5th Annual He-Man Meat Eaters’ Luncheon, 9.25.09

5th Annual He-Man Meat Eaters’ Luncheon, 9.25.09 (Now…Featuring Women!)

The Summer that Never Was is over, and in the air is the smell of prime steak and the boozy breath of louche lunchtime loungers, bon vivants, and boulevardiers, hunching over the white linen-covered tables at Smith & Wollensky for Wine Week 2009, spewing grand lies and bad jokes, eating herds of red meat and drinking endless goblets of the grape. Yes, it's the 5th Annual He-Man Meat Eaters' Luncheon, held again, as befits our time-honored tradition, during S&W's Wine Week, a whirlwind of pretty much okay wine, outstanding steak and voracious conversation.

For the most recent portion of our illustrious and over-stuffed history, this cabal of large and largely male carnivores has graciously accepted women into our midst, which speaks well for both our tolerant and grudgingly enlightened worldview as it does for the boldness and belly-capacity of these beef-loving babes.

This year, we’re convening on a Friday, September 25, at noon in the hallowed meat emporium that is Smith & Wollensky (318 North State Street; 312.670.9900). I’ve made reservations for 10 people; after we hit that number, I’ll create a waiting list; as people post their intentions in the following thread, I’ll add their names to the honor roll of the ribald and ravenous, below:

1. ronnie_suburban
2. Hammond
3. stevez
4. NR706
5. jazzfood
6. Dickson

Waiting List
1. tarte tatin

Here’s a pictorial slouch down the fading memory lane of last year’s bacchanal, with pix by HMMEL regulars ronnie_suburban, SteveZ, and GWiv:

Seeing all that broccoli brought a genuine tear of joy to my eye.

Thanks, David, for organizing this event. I'm really looking forward to it.

=R=

You bet! Sign me up.

please add me to the list

I needs me some excess. Missed it last year - may I join?

This is a great event. I had a blast last year. I won't be able to make it this year because I will be on vacation. Hope you all have a great time!

Please add me to the list
(with a tentative +1)

leek wrote:Please add me to the list
(with a tentative +1)

Will do, but please let me know as soon as you can about the tentative.

Is it possible to put me down as a back-up player? I'm waiting for a client to set the schedule for a late September project, and I MAY have to go out of town that weekend. If you get 10 first-stringers before I get all of this resolved (should be next week), then it will be my loss....

Just curious, what was the 4th annual per person cost, with tax and tip?

D.

tarte tatin wrote:Is it possible to put me down as a back-up player? I'm waiting for a client to set the schedule for a late September project, and I MAY have to go out of town that weekend. If you get 10 first-stringers before I get all of this resolved (should be next week), then it will be my loss....

Thanks, TT. I put you on the waitlist.

dodger wrote:Just curious, what was the 4th annual per person cost, with tax and tip?

D.

About $100.

I SO WISH I wasn't a cubicle slave.....
that looks amazing and wonderful....
sigh....

You know, looking at all those pictures I took last year makes me realize that I don't have to tote my camera along this time. Those will do just fine. With nothing to keep track of, I'm looking forward to being a real He-Man this time around! Apology's in advance to leek and any other female who might be brave enough to join us. Just be advised that you might hear the term "turd"...or worse.

stevez wrote:You know, looking at all those pictures I took last year makes me realize that I don't have to tote my camera along this time. Those will do just fine.

I think it's rather presumptuous of you to imply that the menu isn't likely to change this year!

=R=

ronnie_suburban wrote:

stevez wrote:You know, looking at all those pictures I took last year makes me realize that I don't have to tote my camera along this time. Those will do just fine.

I think it's rather presumptuous of you to imply that the menu isn't likely to change this year!

=R=

Other than the selection of "pretty much okay wine", I'm willing to go out on a limb on this one.

Confirmed - just me, not +1

I'd love to come.

leek wrote:Confirmed - just me, not +1

Excellent. Gentlemen, there is one gentlewoman on board.

Alas, I have to bow out

Have a great time!

I love this event, but I'm finding other plans have intruded on meat-wine-excess. Please hand my spot over to someone else. Thanks Hammond, for setting this up.

This XX (that's chromosomes thank you very much) Non-Meat Eater, will try to stop by & say hello if I can keep my clients out of jail

pairs4life wrote:This XX (that's chromosomes thank you very much) Non-Meat Eater, will try to stop by & say hello if I can keep my clients out of jail

Who knows . . . after this event, some of us may very well require your services, too. I plan to be all hopped up on beef by mid-afternoon!

=R=

pairs4life wrote:This XX (that's chromosomes thank you very much) Non-Meat Eater, will try to stop by & say hello if I can keep my clients out of jail

That'd be very kind of you. I'm taking public transport, so may not need you, but it'd be fine to see you.

I was really looking forward to making tomorrow's extravaganza, but a last-minute (3:30 pm today) change in the project schedule unfortuately means I will be unable to play hooky and join you. I guess all you he-men are on your own! Have fun!

Gentlemen (Gentlewomen?):

"Where's the beef?"

(How was this year's lunch?)

With only 5 of us in tow, the lunch was a wee bit more subdued than in previous years. Still, there were plenty of off-color stories, laughs and good-natured ribbing. One highlight was when pdaane stopped by to say hello to the group. Another was when Jazzfood showed us -- and our waiter -- exactly how he likes the crema on top of his espresso.

Foodwise, for better or for worse, there were no real suprises. The steaks were very good and the sides were tasty, too. A couple sides that arrived at the table cold -- sauteed mushrooms and broccoli -- were replaced quickly and with total hospitality. Before the entrees, a 'caprese' salad showcased really nice tomatoes. The crab cake appetizer, which contained very big pieces of sweet tender crab, was very good too.

I took a few pictures of the items we'd not had before and I will try to post them as soon as I get a chance.

Thanks again, to David Hammond, who organized the event but couldn't make it, due to unforeseen circumstances.

=R=

As promised, a few pics of the previously undocumented/new items this year . . .


Caprese Salad



Crab Cakes



Smith & Wollensky Salad (with bacon chunks, marinated mushrooms, and fried potato cubes)

As for the sides and steaks, see above. The only difference this year seemed to be the Truffled Mac & Cheese, which was served in an oval stoneware baker instead of a round one.

=R=

ronnie_suburban wrote:The only difference this year seemed to be the Truffled Mac & Cheese, which was served in an oval stoneware baker instead of a round one.

And the creamed spinach, which was served in a bowl instead of the mini-skillet that it normally comes in. It might have even been a bigger serving, too.

stevez wrote:

ronnie_suburban wrote:The only difference this year seemed to be the Truffled Mac & Cheese, which was served in an oval stoneware baker instead of a round one.

And the creamed spinach, which was served in a bowl instead of the mini-skillet that it normally comes in. It might have even been a bigger serving, too.

No pics of that but I'll take your word for it.

=R=

Given the season, I was surprised at how relatively bland the tomatoes were in the caprese salad.

And no one needs to remind me to never order an espresso with good crema if Jazzfood's in the kitchen. Just the thought has scarred me for life.