Atlanta is BIG on Supper Clubs and special “Chef Series.”
Maybe it’s due to the economy?
Make the ~$100 meal exclusive (i.e. limited seating) and people believe they are paying for something truly special. Although it isn’t always perfectly executed (i.e. worth the price tag), my food adventures this week certainly were worth it!
Wednesday night’s dinner with Hugh Acheson was incredible. Tonight’s dinner was equally good (if not better… shhhh!).
Given I’ve become a professional this week recently, I thought I’d share the ingredients for a exclusive fantastic dinner.
The Pre-Run:
- Distance – 6.2 miles
- Time: 52:38
- Pace: 8:44
The Fabulous Friend:
Me with the lovely Kathleen
The Graceful Host:
The legendary Jennifer Levison of Souper Jenny
The Perfect Setting:
Secret Garden
The Talented Chef:
Jenny with Chef David Sweeny, formerly of Dynamic Dish
The Epic Entertainment:
That’s a belly dancer. With a wine glass on her head.
Do NOT try this at home (at least on a light colored rug)
The belly dancer was too cool. She was dancing, shaking what her mamma gave her, and doing splits without spilling a drop of that wine on her head. She’s my new idol.
Good food is also key. This secret supper club succeeded.
The chef, David Sweeny, owned the now-defunct Dynamic Dish. Dynamic Dish was a vegetarian restaurant in town. In my opinion, it was one of the best overall restaurants. Local, fresh ingredients were carefully prepared for the daily menu. Why can’t places like this stay in business?!
Anyway, tonight we were lucky enough to enjoy David’s creations once again. These dishes did include meat – I asked David if he was a vegetarian and found it funny that he is not. Whatever, boy can cook!
90% of everything served was organic and locally sourced. As in picked from a Georgia farm the day before this dinner. The meat was also local, sourced from a farm in North Georgia (who knew GA had lamb?!).
Hors d’oeuvres consisted of Borekas and pickled radishes (which I couldn’t stop eating).
Then we made our way to the garden for the cold course:
Cold Course
Clockwise, the plate consisted of:
- M’Tabbal – puree of grilled eggplant, sesame, yogurt, cucumber, parsley, mint, and olives
- Sesame Tandoori
- Warak Ei Nab Zait – Wine leaves filled with Egyptian rice, lamb, beef, fennel, and Lebanese spice (my FAVORITE)
- Tajan – spicy puree of sweet peppers, preserved lemon, pine nuts, and sesame
- Heirloom tomatoes
While I could have eaten the cold course all night long, next up was the Hot Course:
Hot Course
- Kefta Halabieh – grilled skewers of minced local lamb and beef
- Grilled Summer Squash
- Kofteuk Tabouleh – fine grain Syrian bulgar, mint, parsley, and turmeric
- Crem Tum – creamy basil and garlic sauce (I wish I knew more because it was fantastic)
- Tajan
What would any meal be without dessert?
Dessert
Homemade Baklava with Orange Cardamom Ice Cream and a Chocolate Caramel with Sea Salt.
One VERY important tip:
Look before you sip if you’re dining outside. 🙂
Thank you to Jenny, David, and the Souper Jenny team for an amazing, gourmet food-filled evening. Not to mention some incredible dining companions. I am so lucky to live in a town among such passionate, creative people.
If you’re ever in Atlanta don’t miss lunch at Jenny’s restaurant, Souper Jenny.
***
I think I’m developing a supper club addiction.
Would you have finished that glass of wine? (After fishing out the bug, of course.)
Did anyone else nearly melt in the heat this weekend? Not that I’m complaining…
Too funny about the bug in your glass.. but so true!
I love your mix necessary for a great evening… pre run, friends setting.. AWESOME.
Something like this would be so much fun.. the food looks yummy.. and I feel like it would definitely force me to eat a variety of things that I would not normally order!
I never had a chance to go to Dynamic Dish. I always wanted to though. And no comment on the wine thing, although that probably answers your question!
Sounds/looks like you had a wonderful time! I got to see belly dancers do that during my time in the Middle East, unbelievable how steady they are!
Legit Mid-Eastern belly dancers = way cool.
OMG! I need to move to Atlanta. Right now! I always hear about Secret Supper Clubs and I have always wanted to check stuff like that out! How cool that you got to meet Souper Jenny AND see a belly dancer who can do splits with a wine glass.. on her head. LEGIT!
You should totally move to ATL!!
I’m kinda ashamed to admit this, but I never ate at Souper Jenny. 🙁 I’d heard great things, but never actually made it there. It will definitely be on my list of places to eat next time I’m home! 🙂
It’s a must! Maybe we can get together next time you’re int own and check it out?
I would LOVE that!!!
Sounds like a fun night! I still haven’t been to Souper Jenny. It’s on my list but I really need to hurry it up and go already.
What an event! And so glad you didn’t swallow that drunken bee! 😀
LOL! I didn’t even think about that part. Maybe it would be like a tequila worm…? LOL!