Small HH Food Exchange @ Howard Quintero, Monday 5/22, 7 pm

HQ is a great neighborhood spot that's getting too little love. It's a beautiful space and I've always been pleased with the food and service.
See the thread and compliments here: viewtopic.php?f=14&t=42273
Website: http://www.hqchicago.com/

Stealing from nr706:
What is the Small Household Food Exchange, you may ask.

Most importantly, it’s a gathering of like-minded folks at an interesting restaurant for a meal, taking advantage of the ordering power of a good number of people to share and sample a good number of menu items.

You don’t need to bring something to exchange – you can just enjoy the dinner, the ordering power, and the camaraderie.

Exchanging participants bring one pre-portioned serving of their food for every exchanger who has RSVP’d to come that month. One dessert is OK each month, but we don't want 6-7 dessert offerings – everyone is mostly interested in main meals. (Check the Events Board; there’s a separate Dessert Exchange.)

The fine print
Number in the group: We will cap attendance at each gathering at 12 and food exchange participants at 10, so that participants are never making more than 10 servings of anything. Couples can be counted as one serving, or two – if you come as a couple, please specify whether you're bringing one or two dishes to exchange.

There will be no restrictions on the food – we’re an omnivorous bunch. IF ANYONE HAS ANY ALLERGIES, PLEASE LET THE GROUP KNOW.

The containers/delivery system: Everyone in the group should use the GLADWARE 3 1/8 CUP PLASTIC CONTAINERS (7” x 7” square container with a blue lid). You’ll portion your food into those containers to bring and hand out at the gathering. You can freeze them or not depending on your schedule and when you make your food. There is no need to fill the container, just put in whatever is a serving to you. If you use something else to deliver your food that month (Ziploc bags, plastic wrap, etc.) you should also return the empty containers from the last round so that everyone always has a stash of these containers for the exchange and doesn’t have to run out and buy more. Please label your container (a small piece of paper taped to the container is fine). That way, we’re not all digging through our freezer, looking at blue containers and wondering what’s inside.

The process
Each of us will take turns being the organizer each month. Each time we meet, someone will offer to organize the next month’s gathering. Several weeks before the next gathering the organizer will post a new thread to the events page announcing the date and the location for that month and asking for RSVP’s.

Participants will need to RSVP their attendance by one week before the monthly gathering. Please specify whether you’re coming for the dinner, the exchange, or (hopefully) both. They will then need to post what they are bringing at least three days before the gathering. This is to help make sure we get some balance in the food so that we’re not all bringing something that has to be eaten in the next 2-3 days; that there’s a balance of stuff that can be frozen for later, or eaten sooner.

The organizer will monitor the thread to see what people are bringing. The organizer will also make reservations for the group at the restaurant where we will be gathering. People can choose to stay for dinner or just come and exchange food and leave. Just let the organizer know so they can get an accurate count for the reservation. As previously mentioned, other LTHers and their guests are welcome to join us for dinner, even if they are not bringing food to exchange.

Hope to see you there!

Monday, May 22 @ 7 pm

Howard Quintero (HQ)
4114 N Kedzie Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 654-1629

Dinner
Pie Lady
nr706
Cathy 2
moetchandon

Exchange
Pie Lady - Mustard Catfish with Onions, Cauliflower & Potatoes (Indian)
nr706 - Moroccan Chicken over Split Peas and Spinach
Cathy 2 - Mushroom-Oriented Polish Borscht
moetchandon - Cooks Illustrated Tuscan Beef Stew

Not stolen from me, but evolved with input from many Small HH exchange participants.

I'll be there, exchanging and masticating.

Hi,

I plan to be there for dinner and exchange.

Thanks!

Regards,
Cathy2

I'm in for dinner and exchange.

i'd like to come to try HQ: but not the exchange part, if you guys don't mind....

I screwed up, guys! 5/17 is the night we host the German Consulate, and if I'm not there, they'll have my head. We can keep it this date, I don't mind, unless you'd be okay with switching. No Tuesdays. Let me know what you think.

Thanks!

Either the 15th or the 22nd, both Mondays, would work for Moetchandon and me.

i'm free monday, the 15th, but not the 22d. thursdays are good, but i'm busy wednesday, the 24th, if that helps....

HI,

I can do the 22nd but not the 15th, which is mushroom club.

Regards,
Cathy2

Does Thursday 5/18 work for everybody?

Pie Lady wrote:Does Thursday 5/18 work for everybody?

That's the only night the rest of the month I'm already booked (meeting with other home brewers). Sorry.

Maybe a Sunday?

How about 5/25, or is that too late?

Sundays are no good for the next seven weeks, unless we go after 7:30pm.

If 5/25 is no good, I'm afraid we'll have to go with 5/22 after all.

dont feel bad if i can't come- i wasnt even bringing food....i'm hosting my cook book club at the wicker park library on the 22d, so obviously can't make it then.

I guess I'd vote for the 22nd (sorry Joan), but I could make the 25th, too.

Hi,

I have a class with my Dad on the 25th, which I nagged him to attend.

I guess it is the 22nd. Sorry, Joan!

Regards,
Cathy2

Sorry from me too. Work has been nuts and I spaced on the date. Hopefully we'll see you at a future one, Joan!

Pie Lady wrote:Sorry from me too. Work has been nuts and I spaced on the date. Hopefully we'll see you at a future one, Joan! :(

no problem. i hope you all enjoy it.

My exchange is a Cooks Illustrated Tuscan Beef Stew.

I'm making Oyster Chowder in a Box.

Hi,

I am providing Polish Borscht without any beets in it. It is mushroom-oriented with a boiled egg, which I am not charging extra for!

Regards,
Cathy

Change of plans. The Oyster in a Box was too much of a PITA to reheat, so instead I'll be bringing Moroccan Chicken over split peas and spinach.

Sorry guys, I should have said this yesterday: bring three boxes of chow.

The reservations are under my name.

There's still plenty of time for extra people to join for dinner and sparkling conversation! If you're interested, please come! Let me know and I'll change the reservation.

nr706 wrote:Change of plans. The Oyster in a Box was too much of a PITA to reheat.

I want to hear all about this. I was wondering what you were dreaming up this time. If you have a prototype to show, that would really be interesting.

Regards,
CAthy2

Cathy2 wrote:I want to hear all about this. I was wondering what you were dreaming up this time. If you have a prototype to show, that would really be interesting.

I'll bring samples.

Unfortunately I won't be able to attend dinner tonight. I've been dealing with a stomach bug. Tom will bring my exchange. Sorry to miss this event.

Oh no! Feel better soon!

Yes, feel better and thank you for keeping your illness confined.

Best wishes,
Cathy

Hi,

Mom and I enjoyed moetchandon's - Cooks Illustrated Tuscan Beef Stew. It was lick the bowl delicious!

Regards,
CAthy2