LAFoodShop

FoodShop is just another fine example of how food is truly a communal experience.  Hosts and chefs Itay Zach with pastry chef Hyejin Cho generously invite 30 guests to enjoy a homemade 5 course dinner.  I was enlightened by this monthly pop up event through a friend of mine who attended few months back-- and I'm glad he did.  Not only did I enjoy a great meal, I was able meet a group of interesting foodies I would have never met before.  Two particular ladies I met were Juliette and Tracy --- both in the food and wine (and champagne) industry.  My friend and I were lucky enough to be sitting across from them-- and I mean lucky!-- they brought about 6 bottles of delicious wine that they generously shared.  


I RSVP'd to the Friday dinner held at 7:30pm.  When you arrive at the "Barn" -- dinner guests are already mingling around the large farm table which was finely set with candles and an eclectic array of plates and glassware.  Dinner guests are greeted by Itay's wife Adee (and her very pregnant belly) with a watermelon martini.  Once all the guests check in, you are seated at your assigned spot and the chefs personally bring out each course.  Although everything was delicious, the stand outs for me were the Watermelon Martini (because I'm a sucker for herbs in cocktails), the Moroccan Meatballs, and the Shrimp n' Grits.  The entire menu is listed below, but the menu changes each month.  

The Menu (Suggested donation $45)

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Waretmelon Martini gin, watermelon, thyme, lime

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Corn Soup corn, cream, shallots, vegetable broth

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Grilled Peach Salad fresh peaches, arugula, le Delice de Bourgogne cheese, balsamic

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Moroccan Meatballs grass-fed beef & lamb, tomatoes, garlic, serranos, spices

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Shrimp n' Grits fresh prawns, butter, garlic, polenta

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fresh Berry Tart Fresh berries, orange verbena sorbet

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DRINKS Please bring the beverages of your choice (white or reds work)

After dessert is served, a donation box is passed around, but since it was my first time I just paid the suggested donation of $45/person to FoodShop's paypay account.  Another thing I must mention that adds to the charm of the dinner was the art gallery in the back of the Barn which you walk through on your way to the facilities. It felt like I was entering into another dimension-- from industrial barn house to a bright gallery of contemporary and modern art.  My only regret was that I wished I was more outgoing and talkative to other guests, seeing as how it was my first time and the Barn was a wee bit cramped.  Hopefully, I'll break out of my wallflowerness the next time around.  


http://www.lafoodshop.com/

FYI, baking soda does expire.  Your chocolate chip cookies will look like discs.

This is a non-hostile takeover. You can put down the cutlery.

For too long, the Dinette Set has consisted of a lonesome diner.  Although this was initially a collective of experiences amongst friends, the Dinette Set lost it's appeal to Tumblr, Pinterest and Twitter.  In order to revive the blog, the Dinette Set is now becoming my personal outlet of food, wine, and all things related. This is not a hostile takeover-- Viv graciously handed me the reigns and I hope to do her (and all of the authors I deleted) proud.

Yours forever (unless I'm yelping),

Les