cloak & dagger supper no. 2

it’s been two weeks since cloak and dagger’s debut dinner, and now we’re pleased to announce april’s dinner plans:

Date and Time: April 19th, 2012 (a Thursday evening) beginning at 6:30pm- (first course dropped at 7pm)

Theme: Dim Sum v. Yumcha: Dim Sum a-Yum-Yum (Chinese tapas v. Japanese tapas): Delicious dishes hailing from China and Japan, incessant pouring of tea, pastries, and merrymaking.

Guest Chef: remains secret (as it always will)

Space: 14 people

BYOB pick your poison.

RSVP as soon as possible, as space is limited.  NOTE FOOD ALLERGIES***  Email your RSVP to erikajoyce@rocketmail.com and then look for my response.  If you secure a spot, the location and other information will be sent to you 3-5 days before the dinner.

Donate for your next dinner!

You can donate at the dinner or via PayPal.

1950s Dinner etc., etc.

Well hi there! It’s been a while, and I sincerely apologize! But you see, I’ve been incredibly busy with the debut of Portland’s Underground Supper Club (still searching for that perfect name, so if you have suggestions, send ‘em forward)- writing the menu, confirming guests, placing orders, y’know, that kind of stuff.  On top of that, I’ve started planning April’s installment of the underground series (an official release will be made by March 20th).  Personally, I’m incredibly excited for both events- but the inspiration for April’s menu is one that is near and dear to me.

I digress- something I haven’t been doing late.  For those who have confirmed with me about their attendance to the dinner on the 13th- an email will be sent to you on or around the 8th of March containing directions to the location and other details (also, if you have food allergies, let me know as soon as possible in order to determine whether or not we can accommodate you!).  As I briefly and subtly mentioned in my press release for this months event, bringing a bottle of wine is highly recommended– personally, I’d suggest bringing a white (or a red that isn’t too heavy), as we’re playing with a good amount of delicate and subtle flavors which can easily be overpowered.

Hints on the menu? Well, it’s 1950s redefined, so think: jello, casseroles, the American obsession with the microwave, scotch, and hm…tobacco.

When I get a spare moment (hopefully before the 13th) I’ll be posting a review of Fore Street (nothing like Street & Co.’s review), March’s installment of the O-Rama Project (excursion to a secret place serving up some chowder) and maybe a sneak-peek of the dishes we have cooking in our test kitchen.

Lastly, I’d love to give a great big thank you to Jenna Howard and Annie Laughton for helping me so far with this month’s debut dinner.  They’re in charge of transforming our space into a 1950′s-esque dining area.  So much love to both of you.

So be on the look-out for an informational email on or about the 8th– and PLEASE RESPOND TO IT so I know you’re still on board.

Cheers!

Enfin

Debut of Underground Dining Club: March 13th, 2012

As I posted a week or so, the date for the debut of the underground supper club is March 13th, 2012 at 6:30 pm.  You’re going to want to know more than that– or so I assume, so here’s some information that might be of importance to you.

• This dinner is only open to 16 people.
• It should last from 6:30-11/11:30 (it’s on a Tuesday night, keep that in mind)
• Bringing your own booze is suggested, as there will be a very limited amount.
• RSVPs are required; to do so, leave a comment on this post or email me at: erikajoyce@rocketmail.com (you can only RSVP for yourself, so if you and your friend wished to come, your friend would also have to RSVP)
• The first 16 to RSVP get a spot.  (I check the time stamp)
• As there is no cost, I would like to point out that I am absorbing the entirety of the food cost, so any donations at the dinner itself would be greatly appreciated.  The chefs and servers are making no money off of this event, as they are donating their time generously.  But as you know- cooking a gourmet meal for a party of 16+ does get pricey, and the donations collected will be used to continue this event the following month.
• The location will be sent to the first 16 RSVPers- as it is underground, we try to keep the location relatively hidden from the general public.
• The theme for this dinner is: 1950′s Redefined; thus, we are reworking a plethora of traditional 1950s dishes to make them more modern and use different approaches and flavor profiles.  (This is not vegetarian friendly… but come June….ahem)
• The guest chef for March’s event is…. a secret.

RSVP ASAP! xx.  I can’t wait for March 13th.

Underground Supper Club Details

a calling to the masses (supper club)

I’ve posted about this topic one or two times before, but as we are on the brink of a new year, I feel it’s appropriate to mention, or maybe mention is the wrong word, ahem, I feel it’s appropriate to ask, yet again,
for an expression of interest in an underground supper club.  This idea has been bouncing around in my head for the past two years or so, and while I haven’t acted aggressively on it, I intend to do so this time around.  In collaboration with a well-known Portland face (his identity is being kept secret for now…) I have been in the early stages of planning this supper club.  Differing from previous propositions, I have decided to take on the role of chef (with the help of two other folks) instead of having it alternate from month to month.  The supper will be open to fifteen people (and only 15) every month.  We will be announcing the date of the supper a week in advance on Facebook, Vin et Grub, Portland Food Map, and via mass text (if you want to send me contact info, I’ll store it in my group of Port-City Eaters).  The first fifteen responses guarantee themselves a spot for that month’s dinner.  The location will be sent to the fifteen attendees a day after receiving their “rsvp”, (I can guarantee now that it will always be in Portland).

In terms of what will be on the menu depends on the month of course.  My partner in crime and I have discussed several different takes on how to design the menu- ranging from geographical themes, to Wars, to exotica.  Some months we’ll try and feature live music, others we will try and feature traditional art, and most importantly some months (the majority I suppose) we will try and feature traditional alcohol.

So now what?

Let’s say you are one of the lucky fifteen that “rsvp”s first… you will arrive at the specified location at the specified time.  There will be a communal table, where you’ll be able to mingle with other diners and enjoy your time.  Each dish will be explained to you upon it’s presentation at the table.  At this point we can’t guarantee a set amount of courses- but I suppose it’s better that way, you’ll be in for a surprise.  At the end of the meal, there will be a donation jar- we’re not asking for money from anyone, but just a small donation would certainly help compensate us for the expenses regarding the purchasing of ingredients/decorations/etc.  Donate if you feel compelled to do so– we won’t judge.  Meal times are expected to last a while…I’d give a ball-park estimate of at least 2 and a half hours.  So don’t expect this to be an in-and-out meal.

What I need from you now.

I need you to tell me if you’re interested.  The more interest I receive, the more I will be doing in the upcoming months to prepare for the first supper, which is scheduled to take place in January 2012.  So here’s what you can do: comment on this blog post, email me, facebook me, tweet me, or find me intown and let me know.  Without your interest I won’t be motivated to get things rolling.  So do it up PTLD, it’s time to get an underground supper club moving.

xx,

enfin