The buildup of excitement leading to an evening strategically organized by the clever ladies behind The Dinner Club 57 is beyond. After months of seeing and hearing stories of these secret evenings, you can only pray that you’ll be next to get the exclusive invite. Founded by Buthaina Al Mazrui and Alamira Noor Bani Hashim, The Dinner Club 57 has become the golden ticket to the best of the best in UAE.
I received my invite a few weeks before the actual event and that’s when the curiosity rooted itself. Who would be joining me at the dinner table? Where will it be located? What will be served? And, most importantly, what will I wear?! I contacted the lovely people at Symphony Dubai and they were generous enough to let me wear a stunning red Vivienne Westwood dress (they used it for their latest campaign-which you absolutely MUST see) for my special evening.
A few days before the dinner, I got an unexpected knock on my front door from my mailman. A plain envelope with only my name on it. I opened it to find a map of the secret location. I can’t stress how incredible it is to have beautifully printed matter mailed to you. Seriously, take note: attention to detail is what truly makes the magic. There were simple directions, the last of which said “If you see something unusual, you are at the right place.”
The night had finally arrived. I opened a traditional Emirati fort gate to a trail of candles guiding me along the ocean and to the spectacular dinner table. This place was like nothing I’d ever seen in Abu Dhabi before. It was a traditional setting, an old abandoned hookah bar waiting for a new development to bury it into the ground. It’s one of the last remnants of the old city, with the buzz of the new circling around you. We dined in the wind-tower, and with summer here, what a perfect location to have one of the last outdoor dinners of the season.
The food was beyond delicious, served personally by our hosts. The smart design and music eased conversation amongst some of the most influential women in this country. Fendi sponsored the night and gave each one of us a completely handmade leather clutch and a copy of their fantastic book, Baguette. I felt so lucky to be sitting amongst such masterminds! What a better way to meet new people?!
The evening was truly unforgettable. I can’t hand it to Buthaina and Noor enough. These young women are changing the way Abu Dhabi eats, thinks and interacts one meal at a time. Bravo!
