Hellodali wrote:I've been bringing mine in an insulated bag I got from Whole Foods that is supposed to keep things either hot or cold for about 3 hours. It was less than $10, I think.

Just FYI--At Jewel today, I noticed they were selling an insulated bag (for hot or cold)--about the size of a brown paper grocery bag with a flapped and zippered top--for $2....

After surveying the incredibly delicious-sounding menu items to be exchanged next Monday, The Wife and I decided to forego the usual pork-based offering and bring a more veg-heavy preparation to the exchange: Peppers with Anchovies. This classic Piedmontese antipasto has been making an appearance on our Christmas table for many years, and it should be good to eat before or during the enjoyment of the stupendous stuff others are bringing.

I'm very new to LTH. Though I can't make it to Monday's dinner, I'd love to join the next one! Are these open to all comers?

mimieats wrote:I'm very new to LTH. Though I can't make it to Monday's dinner, I'd love to join the next one! Are these open to all comers?

Yes. Most LTH dinners are open to all, and this particular event has the "food exchange," which you may or may not want to join in (this time, tarte tatin is just coming for the dinner).

I'm more interested in the exchange than in dinner, though that might change when the next restaurant choice is posted.
Thanks!

mimieats wrote:I'm more interested in the exchange than in dinner, though that might change when the next restaurant choice is posted.
Thanks!

There is no obligation to eat dinner to participate in the exchange. You can simply arrive at an estimated time for the exchange to participate. It may mean we may still be dining when you arrive, though nobody would be unhappy to socialize with you. Plus we now have each person introducing their dish, which includes ingredients, experiences with the recipe and maybe an interesting story.

Regards,

Hi there - sound like this event is capped, but is there a mailing list? Or should I just check the boards? Also - does anyone know of a veg-friendly small house food exchg?

lemoneater wrote:Hi there - sound like this event is capped, but is there a mailing list? Or should I just check the boards?

The board is the primary way that these events are announced and discussed. Hope you can make the next one.

Lemoneater - yes, this board is where we announce the montly exchanges. So far, this group has exchanged mostly meat-based dishes with one or two vegetarian ones each time. If you join the group one month and bring a dish to exchange, most of the eight or so dishes you get back will likely have meat. We decided when we organized that we were going to be an omniverous group. You should feel free to start a group that is entirely vegetarian just using the same guidelines and such posted above for this one. Feel free to PM me if you want to discuss in more detail.

Yumi will be posting shortly I think since she is unable to attend tonight - however I will be meeting with her before hand to pick up her food exchange portions and bringing them to Smak Tak. Because Yumi is unable to attend, Mr. Foodie will be taking her spot for dinner.

Sorry that i have to back out on dinner but i did make the eight portions of my dish
Have made arrangements w/joelen (ms foodie) for tonight.
Hope to make next month's event!

Best regards,
Yumi

Looking forward to seeing everyone tonight. Question - will I need more than $20 for dinner?

foodie1 wrote:Yumi will be posting shortly I think since she is unable to attend tonight - however I will be meeting with her before hand to pick up her food exchange portions and bringing them to Smak Tak. Because Yumi is unable to attend, Mr. Foodie will be taking her spot for dinner.

If we are capping the number allowed at dinner, let's make sure the wait list is honored. I think Mr. X was first on the wait list. (I think he may have already made other plans).

I'm looking forward to the exchange!

Waitlist politics can be a little complicated. But I think we could extend the party to 13 by sitting a little closer if Mr. X can attend. So everyone can be accommodated. If the table only seats 12, we can have a smackdown! Or colonize another table.

I'm fine with closer.

It's an occupational hazard.

Unfortunately, I too will have to pass on dinner tonight. An encounter with some less than pristine seafood has left me with no desire to look at or eat anything

I will drop off my prepared dishes at Smak Tak. The owner was kind enough to say he would hold them and give them to you when you arrive.
If you see this before you leave, please bring one less container of food. If you don't see this, then just keep an extra for yourself.

Jyoti

Hi,

I might be substituting for Jyoti --- don't do anything until I catch her!

Hi,

I will bring Jyoti's food tonight and stay for dinner. I'll be taking her portion on her behalf.

Regards,

Mr. X will be joining us for dinner. We'll be cozy.

GAF wrote:.... I think we could extend the party to 13 by sitting a little closer if Mr. X can attend. So everyone can be accommodated. If the table only seats 12, we can have a smackdown! Or colonize another table.

Everyone can exhale and shift their chairs slightly over.... After looking forward to this for weeks, I too have to bow out of tonight's dinner. Not bad seafood, but a mystery bug.... Sorry I'm so late in posting, but I just made it to the computer. So--sorry to disappoint you, Gary, but no smackdown will be necessary.

Feelling sick, will not be able to show.

I am so sorry that so many are feeling poorly, and hope that you all feel better soon

Excellent dinner tonight and a truly inspired choice by GAF, who had the Smak Tak crew prepare an off-menu trio of ducks.



Meaty and delicious.



We had probably the smoothest running food exchange yet; we’re getting our procedure together. Following a brief description of each dish (history, ingredients, etc.), offerings were placed around a table and we all went around the table, selecting one serving each.



These exchanges are enjoyable on so many levels.

This was my first exchange and I thought the whole process smooth and enjoyable. I'm excited to try everything. Smak Tak was great -- Mr. X and I were comfortably sated and didn't need to walk around the block before we got into the car.

I do have one question: I have a container that is labeled "turkey chili" but no "carne en chili." Did something get mixed up?

Thanks to GAF for organizing!

David Hammond wrote:Excellent dinner tonight and a truly inspired choice by GAF, who had the Smak Tak crew prepare an off-menu trio of ducks.

Hey, no one said duck would be involved!

Great idea that really seems to be coming into it's own, the exchange, not the duck.

Enjoy,
Gary

GP - the turkey chili label was probably left on the container of a dish from last month's exchange. It's likely that it contains the chile en carne.

Aside from the company and the surprise cameo of Cathy2 (not a cameo actually - and get well Jyoti and Cookie Monster and especially the much missed Tarte Tatin), the duck was the high point of the meal - and one of the best dishes that I have had in months. So very tender and flavorful, with the fruit coming from the inside and not from a fruity sauce. This was my first time at Smak Tak, but not the last.

This was also our first time at Smak Tak and it was wonderful. Thank you to Gary/GAF for organizing and everyone who attended. The duck carcasses are now simmering away for a nice rich stock which I plan on freezing and using for next month's meal exchange dish!

Get well vibes to those that couldn't make it due to illness!

Sorry - not sure how to resize since its so big...

The GP wrote:I do have one question: I have a container that is labeled "turkey chili" but no "carne en chili." Did something get mixed up?

Maybe. I made the carne in chili, and I thought I had labeled them all as such. Maybe I didn't get one labelled right, or maybe someone accidentally took an extra carne instead of something else. The piles might have gotten merged. If you open it up it should be dark brownish/red with a bit of lighter colored, orangey fat around the edge.