Ladies and Gentlemen, Elizabeth du Fresne!

One of our more colorful and beloved local attorneys, Elizabeth du Fresne, is featured in this Herald article about her book club, which also includes lots of her delicious food:

Begun in 2004, du Fresne's group is the largest, with close to 50 members, though only half attend any one discussion. Ages range from 18 to 85. Members are students, artists, lawyers, musicians, psychiatrists, horticulturalists and entrepreneurs -- even men. Most are based near du Fresne in Coconut Grove, but some come from as far as Broward. And with du Fresne's lavish meals, who wouldn't?

For Scaramouche, Rafael Sabatini's romance of the French Revolution, the retired attorney dove into her culinary history. Book group members drank wine and mulled cider before moving on to wild mushroom consommé, stuffed fish, fowl pies and palate-cleansing melon followed by crown roast of lamb, green beans, potatoes, cabbage, turnips and ratatouille. Salad was served last (comme le Français), along with cheeses, raspberries and a cake encrusted with sugar pearls.

``It redefines voracious reading,'' murmured violist Greg Lane, admiring his plate.

Since du Fresne always hosts and cooks, the other members ante up $20 each per meeting to cover costs. Some come over early to help out. Artist Lisa Remeny boned a dozen chickens for the fowl pies. ``It's a testament to my love for Elizabeth,'' she says.

I love this idea -- hail, I'm getting slightly turned on just reading about it.

I'm sure my invitation just got misplaced somewhere.

As for the outfit, all I can say is well, that's Elizabeth!