Achilles' Supper Club, Tuesday Nights

http://thephoenix.com/Boston/Food/70968-Why-no-Barack-of-lamb/

Why no Barack of lamb?
Dining with Democrats
By NEELY STEINBERG | October 28, 2008

Assuming he was indeed born in Honolulu, and barring another hanging-chads debacle, Barack Obama will likely be our next president. If you're looking for a place to fete the Chosen One's ascendancy to the Oval Office, head on over to South Boston restaurant Persephone's "Tuesday Night Supper Club" to eat and drink — family-style — with fellow Democrats at a special "Barack the Vote" Obama bash.

The Fort Point eatery's Supper Club communal repasts is a fairly new concept for higher-end establishments in Boston. Dining takes place at one long table where anyone can reserve spaces. You can fly solo or bring friends. The three-course meals are served family-style, with patrons serving themselves from large platters and bowls. Accompanying wines are served with both entree and dessert. Local, organic, sustainably-raised or harvested ingredients are used whenever possible. Trust me, the food is delicious.

Surely, this sort of seating arrangement works best when you're surrounded by politically like-minded people; typically, though, Supper Club nights are themeless and apolitical, which means you could very well be sitting next to a Rush Limbaugh conservative on any other evening (hey, dissent and debate is what makes the world go round, so don't let that dissuade you!). Head chef Michael Leviton's ultimate goal is for his patrons to "meet a few new people, have a few good conversations, and maybe learn a little bit about the goodness and importance of local, sustainable cuisine."

On election night, in the hopes of "devouring" the Republicans, Leviton has prepared a menu of "elephant-inspired" items including Seared Elephant Trunk Scallops, Turnip & Rutabaga Puree and Cider Vinaigrette; Slow Roasted Northeast Family Farms Pork Shoulder, Braised Red Cabbage and Apples, Sweet and Sour Cider Jus; and for dessert, White Elephant Cupcakes. Persephone will be showing election updates and commentary on their eight flat screen TVs throughout the night, and at 10 pm, a DJ will take over and "Barack" the night away.

Persephone is located at 283 Summer Street. Supper Club seatings are at 6 and 8:30 pm. Prix fixe is $40, ($60 with wines). Call 617.423.2257.