TOTT: Club Offers Good Food, Conversation At Trendiest Eateries
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Algonquin Dinner Club members are filling up the spaces at South Florida's trendiest eating spots.
The club is a group of young professionals from Miami who get together every Monday night to eat and socialize.
Two friends founded it almost nine years ago.
"We are coming up on our nine year anniversary of having weekly Monday night dinners all around Miami, bringing people together with great food, great experiences, great chemistry and lots of fun," said Joanna Popper, co-founder of The Algonquin Dinner Club.
What started out as a group of six has now turned into 2,000 members.
Membership is free. Those interested connect on their Facebook site to see what restaurant is booked for each week.
"The typical dinner is a three course sit-down. It's no more than $40 per person and that includes tax and tip. It's a better deal than Miami Spice actually," said Popper.
The hippest, newest and most buzzed about places are chosen.
On the Monday, Vintro Kitchen in Miami Beach was the chosen spot and CBS4's Lisa Petrillo joined in. It's a Mediterranean style restaurant with a vintage retro vibe serving farm to table food.
Click here to watch Lisa Petrillo's report.
"We have everything on the menu from grilled octopus to orzo mac and cheese and all of our plates are light bites so it's great for sharing," said Sandi Visnov, Marketing Manager at Vintro Hotel and Kitchen.
The Algonquin Club booked 22 reservations for the Vintro dinner.
Lisa Concepcion joined in 2012.
"It's kind of a secret society and then you're done and you meet amazing people," Concepcion said.
Members Linda Gross and Adam Way enjoy getting out on a weeknight.
"I can't think of a better way to come out and socialize especially on a Monday night. I mean everyone stays home on Monday night for the most part," said Gross.
"It's a great way to meet people. You go to a bar and sit-down and then you meet fine people like you, Lisa" Way said joking to Petrillo. "Oh wait, you're married. Never mind," he said laughing.
Appetizers like beet salad and croquettes with goat cheese filled the table.
"It's warm and comforting with a pop of cheese. How can you go wrong with that," asked Petrillo after tasting.
Next, Ceviche, then a filet of Mediterranean style whole fish and grilled chicken.
Food was abundant and so was the conversation.
The night wrapped with new friends made and old friends catching up, a delightful time had by all.
Vintro Hotel and Kitchen is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Click here for more information on Vintro Kitchen.
For those interested in the Algonquin Dinner Club, click here.
