9 Underground Dinners You've Never Heard Of Slideshow
New Friends Table: Paris, France
The host and chef of New Friends Tablehosts dinners every other week in her tiny loft. She carefully curates a table of interesting, well-traveled folks from around the world, whom she regales with tales of explaining to her wine merchant why she buys case after case. No photos are allowed of any tell-tale architecture, lest her landlord learn of her clandestine parties.
Casa SaltShaker: Buenos Aires, Argentina
This Buenos Aires-based "salon for food and conversation," called Casa SaltShaker, serves "fancy home cooking" to 10 guests in a private home. Likely to be spicy, but not traditional Argentine cuisine, the meals are at the whim of the chef and the menu is kept secret, though the week's flavors are posted online.
No Fixed Address (NFA): Vancouver, BC
NFA feeds up to 14 diners at one big table in the chef's home (bigger parties get a warehouse), offering fine dining to "adventurous foodies" looking for something beyond typical West Coast fare — seasonal, local foods are showcased.
Hush: Washington, D.C.
Fill out a questionnaire and provide a photo of yourself to request an invite to the secret Hush supper club in D.C.'s U Street neighborhood. Organic and elaborate Indian vegetarian fare is on offer here, and guests are treated to a spice tour from the chef.
Mama Isa: Padova, Italy
Gather around a table with four other guests, Mama Isa herself, and her family, for an hours-long taste of Mama's Italian cooking. Dinners are held in her apartment, which she calls an "anti-anti-restaurant." One drink is included with the three-to-four courses, but BYOB is fine.
Once Upon a Table: Hong Kong
Hong Kong's first Supper Club, Once Upon a Table, takes place monthly in a secret location — always in someone's home. Each dinner is themed, and is prepared not by chefs, but by Hong Kong foodies who draw inspiration from their travels.
Midnight Brunch: Pop-Up Locations in New York City
Groups of 20-30 people converge for craft cocktails and ethnic-inspired dishes starting at 11 p.m. at random locations across New York City for Midnight Brunch. Events feature guest contributors from the cocktail, culinary, and arts communities.
Savor Charleston: Charleston, S.C.
The once-a-month Savor Charleston dinner club offers diners — with refined palates only (it's a requirement!) — sneak previews of new menu items that the local chefs are considering. Guests are then invited to critique the five- to seven-course tasting menu.
Jim Haynes' Supper Club: Paris
The original Paris supper club (around since the '70s), the Jim Haynes' Supper Club is an atelier in the 14th arrondissement that hosts dozens of people from across the globe every Sunday night for a home-cooked meal. Guests are required by Haynes to mix and mingle — not hard, as in the teeny space you are literally surrounded by new faces.