Comments on: Lunching at the Athenaeum http://la.foodblogging.com/2007/02/12/lunching-at-the-athenaeum/ foodblogging los angeles Sat, 20 Mar 2010 13:50:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Susan Kitchens http://la.foodblogging.com/2007/02/12/lunching-at-the-athenaeum/#comment-123151 Susan Kitchens Mon, 05 Mar 2007 05:02:09 +0000 http://la.foodblogging.com/2007/02/12/lunching-at-the-athenaeum/#comment-123151 (sorry, Jonah, didn't see your question to me until now). You don't have to be a member to attend wine tastings or cooking classes, but you <strong>do</strong> have to be the guest of a member. Doc M joined the Ath after we went to several wine tastings as the guest of his co-worker (depending on the relationship you have with the member, guests settle up with the member later, as the charge appears on the member's monthly bill-- that's what Doc M did, and then he said, I'm gonna join myself). I went to the Ath for bordeaux tasting a wedensday or so ago (on Ash Wednesday, which made it Ath Wednesday). As for upcoming events, you can see what's coming up by checking out the Update (link below. Current issue is Feb, I bet March will be available soon. (remember, there IS a dress code. Not as strict on cooking class days, tho). Schedule of events is available in <a href="http://athenaeum.caltech.edu/update.html" rel="nofollow">The Update</a>. The March one should be coming out soon. I see that Australian Reds is the wine tasting for March 21. Hmmm... :) The next cooking workshop is a schedule conflict. (Doc M called while I was writing this comment, the Mar 21 tasting is ON, if you're interested in it, you've got my email address in the admin edit comment part of this comment.... er, you are the Jonah of the site formerly known as lablogs.com, right?) (I'm taking a class at PCC, just down the street from the Ath. Methinks I'll make it down there for lunch one or two days this semester) (sorry, Jonah, didn’t see your question to me until now). You don’t have to be a member to attend wine tastings or cooking classes, but you do have to be the guest of a member. Doc M joined the Ath after we went to several wine tastings as the guest of his co-worker (depending on the relationship you have with the member, guests settle up with the member later, as the charge appears on the member’s monthly bill– that’s what Doc M did, and then he said, I’m gonna join myself).

I went to the Ath for bordeaux tasting a wedensday or so ago (on Ash Wednesday, which made it Ath Wednesday).

As for upcoming events, you can see what’s coming up by checking out the Update (link below. Current issue is Feb, I bet March will be available soon. (remember, there IS a dress code. Not as strict on cooking class days, tho).

Schedule of events is available in The Update. The March one should be coming out soon. I see that Australian Reds is the wine tasting for March 21. Hmmm… :) The next cooking workshop is a schedule conflict. (Doc M called while I was writing this comment, the Mar 21 tasting is ON, if you’re interested in it, you’ve got my email address in the admin edit comment part of this comment…. er, you are the Jonah of the site formerly known as lablogs.com, right?)

(I’m taking a class at PCC, just down the street from the Ath. Methinks I’ll make it down there for lunch one or two days this semester)

]]> By: Taste-Buzz http://la.foodblogging.com/2007/02/12/lunching-at-the-athenaeum/#comment-117792 Taste-Buzz Wed, 21 Feb 2007 05:14:01 +0000 http://la.foodblogging.com/2007/02/12/lunching-at-the-athenaeum/#comment-117792 As an alum, my favorite events at the Ath are actually when they hold monthly "tastings" for various beverages. It's usually wine, but a few times a year they branch out to beer, champange, scotch and other spirits. Also, the coolest part of the Ath is the Rathskeller, which is the underground bar where all the grad students hang out. It's true that you missed out with the Berries Ath. -- Taste-Buzz, Caltech Class of 2000 As an alum, my favorite events at the Ath are actually when they hold monthly “tastings” for various beverages. It’s usually wine, but a few times a year they branch out to beer, champange, scotch and other spirits.

Also, the coolest part of the Ath is the Rathskeller, which is the underground bar where all the grad students hang out.

It’s true that you missed out with the Berries Ath.

– Taste-Buzz, Caltech Class of 2000

]]> By: thranduil http://la.foodblogging.com/2007/02/12/lunching-at-the-athenaeum/#comment-116089 thranduil Wed, 14 Feb 2007 03:23:47 +0000 http://la.foodblogging.com/2007/02/12/lunching-at-the-athenaeum/#comment-116089 I'm envious! Unfortunately the equivalent where I work appears to pale in comparison (not worth a review based on my lunch experiences). Glad I've got reciprocal privileges and can't wait to try the Athenaeum and CSUN's University Club. I’m envious! Unfortunately the equivalent where I work appears to pale in comparison (not worth a review based on my lunch experiences). Glad I’ve got reciprocal privileges and can’t wait to try the Athenaeum and CSUN’s University Club.

]]> By: Jonah http://la.foodblogging.com/2007/02/12/lunching-at-the-athenaeum/#comment-116065 Jonah Tue, 13 Feb 2007 23:34:42 +0000 http://la.foodblogging.com/2007/02/12/lunching-at-the-athenaeum/#comment-116065 Last time I was out at CalTech we got denied by the "Ath" (full) and tried to go to The Citrus House but they were having a private party. We ended up at the cafeteria, not horrible, but very much a cafeteria. The Citrus House did look pretty good. Thanks for the tips on the Athenaeum Susan, do you have to be a member to get into the classes and tastings? Last time I was out at CalTech we got denied by the “Ath” (full) and tried to go to The Citrus House but they were having a private party. We ended up at the cafeteria, not horrible, but very much a cafeteria. The Citrus House did look pretty good.

