I promise most of my posts won’t be this long, but for my inaugural post, I thought it would appropriate to review my inaugural YUM YUM Supper Club. What is that you ask? It is a one night dining event featuring a local chef and food provider creating a meal to be shared. Apparently, in the past 2 years, three of these events have been held in Durham. I am not sure what secret handshake you needed to find out about this before, but the only way we knew about this one was from Fullsteam’s website. We figured anything with the words “Yum” and “Supper” was worth checking out. And we were right.

This edition of the Supper Club featured Fullsteam brews and Boxcarr Farms food and was held in front of Motoco Music Hall in Durham. Each course had an appropriate Fullsteam beer pairing. You can see the menu in its entirety here.

Happy Hour

Upon arrival, we were greeted with a smiling Sean Wilson, Chief Executive Optimist of Fullsteam. He was serving a great summer shandy with a mix of Fullsteam’s El Toro Classic Cream Ale and lemonade. I admit, I am not a big beer drinker, but I could drink this concoction all day long. I hope it makes it to the Fullsteam regular bar menu (Hint. Hint). As people were mingling and drinking, hors d’oeuvres were being set up on tables. This included spicy green beans, delicious cucumbers with Boursin, head cheese (which I wasn’t daring enough to try) and salami on bread. The apps were a nice touch, light and not too filling.

Once everyone took their seats at long tables, it was time for the first course. Since Greg and I mostly only dine together, it’s always a little strange, but refreshing to sit a table of strangers that are together in their own group. Fortunately, we had the pleasure of sitting with Mike and Candy Webster, the owners of Motoco Music Hall and their friends and families.

1st Course: Bacon and Eggs

Poached egg, crispy bacon, Swiss chard and toasted brioche paired with Rocket Science IPA

This was a good opener. Although Greg isn’t usually a fan of poached eggs, I like a runny yolk every once in awhile. The bacon was thick and not too fatty.

2nd Course: Panzanella

Heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, mozzarella, basil and croutons very appropriately paired with Summer Basil Farmhouse Ale

This was the course I was looking forward to the most and it didn’t disappoint. This is the type of dish I would make on my own in the summer. It was refreshing with great produce and quality cheese with a dressing I am pretty sure Greg would give me up to get the recipe. Although simple, this course was one of the highlights of the meal. My only comment is that the croutons got quite soggy in the dressing, I am not sure what could have been done to remedy that, but overall still quite tasty.

3rd Course: Boxcarr Farms smoked ham

Smoked ham served with with herb pesto, potato salad, slaw paired with Carver Sweet Potato Lager

Out of all the courses, this was the most disappointing. The ham was dry and overcooked and tasted more like a bland pork chop than ham. The slaw was over vinegared and the potato salad was bland. After having such flavorful and well-balanced courses, this as the main course was really a let down. 

4th Course: Grandma Mary’s blueberry tart

Blueberry tart served with chamomile cream paired with Backyard Sparkling Pear Ale w/ Mulberry Syrup and Lemon Verbena

Redemption! This delicious tart with the perfect shell, slight hint of lemon and fluffy cream was the perfect end to the evening. It was light, summery and a great way to top off the meal.

Finally…

Food aside, YUM YUM supper club was an interesting, unique experience. They did a great job of transforming the space, however, I understand the allure of eating outside, but it was HOT. Honestly, a little too hot for my comfort and the flies started to swarm when plates weren’t cleared fast enough. Also, (this might help with the hot issue) it started and ended really early. We were home by 7:30, a time when we are just starting to think about going out to eat. I would really love to see this event start an hour later.

If it’s in your budget, I would definitely recommend trying to go to the next one, you’ll see me there.

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