The Single Gourmet of South Florida

August 2000

By Amy Ward

(Forum Staff Writer)

Lucky in love or just plain lucky?  Jeff Solomon of Lauderhill and Melissa Eisensmith of Fort Lauderdale would probably agree to either one.  They met just three months ago at a Single Gourmet dinner, and have practically been inseparable since.  While seated at one of the many tables arranged by age categories and interests, their attraction for one another spread faster than flames on a flambe.  ”I suppose you could say it was love at first sight,” said Solomon. Eisensmith agrees.  “As the night progressed, we kept realizing we just had so much in common, it was just wonderful,”  Eisensmith said of their first meeting, which took place at Blossom’s of Coral Springs.

But The Single Gourmet isn’t only for those seeking with romantic intentions.  Barry Adelson, who with his partner Laura Simoncini directs the South Florida chapter, feels that it’s the mixture of social intent that season these first class dinners into a flavorful experience.  ”We get people coming to us for many different reasons.  Some people come to fall in love, some people come to us because they want to make friends, some people come to us because they want to be able to try different restaurants but they don’t want to do it by themselves and some people come to us for business contacts, which is nice too.”  Adelson said. The Single Gourmet has been in existence for more than 20 years and has a active membership of over 2600.  The Single Gourmet’s staff continually investigates the area for the hottest and most enjoyable dining atmospheres, and is always looking for the newest five-star ticket in town.

And no one has to be a gourmet guru to really appreciate the event.  Terry Hurst of Sunrise got involved with the group to expand his social life, even though he’s never been a food critic.  “I’ve never really done this gourmet stuff so to speak, but it’s interesting and I’m trying new places,” he said.  Part of the attraction to this singles dining club is the fact that it lacks the tension most would associate with a blind date.  Instead of stumbling over a wall of small talk with one person, members can enjoy relaxing conversations with anyone during the social hour preceding the dinner, and then move on to a dinner table of various personalities to find whom they’re more compatible with.  ”It’s really a non-threatening way to meet people.  Just the idea that you can sit down at a table of 8 – 10 people and just mingle, there’s no pressure.  It’s been a great way to meet people,” Hurst said.

Phyllis West of Tamarac finds pleasure in socializing with the broad range of age groups that attend the Single Gourmet affairs.  “I like the idea that there are younger people, middle aged people and older people.  It’s a good mixture of all ages there,” she said.  West, a concert pianist, enjoys being treated to a nice evening out where she can meet people with similar interests as herself.  ”I had become a widow, and I was used to going out to the nice restaurants, and when I read about this, I decided to join it.  I am happy that it exists, because I probably wouldn’t just pick myself up and have dinner by myself.  I don’t think that would be much fun.” West said.

The Single Gourmet also provides a considerably safer atmosphere than the typical bar scene, which to those who haven’t been born and bred in South Florida might seem a little intimidating.  “I just moved down to Fort Lauderdale in December, and when I moved here, my mother was really concerned.  She said, “Well, I know you’re not into the bar scene, but just be careful.”  This club is a safe way to meet people.” Eisensmith said.  The South Florida chapter of The Single Gourmet services Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade Dade counties and is part of a national entity.  There are 27 other cities across the nation that have a “Single Gourmet” club, and if the local members here find themselves traveling to one of those areas, they can arrange to attend a dinner in any of those places.

The $99. yearly membership fee also entitles members to sign up for various trips organized by “The Single Gourmet”.  Last year some members of the group went to Paris and wine country for 14 days, and this year they hope to go to the French Riveria in the fall.

Each dinner is a special celebration of taste.  For an all-inclusive per-dinner price that varies with the restaurant, members’ meals can include as many as five courses and a glass of wine.  Members may choose to attend as many events as they wish, which take place weekly.

For additional information about The Single Gourmet, call 954-723-9608 (Broward County), 561-276-2595 (Palm Beach County), 305-371-8717 (Miami-Dade County) or at www.singlegourmetflorida.com (Internet).