Le Diner en Blanc Is Back

Seriously huge dinner party returns to Dallas still veiled in secrecy

Last year's Le Dîner en Blanc drew 1,600 people.

Photo by Sarah Winsted

The massive dinner party Le Dîner en Blanc is returning to Dallas for a second year, giving us an excuse to wear white after Labor Day. It's been revealed that this year's date is September 30, but the location is still TBA.

That's part of the fun, actually, as guests don their fanciest white togs, load up their fine food for a posh picnic-style dinner, and await instructions on where to meet before being bussed to the secret location. Last year it was the pedestrian area of the Continental Avenue Bridge. But this year, who knows?

The 2016 announcement promises that Dallasites will “invade one of the most prestigious public locations of the city,” and that the number of guests will increase to 2,200. An estimated 1,600 people attended last year.

Registration for this year's event will happen in three stages. Phase one is for members who attended the previous year, phase two is for new members who are referred by phase one attendees, and phase three is for people who signed up on the waiting list via the official website.

“One of the best parts about buying tickets to a Dîner en Blanc event in any city is becoming a member, and with that automatically getting an invitation the following year,” explains Rachael Kissel, co-host of Diner en Blanc Dallas.

The posh picnic originated in Paris and now has dinners in 70 cities in more than 25 countries. Last year's announcement that it was coming to Dallas caused a frenzy, with the guest list filling up almost immediately.

Those who attended ate, drank, and danced long into the night, with the lit-up Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge and skyline of downtown Dallas in the background. Then they disassembled their decorated tables, leaving no trace they had even been there.

“A key element of the original Parisian concept is the mystery surrounding the location of the event,” explains Dîner en Blanc Dallas co-host Karen Raehpour.

If lugging fancy food (no takeout or paper plates allowed) along with extensive decor in your white duds is too much, caterer Food Glorious Food will this year be selling meals onsite. Dancing follows, capped off by a Pyrotex fireworks show.

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Speakeasy News

Speakeasy with secret red phone booth entry is dialing into The Colony

Red Phone Booth

That red phone booth is a secret entry.

A speakeasy bar concept from Atlanta that's been plotting a DFW location for a couple of years is inching closer to reality. Called Red Phone Booth, it'll open in the Grotto at Grandscape, at 5774 Grandscape Blvd. #100 in The Colony, and a release says it's coming in March.

Red Phone Booth features old-school Prohibition-style cocktails, cigars, and small plates. It's owned and operated by Stephen de Haan with actor/whiskey and cigar enthusiast Michael Cudlitz (The Walking Dead, Band of Brothers, Clarice and The Kids Are Alright).

The Grandscape location was originally forecast to open in 2021, back when speakeasy bars were an up-and-coming trend, remember that? One presumes the delays were pandemic-induced.

The lounge will be open to the public, but customers must know the secret phone number which they can procure only from another member, local hotel, or restaurant. They dial into an antique red phone booth to gain entry.

The cocktail menu features spirits such as bourbon, whiskey, scotch, tequila and Japanese whisky, made with fresh juices and hand chipped double-reverse pass osmosis ice.

Exclusive member tasting events will allow members sample flights of whiskey, bourbon, scotch, or tequila.

Food includes Italian-inspired appetizers such as Stuffed Peppadew Pepper, Insalata di Bistecca, and star-shaped Neapolitan pizzas.

They currently have two locations in Atlanta, plus one in Nashville, and another opening in Florida later in 2023.

In a statement, de Haan says they were introduced to Grandscape by family and thought it would be a good addition to the various shopping, dining, and nightlife options there.

The grand opening scheduled for March 3-4, but they are ready to sell memberships now, which range from $350 to$5,000 for an Executive Membership which includes 4 individuals.

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