Tasting Collective: Come Dine With Me

January 31, 2019

A Gathering of the Gourmands

Years ago, I had the pleasure of discovering a little-known dining club nestled in Chestnut Hill. Social media didn’t intrude through every waking moment and I learned about this gathering via a way that as ancient as a cave wall coverings and a town crier.

It was called a flyer pinned to a bulletin board.

That dining club taught me to appreciate vegan meals and allowed me to meet my neighbors. Sadly the chef who organized the event moved to another state leaving a gaping emptiness in my search for delicious food without bankrupting me.

Growing Fond

I enjoyed eating a delicious meal that’s Farm to Table (before it became trendy – it was just the way it happened to be) shared with other diners who loved chatting in our hamlet outside of Philadelphia.

Last month, sitting at home and binging on Netflix, I wondered if dining clubs still existed. It’s been at least 20 years since the Chestnut hill gathering and everyone is now an introvert with a Postmates addiction.

That is when Google directed me to the Tasting Collective.

Available in several cities (Philadelphia, Austin, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, and Washington, DC), Tasting Collective is a member-only dining club taking inviting you to try out the best restaurants in Philadelphia.

Fond 1537 S 11th St. Philadelphia, PA 19147

Besides tasting grand food at an affordable set price (not including alcoholic beverages, gratuity, and taxes), the Tasting Collective offers perks that a food lover can appreciate. And you will not leave with an empty bank account or stomach.

Not afraid to dine alone, I thought it was best to drag a friend along for my first time. My friend loved the event so much she joined Tasting Collective the next day.

Course 1: I could have devoured an entire dish of this Chicory Caesar
Outside of Fond on East Passyunk Square, Philadelphia, PA
Course #2 introduces us to Beet Cured Arctic Char.
Course #3: Amazing flavor of a creamy chicken liver mousse.
Course #4: Another top score Scallops Cassoulet with garlic sausage, pistou, and white beans.
Course #5: Don’t fear the name of this amazing dish. Pork Cheeks paired with polenta, pickled pearl onions, and BBQ jus.
Course #6: To finish the meal, we have Chocolate Bread Pudding with Walnut Praline Ice Cream and sauteed Bananas

Along with the great food and amazing company that goes along with community dining, Executive Chef and Co-Owner Lee Styer along with his Sous Chef took time away from the kitchen to answer questions.

It’s a brand new year, but I think my Tasting Collective membership is money well spent in 2019.

Story and photos by Dana Prophet

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