The Chalkboard
Propose dishes, vote them up. What gets chalked in goes on the menu. Gusto watches from the corner and fills the gaps when you ask.
Sat 26 Apr supper
— chef's table for six —
Three courses · 8 proposals · 2 chalked in
Start I.
Burrata, figs, hot honey
— Maya, 2d ago
Whipped ricotta & grilled bread
— Jules, yesterday
+ propose another starter
Main II.
Poulet rôti aux herbes
— Maya, proposed & forked
Sheet-pan gnocchi with tomato for Sarah
Sarah is vegetarian. This finishes on the second oven rack while the chicken rests. She won't feel like an afterthought.
+ propose another main
Sweet III.
Tarte aux pommes — rustic, forgiving
Your main is already in the oven for an hour. A tart bakes on the lower rack in the same heat. Two birds. One oven. Non?
Affogato bar
— Dani, 3d ago
Flourless chocolate cake
— Emmet, 2d ago
+ propose another sweet
More
+
+
add a course
Sides · Beverages · Cheese · whatever your table needs
The Prep List
Every task, pegged to when it has to happen. Claim what you're doing, check it off, and Saturday stops being stressful. Gusto flags anything that's cutting it close.
6 of 14 done · 46%
T-3 days · Wed
Shop & confirm
Confirm RSVPs · chase Dani for dietary
Confirm Poulet Rôti as the main on the Chalkboard
T-24h · Friday
The big shop
Whole chicken · 1.8kg, butcher on Warren St
Carrots, shallots, thyme, garlic, lemons · market run
Burrata, figs, hot honey · cheese shop (don't forget flaky salt)
Pick a wine · Gusto suggests Chablis or a light Burgundy
G
Heads up — You still owe me a decision on Sweet. I have chalked up a Tarte aux Pommes. If you wait past Friday lunch, shopping twice will be the price.
Sat AM · T-9h
Morning prep
Dry-brine the chicken · salt + thyme, fridge uncovered
Pie dough for the tart · rest 2h minimum
Tidy the dining room · set the table · candle count check
Sat PM · T-4h
Into the oven
Chicken into the oven · 220°C then 180°C per Gusto's timing
Roll & fill the tart · in on the lower rack
Plate the burrata · figs torn, honey warmed slightly
Sat · 19:30 · T-0
Doorbell rings
Pour drinks · Jules is on bar duty
Let the chicken rest · 15 min, tented in foil, you will thank me
Carve the bird at the table · or lie and say you meant to
The Guests
Who's coming, who's still thinking, and what they can (or can't) eat. Gusto flags anything the menu is ignoring.
G
A quiet note — Sarah is vegetarian, and the main course is a chicken. I have chalked a sheet-pan gnocchi for her on the board. Tell me if she would rather something else — I do not assume.
MR
Maya Ramirez
Host · in the kitchen
Going
HOST
Super Host
JL
Jules Leclerc
Bar duty · bringing two bottles
Going
CO-HOST
No shellfish
AN
Sarah Novak
Never misses a roast · Brooklyn
Going
Vegetarian
SK
Sam Kapoor
Will judge your wine · don't take it personally
Going
DV
Dani Verdi
Dessert enthusiast · pushed Affogato
Going
EV
Emmet Vance
On-call, might arrive at 20:00
Maybe · shift might run long
Gluten-free
Recently
Maya promoted Jules to co-host · Tuesday
Jules claimed bar duty and wine selection · Tue 9:22pm
Dani claimed vanilla ice cream from the grocery list · Wed 2:45pm
The Groceries
One shared list, pulled straight from the menu. Host does the main run; anyone can claim items to bring along.
Items
23 total
8 bought · 4 claimed by guests
Est. total
~$218
$36 / head if split evenly
You're shopping
Maya
Butcher & market · Friday morning
Brought by guests
Wine, cheese, ice cream
Jules, Dani
Butcher & dairy
Maya is shopping theseWhole chicken 1.8kg
~$24
MR Maya
Burrata 3 balls
~$21
MR Maya
Unsalted butter 2 sticks
~$6
MR Maya
Crème fraîche for the tart
~$5
MR Maya
Produce & pantry
Market runCarrots, shallots, garlic, thyme, lemons
~$14
MR Maya
Black figs 6, ripe
~$9
MR Maya
Apples for the tart Honeycrisp, 4
~$7
MR Maya
Gnocchi + cherry tomatoes for Sarah
~$11
MR Maya
Hot honey or chile-honey
~$9
MR Maya
Being brought
Guests are handling theseWine Chablis + a light Burgundy
Jules is choosing
JL Jules
Vanilla ice cream for Affogato
~$8
DV Dani
Espresso / flaky salt / olive oil
pantry — ok
Pantry ✓
Table talk
Six of you and one very opinionated chef. Keep the chat here so nothing lives in three different text threads.
MR
MayaTuesday, 9:04pm
Ok, Chalkboard is up. Poulet rôti is chalked in for the main. Drop your starter and sweet picks when you have a minute 🫶
JL
JulesTuesday, 9:22pm
I'll bring two bottles. Chablis and something light. Do NOT buy wine.
AN
SarahWednesday, 8:12am
heads up — I went veg last month 🌱 can work around the chicken for me, no big deal
G
GustoWednesday, 8:13am
Sarah — I have already chalked a sheet-pan gnocchi for you. Same oven, same timing. You will not be eating side dish for dinner. I would not allow it.
DV
DaniWednesday, 2:45pm
Affogato bar?? 🫶 I'll bring good vanilla.
EV
EmmetWednesday, 6:18pm
FYI — I'm on-call Sat. 80% I make it, 20% I'm an hour late. Save me a seat and a slice of whatever's chocolate and flourless 🙏
G
GustoThursday, 7:02am
Maya — the Sweet column is still empty. I have suggested a Tarte aux Pommes. It shares the oven with the chicken, and you already have apples on the list. If you do not decide by lunch Friday, I will chalk it in myself.
MR
MayaThursday, 8:40am
Fine, fine. Chalk it in. Who am I to argue.