The forecast threatened a nor’easter, but by the time guests made their way to chef Emily Trodson’s family home, the much-hyped storm had softened into a light drizzle and a mischievous breeze. Inside, though, everything glowed. This was the October edition of Matchbook Supper Club, a monthly dinner series dreamed up by Trodson, and the evening’s theme, Sunday Assembly, was as warm and welcoming as the host herself.
Candles flickered against burgundy linens, vintage glassware caught the light just right, and the air carried the comforting scent of butter, thyme, and something slow-braising in the kitchen. Guests slipped off their coats and were greeted with a brown butter-washed bourbon old-fashioned, a cocktail that somehow bottled up the best parts of fall in one sip: cozy, smooth, and just a little indulgent.
As everyone mingled with cocktails in hand, trays of mushroom tartlets and truffle deviled eggs waited invitingly by the dinner table, ready to be picked at between introductions and laughter. People drifted toward the food naturally, conversation sparking over each bite. By the time everyone found their seats, the evening had settled into an easy rhythm, less like a formal dinner and more like the best kind of family gathering, where nobody’s related but everyone belongs.
For Trodson, that sense of connection is the point. After more than a decade in restaurant kitchens, the self-taught cook wanted to create something slower and more personal, a space where food, storytelling, and community could all share the same table. “I’ve always believed the most memorable moments happen around a table,” she said. “Not just because of what’s on the menu, but because of who’s there and how it feels.” That philosophy is woven into every Matchbook dinner, from the locally sourced ingredients to the way seats are drawn at random so no one ends up next to someone they already know.
The meal itself unfolded like a love letter to fall. The centerpiece, Julia Child’s beef bourguignon, arrived bubbling and rich, paired with herb-whipped Yukon Gold potatoes, maple-roasted honey nut squash, and a radicchio and fennel salad dressed in sherry vinaigrette. Each dish was thoughtful and grounded, featuring ingredients from nearby favorites such as Four Town Farm, Seven Stars Bakery, Newport Sea Salt, and East Side Cheese. It was comfort food done right, the kind that makes you pause between bites just to appreciate how perfectly everything comes together.
As the evening went on, guests were invited to share what brought them to Sunday Assembly. Some came to meet new people, others to step outside their usual circles, and a few were returning regulars who now think of Matchbook as a monthly ritual. When Sarah Harrison, a repeat guest, spoke, she looked toward Trodson and said, “You’ve created something really special here.” Heads nodded, smiles spread, and it was clear that everyone felt the same.
Dessert sealed the deal. Olive oil cake with stewed apples and vanilla bean ice cream arrived soft, fragrant, and just sweet enough to make conversation pause for a beat. Before guests slipped back into the night, Emily handed out Matchbook-branded matchboxes and handmade caramels, small keepsakes from an evening meant to linger.
Outside, puddles shimmered in the streetlights; inside, the last flickers of candlelight danced across empty wine glasses and satisfied smiles. It felt like the closing scene of a Nancy Meyers movie, only this one was filmed right here in the East Bay, starring real Rhode Islanders, full hearts, and the kind of warmth you can’t script.
Each month, Matchbook Supper Club transforms into something entirely new, a fresh theme guiding both the menu and the mood. She’s currently planning “A Very Fifth Avenue Christmas,” and promises an atmosphere akin to a snowy afternoon in Manhattan. “Think: lots of fur, sparkle, champagne, pointy shoes, caviar, ear muffs. Very ‘80s!” she says. What stays the same is Trodson’s knack for creating evenings that feel both effortless and unforgettable. Whether it’s through a shared laugh over truffle deviled eggs or a quiet nod across the table, Matchbook is proof that the best kind of magic happens when people gather with open hearts and empty plates. Learn more at MatchbookSupperClub.com
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