Sun-Sentinel Community News
Thursday, October 18th, 2007
Plantation couple offers recipe for a good meet
January 6, 1999
By Nicole T. Lesson – Staff Writer
The bar scene leaves a bad taste in some people’s mouth but a local alternative may make taste buds salivate. The Single has a recipe for singles who want to dine out and meet new friends. Barry Adelson, and Laura Simonini, created The Single Gourmet, a private dining out club for singles throughout Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties. “We give singles an outlet in a relaxed environment,” Adelson said. Simoncini thinks it gives people a chance to explore new places to eat without any pressure. “It’s a laid back opportunity to meet the opposite sex, make business contacts and enjoy great food,” Simoncini said.
For a $99 membership per year, members receive a monthly newsletter, a calendar of events and access to singles events. These events are held at various local restaurants which give the organization a special group rate. Members may also attend events throughout the country, as their membership is valid nationwide. The turnout varies depending on the size of each restaurant and each member pays for the eating event, which ranges from $35 – $59. The dinners usually include wine, but if other alcoholic beverages are desired, they’re paid for by cash.
The Single Gourmet’s last venture was to Fort Lauderdale’s La-Traviatta on Dec. 30th, where 102 members turned out for the evening. “It was spectacular,” Adelson said, “members gave it a rave review.” While dining at each restaurant, members help to rate aspects of the establishments. These suggestions help Adelson and Simoncini decide whether or not to return.
Currently membership stands at 2,500+ and continues to grow. “We get about 25 to 30 new members a week,” Adelson said. “About 90 percent of our membership now comes thru referrals from other members”. Members are professionals including doctors, lawyers, CPA’s, judges, police officers, business owners and other occupations. Restaurant owners call The Single Gourmet members the “roving army of critics.” They are tri-county professionals, ranging in age from twenty-something to persons in their seventies. “These are the type ofpeople we would invite into our own home,” Adelson said. Some of the restaurants they have attended include Churchill’s in Cooper City, Capriccio’s in Pembroke Pines, Martha’s in Hollywood, Villa Perrone in Hallandale, Chowder’s in Coral Springs, Primavera in Fort Lauderdale, Brook’s in Deerfield Beach, La Vieille Maison in Boca Raton and Benvenuto’s in Boynton Beach just to name a few. The group also takes cruises and travels. They have been to New Orleans, Italy, Aruba, and England. For 1999, The Single Gourmet plans to take a cruise to the eastern Carribean and fly to France’s wine country.
Chapter’s from all over the country sponsor trips and members are notified through the newsletter. Adelson admits it’s not for everyone but adds, “It’s safe and we have quality people,” Adelson said. Simoncini agrees that The Single Gourmet has quality members and adds, “It satisfies a need of being single.
Adelson called 1998 a tremendous year for The Single Gourmet and as for 1999, “I’d like it to be even better, bigger and better,” Adelson said. Says Simoncini, “I’d like to keep the members happy and gain more referrals.”
For additional information about The Single Gourmet, call 954-723-9608 or 561-276-2595 or 305-371-8717.
Reprinted with permission of the Community News.