I ran out of space in my Noshing Around column but felt this was perhaps worth a mention:
Benny Hill (he says it’s his real name) sent this to me verbatim:
“We’re an eclectic mix of transplants and natives who reside in Southern Arizona who like to randomly get together and eat at mostly cheap restaurants in and around the nooks and crannies of the Old Pueblo. Our ideal restaurant is one that appeals to some or all of the senses in some kind of phat way. I do concede that we’re a copycat of the Silverlake Dinner Club which over the course of the past ten years has become quite the sub rosa group in Los Angeles.”
The SSG’s first meeting will be Saturday, Jan. 26, at El Minuto Cafe.
Please arrive between 4:30-5 p.m. Contact bmhill@earthlink.net to inquire about the specifics.
This article appears in Jan 24-30, 2008.
As of this afternoon, just under two dozen people have contacted me to say that they’ll be coming to our first meeting this Saturday. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by wide range of people who have responded: ages 22 to 50-“something;” musicians; office workers; archeologists.
We plan to do this every month at a different restaurant each month. Bring a friend or fly solo, you’ll be very welcome at our table.
Thanks TW for posting our event, and Benny Hill is in fact my real name. My cell number is 520-285-9731.
Stay Hungry!
It was really fun. We had just under 20 people ages 22 to probably early 50s. There were a several couples, a few small groups of females and even some that just came alone.
Since I knew only one other person, it was cool to meet a lot of new people. Everyone said that they would like to attend next month, and the prevailing opinion is that we should do Thai.
As far food, the carne seca was surprisingly flavorful with good texture. If you’ve lived in Tucson, you know that sometimes carne seca can be bland and tough. On my girlfriend’s suggestion, I tried the Cazuela and like it too. The cocktails were standard: ok but nothing special.
Thanks for your interest, and I really hope to see YOU next month.
I really enjoyed the mix of people there and was glad to see conversation flow easily. It was almost like we were all already friends. Perhaps it was the mix; maybe the place. Doesn’t matter. See you for Thai!
It was super cool – I was surprised by how many coincidental connections there were, like people who’d lived in the same neighborhood in another city like 18 years ago or people who had met each other before at another event in Tucson.
I really had fun and am looking forward to talking to even more people next time at Thai Night.
I had a good time meeting up with new people, and everyone was welcoming. The food was great and I am looking forward to Thai soon. I came with friends the first time, but would go solo as well. Thanks Benny!