Mediterranean Cooking

Social Sips & Bites family, Memorial Day weekend is calling and we’re bringing everyone together for a fun, relaxed picnic celebration with the SSB crew. Expect great food, sunshine, music, laughter, and that amazing Social Sips & Bites energy we all love. Bring your favorite dish to share with the group and your favorite drinks, and get ready for an afternoon of mingling, new friendships, and good vibes all around. This is the perfect chance to kick off summer with our incredible community. Contribution: $5 to help cover park setup and supplies. Please send a Venmo or Zelle to Judy Cheung before the picnic- by May 22nd. Her Venmo and Zelle infornation is in the sign up link. Her Zelle last four digits is 3353. Come hungry. Come social. Come ready for one of those classic SSB days where strangers become friends and friends become family. There is plenty of parking available and restrooms are also available at the park. Everyone should plan to bring their own beverages, a chair and a blanket if you wish. Please sign up on the link below to contribute help, food, and games. Sign up link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4BAAA628A7F8C34-62911568-social

Join us for a writing workshop! Please submit your pieces to our Google Drive folder here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1PfiTjIZEugDVRC-fFBViUSFq4mt5_MHt?usp=drive_link When entering submissions, please consider the following guidelines: 1\. Keep submissions to approximately 2\,000 words\, maximum 2\. Consider adding a brief Author's Note to introduce your work and let us know what kind of feedback you are looking for 3\. Please ensure that your submission is appropriate for a general audience and include trigger warnings as necessary 4\. Try to post your submission by Saturday or Sunday at the latest so that people have time to read it before the event\. If you are coming to participate in Workshop, please read the submissions in the folder by Monday evening and prepare your feedback! We will aim to discuss each piece in the submission folder, although some pieces may be pushed to the following workshop if time runs short. Feel free to add your notes as comments on the document itself, write them up in a separate file, or jot them down so that you can provide them to the writer.

Come chill with us we'll eat, drink and discuss the book of the month: Cursed daughters.

I’m excited to announce our next culinary outing! We will be heading to Corner Bites in Rockville, MD, to enjoy some authentic Cantonese cuisine. Corner Bites is a popular dim sum restaurant in Rockville, Maryland, known for its authentic Cantonese cuisine, including classic items like har gow, siu mai, and roast duck, served in a modern setting with order-by-the-menu service rather than carts. Monthly Culinary Meetup Note: If you were a previous no show or canceled on the day of when there's a waitlist, you're not guaranteed a seat. - Mellisa

Foodies, I was able to secure a good deal for a three course dinner @ $ 32 per person without tax & gratuity! We have three different choices for First and Second Courses; and two choices for Third Course. First Course œ(Choice of) : 1. Fire-Roasted Tomato Soup Served with crouton 2. Beet Salad Roasted beet with Baby Arugula, blue cheese and spicy walnuts tossed in a cranberry dressing 3. Seared Scallops Scallops served with cauliflower mousse, golden Raisins & brown butter Second Course (Choice of) : 1. Wild Mushrooms Ravioli Ravioli staffing with ricotta cheese, Creamy butter Sage sauce and shaved parmesan cheese 2.Pan-Roasted wild Halibut Halibut served with tri-color quinoa, baby bok choy and roasted tomato relish 3. FLAT IRON STEAK Grilled Flat Iron served with garlic mash potato wilted broccoli rabe and merlot reduction sauce  Third Course (Sweet Ending) : œ 1. White Chocolate Bread Pudding Served with warm caramel sauce & vanilla ice cream 2. Lemon Blueberry Crumb Cheesecake Served with warm caramel and whipped cream

Let’s enjoy a relaxed, scenic walk through one of the most beautiful gardens in the area 🌿 Brookside Gardens is a hidden gem filled with winding paths, seasonal blooms, and peaceful water features. Highlights include the Japanese Garden, Aquatic Garden, and the fragrant Viburnum Garden. Expect warm weather, fully green landscapes, lush, late-spring blooms, including roses, azaleas, and magnolias. and the seasonal [Butterfly Experience](https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/brookside-gardens/special-events/the-butterfly-experience-at-brookside-gardens/brookside-gardens-butterfly-experience-social-story/). This event is cross posted with The Bethesda Social Club. Please RSVP to one event only. This will be perfect for unwinding, meeting new people, and soaking up some fresh air. **\*\* Meeting Point: The VISITORS Center**

