The whistle on the Pullman Palace engine pierces the silence as the engine winds its way out of the Gold Country station, leaving puffs of steam to float away under flaming claret skies. Your eyes on the door and back to the wall you gaze through the dimly lit and luxurious specialty car where patrons try their luck dealing cards, feasting, and sipping tantalizing libations. Through the open windows waft hints of campfires and soil damp from spring showers. Beside you waits a lovely vision clad in garnet hued finery, her carmine lips stained with brilliant vermillion. Amber locks cascading and tumbling, wild tendrils curling with abandon swirl around her shoulders. This temptress beckons, entices you forward as aromas of geranium, french lavender, and orchids float about her. Your well-worn leather boots and holster, a perfect complement to the satin and silks of your charming companion draw the eyes. Seated upon brocade Jacquard covered sofas you sip upon Crème de Noyaux with blood orange, a dash of bitters, and ginger while lighting a clove and watching visions dance through the smoke. The tinkling of crystal signals a resplendent affair of caviar limes, quince, passionfruit, brie, and blue cheese stuffed olives. Amidst this elegant setting of paneled walls and burnished copper the heady aromas of sandalwood, mink fur, and sweat emanate from the gaming tables. Your next course arrives, bringing with it spare ribs accompanied by black currant chutney, as well as coriander-encrusted venison topped with portobello in wild timur pepper sauce. Now satiated and certain that lady luck is indeed tangible, not just an airy presence, you join the tables with an unmistakable air of panache as the sound of poker chips fills the night.

notes by miranda thompson, vp of quality control