Are Pricey Supper Clubs With Strangers Worth It?

Welcome to Ask Eater, a column from Eater Philly where the site’s editor Ernest Owens answers questions from readers on all things Philly food related (hype around certain dishes, dining trends, restaurant etiquette matters, food influencer crazes, service labor problems and more). Have a question for him? Submit your question to [email protected] with the subject line “Ask Eater.”

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Dear Ask Eater,

Hopefully you have an answer for this question. My girlfriend has been nudging us to join a supper club to mix up our typical date night routine. Apparently supper clubs have been trendy lately and she’s been telling me to seriously make plans for us.

The truth is that I’m scared. No, seriously – it feels awkward doing something like this. From what I’ve heard online, these dinners aren’t cheap (one was like $125 per person) and you’re eating in someone’s apartment with people you don’t know at one table. I’m not against meeting new people, but what if they are like a bunch of anti-vaxxers or something worse?!

Anyway, I figure you’d know if I’m tripping on this. Are pricey supper clubs with strangers worth it?

Thanks,

Not Trying to Waste My Time and Money

Dear Not Trying to Waste My Time and Money,

I feel you, I truly do.

Supper clubs aren’t for the meek. They’re a wild card that you’re either flexible enough to enjoy or could find personally insufferable to endure. In the pro category: potentially having a memorable dining experience with a rising or distinguished culinary talent alongside a diverse group of people who are avid diners like yourself. The con of this experience: you run the risk of spending a lot of money to have a mediocre meal with a bunch of obnoxious, boring diners who will make you feel like you’re trapped in a dungeon for a few hours.

I’ve had both supper club dining experiences. Here’s how to prevent the latter.

Please research the supper club in question and check out the vibe upfront. Read reviews if you can find some online. Go with a more affordable option first and one that’s been operating multiple times prior (don’t be a part of the bumpy premiere of a new supper club unless you personally know the chef). If possible, try to make it a group activity (ideally a group of four rather than yourself and a spouse) so that you might be able to reduce any social awkwardness at the table.

Embrace the oddness of a supper club, because that’s part of the purpose (and potential enjoyment) of the experience.

Ernest

Dear Ask Eater,

I don’t want to feel like I’m aging myself by typing this, but it feels like there are no fun restaurants to dine at anymore without feeling like you’re at a nightclub.

I live in Northern Liberties and it feels like there are spots that just popped up in the area that I don’t know if they want to serve a decent meal or lounge. The music is too loud, the mood shifts immediately after 10 p.m., and the crowds feel younger and more out of control.

How can we return to just a nice restaurant with some basic decency and rid the city of these nightclub restaurants?

Help me please,

Gen X Foodie

Dear Gen X Foodie,

So my instant reaction to your question was “If you didn’t want this kind of vibe, why did you move to Northern Liberties?” But your question deserves to be answered with more in-depth consideration.

I think the current state of Philly’s restaurant industry is either super niche and small —‚ or grand, yet versatile. So a large restaurant will serve as both a place to dine, and also a lounge, sports bar, and possibly a venue for a comedy or drag show. A smaller joint is going to be more of a pick-up spot and less of a sit-down café. These are economic changes that restaurants must navigate in order to maximize profits in spaces either small or big.

So as much as I’m not a frequent visitor to “nightclub restaurants,” I understand the hustle and the pressure owners have in trying to cultivate something for everyone in this unpredictable economy. My advice for you is to simply return to the traditional restaurants that don’t disappoint. I’ve been making it a point to “circle the block” on several longtime restaurants that I’ve not shown love to in a while. Culinary dining nostalgia is a trend we can still make fetch.

Ernest

Dear Ask Eater,

Forgive me father, for I’m about to sin. So for three years, I’ve been doing Thanksgiving dinner with my in-laws at their house. I’ll cut to the chase — my mother-in-law can’t cook for her life. Outside of the turkey and the roast (they are on point), her trimmings are slimmings. They’re just not good. Normally, they will ask us to bring some wine or some cheese. But this year, I think I’m going to preorder one of those “everything but the turkey” packages to spare the family. I know if I tell her that I’m doing this upfront, she will ask why — I don’t want to hurt her feelings, but something’s got to give.

How should I go about this without hurting her feelings?

Thanks,

A Dutiful Daughter-in-Law

Dear A Dutiful Daughter-in-Law,

I debated whether or not I was going to answer this, but it was just too spicy to ignore. I’ll reserve my opinions on the family drama of the matter and will focus my advice on the culinary aspects of this.

A proper Thanksgiving dinner must have filling and flavorful trimmings. If the main protein is satisfying, it must be complemented with the right sides. I think you should bring dishes that will complement whatever she’s cooking for the main course. When you come over with these catered dishes, mention how great the chef/restaurant was at preparing it and how you wanted to be “generous” this year. This rationale will work because during Thanksgiving, nobody rejects more food during a feast. Those attending the dinner will appreciate the gesture (and the better tasting options), and will naturally compare and contrast the dishes during the gathering.

The taste test of it all will be revealed in what’s remaining on the table and what isn’t in the end.

If anything, the results of what’s left over will send the message loud and clear to the mother-in-law. If she’s wise, she’ll encourage you to bring the dishes back next year and will fall back from cooking other things. Don’t ask me how I know this personally, but I believe it will work and you’ll get to be the “dutiful” daughter-in-law you’re striving to be.

Ernest