Our Secret Dinner Series
The Tallahassee Foodies Secret Dinner series is designed to foster community amongst our All Access Foodies supporters – a group of patrons seated together, while serving up a Chef’s Table experience and an element of mystery that makes each dinner special.
The location remains a secret, known only to myself and the establishment during the fun planning process, until it is revealed to guests the morning of the event! Later that day upon arrival, the prix fixe menu is unveiled, making the dining experience an adventurous discovery from start to finish.
Backwoods Crossing Secret Dinner
Thirty-two incredible All Access Foodies supporters gathered at Backwoods Crossing, taking over their “Stables” event space for a festive Secret Dinner. One of my favorite aspects of these dinners is guests discovering the private dining rooms of local establishments.
Hosting a Secret Dinner in December was a first for me, and Backwoods Crossing’s cozy space set the perfect holiday tone. With barn-style doors and “from the garden” dried herb and fruit garland décor, it embodied full-on festive winter cabin vibes.
Guests were greeted with Welcome Cocktails, courtesy of Social House Vodka and expertly crafted by Backwoods Crossing’s talented bartenders. We kicked off the evening in sparkling style with delicious Mistletoe Spritzers – featuring Social House Vodka, Roselle Tea, Pasubio Vino Amaro, Sparkling White Wine, Rosemary and Cranberries. Social House Vodka also very generously sent everyone home with a full-size garnet and gold bottle of their Battle’s End edition vodka.
To add to the Social House Vodka party favor, each guest also received a Backwoods Crossing bag filled with bottled treats from their garden, a fun sticker, and other thoughtful mementos – we were all merry and bright with an arm full of holiday bags.
Each establishment is encouraged to put a unique, custom spin on their dinner, highlighting the character of their restaurant, making every event fresh and exciting. Backwoods Crossing embraced this spirit with a fun game (a surprise moment for me)—guests were asked to guess how many garden ingredients were in each dish served. The winner of each round that guessed the most correctly received a fantastic party favor of beautifully bottled sauces and syrups, packed with ingredients from their garden, a thoughtful and delicious treat.
The best part of our Secret Dinners is the “chef’s table” experience, and Backwoods Crossing did not disappoint. We had the pleasure of getting to know Chef Brian Wyatt, their talented chef who thoughtfully crafted a dinner uniquely tied to their “southern style” hospitality. The custom menu was a feast—brimming with fresh, colorful ingredients and generous portions (to-go boxes were a must).
Our Backwoods Crossing Secret Dinner Menu
Amuse Bouche – The roselle-cured smoked salmon gravlax delivers a rich, smoky flavor perfectly balanced by the creamy, garden-fresh herbed cream cheese, with the crostini adding a delightful crunch.
Tiny Taste – The loaded skewers combined the sweetness of melon and roselle-balsamic glaze with the saltiness of fried prosciutto and the creaminess of mozzarella, creating a bright and delicious bite.
Soup from the Garden – The mushroom bisque offers earthy, velvety warmth, enhanced by the depth of Spanish thyme and the crispy, savory mushrooms and green onion topping. The soup was a cup full of comfort food, and we were nearly full after this course.
Unique Fare – Our dinners are usually tasting portions that in total, fills your belly; however, this was a incredibly generous portion of sesame-seed tuna, perfectly seared, with a delicate crust and tender interior, complemented by the vibrant, flavorful house vegetables, tangy lemon-sriracha, and balsamic glaze.
Dessert – The “from the garden” satsuma cheesecake brûlée is decadently creamy with a refreshing citrus twist, topped with a caramelized sugar shell for a satisfying crackle crunch in every bite, paired perfectly with a cup of coffee.
A heartfelt thank you to Backwoods Crossing and their entire team for making this Secret Dinner such a memorable experience. From the warm hospitality and festive ambiance to the thoughtfully crafted menu and creative touches, every detail was perfection.
Chef Brian Wyatt and the talented staff went above and beyond to showcase their culinary artistry and southern charm, making us all feel welcomed and appreciated. Your generous garden-inspired party favors, truly elevated the night. We are so grateful for your dedication and talent—it was wonderful to spend such a fun evening in your cozy space!
Find Backwoods Crossing in Tallahassee at:
Socials – Website, Facebook, Instagram
Address – 6725 Mahan Dr, Tallahassee, FL 32308
Phone – (850) 765-3753
