Have you heard about this clever new website called eatwith? If you haven't, you really need to check this new dining phenomenon out. Basically, you are signing up to be a guest in someone's home for dinner.
Here is how it works. You go online to the website, look up an area you will be travelling to (or maybe just stay local and find one close to your house), look up who is hosting a meal that strikes your fancy, and then then make a reservation based on the days the host has open. It's that simple! A great opportunity to meet new people and enjoy someone else's home-cooked meal.
So, instead of just writing about it, we tried it out! We chose Capella in Phoenix, Arizona and definitely made the right choice for our first time dining with Eatwith. Since I am a big foodie, I picked the option of an In-Season Supper. My husband really wanted to try their BBQ, but I won the coin toss. Maybe next time.
Making the reservations was easy since each host puts in the days they are available and how many people they will serve. I picked my day then entered my credit card for the reservation. Once my host accepted my reservation, the credit card was charged. All prices are written right on the website so no guessing. Believe me, my host charged way too little for the amazing meal she prepared for us.
The first thing that happened is that Capella accepted our request and sent me a quick email. Then, she sent out another email before we came telling me what she would be serving. Wow, was I impressed. My mouth watered immediately. Beet salad with blue cheese, walnuts, and greens. Homemade ricotta gnocchi with sweet corn, mushrooms, and sage brown butter and Vanilla rice pudding!
Each host specifies what they will be making as the meal and a little about where and how you will be dining. In our case we would be eating in the couple's lovely home. We arrived at our scheduled 6 p.m time and, to be honest, I was a little nervous. Showing up at someone's home that you have never met to eat dinner with them can cause a little anxiety, but Capella opened the door with her lovely smile and ushered us in. We had a glass of wine, visited a bit, met her husband, and enjoyed some lovely blue cheese crackers she had made. Yes... she made crackers.
Then, we went in to her dining room for our meal. Our host is an interior designer so her table and presentation were spot on adorable. The meal itself was a foodie dream. I loved every single dish she served. My husband went crazy for the rice pudding since it is his favorite.
After two hours we were on our way home with full a stomach, having enjoyed our hosts' gracious company.
Eatwith is a great new concept and would be a wonderful idea for a unique date-night activity or even a girl's night out. That way no one has to cook and you get to try some new dishes and maybe meet a new friend. Eatwith reminds me of a sort of bed and breakfast where the hosts invite you into their home, but instead of sleeping over, it is for an evening meal.
Some information you need to know:
* You will need to fill out a complete profile. Most hosts will not accept a reservation without one, which seems like a safe and smart practice to me.
* You must have a credit card on file to make a reservation.
* Each host specifies how many people they can entertain. They also specify if they accept dining with kids as well as other important information.
* The prices are clearly stated.
* Each host has reviews, so make sure and check them out. That way you can see what other people are saying about their experience.
* Each host specifies what they will be making as the meal and a little about where and how you will be dining. Make sure and tell them about any allergies you may have.
I found only two hosts in the Phoenix area, but I am guessing this might just catch on and there will be a lot more in the future. Some areas have many more options and hosts, but if you are in the Phoenix area make sure and look up Capella and her husband Nate.
http://www.eatwith.com/
Here is how it works. You go online to the website, look up an area you will be travelling to (or maybe just stay local and find one close to your house), look up who is hosting a meal that strikes your fancy, and then then make a reservation based on the days the host has open. It's that simple! A great opportunity to meet new people and enjoy someone else's home-cooked meal.
So, instead of just writing about it, we tried it out! We chose Capella in Phoenix, Arizona and definitely made the right choice for our first time dining with Eatwith. Since I am a big foodie, I picked the option of an In-Season Supper. My husband really wanted to try their BBQ, but I won the coin toss. Maybe next time.
Making the reservations was easy since each host puts in the days they are available and how many people they will serve. I picked my day then entered my credit card for the reservation. Once my host accepted my reservation, the credit card was charged. All prices are written right on the website so no guessing. Believe me, my host charged way too little for the amazing meal she prepared for us.
The first thing that happened is that Capella accepted our request and sent me a quick email. Then, she sent out another email before we came telling me what she would be serving. Wow, was I impressed. My mouth watered immediately. Beet salad with blue cheese, walnuts, and greens. Homemade ricotta gnocchi with sweet corn, mushrooms, and sage brown butter and Vanilla rice pudding!
Each host specifies what they will be making as the meal and a little about where and how you will be dining. In our case we would be eating in the couple's lovely home. We arrived at our scheduled 6 p.m time and, to be honest, I was a little nervous. Showing up at someone's home that you have never met to eat dinner with them can cause a little anxiety, but Capella opened the door with her lovely smile and ushered us in. We had a glass of wine, visited a bit, met her husband, and enjoyed some lovely blue cheese crackers she had made. Yes... she made crackers.
Then, we went in to her dining room for our meal. Our host is an interior designer so her table and presentation were spot on adorable. The meal itself was a foodie dream. I loved every single dish she served. My husband went crazy for the rice pudding since it is his favorite.
After two hours we were on our way home with full a stomach, having enjoyed our hosts' gracious company.
Eatwith is a great new concept and would be a wonderful idea for a unique date-night activity or even a girl's night out. That way no one has to cook and you get to try some new dishes and maybe meet a new friend. Eatwith reminds me of a sort of bed and breakfast where the hosts invite you into their home, but instead of sleeping over, it is for an evening meal.
Some information you need to know:
* You will need to fill out a complete profile. Most hosts will not accept a reservation without one, which seems like a safe and smart practice to me.
* You must have a credit card on file to make a reservation.
* Each host specifies how many people they can entertain. They also specify if they accept dining with kids as well as other important information.
* The prices are clearly stated.
* Each host has reviews, so make sure and check them out. That way you can see what other people are saying about their experience.
* Each host specifies what they will be making as the meal and a little about where and how you will be dining. Make sure and tell them about any allergies you may have.
I found only two hosts in the Phoenix area, but I am guessing this might just catch on and there will be a lot more in the future. Some areas have many more options and hosts, but if you are in the Phoenix area make sure and look up Capella and her husband Nate.
http://www.eatwith.com/
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