Dish Up Four Restaurants in One Night

If you have ever considered dining at more than one restaurant in one evening and decided that it wasn’t practical, you didn't have anyone to go with or thought it would be embarrassing—an opportunity is coming your way.

You will not be made fun of, or looked at funny, because you will not be alone—a dozen or more other people will keep you company.

Since 2010, Dishcrawl has been all about "bringing people together over food" in the following cities: San Jose, San Francisco, New York and Montreal, with prospects for expanding into more areas.

Dishcrawl founder and CEO Tracy Lee visited Mountain View in June with the Upto29 team for a "Truckcrawl" at Hackerdojo. Lee said Mountain View was a city the Dishcrawl would add, which it will this month.

Lee's idea—she's supported by a team of 20 women and a few men—was initially borne as an intriguing business venture for women who love great dining, enjoy people and welcome the challenge of managing an operation that brings together all these ingredients to produce a unique and enjoyable dining experience.

What happens at a Dishcrawl? After you make your reservations, two days prior to the crawl, the restaurants that will be visited are announced. You also learn where and when to meet the other crawlers—your dining companions who make the journey with you to four different dining establishments, on foot, in most cases.

At the lively social gathering, you can make new acquaintances, and meet the chefs and other restaurant staff in an intimate setting, discuss food and wine, among other things, and bring home notes about the newly tried restaurants.

The number of attendees for a night’s event is limited to no more than, in most cases, 40 people. Depending on the event and the restaurants, there may be as many as 80. Anyone who appreciates good food, good company and a fun night out would fit right in and have a great time.

"Single people as well as moms and dads have attended and enjoyed the event," Lee said. "We get attendees in the 30- to 55-year age group, and many are professionals.”  

When feasible, Dishcrawl has, in past events, made arrangements to avail moms and dads of childcare services. Some people do the Dishcrawl as a first date; others include couples who met at a previous Dishcrawl.

On tap are Dishcrawl launches in Saratoga and Mountain View as well as return visits to Oakland, New York City, San Mate, San Jose, Montreal and Ottawa, in Canada, and Portland, OR.

Dishcrawl will make its debut in Mountain View on Sept. 21, at 7 p.m. Remember you must RSVP. The four restaurants that have been selected for that evening will not be divulged until two days prior.