Chefs Lydia Clopton and Dean Neff will be hosting a weekly series of pop-up dinners throughout the summer at Love, Lydia Bakery & Café at 1503 S.  3rd St.

The series will kick off this Friday and Saturday with a Summer Solstice supper featuring classic Southern summer dishes that reflect the bounty of the season.

“The most fun aspect of it will be coming up with weekly themed menus that incorporate what’s seasonal,” Neff said. “Each week will be a new experience.”

Clopton and Neff say collaborating on the weekly pop-ups will help them prepare for their new restaurant, which they anticipate opening next year. Neff, known for founding PinPoint Restaurant with longtime friend Jeff Duckworth, parted ways with the restaurant earlier this year in order to pursue independent ventures.

“We have some things in the works, but for now it’s important to stay sharp,” Neff said. “I’m looking forward to getting back to some more cooking and testing new recipes."

Highlights of the Summer Solstice dinner menu include oysters Bienville, cured salmon tartar, fried chicken with hot pepper sorghum, summer succotash and cucumber salad, and pan-seared flounder with crab-stuffed poblano, smoked celery cream, creamed corn, sugar snaps and a tarragon beurre blanc.

Just in time for the dinner series, beer and wine will now be available at Love, Lydia. A guest sommelier from Charleston will co-host Friday’s dinner, and Clopton and Neff plan to invite guest chefs and wine distributors to take part in dinners thought the summer.

Tickets for the first week, as well as the weekend of June 28 and June 29 are now available, with two seatings each evening at 5 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. Visit the event's website for more details.
 
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