Chicago in White

Last night Jamie and Natalie invited me to join them at the Chicago in White dinner.  This is the second annual event; last year it was called Chicago en Blanc, which is now a separate event.  Basically it is "flash mob" dining.  Everyone arrives at meeting points throughout the city, dressed in all white.  People bring along their own white tables, white chairs, white napkins, white table clothes and 3 course dinner.  No alcohol is aloud.

At your meeting point the central location is revealed and you have an hour to get there and set up your table before the event begins.  Last year the location was Daley Plaza.   This year it was in front of Merchandise Mart along the Chicago River.  Once dusk hit, the city lights and candle light made the atmosphere spectacular.  

We enjoyed sparkling lemonade and water, arugula salad made by Natalie, fried chicken I brought from Harolds chicken, Jamie brought Coast sushi.  We had macaroons from Violet and sea salt and dark chocolate covered caramels for dessert.  

This was such a unique experience and very well done with live music and easy access to restrooms.  People watching was at an al time high!  After dinner the crowd packs up all their belongings and leaves the space as if nothing had ever happened there.  I was surprised how orderly 1,500 people on a city street in Chicago could be.

We learned a lot for next year.  But most of all, in a very hectic time in each of our lives, it was so nice to sit outside, take a deep breath and enjoy the company of two of my favorites.