Because Hank has been providing several tables for Lanakila Pacific's anuual Meals on Wheels fundraiser for the past several years, diners in the 50th - especially those who weren't as fortunate to secure a table - have been asking Hank to do a pop-up restaurant within the confines of his own Hank's Haute Dogs. I guess those creative juices finally got the best of him so decided to create Diner (pronounced dee-nay) at Hank's Haute Dogs.
Because we've been supporting both Hank and Lanakila Pacific at the annual Good Table events, Hank gave us first dibs on securing a table to Diner... which we obliged...
Of course, dinner started with some bubbly... the last bottles on island of Aubry Rose...
Then progressed to the Montanara or fried pizza dough with toppings. Chef Briceno originally did his version at the Good Table about 2 years ago though I must say that Hank's right hand man, Vince does a great rendition since his dough isn't greasy at all. in fact, you'd be hard pressed to say it's fried dough...
And pizza goes with vino so several other bottles were uncorked...
Then we moved on to the Vongole or sauteed clams...
With more vino...
Then the Vedura Lasagnette or thinly sliced eggplant "lasagna" that Hank said he copied from a hole-in-the-wall restaurant in New York...
With more vino...
For the Fetuccini con Crema di Fungi or mushroom pasta...
With my bottle of 2001 Louis Jadot Corton-Pougets Grand Cru...
And...
Finishing with the Braised Pork Chop Marsala done osso buco style... I'm gonna "steal" this recipe from Hank...
With my bottle of 2000 La Spinetta Gallina Barbaresco...
And a...
The evening ended with a Affogatto... this was KILLER! I was already stuffed but managed to polish off this major dessert!...
It was just like another Good Table... but before you try to secure a table, next month's 4 tables already sold out just after they were listed... The menu for January's Diner will change to Francais cuisine... I won't tell you when they go on sale... that is until I've already secured my seat at Hank's monthly Diner...
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