Supper Club in Alameda, CA?

[mandyfw]

I live in Alameda, CA, and am interested in joining or starting a Supper Club. Let me know if there are any takers. Thanks!

[durhamliz]

I live in Oakland, and would be very interested in joining a local supper club. Also, it need not be for "supper." Depending on the schedules of those interested, I would also be available for a lunch club during the week. I hope that there will be enough local interest!

Liz

[daria]

I am interested in possibly joining a club. I live in Oakland. Please let me know as your plans progress.

[IBouteille]

Hi there,
I live in Hayward, and would love to be part of a supper club in the east bay. I subscribe to Cooking Light, and it seems that I never have the opportunity to prepare a whole meal from the magazine. I think it would be a lot of fun!!

:) Ingrid

[mcstempi]

I am also interested in joining this group. I live in Alameda and can help organize the group if it hasn't already been done.

--Michelle

[daria]

That might be a good idea Michelle. It seems like most of us replied quite a while after mandyfw posted his or her message, so I'm wondering if mandyfw is going to check on this post again.

Anyway, I'm still interested. I've heard that others sometimes meet for coffee or something like that the first time to discuss how to organize the group and to see if it might work out. Maybe we could do that. :)

Daria

[mia.d]

I live in Berkeley, and would be interested in joining a supper club too. I think the idea of meeting first for coffee is a good one, so we can discuss schedules and ideas in real time. I hope people are still interested!

-Mia

[boatbride]

I live in Alameda and am also interested in a supper club. If a meeting is set, I would prefer weekends or after 7 p.m. since I work in SF.

[IBouteille]

It looks like there are at least five of us who are interested now. :) Is everybody open to meeting for coffee? Weeknights after 7:00 or weekends work well for me.

[mia.d]

Is everyone available next Sunday, say, around noon? We could meet for coffee in Alameda, since there are at least 2 interested people in that city. (Could one of you suggest a coffeehouse? Unfortunately I don't know Alameda well enough to do so myself.)

I was nosy and read some posts by another group that is forming in San Diego, I think, and they were bringing up such issues as whether families are invited to the club meetings, how often to meet, whether the location/kitchen should rotate and if the dishes should be prepared ahead or cooked all together, and whether the food should be entire meals or just appetizers and desserts. (Personally, I think the whole idea is to enjoy a meal together, not to eat and run, but maybe that's just me.) Perhaps we could think about what our preferences and concepts for the group are, in preparation for the meeting.

-Mia

[tina.aa]

I live in Oakland and am interested in joining the group. I'm up for mtg. next Sunday at noon-Alameda works for me, as well as Berkeley or Oakland. The only coffeehouse I know of in Alameda is the new Starbucks on Park. Other suggestions?

-Tina

[ayhsu03]

I'd be interested in joining a supper club as well. Evenings after 7pm and Sundays work best for me.

I've lived in Alameda for only a few months. But here are some other suggestions: Aside from Starbucks on Park St (parking can be a little bit harder), there's also Starbucks in the South Shore shopping area (next to Albertson's) and between Webster/Constitution on Atlantic. And a great place with plenty of seating is Jim's Coffee Shop on Lincoln (and Park). However, noon on Sunday will be filled with the brunch crowd. (Consider this if the meeting is at another time.) Hope this helps.

-Alice

[daria]

Next Sunday (Sept 21) at noon in Alameda works for me. Any of those locations sound good. Perhaps someone who knows Alameda well can just pick one.

Looking forward to it.

Daria

[mcstempi]

Daria,

I am not certain of which post you were referring to in your last message. In any case, I will not be available to meet on Sunday, September 21st. If you will be meeting on another day, please let me know. I can help with the plans and/or suggest a meeting place.

--Michelle

[boatbride]

I will be out of town this weekend but am interested in joining the group. I live in Alameda and there is a place called Muffins, Muffins, Coffee and Beans, 2711 Encinal (a few blocks past Broadway heading towards Fernside) if you are looking for a meeting place.
Barbara Ann

[IBouteille]

This Sunday (9/21) at noon works for me, too. I'm not at all familiar with Alameda. Does Muffins, Muffins, Coffee and Beans on Encinal sound good?

