We arrived at the warehouse-type building in the Design District, where the offices of Metro 1 Properties are housed, at 8 p.m. sharp - bottle of wine and dog bed at hand.
The Ghetto Gourmet (GG) was serving dinner.
Greeting us at the door was Jeremy Townsend, one of the GG founders, and Alice, his wife. He welcomed us, showed us the restrooms and handed us an envelope to place our business cards and tips.
The space was nice, modern, and I should point out, kitchen-less. At the end of a long hallway, lined with glass doors to what during the day are offices, were three low tables with place settings. We set down the dog bed — our choice of seating — at one of three tables where we were joined by six women. There must have been around 25 people there.
We opened our bottle of wine — they provide the bottle openers — and introduced ourselves to some of our fellow diners. We turned out to be a good group, conversation didn’t run dry and no awkard silences.
After everyone was situated, Jeremy introduced his wandering supper club and chef Tim Trojian, and the food started rolling out.
First dish
From the South of France
Herb and spice crusted tuna loin on a garlic toasted baguette, with a tomato concassee.
- Tuna was good, but the baguette with the tomato was the best part.
Second dish
From Indo-Sine
A chilled rice noodle salad w/ crisp fresh vegetables, chiffonade of lettuce and crisp wontons.
- A refreshing dish. The least impressive in the menu.
Third out
From Northern Africa
A galantine from free range poultry flavored with salami, pistachios and apricots, served with an orange and onion salad and lentil mousse.
- The orange and onion combination was surprisingly good. So was the lentil mousse. I’m not a big fan of galantines but I enjoyed this one.
And then dessert…
From Mexico
Tres Leches with strawberry and papaya
- Who can go wrong with this? It was yummy!
Somewhere in between the first and second course, we were graced with a session of African drumming by Ra and the BMS Drummers. Later, before dessert, our hostess Alice, a modern dancer, performed an improvisational piece.
The experience was definitely unique and refreshing. The food was good and different. We made new friends if even just for that evening. And even my boyfriend, whom I suspect was skeptical about the whole thing, said he had a good time. I did too.
tags: miami, food, communal dining, ghetto gourmet
Thanks for posting this, Paula, and letting us know what a GG event is like.
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Orange and red onion salad (with fennel) is a classic Italian dish, from Tuscany if i’m not mistaken. The whole affair sounds like an interesting experience!
Hey Paula! Sorry we missed you at the South Beach one. Sounds like the DD one was good too!
Manola - I didn’t even know about the South Beach one for some reason. They didn’t email me till Wednesday of this week with the new dates, but I’m glad I got to go. It’s a very different experience.
Sounds lovely. It’s good to see Miamians doing more events like these.
I’ve been away…a chime:
Yes the orange and fennel salad is a classic Italian recipe. Romans ate it. It’s really easy to make and very flavorful, the sweetness of the oranges balances the fennel’s sharpness.
They serve it here in SF in some of the more authentic Italian spots. I believe though it is a Sicilian-inspired dish, or at least one Sicily made famous.
I’ve made it here with fennel I picked up from farmer’s markets w/ some California oranges, though it would probably taste decent with Fla. oranges, too.
Anyroad, some recipes:
http://english.incucina.tv/ricette/2968/2973/1425/ricetta.asp
http://ilforno.typepad.com/il_forno/2004/02/a_winter_salad_.html
-Chris
Chris - Thanks for the recipes — and the background. The salad we had was with white onions and orange. I really had never tasted that combination. I’ll try the fennel.
Ah, I was mistaken then. Alex mentioned the fennel and it being an Italian recipe: I have always known the salad to be served w/ fennel and just oranges (no onions).
Anyways, enjoy the fennel and glad the ghetto people here wound up in yours :0