For those of a cooking-ish bent around here...

[jducoeur]

I've occasionally enthused about The Tasting Counter, which is probably Kate's and my favorite fancy-ish restaurant these days -- we go there at least once, sometimes twice a year, which is more than any other high-end place. It's a small restaurant: 18 seats, arranged in a horseshoe around the preparation area, so everyone gets to watch as the food is prepared. It is set menu (albeit pretty flexible so long as you let them know about your restrictions in advance), and ticketed: you buy a ticket beforehand, inclusive of food, beverage and gratuity, and they don't want to see a wallet out day-of. It's great, and y'all should go once that's possible again.

In the meantime...

I just got an email from them, announcing their new TC@Home program, which is kind of brilliant, and right up the alley of some of my friends, which is why I'm bringing it up here.

As usual, it is ticketed in advance. (Note that, while it costs less than a traditional seat, it's still pricey -- this is a special occasion, not an everyday meal.) By pickup or delivery, you get a full mise en place for a fancy three-course dinner -- simpler than the 7 courses at the restaurant, but practical for at-home. And that evening, you go online with Chef Ungar as he tutors you and the rest of the attendees in prepping, cooking, plating and eating the meal.

Basically, it's the very fancy, very educational, interactive version of Blue Apron, with high-end food -- and, yes, optional beverage pairings selected for your meal.

It looks delightful, and I might well give it a try sometime this season. The cooks in the audience (at least, the ones close enough to Somerville) may want to give it a look...

Comments

[sporky_rat]

There was a fancy restaurant near where I grew up that did a meal once a month like that, buy a ticket and don't worry about anything else.

I did it a couple of times - I let them know I am deathly allergic to strawberries, they acknowledged it, and we had a lovely meal. A few people were super salty about blueberry fruit dessert instead of strawberry, but the chef informed them that there was an allergy in the party and people simmered down.

That's a good memory, thanks for sparking it.

[jducoeur]

Happy to!

Tasting Counter does the customization per-plate, so it doesn't cause any debates, which is nice...

[sporky_rat]

Unfortunately my allergy includes airborne, so if I am sitting next to someone eating or preparing them, I react.

I don't eat out often, but they were so excellent about it.