Thanks for the tips on the Athenaeum Susan, do you have to be a member to get into the classes and tastings?

]]> By: Carrie http://la.foodblogging.com/2007/02/12/lunching-at-the-athenaeum/#comment-116060 Carrie Tue, 13 Feb 2007 23:13:20 +0000 http://la.foodblogging.com/2007/02/12/lunching-at-the-athenaeum/#comment-116060 If your not a member of the Ath, try the citrus house. Open from 11:30 to 1:30 it offers a very nice menu all within an undergrads budget. Not a greasy spoon or dorm food, it has a great selection of salads (try the shrip and scallop with mango dressing) soups and fantastic desserts. Excellent service all around a winner. And you dont need to be a member - located in the center of Cal Tech north of the bookstore. If your not a member of the Ath, try the citrus house. Open from 11:30 to 1:30 it offers a very nice menu all within an undergrads budget. Not a greasy spoon or dorm food, it has a great selection of salads (try the shrip and scallop with mango dressing) soups and fantastic desserts. Excellent service all around a winner. And you dont need to be a member - located in the center of Cal Tech north of the bookstore.

]]> By: Jeff http://la.foodblogging.com/2007/02/12/lunching-at-the-athenaeum/#comment-116059 Jeff Tue, 13 Feb 2007 22:57:44 +0000 http://la.foodblogging.com/2007/02/12/lunching-at-the-athenaeum/#comment-116059 I had the pleasure of working as a server at the Ath the summer after my freshman year in college. No tips, but the pay was very good. The real treat, however, was the "benefits package", which included a meal with every shift worked (lunch is good, but dinner is where it shines) as well as leftover chateaubriand and freshly made caesar salads. Don't tell them that the wait staff (mainly college kids from CalTech and elsewhere) used to sneak a glass of champagne or two off the trays during the private parties... I've been able to go back as a proper guest a few times since and it's always great. Good food and good memories. I had the pleasure of working as a server at the Ath the summer after my freshman year in college. No tips, but the pay was very good.

The real treat, however, was the “benefits package”, which included a meal with every shift worked (lunch is good, but dinner is where it shines) as well as leftover chateaubriand and freshly made caesar salads.

Don’t tell them that the wait staff (mainly college kids from CalTech and elsewhere) used to sneak a glass of champagne or two off the trays during the private parties…

I’ve been able to go back as a proper guest a few times since and it’s always great. Good food and good memories.

]]> By: Susan Kitchens http://la.foodblogging.com/2007/02/12/lunching-at-the-athenaeum/#comment-116047 Susan Kitchens Tue, 13 Feb 2007 21:58:21 +0000 http://la.foodblogging.com/2007/02/12/lunching-at-the-athenaeum/#comment-116047 Two other things that the Ath has -- monthly wine tastings and cooking workshops. (My S.O. works at JPL and is an CalTech alum, and is a member). One of those cooking workshops, on knife skills, changed the relationship I have with my chef's knife (for the better). I've <a href="http://www.2020hindsight.org/?s=athenaeum&submit=Search" rel="nofollow">blogged the Ath a few times</a>, including a wine cellar dinner. Photos on Flickr. Never had the lunch buffet, but the Wednesday night buffet is marvelous. Two other things that the Ath has — monthly wine tastings and cooking workshops. (My S.O. works at JPL and is an CalTech alum, and is a member).

One of those cooking workshops, on knife skills, changed the relationship I have with my chef’s knife (for the better).

I’ve blogged the Ath a few times, including a wine cellar dinner. Photos on Flickr.

Never had the lunch buffet, but the Wednesday night buffet is marvelous.

]]> By: Jim A. Beardsley http://la.foodblogging.com/2007/02/12/lunching-at-the-athenaeum/#comment-116019 Jim A. Beardsley Tue, 13 Feb 2007 17:30:37 +0000 http://la.foodblogging.com/2007/02/12/lunching-at-the-athenaeum/#comment-116019 The article brings to mind The University Club at Cal State Northridge. While not as exclusive as the Athenaeum, the reasonably priced buffet at the 'Orange Grove Bistro' is one of the SF Valley's least known really good lunch secrets and by far the best option at the University. The weekend and holiday brunches are also above average. The article brings to mind The University Club at Cal State Northridge. While not as exclusive as the Athenaeum, the reasonably priced buffet at the ‘Orange Grove Bistro’ is one of the SF Valley’s least known really good lunch secrets and by far the best option at the University. The weekend and holiday brunches are also above average.

]]> By: Maribeth http://la.foodblogging.com/2007/02/12/lunching-at-the-athenaeum/#comment-116018 Maribeth Tue, 13 Feb 2007 17:26:18 +0000 http://la.foodblogging.com/2007/02/12/lunching-at-the-athenaeum/#comment-116018 The best things at the Ath come in a brandy snifter -- strawberry lemonade, and Berries Athenaeum. The buffet is indeed excellent, although I never realized that as a grad student. The best things at the Ath come in a brandy snifter — strawberry lemonade, and Berries Athenaeum.

The buffet is indeed excellent, although I never realized that as a grad student.

]]> By: sneakypeteiii http://la.foodblogging.com/2007/02/12/lunching-at-the-athenaeum/#comment-116016 sneakypeteiii Tue, 13 Feb 2007 17:20:03 +0000 http://la.foodblogging.com/2007/02/12/lunching-at-the-athenaeum/#comment-116016 Jonah, you really missed out by not ordering the strawberry lemonade. Among us graduate students it borders on legendary. Jonah, you really missed out by not ordering the strawberry lemonade. Among us graduate students it borders on legendary.

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