Along Hanauer Landstraße, the signs are pointing to change. With the construction of the ECB's new home, the entire area is undergoing a noticeable transformation. But here, of all places, where Frankfurt is currently squinting most clearly towards the future, it is now possible to take an extremely tasty journey back in time to the swinging 1930s. This can be experienced in the tent palaces on the corner of Ferdinand-Happ-Straße and Hanauer Landstraße. Until the end of February, visitors here have the opportunity to pay a visit to the legendary Cotton Club, where the foundations were laid in the 1920s and 1930s for the careers of world stars such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Ella Fitzgerald. The legendary New York club was brought to Frankfurt by Michelin-starred chef Nelson Müller, who created a very special four-course menu for this event.
Situated on a somewhat unadorned street, the location looks somewhat unspectacular from the outside. But as soon as the doors open and you enter the spacious foyer, it becomes clear that you are in for a very special evening. But the appealingly designed anteroom with bar, various showcases and cloakroom is of course only the very appealing appetizer of the evening. Things really get going when the doors to the elegantly designed hall open. Here, the guests are seated partly at round, partly at straight tables. The distances between the tables are big enough that there is enough legroom and the staff still has enough space to serve the drinks and the menu. At the tables itself it can get a little more crowded. But this shortcoming is forgotten at the latest when the show starts. Overall, the hall is really already and noble designed and underlines the great atmosphere that is built by show and menu in the next hours.
For the musical background of the evening provides the great Cotton Club Orchestra under the direction of Tony Hurdle. The musicians are supported by the terrific soulful voice of MZ Dee as well as ML Jordan, who not only visually brings the great Louis Armstrong to life once again. Immortal classics like "Hello Dolly", "It`s a man`s world", "Minnie the Moocher", "Mack the Knife" or "What a wonderful world", performed by these first-class artists, make sure that the evening is a pure musical pleasure. But there is much more going on on stage during the course of the nearly four-hour show.
Under the direction of Andreas Wessels, explosive tap dancing, attractive dancers, an incredibly flexible contortionist, fascinating equilibristics, artistry under the tent roof or a wild mixture of rope jumping and basketball ensure that the guests' mouths are open in amazement many a time, that they can laugh heartily or are simply captivated in such a way that they completely forget everyday life. Such performances can't have a better effect on their audience. Whether musician, dancer or artist - every single one of the more than 40 international, exclusively coloured artists delivers a first-class performance and, despite obvious efforts, still exudes a lot of joy and lightness.
Next to this breathtaking show, the food almost threatens to degenerate into a minor matter. But by the second course at the latest, a truly delicious guinea fowl essence with small, extremely tender mouthfuls, crisp green asparagus and tasty dumplings, the COTTON CLUB dinner show also becomes a real treat for the palate. The first course, Fjord Trout "Mainhattan Style", does have very tasty components to offer with the smoked tartlet, a small griddle cake and the confit trout. But in direct comparison to the three courses that follow, the first culinary offering of the evening manages to leave the least impression. Quite different is the main course, which can inspire with an extremely tender filet of Angus beef. And finally, with the dessert, the guests experience a real chocolate explosion, which perfectly rounds off the taste experience of the evening.
The service team must also be praised at this point. Always friendly and extremely attentive, they care about the wishes of the audience. Of course, if the entire staff is busy serving one of the courses, you might have to wait a few minutes for a drink refill. But one should really not be bothered by this. Because all employees in the kitchen, in the service and behind the scenes really do a first-class job and small points of criticism are compensated by the friendly appearance of the team, the really good food and the great show in every respect.
The premiere evening was closed by Nelson Müller himself, who enchanted his audience with a serenade. With a lot of charm and a powerful soul voice, he belted out the classic "Sunny" into the microphone, proving that he can convince not only as a chef but also as a singer. But even if Müller will only rarely be in Frankfurt himself during the total of over 100 performances and offer such a show interlude, a visit to the COTTON CLUB is definitely worthwhile. Because what is offered here to the eyes, ears and palate is definitely worth every cent of the ticket price. On that note: "Let the Show begin"!
(Text by Sebastian Betzold)
<link https: www.facebook.com media set _blank>Impressions from the show can be found HERE on our Facebook page
the menu
Fjord Trout "Mainhattan Style"
Trout pickled in whiskey, tartar in apple jelly, smoked tartlets, trout confit, caviar and potato rub
Nelson's "Chicken Tea"
Pearl chicken essence with Swabian ravioli, dumplings and green asparagus
Angus burger "Inside out"
Fillet and burger of Angus beef with brioche and variations of corn with barbecue sauce and jus
"Chocolate Club"
Chocolate variation of Grand Cru Virunga chocolate*
the vegetarian version
Carpaccio of Hass avocado with pickled vegetables, bread chips and canola oil
Nelson's "Vegi Tea"
Vegetable Essence with Spinach Pockets and Green Asparagus
Baked lasagna of eggplant with confit tomatoes and arugula
"Chocolate Club"
Chocolate variation of Grand Cru Virunga Chocolate*
* (For eating this chocolate, local farmers plant a tree to support their families and the rainforest. All of this helps protect Virunga National Park, the oldest nature reserve in Africa, home to the last mountain gorillas on our planet.)
Photo Nelson Müller: Dorothee Gödert
<link http: www.cottonclub-dinnershow.de en frankfurt _blank>
All further info at: www.cottonclub-dinnershow.de/de/frankfurt/
Text from: Sebastian Betzold