Join me for a relaxed lunch outing at Kiin Imm Thai Restaurant— known for its authentic flavors and wallet-friendly prices. Kiin Imm Thai brings the essence of authentic Thai street food to the table—balancing sweet, sour, salty, spicy, and savory in every dish. If you enjoy Thai cuisine, this is a great spot to explore. The menu offers a wide variety of dishes, from flavorful curries to familiar favorites like Pad Thai and Satay. Not into spicy food? No worries—there are plenty of mild, non-spicy options to choose from. This is all about good food, easy conversation, and a fun, welcoming vibe. Whether you’re a Thai food regular or just curious to try something new, you’ll feel right at home. ***Parking*** : Plenty of parking in front of the restaurant. Come hungry, bring your good vibes, and let’s make it a lunch to remember! **Here's the menu:** https://www.kiinimmthai.com/

To secure your spot, purchase your ticket from the Eventbrite (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/saturday-mixer-tickets-258752143627). RSVPing only on the Meetup Page doesn't allow you to attend the Event. ADVANCE TICKET PURCHASE IS REQUIRED TO RESERVE YOUR SEAT. DUE TO COVID. ABOUT THE EVENT By popular demand, we are bringing back the Saturday Mixer. Party! Ticket price includes Canned Cocktail/ Canned Beer/Canned Wine. We only serve Canned Beverages to minimize contact/contamination. Cash Bar afterwards (which means you pay as you go). Ticket Price : $15 (will increase soon) As per DC Government guidelines this is a sit down dinning event. Maximum of six people will be seated per table. We have super limited spots! Get your tickets soon and in advance. So that we reserve your seat. ADVANCE TICKET PURCHASE IS REQUIRED. After dinner, we will rotate dinners from table to table. So that everyone meets everyone. You would get to meet your future friends/acquaintances/buddies/pals /partner-in-crimes or may be more:) To hang out/go out or do things together. Also, this is an ideal event if you are new in town or not! - Come one, come all; this is the most friendliest event you have ever attended! - Feel free to invite your friends. They don't necessarily have to be a member - Celebrate your birthdays or your moments in life with us - Event is 21+ We are at 25% capacity. So, please drink for four:) As we all know, the hospitality industry is badly hit by the crisis and be generous to your bartenders and waitresses. Due to the pandemic the entire set up of this event is changed: - We will be complying with all CDC, state, and local guidelines. - Occupancy never exceeds 50%. - No Cash Transaction to reduce contamination. - All patrons must wear masks. If you don't wear a mask, we don't allow you to enter and you won't be refunded. - A thorough cleaning and disinfection of frequently contacted surfaces will be done during the event and please bear with us. - Temperature check for staff and patrons. Payment Instructions : 1. You should login from a PC to see the 'Pay Now' button, after RSVPing. Then hit the button. 2. Verify correct dollar amount for number of people you're paying for. 3. If you don't have a Paypal account, click "Pay with a Debit or Credit Card". 4. If you have a Paypal account, simply log in, and pay as you normally would via Paypal. Refund & Ticket Resell All sales are final. We only refund the full amount, if the event is canceled. If it is rescheduled, we will send an email to those who RSVPed 'YES' advising that. A full refund will be given to those that let us know within 2 calendar days of the update email, if you are unable to make it on the new date. No refunds will be given after that time. However, you can sell your ticket to someone else if you are unable to attend. Please, feel free to post in the comment box for the event, that you have a ticket for sale. Work out payment between yourselves, and have the seller only send the organizer a message letting us know the full name of the person taking your spot. You must let us know two hours before the RSVP close time, on the day of the event. METRO & PARKING INFO : The closest metro station is Woodley Park/Adams Morgan. Street Parking might be a challenge. But if you plan to drive, try your luck on Champlain Street. Otherwise, there is a parking garage around. However, the event involves drinking and we highly recommend a shared ride or taxi service. DRINK RESPONSIBLY. **FOR FURTHER INFO, REFER THE EVENTBRITE LINK AND PURCHASE TICKET. IT RULES**

