TASTE: Gabe Aiello’s Meatless Monday Dinner at Old Ironsides • Aug. 17, 2015

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Once a week, cut the meat. That’s the simple message behind Meatless Monday, a global movement and nonprofit initiative that was launched in 2003 with a goal to reduce meat consumption by 15 percent, “For our personal health and the health of the planet,” according to Meatlessmonday.com. Truly a worldwide movement (Meatless Monday is embraced in 36 countries), it’s also easy to take action and get involved on the local level. That’s what Sacramento musician Gabe Aiello did when he started hosting Meatless Monday dinners at his home. “I am not a vegetarian or vegan, though I used to be, but I think something’s got to give,” Aiello told Submerge. “I started doing this about six months ago in my apartment with four attendees. The next one I had 12, then 20 and so on.” Now Aiello has moved his meat-free dinner parties to a new home at Old Ironsides one Monday a month, the next one is scheduled for Aug. 17, 2015. On the menu? Handmade Veggie Sausage, Baked Beans and Fresh Cucumber Salad. Signature cocktail for the night will be a peach shrub with your choice of bourbon or whiskey. The meal is vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free. There will also be live music provided by Heath Williamson, William Mylar and other special guests. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. and just $5 cash will get you fed. After Aug. 17, Aiello’s Meatless Monday dinner parties at Old I will switch to every second Monday, so come on out and get involved. Old Ironsides is located at 1901 10th Street in downtown Sacramento.

Photos by Aaron Stewart