A HUGE thank you from the Co-Hosts of Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia

Kayli Moran and Natanya DiBona — Diner en Blanc Co-Hosts (Sean Corbett Photography)

A highly coordinated event such as Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia cannot be planned or orchestrated in a vacuum- it takes, as they say, a village.

Firstly, we wish to thank the 1,300 participants who came out in all their style, with grace and elegance, to share a meal with friends in a beautiful Philadelphia space.  For many of you it took just one look at the breathtaking pictures from events in Paris, New York and Montreal to prompt you to sign up.  For others, it was the encouragement of friends or a spouse.  However you arrived there, you placed your faith in the power of this amazing community experience and you packed your finest china, carried your tables and chairs, climbed stairs and rode subways.  You shared your gourmet meals with strangers, danced the night away and even dipped your toes in the fountain.  You captured your memories in photographs and told the stories of your experiences in some of the most entertaining and beautiful blogs we’ve ever read. For this we can’t thank you enough!

We also wish to thank the many, many people who played a role behind-the-scenes in making the first Dîner en Blanc in Philadelphia a tremendous success:

The City of Philadelphia and the Fairmount Park Commission:
The host- and guest of honor- at any Dîner en Blanc is public space.   Using the beautiful Swann Memorial Fountain at Logan Circle simply would not have been possible without the permission and support of the City of Philadelphia and the Fairmount Park Commission.  Melanie Johnson, Margaret Hughes, Mark Focht, Barry Bessler, Joe Callan and Karen Walls all respected the secrecy of our event, walked us through the proper paperwork, provided tremendous support and advised us on everything needed to ensure a safe and successful event.  We are eternally grateful and look forward to working with you on many more Dîner en Blanc events in the future!

We would also like to take the opportunity to thank the city employees who helped us on site that day, including Antoine the amazing “fountain guy” (as we now fondly refer to him), Harry the electricity expert and the many individuals who dropped off extra trash cans at the start of the event and assisted us with their removal at the end.  We take great pride in an aerial picture we took of Logan Circle looking pristine and sparkling less than an hour after the conclusion of our event – the result of a true collaboration of all parties involved!

Diner en Blanc Philadelphia in Logan Square on August 23, 2012 — Georgi Anastasov Photography

Lastly, we need to thank Jacques Greber the French architect who redesigned the Parkway and Logan Circle in 1917 to resemble the Champs Elysees and the Place de la Concorde in Paris.  As one of our guests wrote after our event,“Thank you for a wonderful night in Philadelphia- that felt like Paris.”  Thank you also to Alexander Stirling Calder, whose fountain sculpture has been the centerpiece of Logan Circle since 1924, and the many Philadelphia organizations and initiatives (such as the Association for Public Art and With Art Philadelphia) that work tirelessly to bring greater awareness to the beauty of this space.  We took great pleasure in HughE Dillon’s Diner en Blanc post that said: “I think we have a new event space that is at the center of everything.”

Our Amazing Volunteers:
Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia is entirely run by local volunteers: 2 Co-Hosts, 6 Group Leaders, 25 Pedestrian Leaders and several on-site volunteers.  Thanks to early coverage of our event from Philly.Eater.com and MainLineDish.com we were fortunate to have over half of our amazingly talented, passionate and committed volunteers in place by May.

Our Group Leaders were Megan Haney, LeeAnne Mullins, Thomas Price, Neil Stein, Sydney Waldron and Julianne Walsh.  They met regularly with us throughout the summer and offered their time, expertise, advice and hard work without hesitation.  These six people did everything from blogging to building furniture to buying Septa tokens at the last minute. We couldn’t have been more pleased with how seamlessly this group worked together and supported the common goal of making the first Dîner en Blanc the best it could possibly be.

Everyone who participates in a Dîner en Blanc has first-hand experience with our Pedestrian Leaders.  These volunteers are the true ambassadors for Dîner en Blanc and have the most important role in the entire event.  Not only do they communicate with 25 tables for weeks- providing essential information and answering questions- but they have the awesome responsibility of making sure that all 50 participants are safely transported to the final, secret destination.   We can’t tell you how many of the guests have written to us to express their gratitude and we couldn’t agree with them more!     

Our amazing Pedestrian Leaders and on-site volunteers were:
Marie, Maria, Michael, Samantha, Karen, Vernita, Monika, Robby, Donna & Errett, Kathy, Stormy, Helen, Chris, Matt, Shawn, Sean, Aubree & Sandra, Sabina, Amber, Allison, Jason, Crystal, Kat, Dara, Lindsey, Pierre, Pat and Sharon.

