Cooking in Pajamas

This was the setting that greeted Phil and I when we showed up for our first Underground Supper Club.  Underground Supper Clubs are a refreshing alternative to the "been there, done that" restaurant scene.  This particular Supper Club is a "dinner party" format, planned by a mastermind chef, in a location of his or her choosing.  Random strangers are all seated next to each other (Phil and I did not start off the evening at the same table). There are many different variations of these Underground Supper Clubs.  Sometimes, the Supper Club is in a private home, with an ameteur chef.  Locations can include a farmhouse, a barn, a city loft, or the chef's home kitchen .

Phil and I were fortunate enough to attend a gorgeous picnic dinner at the Buckhead Duck Pond, located near Peachtree and Lindberg.  I cannot have imagined a more beautiful setting!   We had no idea where we were heading, or what to expect, until a top secret email arrived, less than 24 before dinner, with a time and our dinner location.  All we were told ahead of time was that the dress code was to wear all white (and that the ladies should not wear high heels).  It was kind of cool...the whole air of mystery surrounding the evening...what are we eating, who will be there, where are we going!  Getting a reservation requires some detective work, and patience.  Usually, there are waiting lists for reservations that are longer than the waiting list at Nobu.   This particular Supper Club was hosted by Souper Jenny, and our chef was Linton Hopkins from Restaurant Eugene and Holeman and Fitch (if you haven't been to either one of these restaurants, GO! Phil and I were so pleased with our meal, I will be taking my sister and her husband to Holeman and Fitch this Saturday night, when they are in town visiting from New York, to get more of Chef Hopkin's cooking).  

When we arrived, we were greeted with the most delicious "Duck Pond Cocktail", that I plan on replicating at home.  The mixologist who created the drink was generous enough to share the recipe which includes:

Hayman's Old Tom Gin

Orange Curacao

Orange and Grapefruit Juice

Rose Vermouth

garnished with freshly grated nutmeg

So refreshing and good!!!!!  It was served in a wine glass.

At the bar, was a plate of freshly shaved French Radishes, with a dish of softened, unsalted butter and another dish of Fleur de Sel (sea salt).  Very French, and very delicious!  I helped myself to a radish, spread on a little butter, and sprinkled on a tiny bit of salt.  Who knew?  It was perfect combination of crunchy, creamy, salty and peppery!

Then, our hosts began passing around two kinds of hors d'oervres.  The first one I received was a small white shot glass filled with Chilled Pea Soup With Mint.  It was refreshing, silky and delicate. Personally, I could not taste the mint, but the soup was slightly herbal, in additional to the taste of fresh peas.  The next hor d'oervre to get passed around was a piece of charred toast with a pureed fava bean spread on top.  I should note here, that the only cooking appliance available to the chef was a large grill, so anything to be served hot or cooked, needed to be prepared on the grill.  I love almost anything served on grilled bread.  The smooth, green pureed fava beans were a perfect contrast to the smokey, crunchy, charred french bread.

We were then called to our 'tables', to be seated among complete strangers.  When we entered the Duck Pond, we drew table assignments from a basket, so we were seated totally at random. From my observation, the crowd consisted of about 2/3 couples and 1/3 singles, ranging in age from 30's to mid 50's.  Almost all of the attendees were professionals (I think I may have been the only stay-at-home Mom!), ranging in professions from financial analysts to owners of some of my favorite local businesses!  One thing everyone had in common was a love of food (obviously!) and a lack of pretentiousness.

Our first seated course consisted of several yummy platters, that were passed around family style. First, I received Grilled Baby Romaine Lettuce with Chevre, Crisp Ham, Spiced Almond and a Citrus Vinaigrette.

The grilled romaine was fabulous!  I have to figure out a way to do that at home on my own grill.

The next item that went around was a BBQ Bacon Wrapped Quail.  I usually don't care for Quail because I have found it gamey sometimes in the past.  Not this quail!   This quail was so incredibly tender and buttery.