ABOUT THE EVENT It is one of the best venues in town. It focuses in a culturally diverse menu prepared with local ingredients and sauces made from scratch. We booked the whole upstairs (Liberty Lounge) for this party. DRESS CODE : Dress to impress Event is free and 21+ https://a248.e.akamai.net/secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/1/9/9/2/600_438786546.jpeg We have specials and an extended happy hour, just for our group. Policy also make me feel loved and honored, by serving, one of my favorite cocktails, which is named after me - Mer-Tini:) It will be one of the featured cocktails. https://a248.e.akamai.net/secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/3/b/a/600_437953242.jpeg FOOD SPECIALS : Braised Short Rib miso-mustard sauce $4 BLT applewood-smoked bacon, avocado mash, blue cheese, romaine, chow chow lemon aioli $4 • Madras Curry Lambgorgonzola, mint pesto $6 Brisket ground briskest, caramelized onion, fried quail egg, oven dried tomato, cheddar, black truffle mayo $ 6 APPETIZERS • $5 Oven-Roasted Tomato Hummusgrilled ciabatta $5 Hand-Cut French Fries black truffle mayo, ketchup $5 Yellow Lentils Dahl yellow onion, tomato, curry leaf, coconut milk, cumin, turmeric and cinnamon naan $5 Stir Fried Green Beans ginger, garlic, sesame, soy $5 *Tuna Tartare mustard oil, avocado puree, wonton chips $ 5 Steamed Mussels hot italian sausage, red onion, basil ciabatta, white wine cream sauce https://a248.e.akamai.net/secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/3/c/f/600_437953263.jpeg METRO INFO : Closest Metro Station is U Street Cardozo (Please take 13th St. Exit). Please take into consideration Metro's weekend truck work and allow enough time for your ride. Check it on http://www.wmata.com/ and plan accordingly. Street parking might be difficult. However, if you plan to drive, there is a parking garage, Franklin D. Reeves Center Garage,[masked]th Street NW, Washington DC). They are open up until 3 am and it costs $ 15 plus tax. Tel :[masked]-0010. https://a248.e.akamai.net/secure.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/1/d/0/8/600_438007432.jpeg

[Columbus library link to book](https://cml.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S105C3351321) Location: The Goat River South 219 S High St, Columbus, OH 43215 Street parking is free on Sundays [Menu](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/686d3ed16745133042482c5f/t/68ff654dbb03b96875430bde/1761568077220/all_brunch-20250311.pdf) Book summary: On a hot day in Bethlehem, a twelve-year-old Palestinian-American girl is yelled at by a group of men outside the Church of the Nativity. She has exposed her legs in a biblical city, an act they deem forbidden, and their judgement will echo on through her adolescence. When our narrator finally admits to her mother that she is queer, her mother's response only intensifies a sense of shame: 'You exist too much,' she tells her daughter. Told in vignettes that flash between the U.S. and the Middle East--from New York to Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine--Zaina Arafat's debut novel traces her protagonist's progress from blushing teen to sought-after DJ and aspiring writer.

The theme for May is Thriller. • The book we will be discussing is A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson. (determined by votes from April Book Club. Let me know if you'd like a free digital copy of the book) • This event will be at the main library. Feel free to come whether or not you've started or finished the book. • Small snacks will be provided. You're welcome to bring your own snacks & drinks too! Let me know if you’d like to volunteer to bring snacks or drinks for the group.

Big Ohio Book Con "A convention for book lovers all over Ohio (and beyond)! Author panels, signings, bookish vendors, meet & greets, and more!" Featuring more than 100 authors, more than 50 bookish vendors, and plenty of exciting activities throughout the event! Travel with fellow book lovers or meet us at the event. Park for free at the Medina Convention Center, 735 Lafayette Rd., Medina, Ohio 44256, then hop aboard one of the free shuttles whenever you’re ready for your next bookish adventure! The convention spans three neighboring locations, giving you even more to explore and enjoy.

Who’s up for a pizza night at the highly requested Pizza House? 🍕🍻 Join us at for great pizza, good laughs, and even better company! Come hungry and ready for a cheesy good time.

Welcome, readers! Our May read is **_Kindred_ by Octavia E. Butler.** The story follows Dana, a Black woman living in 1976 California, who is suddenly pulled back to a Maryland plantation before the Civil War. She learns her survival is tied to a white slaveholder’s son. Forced to move between centuries, she must endure the brutal realities of slavery while fighting to hold on to her identity. Tense, intimate, and unforgettable, Kindred explores how the past refuses to stay buried. Looking forward to discussing with everyone! We will meet at Zaftig Brewing Co in their event room in the back. We are welcome to bring in our own food, but **drinks must be purchased at the bar.** Happy reading! 📖

Let's grab some coffee/food and share a morning chat! The East Market has an ample parking lot and outdoor and indoor seating. Grab a cup of coffee from Winston's Coffee & Waffles or on your way to East Market and meet us on the second floor - table behind or east of the elevator. Per what this group is about: "Everyone is welcome! International transplants to Columbus who want to improve language skills, Columbus residents who enjoy talking to people from other countries, and those who would like to discuss international travel and culture, and who enjoy getting together for good conversations."