Aversa PR
While many doubted that an event like Dîner en Blanc could be pulled off in Philadelphia, Kory Aversa enthusiastically embraced our event and jumped in with both feet.  Just two days into the job he was sending out our first press release and the frantic pace continued for the next 8 weeks.   Together we learned how to navigate this wonderful world of promoting Dîner en Blanc while keeping its location secret from those whose job it is to investigate the whole story.   There is no doubt that he had the hardest job facing the press with instructions on white attire and cryptic addresses, but we have a feeling that when all was said and done, many of them enjoyed the thrill of the mystery as well!  Kory and his wonderful staff remained calm and professional from start to finish!

Garces Catering
Garces Catering was the very first partner we had on board when we began planning Dîner en Blanc.  From the first conversation with catering sales manager, Beth Koenig, through to when the last picnic bag was handed out at the event, her calm demeanor never wavered.  She was the picture of grace under pressure and her wonderful staff effortlessly handed out close to 200 picnics on site in record time- we didn’t hear a single complaint!

We also thank Adam Delosso, the Chef de Cuisine, who embraced our concept from the beginning and set to work on creating the most elegant and gourmet meals that could easily be transported in a bag.  We are still hearing raves about the potted duck and those amazing macaroons.  We also thank Garces Catering for the generous donation of food to our media lounge – we had some very happy reporters!

Alain Blanchon:
Alain Blanchon of Alain Blanchon Selections, Ltd. was familiar with Dîner en Blanc and eagerly embraced the opportunity to be part of its debut in Philadelphia.  He generously donated and poured wines at both our Williams-Sonoma preview party and in the media area of the event.  Along the way he graciously answered Picnic Banter questions and offered recommendations for his top five picnic wine choices all the while showing his warmth and charm.

Mole Street Productions, Hot Club Philly & DJ Bruce:
We can’t thank Brendan Walsh and Brian LaPann of Mole Street Productions enough for their instant understanding of what our event should sound like.  It took just a brief phone call for them to come back to us with the suggestions of Hot Club Philly and DJ Bruce and we never looked back.  They embraced us as partners and endured our secrecy- even when it meant scrambling for additional sound equipment in just over 24 hours- and were true professionals. And, of course, a huge thanks to Andre, the amazing sound guy who arrived just in time to save the day.

Thank you to Barry Wahrhaftig, Phyllis Chapell and all the members of Hot Club Philly.  Look at any picture of them that night and you can practically hear the Parisian music!  They provided the perfect backdrop for an elegant and relaxing meal with friends.

DJ Bruce, thank you for fully understanding our event and playing such a wide variety of music that everyone got out of their seats.  A sampling of just a few pictures from that night tells this story, but one of our favorite quotes from the night was someone who remarked that his normally very reserved friend came running up to tell him “I led a conga line!”  Music has the power to reach all ages, races and backgrounds and nothing was truer that night.

Romance was a theme of the evening at Diner en Blanc — Georgi Anastasov Photography

Our Sponsors:
Elegance, style and grace are always on display at a Dîner en Blanc in any city you attend.  To add a fun element to the event for all participants, we offered prizes for Most Elegant Man, Most Elegant Woman and Most Elegant Table.  Our search for prizes easily led us to the following sponsors:

The Four Seasons Hotel: 
Synonymous with luxury, Four Seasons Philadelphia happily responded to our request for a prize with hardly a question asked!  Little did they know that the party we were planning for months would be right outside their doorstep or that we would secretly reserve one of their most beautiful rooms to capture the magical aerial shots of the event from its balcony.  We simply cannot rave more about our experience at the hotel that night and the next morning- exemplary service, kindness and the utmost attention to all of our needs.

We know the winner for Most Elegant Woman, Susan Gish, will be treated equally well upon her stay!

Le Bec Fin:
As we planned to bring the elegant Parisian tradition of Dîner en Blanc to Philadelphia, we couldn’t help but think of how Georges Perrier introduced the fine French dining tradition to Philadelphians over 40 years ago through his restaurant, Le Bec Fin.  While Perrier is no longer at the helm, its new owner, Nicolas Fanucci, is introducing a whole new generation to this Philadelphia institution and happily offered a dinner for two as a prize for Most Elegant Man.  He and Shannon Corin, Private Events Coordinator, enthusiastically participated in the event and selected Lieutenant Moran as their winner…we can’t wait to hear about his fabulous meal!

