The evening of July 22nd marked the first Emerald Supper Club. An event likely to be repeated where guests were treated to cocktails and a five course meal all revolving around an increasingly legalized green plant cannabis.
To jump right into it, the menu was extensive, and well crafted. It’s certainly not just a bunch of casual edibles thrown together. The dinner was organized to the milligram with infusion amounts listed for each dish so guests can properly manage their own high.
Among the drinks, one could order the Gas Garden (thc infused lemonade, elderflower syrup, floral garnish), Blue Dream (thc infused blue raspberry lemonade, limeade, lemon garnishment), for less sugar, the Gas God Refresher (infused water, San Pelligrino, fresh lime juice, fresh basil leaves and a lemon garnish), or just simply uninfused water.
As for the food, the first course (3.5 mg) included summer beet and grilled stone fruit salad with pomegranate vinaigrette. The second course (2 mg) was a garden lentil soup. The third course (3.5 mg) consisted of chermoula red snapper, sweet potato gnocchi and roasted pepper consomme. There was an intermezzo (intermission/interlude) of spiced tangerine granita (free of cannabis), followed by a fourth course (3 mg) of Moroccan lamb tagine, served with smoked gouda couscous arinici and harissa ratatouille. Lastly, the fifth course (2 mg) closed the night out with charred fig & apricot beignets, and orange blossom ice cream, topped off with a honey drizzle.
Full marks to chef and staff. There was no overwhelming taste of cannabis in any of the infusions. The strains were chosen wisely with some dishes having stronger hints of cannabis while others were more subtle. The lentils in the soup for example were infused but never overshadowed the rest of the dish. I had one Gas God Refresher, cleaned every plate, and emptied every bowl. By the end I was not overly tired or disoriented, and everyone else appeared to be in the same state. Obviously, of course, one must manage their own portions and their own levels of intoxication. Further compliments to the chef, as she mentioned this at the start.
In addition to the food and drinks, guests were gifted at the start with an ashtray, a lighter, and a pre roll of “Gumbo”. The Gumbo strain was smooth, burned slow and was no burden on the lungs. It was dry, neutral and calming, but not tiring. Perfect for food.
Is it a perfect dinner? No…but is there a foundation for the future? Absolutely.
The pre rolls could be enjoyed with the dinner if one chose, and the tables were lined with cannabis infused hookah, which many enjoyed with the dinner as well… And this, in all honesty, proved to be a logistical drawback.
Although it can’t completely be controlled, the still incomplete legality of cannabis makes the openness of an event like this somewhat risky in the eyes of some. That might keep some away but as the times change that feeling should change as well. If pre-rolls and hookah are offered proper ventilation for many is key: open windows, open skylights, open doors, or outdoors entirely. Only one couple had to leave early due to asthma, but even I had to step out of the dining room a couple times for fresh air because as my eyes were irritated. There was mention of another in a month, and I would be interested in seeing where things go with a little more ventilation.
With the dinner taking place in an adapted warehouse district, both the weed and the architecture of the space practically beg to be more open and casual. I would love to see a dinner emphasizing more of an experience, including art shows or something like it compliment to the occasion. Give the culinary art some space to breathe and give people more space to lounge, explore, chat and stimulate their own self baked minds.
One of the guests, Ms. Gonzalez, stated that “it would be fun if the night also turned into a murder mystery or something” and I would agree. Not to say the supper club should just be a string of murder mystery game nights, but just that people, when stoned, like to do chill and fun things. Any night of edibles should come with informal activity.
Watching Ms. Gonzalez and her partner Mr. Guzman really showed what a stoner supper can be. They found out about the event through an instagram story a friend shared, knew no one else, yet were engaging. The no cell phone policy truly aided in stiring conversation at the table. The couple was even awarded with a gift box for being one of the first to arrive, one of the few gift boxes given out throughout the night. Much deserved to a lovely couple, and if I find myself at another emerald supper, I’d hope to see them again.
Again, it’s about the weed: informality, chill factor, groundedness even. The night is an opportunity for guests to be open and curious about each other as well as the cannabis infused dishes placed before them.
