Dîner en Blanc

Dîner en Blanc
A White Dinner

Dîner en Blanc   Notre Dame Paris

Photo credit: The New York Times

How many of us would dare trust a relative unknown to add us to a list for a dinner where –

•      You don’t know where the dinner will take place and you pay months in advance,
•      Or, What’s on the menu,
•      And, what you say?  you have to bring your own chair … 

So that’s one version of what I have read, and learned and experienced.  The event of course, seems to have been initiated in France. Of course   ...    Je nais sais quoi!

It goes this way – if lucky enough you are invited to a dinner by a friend of a friend’s acquaintance. You pay for the dinner up front. You are then given instructions:  what you’ll bring and what date to set aside. No more information is given to you. You see that your credit card has been charged for the dinner.

You wait patiently. You ponder – “did I get suckered into something and gave away my money”. Ha Sucker!

On the specified date, and near the time prescribed – you finally receive a message - IM.

The IM prescribes an address you, your date, your lover, your new boyfriend (not all together) - are to go to.

Voila!                      You travel.                     You arrive.

                   It’s a sea of white.

Your eyes dance with delight as you visualize the soft yellow light from tall candelabras. The sparkle of champagne bottles and glasses radiating from the brilliant white table cloths. And silver cutlery. On each table their sits, perched high, fresh greenery…

As you and your girl move forward, among a couple hundred –  a line forms  thru a rose covered trellis that serves as  an entrance way. Some really big guys serve as bouncers - in their black jackets and turtle necks, scanning your IM.

You are permitted in – <<entre vous Madame, Monsieur>>.

So begins an evening of indulgences as you imbibe, sip and dine.

                                Ca'napes  served by bosomy costumed wenches

A woman, tall, heeled & dressed all in black, she’s very tall and carries a wand. The Director, Louise Wood, serves as the evening's hostess. At her direction a 5 piece string orchestra commences with Vivaldi.

The lady in black, Louise, our director for the evening, invite all to be seated at the table - of your host. Each table has a host and when you are invited to sit, ah! Yes, there’s the person you gave your money to. She serves as the host of your table of 12 for the evening. Of what will become a raucous event you will remember for a life time.

MENU

Ca'napes served by bosomy costumed wenches, followed by – Pork Rind, Fresh Pickled Vegetables, Smoked Cured Tongue, Field Greens & Pomegranate Dressing, Smoked Bluefish Cakes, Wood Roasted Pork Shoulder, Beef Brisket, Stewed Tomatoes & Pickles, Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Fresh Corn and Lima Bean Casserole, Grilled Roasted Herb Break, Virginia Cheese, and desserts of Blackberry Cobbler, Lemon Pound Cake and a cup of Buttermilk Ice Cream with Local Honey. To drink – Bold Rock Cider, Wheat beer, and as a finale, the Chef for the evening personally serves you  “Eiswein”.

So this is the event!

Boite – Champagne Cocktail

Appetizer - Vegetables a la Grecque

Music -   Vivaldi (Orchestre de Paris)

FN – The Menu is from Chef Dave Everett' version of the Dîner en Blanc ...  

"The Trellis Farm to Table" ….

The Trellis "Farm to Table Dinner"

Photo credit: Author