Made with leafy greens, cucumber, and a touch of avocado, it brings a refreshing balance to the richness of the meal. This light, refined dish reflects the flavors of the Parisian cafés Lola loved.
Main
Indulge in a traditional sauerbraten, a German pot roast fit for a Bavarian king. Imagine King Ludwig savoring it while rereading one of Lola’s letters. This dish features beef marinated in a tangy vinegar-based sauce, then slow-cooked and served with a rich, hearty gravy. While the traditional version takes days to prepare, Lemon Blossoms’ offers a quicker instant pot recipe that delivers all the flavor with less time at the stove.
Side
Complete your Bavarian feast with homemade spaetzle from House of Nash Eats. Part noodle, part dumpling, these tender, buttery morsels are perfect for soaking up every drop of sauerbraten’s rich gravy. They add a cozy, comforting touch that captures the warmth and heartiness of traditional Bavarian cuisine.
Dessert
End on a decadent note with a Black Forest cake, rich with chocolate and cherries and just as dramatic as Lola herself. The traditional recipe from Also The Crumbs Please takes some time, but she’s absolutely worth it. Serve it with a warm mug of hot chocolate, a playful nod to her affair with university student Elias Peissner during her time in Bavaria. That fling got him kicked out of his fraternity, but it only added to Lola’s legend. And here’s one more royal twist to savor with dessert: King Ludwig’s godmother was Marie Antoinette.
As your meal winds down, take a moment to reflect on Lola’s dramatic and daring life. She defied the rules, reinvented herself at every turn, and left an indelible mark on history. Let her fearless spirit be a reminder to live boldly, with passion, wit, and unapologetic style.
If you’re hungry for more Lola, explore her time in Grass Valley, California on Atlas Obscura or look up the Lola Montez Lakes in the Sierra Nevada. You can also follow her footsteps in San Francisco with Drag Me Along Tours, led by Countess Lola Montez (aka Rick Shelton), who brings her story to life with flair, fun, and a few of her favorite scandalous pastimes.
