WaPo reports on the launch of The Coterie DC, a membership-based dining club that partners with a small pool of local high-end restaurants to offer members-only tasting menu events. For a fee of $42/mo, members get access to $135/seat special five-course menus at partner restaurants, three monthly cocktail parties (guests $45/ea additional), and 20% off seven-course menus (price not announced). Founder Jill Richmond has based the concept on her previous project, the London-based "Number 68 Project", which conducted an inaugural pop-up event last year in DC.
The launch partner restaurants are a very credible bunch: Fiola, Birch & Barley, 701, PS7, Bibiana, and 42º Catering; the beverage partners are equally impressive: Gina Chersevani, Greg Engert, Jon Harris, and ex-Fiola somm Theo Rutherford.
Clearly, there's a market among well-heeled socialites for concierge-guided dining events - the pop-up reportedly had over 200 applicants for 45 seats at $155 each. More power to 'em. For the rest of us, if at least the dining territory sounds familiar, just think of what a bargain the open-to-all DR dining events have been...and consider putting one together at your local favorite spot.