NYC: seeking other Serious Eaters
Ok, so I feel a little weird about this, but it's been on my mind for a while now. I need people to go out and eat with. I have lots of friends, but among those, not many with the same interest in eating that I have. The ones who are serious about it either live elsewhere (Boston, LA, ...) or are broke and can't go as often as I'd like to (and when they do it always seems like they are holding back), or they work crazy hours... So, I often end up going out to eat on my own, which isn't as much fun. I'm not a high roller, but dropping $150+ on a great dinner once every week or two is not outlandish to me, especially since I don't really spend money on anything else... Anyway, if any of you out there are kindred spirits, feel like they don't have the eater support network they deserve, let's consider forming an eating club of sorts. No calorie counting, penny pinching, squeamish amateur hour stuff. Let me know what you think...
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9 Comments:
I'd like to add that while penny pinching is an undesirable attitude, spending lots of money isn't a requisite aspect. I'm just as game for trying holes in the wall, going to far flung neighborhoods, eating street food, as I am into going to the fancy pants joints...
simon at 7:24PM on 02/05/09
That actually sounds kind of great. However, being realistic, I don't think I could do the $150+ thing every week. Every couple of weeks, sure. Plus, there are lots of great places that are pretty darned reasonable.
I know your feeling though. I have friends with bucks willing to spend and friends on a much more limited budget who have to be super careful about their spending. It can be hard. God knows, I've been there. I want what I want, but I never want them to feel uncomfortable and so I pull back. I don't get the truffle whatever because I can see them figuring out the check split, even though I'd never dream of asking some to just split a check when they've got the chicken and I've got the lobster. If I go to an expensive restaurant, I am prepared to spend. If not, I don't go there.
So yeah, gather the troops and I'm in. You can e-me at chisai1017@gmail.com.
chisai at 7:45PM on 02/05/09
chisai - awesome, i will definitely be in touch. and again, its not always about spending lots of money, i hope i didnt scare anyone off. i guess what it comes down to is focus and a deliberate desire to enjoy the whole experience. when i go out i want to immerse myself in it. when im the only one at the table who is scrutinizing the room, the service, the plates, the flavors, i feel like im a bore to my less obsessed friends. so thats really what matters most, enthusiasm, focus, reflection. when you go to a movie, you dont talk about other random stuff, you are focused on the show. dinner should be the same way.
simon at 9:40PM on 02/05/09
Check out Chowhound.com
When I lived in San Diego, there was a group of us that would get together every once in awhile for fantastic potlucks or try new restaurants. It was fun, and I ate some of the most delicious food. At one potluck, I remember there was a beautiful antipasto tray, grilled pizza, home-smoked fish, etc., not a potato salad in sight. No one really knew each other very well, but we all loved good food and trying new things. It was a fairly large group and there was a person who kind of spearheaded the outings. He would call ahead and let the restaurant know we were coming and arrange a "tasting" of sorts. I would highly recommend checking them out.
dawnie2u at 9:05AM on 02/06/09
@dawnie2u - Thanks for the tip - that sounds perfect. (I have the same problem as simon, but I'm in MA.)
Junie at 9:38AM on 02/06/09
@simon - what a great idea - Good Luck with that and keep us far from New York people posted!
bareneed at 10:52AM on 02/07/09
I really like this idea and would gladly be up for it.
firni at 12:22AM on 02/08/09
@fimi - cool, hit me up: simonpotter [at] gmail [dot] com. Chisai and I have been chatting offline about our first foray. Lots of places on our collective lists!
simon at 10:46AM on 02/09/09
I'm into this, I have no adventurous eaters in my life so i always try the new places solo!
JacquelineS at 7:32PM on 02/15/09