Margot & Camille Optique:
Valerie Vittu, owner of  Margot & Camille Optique in Old City, generously provided sunglasses for the runner-up winners of the Most Elegant dressed contest: Marnie Sue and David Arrell.  She also took on the very difficult task of judge for Most Elegant woman!  We thank her for her time and enthusiasm!!

Williams-Sonoma:
Chuck Williams opened his first store in Sonoma, California in 1956 with the commitment to sharing the beauty and utility of French tools and cookware with the American cook.  Fifty-six years later, Williams-Sonoma is a premiere specialty cookware store across the country and the perfect sponsor of our Most Elegant Table contest.  Williams-Sonoma, Inc. embraced Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia and generously awarded a $500.00 gift card, but it was the staff of the Williams-Sonoma at the Bellevue on Walnut Street who became our partner in the truest sense of the word.  General Store Manager, Jeff Acker, and Assistant Store Manager, Brenda Oliver Morgan, went above and beyond to support our efforts to promote Dîner en Blanc.  We hosted two preview parties for attendees at their store and they offered discounts and transformed their tables into works of art to showcase white table cloths, napkins and plates, picnic baskets and glassware.

At the event, Brenda arranged flowers and worked her table design magic on the food table in the media area (it looked simply flawless!) while  Jeff scoured the crowd of 650 tables to deem Christine Schadow Fritsky and Michael Fritsky’s table the Most Elegant!   Thank you so much for your treating our event like it was your event, too.

Preview Party Participants:
Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia hosted two preview parties this summer at Williams-Sonoma.  We thank the following vendors for generously participating:

• Garces Catering
• Chef Kathy Gold of In the Kitchen Cooking School
• Touché Accessories
• Jar Bar
• Ms. Goody Cupcake
• Alain Blanchon Selections, Ltd.

Our Picnic Basket Banter Participants and Dîner en Blanc Models:
Given that Dîner en Blanc was a new concept for Philadelphia, we embarked on a strong marketing campaign designed to raise awareness of the many public spaces in Philadelphia as well as introduce the many different people who were attending the event or involved in its planning.  We thank the following people who generously gave of their time to enthusiastically participate in our photo shoots and answer our many Picnic Basket Banter questions:

Jack Latta, Julianne Walsh, Alicia Cohen, Solomon Evans, Bryan Milane, Jess Mellen, Stormy Lundy, Kathy Gold, Jose Garces, Seun Olubodun, Art Etchells, Michelle Cassidy, Alain Blanchon, Ryan and Eric Berley, Daniele Thomas Easton, Brendan Walsh, Brian LaPann, Alicia Nathanson, Katherine Fraser, Anna Coyne, and Brian Cawley.

A special thank you to Mary Dougherty and Jillian Dunn of Nicole Miller Philadelphia for generously lending us two gowns for our final profile, The Art of Public Space.

We extend a very, very special thank you to our amazing photographer, Sean Corbett, who made all of these wonderful images possible.  He worked tirelessly at each of these shoots and worked overtime to edit the many pictures for us.

All of the profiles can be read in their entirety on our blog: dinerenblancphiladelphia.wordpress.com.  A special thank you to LeeAnne Mullins and Megan Haney for the great time and care they spent editing and formatting these profiles…we promise to all be savvy wordpress users by next year!

Many more very important thank you’s:

