You know how much we love film and TV inspired dinners. Graham Bellefeuille and Ty Cox are cut from the same cloth. They created Guild of Cookery based on the medieval meals you’d find in Game of Thrones. Sans blood, gore and beheadings of course. They honed their craft in some of the best kitchens in SF. Most notable, for us, Foreign Cinema. A place that inspired our supperclub. Given the impending new Game of Thrones season, we’re betting tickets will go quick.
Every year one of the grandfathers of the supperclub movement leaves Buenes Aires for the US. When they land, Collectivo Felix complete a multi-city tour popping up dinners in some of the best know pop-ups in the states. One of those stops is always at The Whisk and Ladle. We can’t say enough about these two Gastro-awesome friends so all we’ll say is, get a ticket. The evening will be amazing with every sip and bite BUT more special, you’ll be hosted by one of the originators of the movement in one of the original spaces that supperclubs were reborn. April 30th @ 7pm in Brooklyn.
This is the most important election our life, and probably yours too. No matter which way you lean, your voice is needed and important to truly understand what we stand for and care about. To that end, voting is not as easy as you’d think and getting to the polls even harder especially with the pandemic. Amplifying the already growing food insecurity faced in our country, getting to the polls versus waiting on a food line is a choice that most likely leads to your vote not being cast. To combat this The Infatuation, Zagat, and The Migrant Kitchen have joined forces and launched Feed the Polls, an effort to bring the maximum amount of voters to the polling stations by using free meals as the incentive. The hope is to help every American have a voice, which is what we want, now more than ever. Helping is simple, a $10 donation buys one meal.
Ah, the joy of dining alone—no need to share, compromise, or fret over conflicting tastes. On a recent escapade through the vibrant culinary scene of San Francisco, I found myself at the quaint and charming Penny Roma, a newish spot from the seasoned pros at Flour + Water. Nestled at the back of the restaurant, I discovered my cozy perch at a small food bar, where the magic was about to unfold.
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As I settled into my seat, a glass of red, Italian, natural wine materialized, setting the tone for an evening of indulgence. With a moment to soak in my surroundings and contemplate the forthcoming feast, the server discreetly shared a secret: half portions of all pasta dishes were available for solo diners like myself. Naturally, my focus gravitated towards the heart of the menu.
First on the agenda was a crisp and refreshing little gem lettuce salad with pear, walnut, and blue cheese—an impeccable palate cleanser paving the way for the pasta parade that lay ahead.
With a mission to savor the breadth of Penny Roma’s offerings, I dove into four pasta courses, each a symphony of flavors and textures.
1. Cacio e Pepe
Classic in flavor, yet a texture revelation. The pasta’s thickness initially delighted my taste buds, but by the third bite, a thought crept in—how would I manage three more pasta courses?
2. Pappardelle with Chanterelles and King Trumpets
A dish where fall gracefully transitioned into winter, bathed in shallot cream and crowned with Parmigiano Reggiano. Umami at its finest, leaving me eager for the next act.
3. Strozzapreti al Nero di Seppia
Black ink pasta, a medley of fennel, Calabrian chili, oregano, and the delightful crunch bomb of toasted breadcrumbs. A daring composition that danced on my taste buds, defying convention.
4. Lasagna Bolognese
A classic red sauce joint creation, marrying veal ragu with marinara and béchamel sauces—a nostalgic nod to the culinary prowess of nonnas past.
Just when I thought my journey had reached its crescendo, the allure of dessert beckoned. Despite reservations, I succumbed to the temptation of an olive oil cake. However, this was no ordinary dessert—ginger, mascarpone cream, and sugared persimmon transformed a common treat into a twisted masterpiece.
In the end, Penny Roma had exceeded all expectations. A new school gem with an old school heart, it artfully navigated the delicate balance between tradition and innovation. You’ve truly dialed it in, leaving this solo diner utterly enchanted and thoroughly satisfied. Bravo! 🍝🎉
This is on the map. Check it out for all our Italian-American spots across the country.
Wait! Don’t go shopping today. Wait until tomorrow. Same goes for eating or at least eating out. Regular readers of FT know we’re buddies with The Infatuation crew. What you might now know is we’re equally long term fans of American Express. That’s why this collab was a must post for us. Plus, It’s innately a good thing to do. The Infatuation has curated some of the best deals on the Shop Small American Express site to get you both great (in many cases, hard to get) food while helping your local small biz stay in business. The team is hosting #DineSmall events at some of their favorite local restaurants in NYC, LA, DC, San Diego, Chicago and San Fran. Stay tuned November 26th as they open up the ticket sales. Saturday, November 26th from 3-6pm in various cities.