[mia.d]

The Muffins place sounds good to me. So far, I think we have 8 people interested in the club (that includes me), and 5 have said they can make it Sunday at noon. We could meet that day and email or post the main points of our discussion for the ones who can't make it. Also, if the people who can't make it have ideas they want to share, they could email or post those and we can talk about them at the meeting.

I am looking forward to Sunday!

-Mia

[tina.aa]

Muffins etc. it is...looking forward to meeting everyone!
-Tina

[daria]

This Sunday (9/21) at noon works at Muffins, Muffins, Coffee and Beans at 2711 Encinal in Alameda works for me.

I think that is a good idea to email the people who can't make it this Sunday.

Looking forward to it!

Daria

[Clover]

I live in Oakland, and I am also interested in joining a supper club. May I join you on Sunday?

[tina.aa]

Absolutely-come join us!

[IBouteille]

I've come down with a bad cold and may not make it. (If I do come, I'll be the blond carrying a copy of Cooking Light).

Has anybody given any thought to whether this club should include husbands or significant others? My husband loves to cook, and would like to be a part of a supper club (but not if there aren't other men.)

Cheers,
Ingrid

[daria]

Hi there,

I am posting to give those of you who couldn’t make it on Sunday a summary of what happened at the meeting. Four of us met: Tina, Daria, Jon and Rachel. I will probably forget to mention everything we discussed, so hopefully one of the others can chime in if I leave out something important.

We discussed how the club might work. We talked about supper club meetings during the week and/or on the weekend, and most seemed to lean towards weekend dinners. We talked about varying the format, sometimes perhaps doing a pot luck, sometimes cooking together, etc. Most of us seemed to think that cooking all together at one person’s house might be difficult unless the person at whose home the dinner is held has a large kitchen.

We also discussed how to apportion costs and it was suggested that perhaps we rotate the person in charge of the entrée vs. side dishes and that way the costs will eventually get evenly distributed. It seems that it might be easiest for the host to be the one in charge of the main entrée, but not necessarily.

We also talked about dates for a possible first dinner and the four who attended the meeting are available on October 12, 26 and 28. But, if others here are not available on those dates, we should discuss which days work for everyone else. We did not discuss the potential location for the first dinner, so that would have to be decided. I had assumed that the dinner location would rotate, but I don't think we discussed that issue directly.

We are interested to hear the opinions of those who weren’t able to make it to the meeting!

Cheers,

Daria

p.s. In response to Ingrid's question immediately above, I brought my partner to the meeting yesterday. My opinion is that it would be nice to have couples attend as couples, if they want to.

[boatbride]

Sounds like the meeting went well. I am in favor of weekend dinners; too hectic to get home in time on weekdays. I think potluck might be good to start since I also agree that everyone trying to cook in one person's kitchen might be difficult. I think host should make entree since that's probably most difficult to transport. And I suppose oven or stove would be available to warm things or do final touches on other dishes.

I think rotating who does entree will eventually even out costs - but that may remain to be seen. I think rotating among houses is also a good idea.

October 12 or 26 works for me and I'll bring my husband if he's available.

Hope to hear from others.

BAC

[IBouteille]

Greetings all,

I'm sorry I didn't make the coffee last Sunday. I haven't been feeling well. It sounds like you discussed some important ideas and that this supper club is going to come together. Yeah!!

I also agree with everything that was said (weekend dinners, rotating houses, including interested partners, etc). I'm free for dinner on October 26 (I"ll be out of town on Oct. 12).

If we do decide to get together then, how do you all want to go about choosing the menu and location? I know several of you already met, but would anybody be interested in meeting again to 1)talk about the menu and 2)allow anybody who did not make the Sunday coffee to get acquainted? Just a thought.

Ingrid

[mia.d]

I'm sorry too that I didn't make the meeting last weekend; I started a new position 2 days before and had quite a bit of take-home work!

I am free on Oct. 26 as well, and am wondering if start times were discussed. If we continue to use Sundays as our meeting days, we may want to consider making the dinners earlier rather than later so that we can all wake up on Monday morning...

I would be interested in a "make-up" first meeting too, Ingrid. Does anyone else want to do that?

Daria, thank you for writing the summary.

-Mia

[daria]

I'm willing to attend a make up meeting.

Btw, I am available on days other than Sundays. I think we just discussed whichever days would work and the 26th happened to be a Sunday.

