Half the fun of hosting these meals is planning the menu. We try to stick with the local-seasonal mantra. But not always. Sometimes something imported is simply better. Here we post the specific menus after we've served them. And, on occasion,we will post the actual recipe for a dish.

Look for upcoming menus:

• Lessons from Boot Camp (Chef E. went to advanced boot camp at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. Join us for a "lessons learned" dinner.)
• Vindima (a wine country harvest dinner--Sep. 6, 2008)
• Pork2Port (a celebration of Portuguese gastronomy)

Winter Feast (February 23, 2008)

Piemonte (November 10, 2007)

Commissioned dinners

We have also produced two "commissioned" dinners--events specially developed for a group of eight people who go in together. If you are having a hard time reserving your seats for the open invitation events, this may be an option for you and seven of your closest friends. If you would like to schedule a commissioned dinner, please email us at chef@tavolavila.com.

WHCE Reunion--Women Health Care Executives former board members got together to celebrate spring, one of the most exciting times of year at the farmers' markets.

Shirley--a dear friend and former roommate from Sacramento gathered friends and family around the table.