Feel free to click through the gallery above to see some of the photos I took. There are several other photos available.
Diner en blanc made its Washington, DC debut last week and I was one of the first attendees. Diner en blanc is not for the weary. There were rules. Many rules. There were also many costs involved. When I initially proposed the event to Man Friend I was met with confusion and annoyance. Quite understandable on his part, however, I do what I want.
Diner en blanc has become a worldwide phenomenon that started in Paris. The roots were very simple - a man wanting to have a nice dinner party. It has evolved into a part flash mob, part dinner, part drinking, part dancing - a completely spectacular time.
Getting to Diner en blanc was initially frustrating. It was approximately a million degrees that day. I was rocking my Rent the Runway jumpsuit and jewelry. I cabbed the table and chairs that Lisa who writes for Push Play Eat rented. I met her and our group at Dupont where our table leader, Katie, provided us further directions.
This is where it got kinda hinky. We tried to get all of the Dupont groups on the metro to the final destination. Other groups throughout the city were doing the same thing. I don't think commuters were too keen to see people carrying tables, chairs, several baskets trying to force themselves onto the metro. I also did not enjoy dragging that card table. The table was kind of mad at the situation, but realized I was in control and relented.
Once we made it to the destination we began setting up. I ran to get my food basket (I ordered a basket from the caterer) and wine as Lisa set up. I ran back and finally began to relax. That's when I was able to look around at the sea of people who would be my dining companions for the evening.
There was music, laughter, dancing and sparklers. I don't like sparklers, but felt the need to join in. Long story short - my mom once severely burnt her thumb with a sparkler and I witnessed it first hand. She's fine, I'm fine. I would just rather not take that chance.
I was lucky enough to sit next to Alison who manages her own wine consulting business and Laetitia who was one of the group organizers. As I have said before, Laetitia is one of my favorite Parisians.
There were so many amazing outfits, table arrangements and food! I loved my own food, but did want to dive into other people's plates.
Diner en blanc was one of those events that I could easily have talked myself out of, but didn't. I'm glad I didn't. It was worth every penny and drop of sweat.