Daria

[dchicca]

Daira

Is there room for one more person in the supper club. I live in the East Bay & would enjoy being a part of the group. Let me know if that is possible & if yes when the next meeting is?


Deanna :)

[dchicca]

Daira

Is there room for one more person in the supper club. I live in the East Bay & would enjoy being a part of the group. Let me know if that is possible & if yes when the next meeting is?


Deanna :)

[mandyfw]

Hello everybody,
I posted my message about starting a Supper Club in Alameda and then left for vacation. I apologize for the delay in responding. I'm still interested in doing this. I have been in contact with Michelle (who also lives in Alameda), and we have some general thoughts about the Supper Club. We'd like to try to meet over the weekend--perhaps on Saturday or maybe even Sunday. We're thinking that the members could be a mix of couples and singles. We'd like to try to have an organizing meeting in the next two weeks. If you're interested in this concept, please email me at: witteaf@aol.com. Thanks!
Mandy

[mandyfw]

--Just wanted to say that I listed my AOL email address because we may have the meeting at someone's home. That could change, however, and I'll post details on this site. Hope this isn't too confusing. It looks like one club is underway, which is great. We might have enough folks for another, however, since lots of people have an interest in healthy cooking and eating! Thanks.
Mandy

[mandyfw]

I've received some emails in response to my posting about starting a Supper Club in Alameda. Instead of having the meeting in someone's home, we've decided to meet in a public place. The organizing meeting is scheduled for Saturday, October 11, at 10 a.m. We'll be meeting at the coffee shop in the Harbor Bay Landing Shopping Center on Island Drive on Bay Farm Island. I don't know the name of the shop, but it's the one that's close to all of the outdoor tables. All interested parties are invited to attend. We'll draft a brief agenda to guide our organizing efforts (using Cooking Light's tips) and we plan to bring some Cooking Light issues to help us decide on menus (you should feel free to bring your back issues of the magazine/suggestions/ideas, etc.). Hope we get a good turnout. Cheers!
Mandy

[msmacg]

Is it too late to join this group? I live in El Cerrito, teach in the city, and spend a good deal of time in Oakland.
Tess

[mandyfw]

Thanks for your reply. Please come to our meeting on October 11. We've had a good response to the postings and are hoping for a good turnout of people who love healthy cooking and eating.

[ShannaD]

Hi Everyone,
I live in the East Bay and would LOVE to join or form a group. Unfortunately, I will not be in town on October 11th so I cannot attend this group meeting :-(. I know this group may be getting large as well and am open to forming a 2nd group. Is anyone UNABLE to attend this meeting and interested in starting another East Bay group say on October 26th??? We could meet in Oakland or Berkley .... please let me know how this sounds.

Sincerely,
Shanna

[ShannaD]

I am also open to other dates, locations and ideas! If a 2nd group isn't needed due to size... is it possible to still join the group if we can't attend the October 11th meeting?

Shanna

[mandyfw]

Shanna,
We may very well be on our way to forming more than one group, since we've had a lot of interest. I guess it all depends on how many people show up on October 11. Perhaps the best approach is to play it by ear. I'll post again following the Oct. 11 meeting.

[mia.d]

I cannot make the Saturday morning meeting either, because I have class every Saturday morning until 12:30. I would be interested in meeting at another time/place, and even in forming another club, if necessary. Please keep me posted on the developments.

-Mia

[ShannaD]

Hi everyone! It appears that I am not the only one who is unable to make the October 11th meeting... sorry Mia. My husband and I live in El Sobrante and are willing to drive into Oakland / Berkley or another area on another date. Is anyone else unable to go and interested in meeting on a Sunday say October 26th? Let me know how this feels.
Sincerely,
Shanna

[msmacg]

I am in El Cerrito and would like a group a bit closer to home. I will attend on the 11th. I could also meet on Oct. 26th, in the evening. Sat. morning is Farmer's Market time.

[IBouteille]

Hello,
I will probably not be able to go to the meeting this Saturday, the 11th. I would really like to be a part of a supper club! I notcied that a few of you are suggesting October 26th. I will be busy in the morning and early afternoon. If you all do agree on this date for a meeting, would you be open to meeting in the evening? If Sunday evening isn't convenient, would a weeknight meeting be convenient?

Ingrid

[msmacg]

I could meet in the afternoon or evening. Where would be a good place to meet?

