Being the foodie that I am, I was delighted to come across something called an in-home "Supper Club" in my neighborhood. Apparently, this woman--still aspiring for a show on the Food Network--created a scenario where 20 ppl get to enjoy home-made, multi-course dinners in her home. There was an e-mailing list: 700 people were already on it. When she hosts a Sunday night dinner, she sends out an e-mail blast, and the first 20 to RSVP are accepted (like a restaurant: first come, first serve). Everyone is obliged to pay a small amount and BYOB. The pictures online showed different strangers meeting in her dining room or on her terrace, merrily masticating canapés or drinking vino. There were trussed-up chickens, casseroles, barbecue, vegetable platters, fruit tartlets, et cetera. So, I joined.
As her next dinner approached, I saw the e-mail and replied instantly. To my (and Lewis') surprise, I received a greeting that said we were one of the first 20 guests. Then the disappoint mounted. The nominal fee was $42, per person, and each guest had to bring a bottle. Prepayment was required via the internet. Then, I read the menu... There were 6 salads, lamb skewers and peach icebox cake. What are you going to do with SIX salads? (and Lewis dislikes lamb).
I didn't see how $84 sponsored tomato salad, Persian cucumber salad, "Summer lettuces" salad, quinoa/fava/radish salad, chard and zucchini salad, and "First of the summer vegetables" salad. I hope those were big salads… with lots of beets and tomatoes to sustain 20 people. For $42, I could have a prix-fixe dinner in midtown. For $84, I could prepare my own Chateaubriand for two (I make great sauce), my own "first of summer" vegetables and also throw in a mango gazpacho, intermezzo (to cleanse the palate), and buy a gourmet dessert and a Moscato. Maybe she has a lot of hidden "overhead"?
Incidentally, one of my coworkers was proudly showing me her menu for a weekend BBQ: seafood boil with corn and potatoes, grilled shrimp and eggplant with noodles, spiced grilled sweet potatoes, baked cod, penne primavera with dill shrimp, and finally watermelon granita and grilled banana boats filled with grilled fruits. And she doesn't charge anyone! Such a selection put the other "professional" woman to shame.
Needless to say, we gracefully declined and removed ourselves from the email list. I shall keep her on my "back burner" radar in case her menu perks up from "high-school picnic" level to "supper club" level. Otherwise, I will consider myself lucky, in the way a gentleman avoids a puddle on the sidewalk.
