Supper Clubs

For more than two millennia, Afghanistan was a place where important trade routes between India, China, the Middle East and Europe converged. Marco Polo crossed the country en route to China; Arab travellers and the British passed through on their way to India. A rich culture took hold at this crossroads, and with it a varied cuisine influenced by that of Persia, India and Mongolia, but with style all its own. One symbol of Afghan hospitality is the sofra, a woven cloth or spread upon which food is served. In a broader sense it has come to mean the kind of convivial family meal associated with Islamic cultures, and is where we, half a world away, get the idiom of 'putting on a big spread'. Tonight Frishta Ghafoori will share a lovely selection of traditional Afghan dishes, all infused with this spirit of hospitality.

The inimitable Mikiki, Canada’s sultriest #SlopQueen returns to The Depanneur for their 5th annual Drag Valentine’s Day Dinner. An immersive and interactive food experience unlike any other, teetering tipsily between drag cabaret, performance art, academic lecture, political protest, and dinner party. Served in full drag regalia and interspersed with songs, this collision of high-concept dining and low-brow humour is a Valentine's Day that is fearless, funny, and truly provocative.

Chef Anthony Sestito, head chef of Pastaio, makes some of the best artisanal pasta in the city. But sometimes his extensive experience working in French and Italian fine dining in North America and Italy, gives him the itch to do something extra special. And what better excuse to show off a little than an exquisite Valentine's Day dinner for lovers only? A marriage of Chef Anthony's personal and professional background the menu leans into Italian-inspired dishes, showcasing favourite local ingredients and a bit of dazzling technique to create an unforgettable meal.

For thousands of years Jewish people have been gathering around the table on Friday nights to celebrate a humble but ancient ritual, the sabbath meal. The lighting of candles, the singing of simple blessings and the breaking of bread have been the unifying thread that has connected Jewish life across centuries and continents. In this multi-dinner series, Alissa Kondogiannis explores Shabbat dinners as they have evolved in Jewish communities around the world, e.g. Ashkenazi in Eastern Europe, Sephardi in Spain and North Africa, Mizrahi in the Middle East and Central Asia.

Paella is the quintessential Spanish food of celebrations. Originating in Valencia, but with countless regional variations, this classic rice dish has five key ingredients: Spanish short-grain “Bomba” rice, saffron, pimentón (Spanish paprika), olive oil and the paellera, the wide, shallow, purpose-built pan from which the dish gets its name. Join José Arato, owner and Head Chef of Pimentón, for an elegant Spanish meal around this signature dish.