Comida Cubana

It's early days still, but I'm looking for ideas and examples of inspiration for the Cuban themed dinner.

No Reservations is always a good starting place for some ideas :)

I've eaten at Casa del Mojito approximately thirty billion times.  They have the best mojitos I've ever had (shocking for a place called Casa del Mojito, I know).  My favorite dishes there are the tostones, the parilla de Luigi, and that white garlic lime habanero sauce.

I've not yet been, but am certainly going to rectify in the VERY near future - Paseo.  I've heard nothing but rave reviews of the sandwiches here.

Got some more ideas?  Comment below!

Welcome!

Welcome to the Seattle International Dinner Club!

El Diablo!
http://www.tangorestaurant.com/

What is the Seattle International Dinner Club, you ask?

Chances are, if you're reading this blog, you're an awful lot like me.  You love good food.  You love good drinks.  And you like hanging around other people that do as well.  Preferably while holding a drink and chatting over well constructed food :)

Tempura
http://www.nishinorestaurant.com/

I've been involved with dinner clubs for several years, and I miss it.  Most of my friends share an interest in food and travel, and I thought it was about time to remake the dinner club in a vision that really exemplifies these traits.

Frites in Brussels

My idea is for a club that convenes on a rotational basis.  Each gathering will feature a style of cuisine.  Rotating every even month, a member of the club will host the dinner.  The featured cuisine will be chosen by the host. 

The style of cuisine doesn't necessarily have to be a country.  Thomas Keller, for example, is a perfectly acceptable theme.

At the end of the meal, the host of the next dinner will reveal to the club what the theme of the next gathering will be. 

The two months leading up will be about collaborating on a menu for the meal.  Ideally I would like to work together to formulate fun and interesting combinations of dishes for the menu.  While the objective is certainly to have a whole ton of fun, I would also like to focus on making quality dishes that everyone can get excited about!

I will volunteer to host the first dinner in April.  The theme: CUBAN.  We can discuss the menu as we go, but I have some ideas in mind, so feel free to collaborate :)

Rioja Spain

But Noel, I hear you saying - I'm hungry!  I can't wait two whole months for such wonderful food!  Well, worry not intrepid gastronome!  While we are rotating hosting duties on the even months of the year, on the odd months, we'll let someone else do the cooking... at the restaurant of our choosing :)  

Yes, at the completion of each hosted dinner, at the time that the following host reveals the featured style of cuisine for the next dinner, they will also pick a restaurant!  

To kick things off, I propose we convene the club on Saturday, March 30th at Rione XIII.

I've been meaning to try this place for a while now, and this strikes me as a golden opportunity.  

So - if this sounds like something you'd enjoy, join the club!

Big Beer in Belgium

Goat Cheese Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms

Homemade pretzels on bbq oven stone

Waking up at Skillet
http://skilletstreetfood.com/

Pizzeria Porta d'Alba (oldest pizzeria in the world - Naples Italy)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antica_Pizzeria_Port'Alba

Empty wine bottles.  A common outcome!