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The Society Toronto held its first Supper Salon event at Marben Restaurant on May 5, 2008. The event featured artist Ilene Sova, a Toronto-area portrait artist who painted the portrait of one of the guests at the dinner. In addition to the dinner, guests had the opportunity to listen to Ilene’s short lecture on oil painting. It’s interesting to note that unlike water colours, one colours from dark to light. This explains the “scary” looking eyes prior to the portrait’s completion – Ilene would paint the white parts red before filling it in with white.
Approximately 40 people attended the event at Simon Benstead’s restaurant near King and Spadina. Marben was an excellent choice for the event as its private dining room downstairs has a very artsy feel. In fact, not only did it feel artsy, but also an aura of secrecy. Guests did not enter through the main entrance, but followed candles down to the dining area. The secrecy felt like a 1920s speakeasy.
The dinner was European style in terms of time, with drinks at 8 pm and the first course served around 10. As the meal was art-related, all choices were either named after artists or styles. Choices for the first course included Rebrant’s Pickled Rainbow Beets (goats’ cheese, pumpkin seeds, frisse), Da Vinci Dungeness Crab Cakes (citrus crab salad, caper aioli) and Portrait Pepper Beef Rolls (shaved reggiano, wild arugula, balsamic glaze). The second course consisted of Surrealist Seared Black Cod (charred corn grits, grilled avocado, hagao sauce), Post-modernist Paprika-rubbed Chicken Supreme (wild and tamed mushroom ragout, steamedgarlic rapini) or Gainsborough Grilled Striploin (fingerling smash, sauteed swiss chard). All alcoholic beverages was included with the price of the event, at $55. This is a very good price, considering that similar events held by other young people’s organizations can cost up to $100 per person when alcohol is factored in. Because the meal was served so late, many people left soon after they completed the second course, around 11:30 or so. Most of us, therefore, missed dessert, which consided of mini pasteries that looked absolutely delicious.
Not only was the meal excellent, but the event as a whole was also very educational. The event would have been perfect had it not ended around midnight.
Marben Restaurant: 488 Wellington Street West, Toronto, ON. Phone: 416-979-1990
NOTE: I am looking for correspondents to cover events held by The Society NYC. If you are a member and are interested in writing, please contact me via e-mail.
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