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Events to remember

December 4, 2006, Tosi's

In Fond Memory of Arnie Wiatrowski

Thank you Sam and Connie Monte for hosting a fabulous event at Tosi's Florentine Room. Forty or so members and guests enjoyed a sumptuous repast prepared by executive chef Ryan and his capable staff. Thanks, too, to Barcley and Lori Johnson for the beautiful flowers adorning every table.

October 24, 2006, Tabor Hill

Congratulations and thanks to Paul Landeck and Larry O'Neil who double-handedly began our Michiana Convivium in 1996. Paul and Larry were honored at a Wine and Harvest Dinner which was well attended by members and guests alike. Thanks are also due to Karla and Harold Bragg for organizing this well-attended tribute and to Tabor Hill for preparing an outstanding dining experience.

June 20, 2006, brought us to Soe' Cafe in Sawyer. Barry & Lauri Davis and Gene & Jane Maddock hosted a great event which featured Fire Roasted Crab Cakes, Bruschetta and Spring Rolls for appetizers; Gazpacho, Watercress-bibb-bamboo shoots-water chestnut salad; Choice of N.Y. Strip Steak of Halibat; and Strawberry-rhubarb cobbler. All in all a great time sharing fun, food and fellowship. Check out the photos below...

October 11, 2005, Tosi's
Thanks to Sam & Connie Monte and the fine staff at Tosi's, especially chef Ryan Thornburg for "A Taste of Sicily."

April 19, 2005, Restaurant Toulouse

Thanks to Lynn & Free Kellogg and Harold & Karla Bragg for arranging our visit to Saugatuck and a delightful evening at Restaurant Toulouse. The menu was Asparagus Soup, Hot Endive Salad with Sautéed Apple and Blue Cheese, Open Faced Ravioli with Roma Tomato and Sausage garnished with Asiago Cheese, Duck Breast with Grapefruit Buerre Blanc, and Brandy & Benedictine flavored Crème Brule garnished with a cornmeal cookie. Here are some photos of this fun event.

November 16, 2004, Luisa's Cafe

Thanks to Bill & Mickey Campbell, Marty & Lois Goldrick, and Margie Pannell for a wonderful dining experience at Luisa's Cafe in Harbert. Twenty Four members enjoyed a delicious menu prepared by a delightful lady and her daughter who shared the story of how Luisa made it from Italy to the Swedish Bakery in Harbert, Michigan. The menu consisted of Butternut Squash Soup with Cinnamon Creme Fraiche followed by Field Greens, Walnuts & Pears with Port Wine Vinaigrette. Main course was a combination of Duck Confit and Beef Tenderloin with Lingonberry Beaujolaise Sauce served with Haricots Verts and Grilled Polenta. Dessert was special: Apple Galette with Caramel Sauce. Mary Bartels and her camera were not in attendance so no photos to share. Those that could not attend are encouraged to give Luisa's Cafe a try; you won't be disappointed.

June 22, 2004, Mary's House of David

A tip of the Slow Food shell (snails do not wear hats!) to Dave and Linda Upton for hosting a great event. Forty Four members met at Berrien Hills C.C. for wine and munchies and transportation by bus to Mary's City of David (all compliments of the Uptons, thank you).

We enjoyed an enlightening presentation on the history of the House of David by museum director Ron Taylor and then were treated to an interesting (and tasty) non-meat dinner. All-in-all a fun night.

February 25, 2004, Wood Fire, Dowagiac
Kudos to Mike and Anna Mann for hosting an incredible event at Wood Fire, Dowagiac's newest and trendiest eatery. Owner-host, Larry Seurynck, along with Chef Jackson, staged a fabulous meal for the 17 of us in attendance. For those of you who were out of town or otherwise unable to join us, make sure you put Wood Fire on your list of musts. You can tell from the happy faces in these photos that we all thoroughly enjoyed the evening. Speaking for Lauri and myself, we will be back to Wood Fire often. In addition to 14 from our convivium we were joined by Ed Everett and Kitty Rose, along with Paul and Pat Crowley or the South Bend convivium.

Chef Jackson at work

Our host, Larry Seurynck

Good friends, good food!

Wow, sorbet between each course

Linda and Mary chat it up

Guests from South Bend

Nov. 10, 2003...Millennium Steak House, Niles
Many thanks to Paul and Arlene VanBelle for planning a terrific Greek event which was attended by about 30 members (welcome new members, Ralph and Joanne Lundgren). Our favorite shutterbug, Mary, wasn't there to take pictures and I forgot to bring a digital camera so, regrettably, there are no photos to share with you. Nonetheless, we had a great time and enjoyed a variety of Grecian delights from appetizers to dessert.

March 25, 2003...Annual convivium meeting
The convivium met at Tabor Hill Winery on Tuesday, March 25, where we were treated to fabulous finger-sized creations from the winery's brand new kitchen. If you haven't been out to Tabor Hill since the remodeling and expansion you owe it to yourself to pay a visit.

August 27, 2003...Heirloom Tomato Fest at Tosi's

Many thanks to Lois & Marty Goldrick and Sam & Connie Monte for sponsoring Ed Gast of Heritage Gardening who provided a fascinating array of dishes featuring several varieties of his special heirloom tomatoes.

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July, 2003...Pierre Anne for Crepes. No photos available.

June, 2003...Ideal Place restaurant. No photos available.

November 19, 2002

ZDROWIA...SZCZIECIA...POWODZINIA...

Our November event took us to "Pumps on Twelve" in Michigan City hosted by fellow members Audrey Brodzinski along with Larry & Stasia O'Neill. Slow Food diners enjoyed an evening of Polish hospitality, food and music. Many thanks to Audrey, Larry and Stasis

September 10, 2002...Sardinia Comes to Tosi's

Another "not to be missed" evening was everything it was billed up to be. Many thanks to Sam and Connie Monte for hosting a phenomenal gastronomical experience that will not soon be forgotten. In addition to a varied menu of superbly crafted Italian treats (program and menu reproduced below) our members enjoyed excellent cheeses from Sardinia accompanied by the knowledgeable presentation of Mr. Mario Siervo representing Italtrade.

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