What does it mean to be good?
We are often told as kids to “be good!” But what does that mean? How are we influenced by expectations for our gender, race, ethnicity or religion? And if we defy those expectations, does that make us bad?

Join Across the Table for a delicious and abundant Italian dinner at Campagnola to discuss our goodness and maybe, our not-such-goodness in an open, honest and welcoming conversation!

Should we always trust our instincts? Are our instincts the best way to assess our judgement, our safety, our happiness or our success in any given situation? What have our experiences been when our instincts led us in the wrong direction? When have our instincts served us the best?

Join Across the Table in the beautiful and cozy private room at Found Kitchen and Social House in Evanston for a delicious, family-style dinner and a thought-provoking and dynamic conversation.

The menu at Found is always fantastic, eccletic and abundant and will be posted soon!

Join Across the Table at The Black House at Northwestern University to talk about the role that our social class plays in who we are and how we relate to the people around us.

Since the early 1970s the “Black House” has been a home away from home for thousands of African American students at Northwestern.In the “Facilities” section of the “Black Student Statement and Petition to Northwestern University Administrators, April 22, 1968,” students wrote: “We demand a Black Student Union, a place to be used for social and recreational activities. … Black students have nothing at Northwestern to call our own. We need a place where we will feel free to come and to go as we please.” The Black House became that place.

The catering will be done by Soul and Smoke of Feast and Imbibe! The menu is below!
ENTREES
Spice Rubbed Chicken
shaved fennel, cherry tomato relish
Butternut Squash, Wild Mushroom Lasagna
fotina + sage
SIDES
Warm Spice Roasted Carrots
carrot top and almond pesto
Farro Risotto
parmesan, wild mushrooms and thyme
Winter Flatbread
goat cheese, grilled vegetables, arugula, balsamic
reduction
DESSERT
Assorted Cookies & Brownies,

Join Across the Table at the beautiful Stone Porch by the Lake for a delicious dinner in their cozy dining room and to discuss the question:

Is it easier to forgive or easier to ask for forgiveness?

How do our experiences impact our abilities to forgive others? What is beyond forgiveness? How hard has it been to ask others to forgive you? What influences you in deciding whether or not something is worthy of forgiveness? Our families? Religious beliefs? Our ethnic backgrounds? We look forward to discussing these questions and more!

This dinner is being catered by Trattoria DOC. The menu will be:

Appetizer:
Antipasto Verdure
Pear and Arugula Salad
Entree:
Orechiette Con Spinaci
Chicken Al Funghi
Dessert:
Tiramisu

Thank you to Stone Porch by the Lake for donating your beautiful dining room for this event!

Join Across the Table for this very special dinner! Straddle the divide between the 19th and the 21st centuries when you walk into The Charles Dawes House, the home of the Evanston History Center.  This mansion dates from 1894-1895, with 25 rooms, more than enough for us to make connections between and among diners as we gather together for facilitated conversations focusing on what it means to trust someone.  Expanding upon the Across the Table format, this dinnner will consist of three simultanous discussions, each occurring in a separate room.  When you arrive for the dinner, you will be welcomed and directed to your dining room, where a multi-course meal and facilitated conversation awaits you.  Then, after your meal and conversation, you will join diners from the other rooms for the opportunity to mix and mingle and explore this beautiful home.  Just as you bridged the more than 120 years upon entering the Charles Dawes House, the meaningful conversations in your dining room and then in the mansion will enable you to build bridges of understanding and firendship through dialogue with your fellow diners.

The topic of conversation is: What does it mean to trust someone?
Who do you feel you can trust?
Why do you feel that you can trust those that you do?
What instincts tell you not to trust the people you can’t?
What role does physical appearance play into your ability to trust a stranger?

Charles Dawes said,
Nobody can make progress with deceit in his heart.
The way to win people to trust is to trust them.
If there’s a thing to be said, say it.
If there’s a job to be done, do it.
But whatever you do,
hear the other fellow’s side and trust him.
Show him that you trust him
and in no time at all, he’ll trust you.
Then will follow achievement.

We will discuss your answers to all of these questions, your thoughts on Dawes’ words, and more while dining in the historic and beautiful Charles Dawes House!

We look forward to sharing this amazing evening with you!

What and who do you think is beautiful? Do you think of yourself as beautiful? Are your definitions of beauty similar or different from your family’s, your friends’ and from the society in which we live?

We will dig into our ideas of beautify and where those ideas come from over tacos, tortas, salads, pozoles and more at La Principal. Join us!

