Supper Clubs

Supper Clubs

By Tamara J. Lesnar
Contributing Writer

Supper Clubs were popular hangouts during the 1930’s and 1940’s. These themed eateries were geared toward tourists and servicemen and were usually associated with resorts. Locations were close to vacation areas and popular highways.

As a social focal point for the surrounding communities, the supper club would offer a place where the patron could spend a whole evening socializing with other patrons from cocktail hour to close. Imagine beginning your evening with an alcoholic beverage and friends. Next you move on to dinner with a relish tray on Lazy Susans full of crackers, pickles, carrots, celery and radishes, followed by yummy juicy meats like prime rib and dessert. When you are finished with that, live entertainment and more fun, dancing and socializing. You could spend all evening in one place.

The first supper club was located in Beverly Hills, Calif. Lawrence Frank, the creator of this establishment hailed from Milwaukee. Mr. Frank’s menu included prime rib, sweet peas, creamed corn, mashed potatoes and Yorkshire pudding, which became staples in many supper clubs to follow. Lawrence Frank also introduced the “doggie bag” which is today, sad to say, styrofoam containers.

Supper clubs were usually themed and had buildings that were eye catching. Interiors were lavish and although the establishments looked high class, the menu prices were affordable. Supper clubs thrived during periods of rationing and during prohibition some became known as roadhouses.

Today, supper clubs are more like restaurants, offering limited menus and some have actually become underground restaurants that can only be found by word of mouth or ticket sales, in which the location is found out after the purchase, because they often have roving premises. This of course is illegal, but like everything that is denied by law, we find a way around it.

This underground trend began in food-centric cities like San Francisco but can be found across the country and around the world. Underground supper clubs are done for the joy of cooking and for gathering people together with food. The chefs do not do this for money.

SO LISTEN UP ALL CHEFS, if this is happening in the F-M area send me an email with the location or info on how to get an invite and I’ll be there!

When I first came to the area, I looked around and thought of many ideas for eateries that are missing in the community and one was to start a supper club.
Well, shortly after, Monte and Jerry opened one. I think those guys overheard me and ran with the idea; I better make sure they’re not around when my next idea is verbalized. Just kidding.

So, the Silver Moon Supper Club opened with its stylish waterfall wall and clam-shaped booths. On a recent Monday evening visit, there were already four clam booths filled with patrons and surprise-surprise, the supper club was already living up to its name with regard to socializing. I knew three people in two separate booths abutted against one another. We joined one of the couples and a fine repast was enjoyed by all.

That night we were able to enjoy the cuisine of new chef Evan Schill, formerly of Oxbow Country Club. The all-new kitchen staff prepare a limited menu which is traditional for supper clubs. The menu is seasonal and is offered both ala carte and prix fixe style.

That evening, the first course choice was lobster bisque with scallops. This bisque was very delicate in flavor and not typical for a lobster bisque where a stronger lobster flavor is forefront, but it worked well with the scallops which could easily get lost in a stronger bisque.

My second course consisted of crab cakes which were delicious but needed more sauce which was used as a decoration on the plate.

My third course was tournedos of beef which were cooked to perfection according to my specifications, medium-rare.

Dessert was not part of the prix fixe meal, but I had it all the same as my fourth course.  It was a cheesecake with strawberry topping. Chef Schill told me that there was close to a gallon of cream cheese in the cheese cake which of course made the cheesecake delightfully rich and delicious.

The Silver Moon Supper Club has the laid-back and relaxing atmosphere that supper clubs are known for and it was apparent when I looked at the clock as we were leaving. I had dined and socialized for almost three hours. I look forward to returning to see what next season brings and to see more of my friends socializing.

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If You Go

What: Silver Moon Supper Club
Where: 309 Roberts St
When: M-Th 5-9:30; F-Sat 5-10:30
Info: 701.356.9097