Special Dining Events
"... Miss Tilney, before they parted, addressing herself with respectful form, as much to Mrs. Allen as to Catherine, petitioned for the pleasure of her company to dinner on the day after the next ..."
Northanger Abbey, Chapter 10
Meals on this page are not included in AGM registration, but will be available during registration for an additional fee. From June 20 through 22, we kindly ask you to register for just one of the buffet meals below (Lunch and Learn, Café à la C'Art, or the Post-AGM Dinner), so that more attendees will have an opportunity to partake in a special meal. Beginning June 23, you can add more Dining Events to your registration if you like.
The Dine-Around accommodates more diners and is not included in this temporary limitation.
In the Hotel
Lunch and Learn (and Taste):
Meet Me at Molland's: A Window Into Bath's Food Scene
Friday, October 30, 11:30am - 12:45pm
$70
Lunch buffet with program and tastings
On-site at AGM hotel
Speaker: Julienne Gehrer, Metropolitan Kansas City Region
Jane Austen immortalized Molland's in Persuasion, but the storied pastry cook had competition from other eateries in Georgian Bath. Where might Austen or her characters grab a nibble or dine out on the town? Learn which establishments might cater to the Leigh Perrots or admit the unpolished John Thorpe and gossipy Nurse Rooke. Take a sweet and savory stroll through Bath's food scene, enjoying selected recipe recreations during a luncheon buffet, followed by an illustrated talk. Discover which comestibles fulfilled Bath's reputation as a healthful spa retreat and which enticed society seekers like Sir Walter Elliot.
Julienne Gehrer is an author, journalist, and food historian. Her speaking engagements include several with Jane Austen’s House, and co-presentations with chefs at “A Jane Austen Literary Dinner” and “A Cheese Tour of Jane Austen’s England.” Her articles have appeared in Persuasions, Texas Studies in Literature and Language, and LitHub. Recent books include Dining with Jane Austen and Martha Lloyd’s Household Book: The Original Manuscript from Jane Austen’s Kitchen (Bodleian Library, University of Oxford).
Buffet Menu: Bath Buns; Garden Salad Station (Baby Greens, Shredded Carrots, Cucumber, Cherry Tomatoes, Roasted Corn, Red Onion, House Croutons, Charred Lemon White Balsamic Vinaigrette, Creamy Herb Ranch Dressing (VE)); Cauliflower, Caramelized Parsnip, and Almond Soup (GF, V); Short Rib Gnocchi - Mushroom Ragu, Demi Glaze, Spinach (DF); Grilled Vegetable Primavera: Portabella Mushrooms, Yellow Squash, Zucchini, Red Onion, Red Bells, Penne Pasta, Cherry Tomatoes, White Wine Sauce (VE); Regency Royal Ice Cream.
In Downtown Tucson
Buffet Dinner at Café à la C'Art
Thursday, October 29
$85 including transportation and dinner
In current planning, Bus 1 departs hotel at 2:00pm; Bus 2 departs hotel at 4:20pm; both buses return to hotel at 8:00pm. This timing may be adjusted after participant numbers are known.
Start the AGM weekend off in grand style with a delicious and sociable buffet dinner among JASNA friends. Located in the historic 1865 Stevens House on the grounds of the Tucson Museum of Art, Café à la C'Art is a unique space with a Monet-inspired garden patio. Come early to tour the art museum’s diverse collections (separate admission purchasable at the museum, 25% discount with your AGM badge), or join later just for the dinner. Transportation is included.
Buffet Menu: Red Wine Braised Short Ribs with Pomegranate-Balsamic Glaze; Roasted Vegetable Salad with Sweet Potatoes, Red Potatoes, Carrots, Broccoli, Carrots, Red Cabbage, and Sweet Bell Peppers with Fresh Spinach, Avocado, and Chimichurri Sauce (vegan); Roasted Redskin Potatoes with Garlic and Rosemary; Calabacitas with Zucchini and Yellow Squash, Oven Cured Tomatoes, Sweet Corn, Garlic, and Onion, Topped with Sharp Cheddar, Jack, and Queso Fresco; Key Lime Tart. Cash bar.
Dine-Around Downtown
Friday, October 30, evening
$5 bus ticket (round trip)
Various downtown locations, with transportation included; time and sign-up details to be provided later. Participants order and pay for their own dinner individually.
Sample the delights of the City of Gastronomy while enjoying a small-group dinner at a restaurant with other AGM attendees. JASNA will book tables at a number of restaurants and provide sign-up sheets, noting the type of cuisine and price range. Meet Janeites from all over and enjoy a great meal, with the planning taken care of for you!
Post-AGM Dinner:
El Charro Mexican Buffet at the Carriage House
Sunday, November 1
$80 including transportation and dinner
Buses from most Sunday tours can drop off at the restaurant, or you can take the bus from the hotel
We can't visit Tucson without enjoying some legendary Mexican food, and where else but El Charro, the oldest Mexican restaurant in the US continuously operated by the same family? The founder, Tia Monica, came from France in the 1800s when her father, a famous stonemason, was commissioned to build Tucson's St. Augustine Cathedral. Featuring traditional Northern Mexico-Sonoran style and innovative Tucson-style Mexican food, El Charro was named by Gourmet magazine as "one of America's 21 most legendary restaurants." We'll enjoy a buffet of favorite dishes in a special location perfect for groups, El Charro's historic Carriage House.
Buffet Menu: Fiesta Green Salad (Tomato, Cucumber, Roasted Corn, Pink Onion, Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette or Chipotle Ranch Dressing; Local Tortilla Chips; Salsa Trio (Pico de Gallo, Picante, Verde); Chilaquiles; Guacamole; Slow Cooked Pork Carnitas; Pollo Al Pastor; Taco Topping Bar; Charro Beans and Cilantro Rice; Flour and Corn Tortillas; Strawberry Tres Leches Cake. Cash bar.
Further Afield
Check the Tours page for descriptions of two food-focused tours:
- Los Milics Wine Dinner
- Sonoita-Elgin Wine Tasting With Lunch
Other Dining Options
Mercado San Agustin and the MSA Annex are a shopping and dining area just over 5 miles from the JW Marriott, where you'll find pizza, burgers, Japanese and Mexican restaurants, and more. The Marriott runs a free scheduled shuttle to the Mercado (limited capacity).
While getting out is fun, sometimes staying in is just the thing. Poolside dining is just one of the options offered by the JW Marriott's in-house restaurants (see the Hotel webpage for more). At lunchtime on Friday and Saturday, we'll have a just-for-JASNA cafe in the meeting space offering salads and sandwiches at attractive prices, with seating indoors or on the terrace just outside.