• Sandy Safi at Dîner en Blanc International who consulted with us for months and months on how exactly to plan a Dîner en Blanc in Philadelphia that would respect the values and traditions of the event while reflecting the character and personality of our city.  Charles Safi, we would have been nothing without your website and registration support- thank you for your enduring patience with us!
• Lori Klein Brennan of University City District and Danielle Cohn of the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau for their early support of Dîner en Blanc and their understanding of what a great event it could be for the City of Philadelphia.  They opened their contact lists to us and made connections for us that we simply couldn’t have made on our own.
• Daniele Thomas Easton- what a gift we were given when Aymeric put us in touch with you!  There really are no words to sum up our gratitude for all you did for us in every way, but please know that we are in total awe of the wonderful person you are!
• Pierre Rives- for your enthusiasm, passion and the record number of people you were able to register in 72 hours!
• Our official videographer, Alicia Nathanson, of Blossom Productions and her amazing team for jumping in and capturing the whole story of our event…without any direction from us!
• Our official event photographer, Georgi Anastasov, whose pictures include one so romantic that we think it needs to be submitted to the tourism bureau for the next “With Love, Philadelphia” poster campaign.  We can’t wait to see the rest of the pictures!
• Sean Corbett for “unofficially” photographing the entire event from start to finish- thank you, thank you!
• Lori Schweitzer at Potty Queen- We’ve never heard so many people comment about the portable bathrooms at an outdoor event.  Every single person remarked it was the cleanest, most elegant experience- your company couldn’t be more aptly named!
• Mitch, Jake, Nick and the rest of the team at Prodigal Security for providing a safe environment for our guests while allowing them to have fun.
• The Racquet Club of Philadelphia for generously allowing us to meet in their space and store “just a few white tables”.
• The fine workers at Septa who transported hundreds of Dîner en Blanc guests with smiles on their faces (we’ve seen many, many subway pictures that prove this!).
• Mike Browne from Next Century Printing for all of his assistance printing and mounting Dîner en Blanc promotional pictures.  We look forward to next year when we get to print the beautiful pictures from our own event!
• Dino’s Party Rentals & Westmont Party Supply for fulfilling our request for 500 customized balloons in spite of the national helium shortage.
• Arway for offering a great linen package for our guests and providing tablecloths for the media lounge.
• Special thanks to Vincent Vienne and Stephen Menei at the Sofitel Hotel and the Liberte Bar for opening your doors to several hundred guests for the after party. We loved the customized drink menu that you created especially for Dîner en Blanc!
• A very special thank you to all of the members of the press and the many, many bloggers who covered our event from start to finish.  We know how fortunate we were and that we can’t begin to thank you all by name, but a few highlights include:
  • HughE Dillon who first covered our event at Night Market in June on Philly Chit Chat and enthusiastically attended the entire evening.  We have quoted your Philly Post Blog multiple times since our event- thank you, thank you!
  • Foobooz- Within a few hours after your post about our event, every third person at Night Market seemed to know about it!  A special thank you again to founder, Art Etchells, for his participation in our Picnic Basket Banter profile.
  • Nydia Han from 6ABC was one of our earliest supporters and we can’t thank her enough for spreading the word about our event to her colleagues.  Our spot on FYI Philly yielded 700 sign-ups to our waitlist and their team, including Wendy Daughenbaugh and Marilyn Phister, was a dream to work with.
  • Michael Klein, thank you so much for your thorough coverage in the Food Section of the Philadelphia Inquirer and The Insider blog…such an honor!  We are already looking forward to having you as a guest at next year’s event!
  • Monica Rogozinski and the team from WHYY’s Friday Arts for their patience and understanding and for embracing this as an event that truly had artistic and cultural merit in Philadelphia.
  • Allison Stad, and the team from Uwishunu, whose first post about our event yielded 600 registrants to our waiting list in one day!
  • Hadas Kuznits, from KYW’s What’s Cooking and Dyana Williams from WRNB, who not only had us on their shows, but enthusiastically participated in Diner en Blanc…it was such a joy to see you both there!
  • Lari Robling, who also participated and wrote about her experience for newsworks.org- we definitely didn’t think you looked like a marshmallow and wish we had the opportunity to sample that peach soup and  avocado terrine that was being served at your table.
  • Uwishunu, Frugal Philly Mom, Philly Loves Fun and 6ABC, for hosting our official contests after the event was sold out.
  • As we mentioned previously Philly.Eater.com and MainLineDish.com, thank you for your coverage of our event in April..we have many of our amazing volunteers as a result!
  • Other thank you’s include: ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, WHYY, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Metro,  Philly Loves Fun, Philadelphia Style Magazine, Philadelphia Magazine, Mommy Entourage, Le Fabueleux, Zagat, G-Philly, Yelp, Frugal Philly Mom, One Curly Fry in a Box of Regulars, Philly Homegrown and Visit Philly, Where Magazine,  22^ndand Philly, Grub Street, Philly PR Girl, Under Design, City Space, Bicycle Chef, Tax Free Philly, Philadelphia Life and Suburban Life, France Amerique, 215 Magazine, Culture Jaunt, Glamorosi, A. D. Amorosi, Chow Hound, Josh Can’t Cook, Examiner Sandee Miller, Susan Scovill, Phila Culturati, Fun Things to Do with Your Kids in Delaware County, Food Rulez, Suburban Gentleman and many, many more.

