à La Mode

à la mode ( idiomatic expression)/ˌɑː lə ˈmoʊd/

Meaning

1. It describes anything that is fashionable, stylish, in vogue, or conforms to the current trends.
2. In culinary contexts, particularly in the United States, it refers to a dessert, typically pie, presented with a scoop of ice cream.
3. In French cuisine, it can denote a dish cooked in a specific manner, such as "bœuf à la mode," which is beef braised with vegetables and wine.

Example Sentences

1. The restaurant's decor is à la mode, featuring the latest interior design trends.
2. For dessert, I ordered apple pie à la mode, enjoying the warm pie with cold ice cream.
3. Her outfit was à la mode, reflecting the newest fashion styles.
4. The chef prepared the beef à la mode, following a traditional French recipe.
5. Serving brownies à la mode has become popular in many American diners.

Origin and History

The term "à la mode," borrowed from French, translates to "in the fashion" or "fashionable." Over time, it has acquired various meanings in English, notably describing a dessert served with ice cream. The evolution of this phrase is rich with cultural intersections and intriguing anecdotes.

Early Usage in English

"À la mode" entered the English lexicon in the mid-17th century, maintaining its French meaning of being fashionable or in vogue. It was commonly used to describe trends in clothing, art, and cuisine that mirrored French styles, which were highly esteemed during that era. For instance, the dish "beef à la mode" referred to beef prepared in a French-inspired manner, highlighting the culinary influence of France.

Culinary Adaptation: Pie à la Mode

The phrase "à la mode" took on a new dimension in American culinary contexts in the late 19th century, coming to signify desserts, particularly pies, served with a scoop of ice cream. Two American towns, Duluth, Minnesota, and Cambridge, New York, both claim to be the birthplace of this delightful combination.

In Duluth, it's believed that in 1885, John Gieriet, the proprietor of a local hotel, coined the term when he began serving pie with ice cream, labeling it "pie à la mode."

Conversely, Cambridge attributes the creation to Professor Charles Watson Townsend, a frequent patron of the Cambridge Hotel in the 1890s. According to local lore, Townsend once ordered apple pie with ice cream, and when questioned about the unusual pairing, he dubbed it "pie à la mode." This charming story was later popularized through various newspaper articles, though concrete evidence remains scarce.

Earliest Printed Record

The earliest known printed reference to "pie à la mode" appears in the St. Paul Daily News on April 26, 1893. The article discusses the pricing of food items at the upcoming Chicago World's Fair, noting that "apple pie, a la mode, was raised 20 cents-10 cents for apple pie and ten cents for a la mode." This suggests that by the early 1890s, the term was already in use to describe pie served with ice cream.

Cultural Impact and Evolution

The adoption of "à la mode" to describe desserts with ice cream reflects the broader American penchant for incorporating French culinary terms to evoke sophistication and elegance. Over time, "à la mode" has become firmly associated with this specific dessert preparation in the United States, even as its original meaning of "in the fashion" persists in other contexts.

Synonyms

1. Fashionable: Trendy, in vogue, stylish, chic.
2. Served with ice cream: Pie with ice cream, dessert à la mode.