Seattle Foodies

To know me is to hear me yammer incessantly about how Tom Douglas’ Culinary Summer Camp was the best week of my life. Or weeks, I should say, being a repeat offender. And yes, I’ve signed up for a third round this summer. Once again, summer camp is shaping up to be a week-long belly flop into all things foodie. While making great new friends, you’ll be pampered, challenged, fed, taught, wined, relaxed, stretched, partied, rewarded, and finally mystified at how much was packed into five days, all for a fraction of the price of any travel-somewhere foodie vacation. What more do you need to know?

Dahlia does Dim Sum!

As you know, March is Dine Around Seattle month, where restaurants jam with the hubbub of deal seekers. And Dahlia Lounge will be no different, bless their hearts, feeding the masses on the cheap.

But don’t worry. Because Seattle Foodies has your back, you won’t be elbow-to-elbow with the herd for the March First Friday Lunch Club. We’re getting a double dose of exclusive: we’re taking over the private dining room at the Dahlia Lounge, plus we’ll feast on a custom session of dim sum creations from Dahlia’s sous chef (and Lovefest! wizard) Adrienne Lasko!

The drill: arrive at 11:30am on Friday, March 5th, and start gorging. The cost is $25/person (before tax & tip) and includes drinks like coffee, tea, and juice. But go ahead and fortify yourself with additional beverages if you like—they’ll keep track with separate checks.

So finally. Will Seattle have an awesome dim sum joint? You be the judge. Adrienne will be looking for your foodie feedback, so please join us and help shape the future of delicious dim sum in Seattle!

And please R.S.V.P. by next Wednesday so we can get a headcount to Adrienne.

UPDATE: Adrienne just sent this menu proposal:

Soup:

• Family-style congee with all the fixings

Fried:

• Curried samosas
• Shiitake chopsticks
• Five-spice duck wontons

Steamed:

• Eggplant humbao
• Pork momo (dumplings)
• Banana leaf ~ sticky rice

Veggie:

• Chinese broccoli ~ miso hollandaise
• Ginger ~ scallion Hong Kong soba noodles

WOW! Now I am drooling!

Learn how Hank combines lust and chocolate.

Lovefest! is just two weeks away, and we’ve been nailing down the details, schedule, and costs. Adrienne (Dahlia Lounge), Molly (Dahlia Bakery), and Robyn (Tom Douglas Marketing) have generously donated their time and energy as mentors. Seattle Foodie Mitch is letting us invade his gorgeous home. So all that’s left is the fun of learning and doing, eating, and splitting costs ($80 per person for food and alcohol).

So to confirm you’re in, I’ll need four things from you by Tuesday, February 16th:

1. How many you’ll bring to dinner, including yourself (and names for extra credit)
2. Which classes/prep sessions you will attend (not required, but you’ll miss the best part
3. Choose your booze: big pink cocktail, martini (gin or vodka), or some of each
4. Arrange to pay $80 for each person you’re bringing

Some fine print:

• If you’d like something that’s not on the drink menu, feel free to bring it
• Since we’re sharing costs, and we’re buying or committing to buy all the food and supplies starting Wednesday, refunds won’t be possible after Tuesday

Final note: if you absolutely don’t eat raw oysters, sushi, caviar, or tartare, please let me know. We’ll trim those back and bulk up the Bacchus Board with extra cheeses, meats, and breads so you won’t go hungry!

Saturday, February 20th

10:00am – Roses for Little Tarts

• chocolate tart shells
• pinot noir and rose water gelée
• candied rose petals

2:00pm – Raising the Bar

• martinis & big pink cocktails
• fruits and vegetables
• hand-made cultured butter
• infused oils

4:30pm – Oysters and Oh. My. God.

• Adrienne’s oyster class
• mignonettes
• geoducks (for adults only)

Sunday, February 21st

10:00am – Chocolate & Lust

• chocolate class
• luster-dusted bars
• herb-infused truffles
• ganache for tarts

2:00pm – Flesh Pots

• tartare & eggs
• blini
• plin
• staging house and dinnerware

4:00pm – Ritual Madness and Ecstasy

• Bacchus board
• chocolate gift bags

4:59pm – Deep Breath

• cue music

Lovefest!

5:00pm – Reception

5:30pm – On the Beach and In the Raw (with Bubbles)

6:45pm – Rich and Seductive

8:00pm – Hide The Children

9:15pm – Better-Than-Sex Dessert

10:30pm – No Regrets Cleanup

There are limited spots available, so don’t wait!