Good Reads with Good Eats

Photo courtesy of Flora Restaurant & Bar.

If you’d rather not choose between a great book and a great meal, check out the new book club series at Oakland’s Flora Restaurant and Bar. The Flora family has chosen some favorite reads, starting with selected works from The Portable Dorothy Parker. Executive Chef Rebecca Boice leads the first gathering on May 15. Meet next door at Fauna for a Dorothy Parker–inspired cocktail half-hour at 6pm, then move on to a four-course dinner at Flora. Cost: $55. Info and reservations: 510.286.0100 or here
 
 
Menu:
Dorothy Parker Special Cocktail: scotch, amaro abano, benedictine, bitters, and kumquat
First course: popovers with celery and ham
Second course: Little Gem salad with asparagus and pimento dressing
Third course: Sirloin Steak ala Dorothy Parker, a small, thick, juicy sirloin steak with tomatoes, halved mushrooms, narrow discs of summer squash, and butter
Fourth course: chocolate cream eclair
Optional wine or highball pairings are also available for $25.
 
Upcoming book club titles:
June: Carter Beats the Devil by Glen David Gold
July: The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith
August: There There by Tommy Orange
September: Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Joan Didion
 
May Book Club at Flora
Wednesday May 15: cocktails at 6pm, dinner and conversation at 6:30pm
1900 Telegraph Ave, Oakland