Volume VI – Issue 32 August 8, 2007
In this issue:
- This Saturday, Aug. 11 – “Hot Fun” Cocktails and Dancing at Café Zalute in Rosemont
- Next Friday, August 17 – Cocktails on the Patio and Seafood Dinner at Mitchell’s in Glenview
“Who Should Pay for Dates? A Case for a Modern, Common Sense Approach”
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Saturday Night – One of the Biggest and Hottest (Fun) Parties of the Summer in Rosemont
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This Saturday night, August 11, 7:30 p.m. – Midnight, Gourmet Connections and New Single Friends host the “Hot Fun in the Summertime” Cocktail Party and Dance at one of our favorite venues, Café Zalute (9501 W. Devon Ave., just west of River Road in Rosemont). We host these parties several times a year at Zalute and they are always some of our most popular events. They usually draw around 70-75 singles and the food and atmosphere are great!
This terrific evening includes a get-acquainted cocktail party (cash bar) in the lounge and on the patio, followed by lively music for dancing from our own DJ, and a tasty light supper buffet of several varieties of pizzas, a hearty pasta dish and various finger foods. This full evening of camaraderie, conversation, dancing and fun is a highly appealing $17 in advance or $19 at the door.
Next Friday, August 17, the weekend party train chugs into the northern suburbs to the popular Mitchell’s FishMarket in “the Glen” in Glenview. Enjoy cocktails on the patio (cash bar), followed by a full dinner of sumptuous fresh seafood or chicken dishes in one of Mitchell’s inviting salons. This cocktail party and dinner for singles is $43 for $45 for guests.
I hope that you decide to join us for these fun gatherings. Keep in mind, the party this weekend is Saturday. Space is limited for this cocktail party and dance, so please register as soon as possible at: www.GourmetAdvocates.com/singlepage.html or call me any evening at 773-929-6534 with your card info. Don’t be left out!
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Details for the Next Two Outstanding Gourmet Connections Parties; Hope You’ll Join Us!
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When? – This Saturday, August 11, 7:30 p.m. – Midnight
What? – “Hot Fun in the Summertime” Cocktail Party and Dance Featuring Delicious Northern Italian Cuisine at the Very Popular Where? -
Café Zalute
9501 W. Devon (just west of River Road) in Rosemont
Cast off the “dog days” of summer and enjoy “Hot Fun in the Summer Time” as Gourmet Connections Dining and Dance Club and New Single Friends host a cocktail party and dance for you, our members and guests. Imagine an exciting gathering of single professionals just like you, but with a laid-back island feel about the entire evening. All the fun takes place at the popular Café Zalute Italian restaurant and cocktail lounge in Rosemont.
Enjoy a cocktail hour (cash bar) in the restaurant’s lounge area or on the inviting patio. Later, dance to music from DJ “Rockin’ Rob,” as he plays everything from Buffett and Reggae to Madonna and Santana, with some disco and 80s thrown in. There will also be a tasty Italian light supper buffet of pizzas, pasta and various finger foods.
This fun event is an “Open Party” for all members, non-members and guests, regardless of past participation. Your evening is $17 in advance or $19 at the door, covering the buffet, entertainment and dancing, taxes and tips. Past similar parties have drawn some of our largest crowds, so advance reservations with payment are highly advisable. Walk-ups at the door are welcome, but will be accepted only as space permits. Island casual attire (not shorts). Park in the restaurant lot.
Please register as soon as possible at: www.GourmetAdvocates.com/singlepage.html or call me any evening at 773-929-6534 with your card info to attend either Connections party.
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When? – Next Friday, August 17, 7:00 – 10:00 p.m.
What? – Cocktails on the Patio followed by Delectable Fresh Seafood at … Where? -
Mitchell’s FishMarket
2601 Navy Blvd. (off Patriot Blvd., Between Lake and Willow) in “the Glen” in Glenview
Share great fun, conversation and camaraderie with single friends old and new as you enjoy fresh seafood (or chicken) specialties at Mitchell’s FishMarket in their inviting clubroom atmosphere. Mitchell’s has established a reputation for first-rate fresh seafood in the northern suburbs. The restaurant’s atmosphere is casually refined — easy to ease into.
