On the Menu: Cow's Feet, Organ Meat and Yak

Calling all adventurous eaters. The Gastronauts may be for you. This New York–based dining club explores the variety of global cuisine in and around the five boroughs by organizing monthly pilgrimages to restaurants in ethnic areas. The meals are meant to gather like-minded people who want to explore culture and cuisine and possibly push their palates to the limit.

The Gastronauts was started four years ago by Curtiss Calleo, a graphic designer, and Ben Pauker, a senior editor at the international affairs magazine Foreign Policy, who were motivated by the idea of sampling more dishes at one sitting. The club has since grown from a group of six to more than 475 adventurous eaters, with a current waiting list to join. Both Calleo and Pauker arrange custom-made tasting menus of the rare and bizarre at local restaurants, secret spots or for potluck dinners. Membership is free (diners pay for the cost of the dinner, which can average around $50).  

Featured entrees have included yak meat for a Napalese gathering in Queens, root beer–glazed alligator sausage on a rooftop in Brooklyn, lamb testicles at a Baltic restaurant in Queens, pig stomach tacos in New York City and cow’s feet soup at an African restaurant in the Bronx. There have even been meals at secret locations centered entirely on—wait for it—bugs. Riding on their popularity, the Gastronauts are planning to open a chapter in Washington, D.C. next. —Nicole Denis

Nicole Denis is a regular foodspring.com contributor and is the author of foodspring’s foodie-mom blog.