The BBQ was the perfect combination of tangy and smokey, and the bacon was both salty and sweet.  I am guessing the quail was brined before it was grilled?

Then, they passed around a large dish of Pimento Cheese and Sesame Crisps.

I could have eaten the whole tray.  The Pimento Cheese was sharp, and had just a tiny bit of spice.  A light version of cheese and crackers.

Finally, to finish off the First Course, we were served bowls of Pickled Shrimp.

By now, I was starting to get very full, and we hadn't even begun our Second Course.  Normally, I would eat a bowl of shrimp this size, with a large salad, as my entire lunch!  I tasted one shrimp, and it was tangy and tart.  I would have loved to have bought it home, but I didn't think we were doing doggy bags at our picnic dinner.

Before our Second Course, Jenny made an announcement.  She had us pick up our silverware and wine glasses, and change tables.  Fun!  Of course, while this was happening, Phil was in the bathroom, so I had to grab my stuff, and his stuff, and find a spot for both of us.  We met the coolest people at this dinner.  I am glad we got to switch tables, because you really get to know the people in your immediate seating area, so we got to hang out with twice as many interesting people!  

We were served our Second Course at our new tables.  Grilled Wild Salmon with Tomato and Basil Fondue; Hangar Steak with Parsley and Red Onion Salad; and Roasted Fingerling Potatoes with Rosemary and Lemon.

Sadly, by the time I got my Salmon, it was pretty dark, so I couldn't take any more photos (my iPhone doesn't have a flash, does it?).  I loved the Hangar Steak with the Red Onion Salad.  I think maybe the red onions were pickled?  The potatoes were pretty basic roasted potatoes.  They had a nice flavoring of rosemary, but I didn't taste any lemon.  As for the salmon, it was a big hit among our tablemates.  Phil and I just do not care for salmon.  He doesn't like it in any form other than sushi, and I like it in sushi, and smoked.  It is a very strange food dislike, because we both like all other kinds of fish and seafood.  Oh well....

On to my favorite course....dessert!  A family style platter of local cheeses was passed around with bread and smokey-sweet almonds.  I was getting so full, but the cheeses were amazing.  I think one was a brie.  The other one was a little nutty, mild and a harder cheese.  I have to find out what they were, and if I can get my hands on some.  I never partake in a cheese course, but this one was too good to pass up!  

Our final dessert course arrived...Georgia Peach Cobbler with Clabbered Cream.  I have never had clabbered cream before.  It is similar to creme fraiche, but a little thinner.  The Peach Cobbler was a perfect end to our picnic dinner (although I would have preferred a more traditional whipped cream on the cobbler...I didn't care for the clabbered cream).

After dinner, we hung out under the stars, chatted a bit more, and exchanged phone numbers and business cards with our new friends.  As we were leaving, we were told to take a departing gift bag.  I love gift bags!!!  Our host, Jenny, was not ready to let our good time end yet.  Our gift bag contained the Sunday paper, two types of pound cake to enjoy for breakfast in the AM, along with a tea bag to make a cup of Pomegrante Green Tea.  BTW...the pound cake is out of this world!

I cannot think of a more special way to spend a Saturday night.  Don't get me wrong.  I think Atlanta has one of the best dining scenes around, and I love trying out the newest local restaurants, and revisiting my favorites.  But as Charles D. Gill said, "There are many wonderful things that will never be done if you do not do them."  At any given time, I have my dream "do" list....go to Greece, take a cruise around the world, learn to snowboard, finish knitting the scarf I started in 2007, eat lobster in Maine, go on a yoga retreat, experience weightlessness, buy a beach house, have my blog make a 'top 20' list somewhere.... Even though I can now cross off the list, "Attend an Underground Supper Club", I loved it so much, I don't intend to stop at just one.  Life is all about what you experience.  You can do the same thing over and over, or try something new!  Which sounds like more fun?

I want to thank Jenny Levison (AKA...Souper Jenny) for including Phil and I in this heavenly evening, and I want to thank Chef Linton Hopkins for planning and preparing a delectable dinner.