Read on to See the Menu!

Chips and Guacamole and Fire Roasted Tomato Salsa
Choice of three tacos will be served family style – excluding pescado
Taquiza Dinner includes unlimited taco fillings, garnishes, and tortillas, along with
Tomato Cumin Rice and Slow cooked Black Beans
Mini churros and chocolate sauce, served family style, for dessert

When was the last time you took a risk? How is physical risk different than emotional risk? Has your desire to take risk changed as you age? Are there close people in your lives who influence whether or  not you are willing to take risk? What are risks you have taken that you’ve loved? What are risks you’ve taken that you’ve regretted? We will discuss all of this and more over a delicous meal in the private dining room of Farmhouse Evanston!

The Delicious Menu for the Evening Is:

Hearty Greens Salad
Kale & Brussel’s Sprouts, Crispy Amaranth, Roasted Squash, Mighty Vine Tomatoes, Burrata Cheese, Burnt Shallot Vinaigrette

Veggie Board
Beet Root Hummus Spread, Seasonal House Pickles, Marinated Olives, Flatbread

Ivory Char
Pan seared, roasted cauliflower, cauliflower tzatziki sauce, fresh herb salad

Roasted Half Chicken
Crystal Valley Farms Chicken, Glazed Parsnips, Carrots & Brussel’s Sprouts, Buttermilk Smashed Potatoes, Rich Chicken Jus

Forest Mushrooms and Fusilli
Spiral Shaped Pasta, Herb Roasted Trumpet and Beech Mushrooms, Marinated Tomatoes, Mushroom
Broth, Shaved Radish & Shallot, Wisconsin Parmesan Cheese

Caramel Apple Cheesecake
Plum Almond Tart

Across the Table is partnering with Dear Evanston for this dinner at Curt’s Cafe to talk about who we feel we are responsible for caring for, for whom we are responsible for in our families, social circles and in our communities. Do we feel responsible for people who we walk by on the street who are clearly struggling? Or are those feelings reserved for family and friends? Where did our senses of responsibilty come from? Our parents? Culture? Religious beliefs? We will talk about all of this and even more in the welcoming and relaxed Curt’s Cafe South.

This dinner is done in partnership with Dear Evanston. Through the power of storytelling, Dear Evanston examines issues of racism, equity, inclusion, and youth gun violence in Evanston to open dialogue, build bridges, and effect change in our community. Click here to read more about their wonderful work!

Menu:
Appetizer-
Caprese Platter- sliced fresh mozzarella cheese, fresh basil & sliced tomato

Entrees-
Baked Penne Pasta with Mozzarella Cheese
Roasted Lemon Pepper Chicken

Side DIshes-
Zucchini Boats- stuffed with mushrooms, zucchini, onion & bread crumbs
Roasted Vegetables
Honey Balsamic Brussels Sprouts

What does it take for us to feel at home? Do we judge the way others live? How does the definition of home change as immigration laws change? How do our values and backgrounds impact what we need to feel at home?

We will discuss our answers to these questions and more while surrounded by architectural models, plans and books and photographs in the cozy dining room (I mean conference room!) of Stuart Cohen and Julie Hacker Architects in Evanston.

The Menu Is:
Herb Roasted Chicken
Grilled Tofu
Braised Carrots
Braised Brussel Sprouts
Truffled Mac and Cheese
Cole Slaw

For information on Julie Hacker and Stuart Cohen’s work visit their website here.

Please join Across the Table for a delicious and beautiful dinner at Found Kitchen and Social House in Downtown Evanston!

Our topic of conversation is:
How do we, our families and our community define success?
Do you think you are a sucess? Where did you get this idea from? Everyone defines sucess differently and your opinion about whether or not you have become successful can be influenced by where you live, the house in which you grew up, your parents, your friends or all of the above! Join in an honest conversation about who we want to be and why we want to acheive what we do. 

The Menu Is:
FIRST COURSE
KALE AND SWISS CHARD SALAD
With Cranberries, Nuts & Seeds

HARISSA ROASTED ROOT VEGETABLES
With Shallots, Pepitas & Cilantro

ENTREES
WHOLE ROASTED CHICKEN

MIXED GRAINS WITH SPRING VEGETABLES
With Asparagus & Pleasant Ridge Reserve

DESSERT
VANILLA POT DE CREME
With Rhubarb Sauce & Shortbread Cookies

If you have any questions, call Lauren at 224-307-4236 or email her at hello@acrossthetable.org.