The Next Astoria Book & Supper Club: Garlic & Sapphires

I'm excited to see that after a longer respite (everyone needs the summer off), my friend Lisa who heads up the Astoria Book & Supper Club is back to her delicious goings-on.  Her next book discussion and themed dinner will be coming up in October, and I was delighted to see that the subject is one of my favorite Ruth Reichl books, Garlic and Sapphires.

Focusing on Ruth's career as the NYT food critic, the book talks about her fun and irreverent escapades, as she works her way through some of Manhattan's finest restaurants.  Lisa's dinner pays a homage to all the luxurious bites in this book, so you're in for a real treat with this one.  Here's the proposed menu:

Garlic & Sapphires inspired dinner menu:
Sunday October 13th at 7:00 p.m.

Hudson Valley Fois Gras with truffles served over baked New York state apples in season
Seasonal vegetable risotto topped with truffle oil 
Caesar salad 
Grilled Porterhouse steak served with Lisa's potatoes (her take on au gratin) 
New York style cheesecake

$40/person, BYOB

RSVP to Lisa.

LIC Market's Supper Club is Back

Image by LIC Market

One of the masters of seasonal cooking in Queens, I was happy to learn that LIC Market is back at it again with another one of their Saturday Night Supper Club events, happening next weekend on Saturday, October 13th.  For those not too familiar with these dinners, they aim to bring folks together around a specially designed seasonal menu, full of some of the best locally-sourced foods.  Here's some more info about this upcoming one - and don't forget to make your reservation, as space goes fast!

LIC Market Saturday Night Supper Club
Saturday, October 13th 2012
Choice of 2 seatings: 6 p.m. or 9 p.m.
Includes a specially designed 5-course menu
$65/person.  Add $30 for their wine pairings

You can be chomping on their gorgeous veggies like the above pictured heirloom vine tomatoes. Yum!

LIC Market - 21-52 44th Drive, LIC NY 11101
718.361.0013
7 Train to 45th Road/Courthouse Square
http://www.licmarket.com/

The Next Astoria Book & Supper Club is Coming

Image by Astoria Book & Supper Club

I told you about it before, and now it's back again with a bang - the Astoria Book & Supper Club is at it again with another exciting event.  And with everyone's busy summer schedules, you have until mid-September to get your act together with the book, which is A Confederacy of Dunces.

Lucky for us, the book is set in New Orleans, and the menu will reflect just that - taking advantage of the vibrant rich flavors and seasonings, characteristic of this region.  Just take a look at this seriously tastebud tantalizing menu:

A Sazerac cocktail and homemade Cajun-style potato chips 

Char-Broiled Oyster

Shrimp and grits balls - a play on shrimp and grits, these are deep fried: crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside

The Ignatius dog - what happens when you cross a hot dog with classic Muffaletta

Crispy soft shell crab - with remoulade sauce and roasted corn salad

King cake - with a hidden baby Ignatius

Saturday, September 15th at 7:30 p.m. Dinner will be served at 8:00 p.m. 
$40/person and you can also BYOB or add $15 to include booze
To find out more, check out Astoria Book & Supper Club

Astoria's New Supper & Book Club

Image by Lisa Commisso

It's my pleasure to introduce a new supper and book club in town, founded by my friend and fellow Queens Swapper, Lisa.  Full of passion for food and books, Lisa combines these two loves, as she hosts tres chic dinners and discussion parties right in Astoria.  I can guarantee the food will be delicious and the company won't be too shabby either.  Just take a look at the details below and the tastebud-tantalizing menu:

Lisa's Astoria Supper & Book Club
Next Event: Monday, July 16th at 7:00 p.m.
Book: The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zaffon

Menu will include:

A refreshing glass of Cava to start, sangria to be served with dinner

Trio of “Pintxos” served on pan di tomate:
Boquerones: Fresh anchovies and roasted pepper
Serrano Ham and Manchengo
Cured Chorizo and Manchengo

Croquetas de Bacalao  

Cod and Potato Croquettes served with mashed avocado and lemon

Paprika Roasted Potatoes and Shrimp al Ajillo (in garlic)
served with Romesco sauce

Seafood and Chorizo Paella

Coconut Flan and Chocolate Toast

Dinner will be served promptly at 7:30 p.m. so make sure to come relatively on time so you don't miss all the goodies.  The cost is $40 per person and an additional $15 for unlimited drinks.

For more info, visit: http://theastoriabookandsupperclub.blogspot.com/