On the heels of the demise of the Commissary's fine-dining, communal table I asked if Dallas was into eating with strangers. A few commenters chimed in, some supporting the idea as fun and adventurous and others petrified by the potential for terrible table mates. I get both sides of the story, yet I still love dining with strangers. I love the dialogue. I love the unexpected. I love the potential.
It has to be the right communal table though. And I've been smitten with the potential of the long stretch of lumber mounted on casters that graces the open space in front of the counter at Bolsa Mercado. So when a spokesperson for the market alerted me to "Meet and Eat," a weekly event at the new market featuring the cookery of Jeff Harris, I started to wonder if this one would work.
Starting at 7:30 p.m. Friday, according to the news release, multiple course meals will be served to dinners willing to shill out $75 and weather the potential stress of eating with strangers. The menu looks like anything but standard Bolsa fare, delving into exciting ingredients like a crudo of fluke, lamb tatare and monkfish liver.
Will Dallas embrace this communal table? I think they should. You only get so many opportunities to dine like this; Harris is a great chef; and you never know who will be sitting across from you.
Here's the menu:
1st Crudo of Fluke, citrus creme fraiche, cucumber, apple and pickled celery Kusshi Oyster, grilled fennel mignonette
2nd Roasted Monkfish, country ham, sweet corn agnolotti, fresh Lima beans, gypsy peppers, lime zest and monkfish liver
3rd Sterling Lamb Tartare, fava bean purée, radish, mint and pita crisps
4th Veal Sweetbreads, house-cured bacon, sherry, peanuts, green tomato and peaches
5th Pekin Duck Leg, beets roasted in cherry wood embers, mushrooms, turnip greens, shaved foie gras and cherry jus
6th Caprino Royale Chevre Cheescake, cajeta and blueberries
If you want to go email [email protected] or call 214-942-0451 to reserve a seat with your credit credit card.
