The Supper Club experience in the Upper Midwest explained

Fun read.

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Good one.

Okay, Jess & Jim’s in Kansas City, MO just across the state line is a steakhouse, but our one visit so many (really many) years memorably included a modest version of what the article describes as supper club staple:

" the hors d’oeuvres plate—or relish tray, as it’s often called—another staple of a classic supper club experience. It gave diners something to do before their cocktails arrived. Mary’s version was served high on a platter—so everyone at the table could reach it—with a cheddar cheese ball, chicken wings, pickled herring, and olives."

We’d guess the refrigerated steak display still greets diners, but we’d be surprised if a dish of beet balls, carrot sticks, etc. still keeps tables occupied while the first adult beverage order is being filled.

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http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=38387&sid=b1ebe74242ddfefb752dafb4ac682e61&start=0

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http://forums.roadfood.com/m/tm.aspx?m=126855

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After posting this topic, I Googled Supper Clubs in Michigan, and I was truly surprised by the number that exist–and are thriving in small towns in the UP and northern Lower Michigan. And all of them seem to follow the same menu strategy.

Makes me hope that this dining segment would exist all over the U.S.

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Lots of Friday nights in my childhood were spent at supper clubs.

The adults had Manhattans, and the kids had Shirley Temples. Fried perch on inland lakes, and walleye on the Great Lakes.

The relish tray was celery, carrots, radish roses, and pitted black olives. At all of them.

Dessert was whatever local fruit was in season and plentiful…piled high into a pie. Strawberries in spring became cherries and peaches, then raspberries and blackberries, fading into apple as summer came to an end.

A swing set on a grassy lawn overlooking the lake provided a break for the kids.

After dinner everyone went back to someone’s house foe a euchre tournament while the kids dozed off while watching tv.

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Loved your euchre reference, Sunshine. Pure Michigan.

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http://forums.roadfood.com/m/tm.aspx?m=818702
Another thread with a whole mess of stuff.
:smiley:
These guys and gals are always intent on having a good time.

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My Indiana roots would beg inclusion!

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Radish roses ! Those too were on the Jess & Jim’s dish – We speak adult Manhattan, though we’re not from Manhattan, KS (and we have good sports industry friends hailing from the Sunflower State who enjoy such refreshments).

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I don’t have any idea why, but Manhattans seem to be the cocktail of choice at supper clubs…in Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin

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We have family that own a summer home in Charlevoix, MI. When we’ve visited them, we’ve dined at their favorite bars and restaurants in and around that beautiful area. I once suggested dining here:
https://argonne-supper-club-charlevoix.business.site/

Was greeted with a pleasantly spoken “no”.

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They’re “sophisticated”? Or appeal to one’s rye sense of humor?

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Thank you for posting this. I’ll definitely watch it tomorrow morning with my first coffee.

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Not quite supper club but related…
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Wow this post brings back a lot of childhood memories (WI).

Anyone else have as many fish “boils” as fish “fries” - I remember them both.

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Fun view. That plate was beautiful. I loved inclusion of the scratch-made potato pancakes.

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Just re-watched this PBS presentation. Just terrific. Cocktails and hearty foods can keep us all a happy folk.

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Great post. Took me back to another time. Sheepshead where I grew up. Old Fashioned is the preferred cocktails in WI. Honestly I prefer Manhattans.

Aside from the relish tray, thee ones here have the gratuitous soup/salad buffet premeal. Super cheesy béchamel on rye chips. Take me home! Super clubs often offer the best fish fry Friday nights.

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