Start your evening with an hour-long cocktail party (cash bar) in the open-air veranda. Then, sit down to a sumptuous dinner with other single friends in the Mitchell’s private salon.
Enjoy your choice of one of six tasty entrees:
- Broiled Rainbow Trout, with Scallion Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Shallot Butter and Vegetables
- Pecan Crusted Lake Superior Whitefish with Scallion Mashed Potatoes, Skillet Green Beans and a Brown Butter Sauce
- Island Spiced Tilapia with Jalapeño-Banana Salsa, Sticky Rice, Broccoli and a Mango Sauce
- San Francisco Cioppino – Fresh Atlantic Salmon, Alaskan King Crab, Shrimp, Mahi-mahi and Mussels in a Spicy Tomato Broth
- Garlic Broiled Shrimp with Scallion Mashed Potatoes and Vegetables
- Memphis Style BBQ Chicken with Green Beans and Mushrooms and a Sea Salt Baked Potato
Dinner also includes your choice of “Titanic” Wedge of Iceberg” Salad or Famous House Salad, plus coffee.
Your evening is $43 for dinner, taxes and tips for advance reservations. Guests and non-members are welcome for $45. Walk-ups at the door are $45, space permitting.
Dressy casual attire. Park in the surrounding lots. Please register right away at: www.GourmetAdvocates.com/singlepage.html
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Singles Notebook – “Get-Real” Thoughts and Opinions from Jim “Senny” Senhauser
“Who Should Pay for Dates? A Case for a Modern, Common Sense Approach”
Among singles, this topic is among those that create the greatest diversity of opinion, much of it emotionally-charged. The arguments largely generate from attitudes instilled in all of us as we grew up, and how willing we are to either …
- Continue to embrace them despite … or
- View them as outmoded because of …
changes in societal and economic realities during the past 20 years. While there are no absolute right or wrong answers, I make the case for a variety of shared approaches.
With the dawn of the sexual revolution now looking more like 2:00 or 3:00 in the afternoon, and the advent of women into higher-level managerial and professional positions, this clash with tradition was bound to occur. While some women (and a few men) continue to hang onto the notion that the guy should always pay, this rule has largely disappeared.
With the equality of the sexes comes a certain level of shared responsibility for the cost of dates. At this point in time, for any woman to either expect or insist that the man ALWAYS pay for dates, they are likely either being unrealistic, old fashioned or cheap. No doubt if this applies to you, you probably are proudly saying you’re just an old fashioned girl. However, you may want to want to get a second opinion on that. No guy worth his salt wants to be treated like an ATM.
Here are some “Common Sense” approaches:
Most singles will probably agree that the one who initiates the first date should pay for it. Generally that is the guy. He usually will also pay for the second and even the third.
However, once a dating routine is established, there should be some give and take. This can take the form of alternating who pays, or she pays for the movie/he pays for the meal. It doesn’t have to be even-steven, but there should be some sense of proportion.
Another approach is “the one who does the asking does the paying.” Keep in mind, some sharing etiquette should still apply. At least make the gesture. Even if it’s not accepted, it will be appreciated.
In any dating relationship, some consideration should be given to how much each of you earns. If there is a large disparity in income either way, the sharing may come in the form of a home-cooked dinner or helping the person with projects around the house.
One clever way for a woman to ease the burden on a guy when he takes her out to an expensive restaurant is for her to call ahead to see if the restaurant will allow BYOB. If so, she should select a nice bottle of wine and quietly pre-arrange to pay the corkage fee (often as little as $10). In this way, the couple can enjoy a great dinner and a better wine without it costing the guy an arm and a leg.
Some guys will insist on paying most or nearly all the time. As long as it does not get to the point of showy spending or come off as condescending, that’s fine.
While “going Dutch” is often a practical approach to blind dates, I wouldn’t generally recommend it for real dates. It comes off too little like a romantic gesture and too much like a business negotiation or an “I’m just your buddy” message.
One final thought – generosity is a very attractive trait, for both men and women. And, it is even more appealing if that generosity is heart-felt and genuine.
Jim Senhauser’s “Singles Notebook” column (used with permission) is ©2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 IdeaTree, Ltd., Chicago, IL 60613. “IdeaTree” is a registered trademark of IdeaTree, Ltd.