Lauren’s Dinner - A Celebration of Women

I think of food as a gateway to memory. When I think of these dishes in particular, I am reminded of wonderful celebrations with some of my favorite humans.  In my family we breed mostly women; strong, thoughtful, stubborn women.  My mother is one of 3 girls, she had 3 girls, her youngest sister had 3 girls.  Growing up, I was fortunate to have multiple mother-figures in a neighborhood filled with revolving doors, moms, kids, and all the best snacks. 

As I've grown into an adult, I continue to surround myself with a tribe of wonderful, intelligent, strong, talented women.  For these relationships, I will forever be grateful. And, thanks to my tribe, both past and current, I believe that one of the best places to congregate and celebrate is around a table.

Tickets- HERE

$65pp + $13 gratuity, $78

4 courses

Saturday, March 25th

Seatings at 6, 7 and 8pm

STARTERS

rumaki

marinated water chestnuts/bacon (gf)

Dungeness crab

Belgian endive/pea shoots (v+*, gf)

cloverleaf rolls

honey butter/chutney (v)

SOUP/SALAD

Pam's beer cheese soup (v, gf)

Clarice's spinach salad

spinach/mushrooms/bean sprouts/bacon/HB Egg/Russian-style dressing (v+*, gf)

Gan Gan's chopped salad

iceberg lettuce/grilled pineapple/toum-style dressing/cheddar crisps (v+*, gf)

Miss Kitty's three-bean

gigante beans/haricots verts/kidney beans/shaved white onion/herbs/white vinegar dressing (v+, gf)

MAIN

Nancy's ritzy fish

halibut/ritz-butter-lemon crust/ green beans almondine 

Doggie's Tenderloin

pork tenderloin/apple-onion chutney/mashed potatoes (gf)

Dodie's Zucchini Pie

zucchini/carrots/parmesan/lemony greens (v)

SWEETS

Shelby's (Great-Aunt Millie's) apple crisp

apples/oatmeal crumble/whipped creme fraiche (v)

Mom's chocolate cake

dark chocolate cake/fudge frosting (v)

salted butterscotch pot de creme 

creme fraiche/fairy dust (v, gf)

Whit's shortbread

herb shortbread biscuits/blue cheese/jam (v)

goodie bag: Susan's English toffee with black walnuts

THE WOMEN

Pam is my best friend’s mother and a North Dakota native.  Until I met her, I had never heard of this midwest staple, let alone tasted it.  I am a convert.

Gan Gan (or Allie B) was my dad's mother–a beautiful soul from the south.  She was a wonderfully kind and generous woman, and one heck of a card player.  This is one of my dad's all-time favorite salads, to this day.

Clarice is my Auntie Jamie's very best friend.  Her spinach salad has been a staple for big dinners and celebrations for as long as I can remember.

A dear friend I met in Los Angeles, and originally from Charleston, South Carolina, Miss Kitty and I have always bonded over all things Carolina; especially food, and specifically this salad.

KT Bear (or Katie) was my mother's mother and the grandma that every child hopes for.  She's been gone over 30 years, and still not a day goes by that she doesn't manage to cross my mind.  This chicken tastes like summer aboard the family sailboat in Catalina.

Doggie (or Auntie Debbie as she'll always prefer to be called) is my mom's older sister.  When it comes to entertaining, she reigns supreme.  She hosts the best luncheons and dinner parties, hands down–no detail too small.

When I first moved to Portland, Oregon, one of the first friends I made was a girl named Sara, Nancy is her mom.  Sara used to be a picky eater and this was the ace up Nancy's sleeve that invited Sara to be so bold as to enjoy some beautiful fish.

Dodie lived down the street from my grandparents on the Island.  Her children grew up with my mom and her siblings.  This dish brings me back to summers on the beach.

Shelby was the very first friend I made when I went away to college in Southern Oregon.  This apple crisp was her comfort food, taught to her by her Great-Aunt Millie.  It takes me back to cold, damp nights in the Pacific Northwest.

My mom (Vickie) is my biggest hero, full stop.  She's also a pretty amazing cook, to boot! I'm not even sure where this recipe came from.  She's not any sort of choco-holic, (although my dad will argue otherwise) she makes this cake for my dad's birthday every year.

Whitney is my middle sister and the one who earned me the title of big sister.  Although she's not a kitchen-phenom, she has a few tricks up her sleeve.  Every year she hosts her "8th Annual Cookie Party" and this is one of her favorites to make.

Susan and her siblings grew up with my mother and hers, thick as thieves.  She is my bonus aunt–stylish and always ready to gossip over coffee.