note: frugal foodies is closing down effective January 2011.

If you're willing to take your date night on a Tuesday, have I got a great suggestion for you! Down near where Heinz dead-ends into the railroad tracks in SW Berkeley is a hidden secret called Frugal Foodies. On Tuesday nights, this loft apartment comes alive with vegetarian communal cooking with all-you-can-eat for only about $8 a person.

What's the catch? There's no menu or waiters; you have to eat with strangers; you do all the cooking and some of the cleaning.

So what's so great about it? You can rub elbows with cool Berkeley folks; you break out of your usual routine; you eat what's seasonal and abundant; you leave with recipes and the memory of interesting conversations. PLUS, you can check "date night" off your to-do list and it's only Tuesday!

This September features the following themes:

• Tuesday, September 7: Debut of Fresh from Firme Farms Night: No recipes, creativity flows freely like Iron Chef at the Farmers' Market.
• Tuesday, September 14: Vegan Night starring the Voluptuous Vegan cookbook (such delights as Beet, Daikon, and Carrot Salad over Arugula; Broccoli Rabe Polenta; Mediterranean Braised Fennel; and a Peach-Blueberry Crumb Pie).
• Tuesday, September 21: Guest Chef Night with six-timer Oded Hilu. 
• Tuesday, September 28: Special Guest Ingredient Night starring carrots.

Pre-registration and pre-payment required. See frugalfoodies.org for the details and specific instructions or just drop a note to Moses at info@frugalfoodies.org.