News & Events

Food, Fashion, and Fun at Philadelphia’s Third Annual Diner En Blanc

September 2, 2014 by Penn Appetit Board

For a Philadelphian on the night of August 21st, wandering anywhere within a few blocks of City Hall, the spectacle on Broad Street would certainly be a stunning one. Over 3500 partygoers in the middle of Broad Street, all bedecked in white and seated in rows of tables that extended as far as the eye could see, their plates full of French treats.

Guests were seated in long rows of white tables up and down Broad Street.

Welcome to Diner En Blanc (Dinner in White, for non-Francophiles), a Parisian-inspired outdoor food event that can barely be summed up by its host of descriptors: flash-mob picnic, secret dinner party, pop-up al-fresco soiree.

Founded in Paris in 1988 years ago by a man named Francois Pasquier, Diner En Blanc was originally a small, word-of-mouth event organized among close friends. Over the years it has gained a massive following, recently expanding to almost 40 locations worldwide. The dinner, which occurs at some of the most recognized public landmarks in the world, attracts over 15,000 individuals per year worldwide. The first Philadelphian installation of Diner En Blanc occurred a mere two years ago at the Swann Fountain in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and has since grown rapidly, tripling in size.

As usual, Diner en Blanc this year took place in a stunning location - City Hall! — As usual, Diner en Blanc this year took place in a stunning location – City Hall!

Diner En Blanc is known for its exclusivity and secrecy; with a waiting list several thousand names long, the event is always sold out, and even guests do not know the location of the event until mere hours before dinner begins. In the picnic-style spirit of the event, attendees are required to bring their own tables and chairs as well as their own food, many also bringing elaborate centerpieces and table dressings.

Guests planned their dinner tables down to minute details, to stunning effect.

This year, the event took place on the first three blocks of Broad Street in front of Philadelphia’s city hall, providing ample room for four long rows of tables as well as a live band and DJ who played an eclectic and energetic mix of pop, jazz, and alternative music to suit the atmosphere. At 7:30, shortly after being notified of the location of the dinner, guests started to file onto the street in long lines, carrying their food and furniture. Setting up quickly, the street soon filled up and the dinner officially started with the traditional waving of white napkins.

The waving of white napkins signaled the beginning of dinner.

While members of the press were provided with catered fare from Di Bruno Brothers, guests brought a variety of store-bought and homemade goods of all sorts. Macarons, pasta salads, and, of course, a veritable sea of cheese plates, ruled the night.

Excitedly walking around, I inquired about some of the most interesting dishes brought by guests and was extremely impressed by the number and quality of homemade creations present. One couple brought a spread of seared ahi tuna with wasabi soy ginger sauce, while another displayed a chicken in root beer dish served in a halved pineapple.

Seared ahi tuna with wasabi soy ginger sauce.

One of the most stunning spreads included a plate of beautiful handmade pastries worthy of any high-end bakery: pear frangipane (almond cake), lemon tart, chocolate madelienes, and raspberry petit fours, perched neatly on silver platter.

This homemade plate of pastries included chocolate madeleines, pear frangipane, raspberry petit fours, and lemon tart.

Another impressive homemade pastry dish was a cake made of countless layers of crepe, alternating between lavender-lemon pastry cream, inspired by Lady M Bakery in New York.

A crepe cake filled with lavender-lemon pastry cream.

A particularly delicious potato-bacon torte (recipe here) was also offered to me by a woman named Donna.

Donna's potato-bacon torte was a treat! — Donna’s potato-bacon torte was a treat!

While lots of couples were present at the dinner, many guests showed up in large groups and chose to bring their food potluck-style. One group brought a homemade tart of heirloom tomatoes with crème fraiche, olive oil, herbs, and parsley, as well as Parisian-inspired sandwiches made with bread from local favorites Parc and Metropolitan Bakery.

Just as notable as the food at Diner En Blanc was the fashion; with the only rule being to dress in all white, guests wore everything from tuxedos to angel wings to wedding dresses; one guest even arrived dressed as “Philly Jesus.” The headwear worn to the event was particularly stunning, with both store-bought and hand-crafted pieces including wide-brimmed sunhats, rhinestone masks, and colonial wigs.

After the dinner ended, the evening progressed to a dance party, with many surprises provided by the event organizers: ballet dancers, a vintage car, a special appearance by the Mummers and a lone painter in the center of the street, gazing up at City Hall, all in white. Late in the evening, participants lit up sparklers, lighting up the streets.

Guests were each given sparklers to light up as the evening progressed.

After dinner, the evening turned into one of dancing.

A lone painter in the middle of the street added to the Parisian atmosphere.

The word “magical,” though trite, is perhaps the only way to properly describe the night. From the arrival of the first partygoers to the spontaneous dancing in the streets at the end of the evening, it was clear that all attendees had taken part in something very special, and two proposals as well as several birthday celebrations took place that night. With good food in a beautiful setting, one can only expect Diner En Blanc to become increasingly popular and impressive in coming years.