Informal gatherings at local-centric restaurants where members
and their guests get to know one another, have a delicious meal
and learn about the chef’s ingredients and philosophy

Tuesday, October 9, 2011 at Lucia's Restaurant, Minneapolis

Lucia Watson was the gracious host for this fresh, seasonal dinner. Lucia’s Web site is www.lucias.com/ >>

Lucia’s menu:
(It really happened in 2011, not 2010.)

The dining room, with Lucia, standing:


(Photo: Dina Berray)

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Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at Heartland, St. Paul

The Slow Food group dined in a private room in Heartland’s dramatic, converted warehouse space. Lenny Russo, chef and owner talked about the effort involved in buying virtually everything from local farmers. Heartland’s Web site is http://www.heartlandrestaurant.com/ >>

Heartland’s menu:

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Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at Sen Yai Sen Lek, Minneapolis

A delicious Thai feast was cooked for us by Joe Hatch-Surisook, who combines traditional Thai cuisine with good environmental practices. The restaurant’s Web site is http://www.senyai-senlek.com/ >>

The four-course menu included 11 dishes:
First Course
Po Pia Tod. Crispy spring rolls with mung bean noodles, wood ear mushrooms, carrot, cabbage, Fischer Farm pork.
Miang Kam. Thai lettuce wraps with peanuts, dried shrimp, ginger, lime, toasted coconut, Thai chilies, red onion.
Tod Mun. Curried fish cakes with Kaffir lime leaves. Cucumber salad.

Second Course
Som Tum. Green papaya salad with long bean, Thai chilies, tomatoes, dried shrimp, lime.
Moo Tod Gratiem. Garlic and black pepper marinated Fisher Farm pork strips.
Khao Neow. Steamed sticky rice.

Third Course
Pad Kee Mao. Wide rice noodle stir fry with Thai chilies, Thai basil, Fischer Farm pork.
Pad Prik Khing. Prik Khing curry stir fry with long bean, tofu, Kaffir lime leaves.
Gaeng Karee. Stewed yellow curry with Callister Farm chicken, potatoes, carrots.
Khao Hom Mali. Steamed jasmine rice.

Fourth Course
Sankaya. Pandan custard with Buttercup squash and sweet coconut sauce.

(Photo: Val Landwehr)	(Photo: Jane Rosemarin)