What began as a birthday celebration became a weekly ritual, with the chef creating new, fun, and unique dishes for this special group. Tuesday nights were rather slow at the time, so the guests gathered on slower nights and had one-on-one attention, along with wine pairing and in-depth conversations about the food presented. The guests allowed the chef to experiment with menu options, and the chef worked with special requests of the guests. Tuesday Night Socials grew every week with much anticipation for the next meal.

The Covid Era VS Tuesday Night Socials

Even with the closures, 6′ rules, and reduced occupancy during the pandemic, this group didn’t slow down. Due to the changes, the socials changed from weekly to monthly, but the group stayed the same and grew larger, with more guests joining in as time went by.

Winos With A Fine Dining Problem

The original name was not Tuesday Night Socials; it was actually quite catchy and fun, Winos with a Fine Dining Problem. The original stake for the dinner was all about the wine and what paired with it. Now, the focus is on the meal and what wines pair well with the flavors. I attended the July dinner and tasted a 2021 Cabernet from Dreaming Tree, which Dave Matthews owns. It was my favorite wine from the night.

Dave Matthews
Bordeaux
Cabernet Sauvignon
Red Wine

The July Menu

Words from Crystal Heavener, Tuesday Nights Socials Chairman: As the group arrived and all were seated, Rollino Veneto was served to the table. It is a rolled pizza bite with prosciutto, mozzarella, and fresh tomatoes, which also help to make the bread into bruschetta.

Then, we were served a beautiful green salad with various colors and flavors: red onions, olives, bell peppers, salami, and Gorgonzola cheese, with a lemon olive oil dressing.

Next, we had the most delicious homemade (as always) pesto pasta with shrimp scampi.

As if that wasn’t enough, the main course came: filet of sole with potato and tomato crust topped with chimichurri over saffron risotto.

Okay, okay, then comes out my favorite of the night, the dessert he prepares (thank you, Alfonso Curti; we’ll pretend that was just for me): chocolate flourless cake crusted with pistachio and sweet mascarpone and garnished with mint.

The Main Cast

As the evening went along, we gathered around the microphone and talked about the venue, the menu, the wine, how the dinner had evolved, and the people who were involved. The trifecta coined for the event is Culinary | Cocktails | and Good Co. Thank you, Crystal, Janea, Jose, Ross, Carrie, Joe, Monique, Erinn, Sherry, and Alfonso. This was a fun podcast to produce: Episode #52, Tuesday Night Socials, by the guests at Tuesday Night Socials at Trattoria Uliveto in Orcutt, CA.