Tess

[IBouteille]

Hello,

There is a Starbuck at 3347 Lakeshore Ave in Oakland. I'm not at all familiar with Oakland or Berkeley, and I just tried to find something that wasn't too far from the freeway (580). If anybody has a better idea, I'm open to anything. Would meeting between 5:00-7:00 be okay?

It looked like there were at least 4 people who were interested in meeting on the 26th. I hope that's still the case!! :)

Ingrid

[ShannaD]

Hello again. Glad to see I was not the only one who couldn't make it on the 11th! Sunday October 26th still works for me. I was kinda hoping to meet earlier in the day but am willing to meet from 5-7pm if that works for most people. I am familiar with the Lakeshore area and that Starbucks has a fair amount of seating area to meet inside or out. As that goes I think it would be a pretty good choice. So let's see if we have a consensus and we'll make it a date?!?!?

Shanna

[IBouteille]

Hi there,
I would really like to mark the 26th down in my calendar! Would 4:00 be a better time? (I don't think I could get there much before then.) I hope we get a few more responses!!

Ingrid

[mia.d]

Sunday the 26th at 4pm is good for me, at the Starbucks on Lakeshore (that's the one close to the lighted intersection, right?). See you then!

-Mia

[ShannaD]

Sunday the 26th at 4pm sounds great! Yes I do believe it's at that intersection Mia...right next to Spettro's Restraunt. I'll be there and possibly another person or two! Does anyone know where the Cooking Light "recommendation" for starting a group tips are located? We should have them if we're ganna square away any details.

Let me know! Look forward to seeing you at Starbucks!

Shanna D.

[ShannaD]

Sunday the 26th at 4pm sounds great! Thanks Ingrid for being flexible with your time! Mia, yes I do believe it's at that intersection you mentioned...right next to Spettro's Resteraunt & Noahs Bagels. I'll be there and possibly another person or two! Does anyone know where the Cooking Light "recommendations" for starting a group are located? We should have them if we're ganna square away any details. Let me know and I'll bring them!

Look forward to seeing you all at Starbucks!

Shanna D.

[tina.aa]

I can be there too. I was at the first meeting but couldn't make the 11th. Shanna, the cooking light community section has a small bit on tips for starting a supper club. Not a whole lot there, but gives the basics on we need to cover.
See you all on Sunday.
Tina

[IBouteille]

I look forward to meeting you all this Sunday!! :)

[Clover]

I can be there today too. For anyone not familiar with the area, in addition to street parking there is a two-level parking garage next to Albertson's which serves the whole Lakeshore shopping district, not just the supermarket.

[IBouteille]

Hello,

We had a "get-acquainted" meeting and have planned a dinner for December 7 in Oakland. Some points we discussed:
-At this first dinner, we will all bring something which we will have prepared ahead of time.
-The "hostess" will prepare the main dish, which will most likely be pork.
-Significant others are welcome to come.
-When we meet on Dec. 7, we will discuss how we want to schedule future dinners.
-We will take turns hosting the dinners.

We are looking for more members for the East Bay supper club!! If you are interested, please post a reply on the site.

Ingrid

[Tina V]

I know it might confuse things to add another Tina to the group, but I'm definitely interested in an East Bay supper club :-) I might have to travel for work in the next few months (don't know my schedule yet), but I'd like to help with planning and I will attend any meetings that happen when I'm in town. I'm currently moving to Oakland (from San Leandro). looking forward to meeting you all!

[tina.aa]

Hi Tina, absolutely you can join us! We have a dinner planned for Dec 7th and we are trying to recruit other members. I think we're going to try to have another mtg. soon, since there seems to be a lot of other folks interested in joining. We will keep you posted on those details.
-Tina

[tina.aa]

Hello--for those still interested in joining our club, we will be meeting again next Sunday, Nov. 24th at 1pm at the Starbucks on Lakeshore Drive in Oakland.

Tina

[S1Randall]

hello ladies...my name is bonnie and would love to join the east bay supper club...i will not be available for the next meeting but will be for the dinner planned on dec. 7th. please keep me posted on your plans and im looking forward to meeting all of you...

[ShannaD]

Hi everyone,
Seems I have woken up with some kind of awful flu! I'm posting this in the off chance someone checks and reads this as I will not be able to make todays gathering. Sorry but there will be no soup :( . I hope you all have a great time!
SHanna