Finally, one last and very important thank you to Francois Pasquier for conceiving of the idea for Diner en Blanc in Paris in 1988 and to his son Aymeric Pasquier for believing it needed to be shared with the world.  On behalf of the thousands and thousands of individuals who participated just this year alone, we thank you.

Natanya DiBona & Kayli Moran

Hosts, Dîner en Blanc – Philadelphia 2012

Picnic Basket Banter: The Art of Public Space

Our ninth and final Picnic Basket Banter is dedicated to the Art of Public Space–the host and honorary guest of Dîner en Blanc!  When we began our search for the perfect spot for the first Dîner en Blanc in Philadelphia, our list was long and we gained an even greater appreciation for how many absolutely beautiful public spaces there are in our city.  For this photo shoot at the gazebo behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art, we were assisted by Philadelphia-based artist Katherine Fraser and Brian Cawley and Anna Coyne, members of the Young Friends of the Brandywine Conservancy. 

Brian Cawley and Anna Coyne. Artist: Katherine Fraser. Dress generously provided for the photo by Nicole Miller Philadelphia at the Bellevue. Photo credit: Sean Corbett Photography.

 

Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia: What is your favorite spot to picnic in Philadelphia?
Katherine Fraser:  My roof! I live and work in an old factory building right above Chinatown, and the roof offers a sweeping, 360-degree view of the city and the Ben Franklin Bridge. At sunset it’s absolutely magical.
Brian Cawley: Outside.  It has a proven track record.
Anna Coyne: Rittenhouse Square.

DEB PHL: What’s your perfect picnic beverage?
KF: A bottle of chilled Rose; it’s the perfect summer wine, and it pairs well with most traditional picnic foods, like charcuterie.
BC: Well, in the springtime, at steeplechase tailgates, I love a Pimm’s Cup.  I have a friend who has perfected them, so, fortunately, I never have to make them…  I always know I can count on her.
AC: San Pellegrino Limonata.

DEB PHL: Who would be the most interesting person (famous or historical figure) you’d like to share a picnic with–living or dead ?
KF: Julia Child. She had such an amazing spirit, and she would pack an amazing picnic basket! We would drink too much wine, and eat too much chicken liver mousse, all while laughing our heads off, and sharing funny stories about travel and men.
BC: I would love to share a meal with Dorothy Shaver, the legendary president of Lord & Taylor in the 1940s.  Like Coco Chanel, she revolutionized the way American women dress.

DEB PHL: Do you have a favorite picnic memory?
BC: Absolutely…  At the Winterthur Point to Point we held a dear friend’s wedding at our hilltop tailgate. It was the most beautiful table setting we’ve ever done. Of course, the ice sculpture was not long for this life!  They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and there have been copy-cat weddings.  I hope they all have had as much fun as we did.
KF: Picnicking in the woods with my teddy bears as a child.

DEB PHL: What will be on your Diner en Blanc menu?  Do you have a favorite recipe you’d like to share?
AC: Since I will be dashing to Diner en Blanc after work, I will be taking advantage of the delicious picnic baskets put together by Garces Catering.
KF: I love to cook, but since I will be traveling back from Boston that day, I won’t have time, so I’ll be hitting Reading Terminal on my way back into town for all of my picnic basket needs; bread, cheese, Italian pastries, local produce, even fresh flowers, all in one stop.
BC: Given that the party is on a weeknight, the menu will be simple.  If you want all of my secrets, you’ll have to kiss the cook…

 

Brian Cawley and Anna Coyne. Artist: Katherine Fraser. Dress generously provided for the photo by Nicole Miller Philadelphia at the Bellevue. Photo credit: Sean Corbett Photography.

 

DEB PHL: If you needed to put together a picnic basket for two in less than 30 minutes, what would you make/buy?
KF: I like to keep things simple, and a little rustic. Homemade chicken salad, a loaf of crusty olive bread from Metropolitan Bakery to tear apart with your hands, cherry tomatoes, and a wedge of good cheese.
BC: Some dark brown toast points, smoked salmon, a grainy mustard sauce, a silver platter, two of my favorite Wedgwood plates, some glasses, napkins, and a bottle of champagne.
AC: I would head into DiBruno Brothers, pick up cheeses, crackers, olives, some cured meats and crusty bread, then head to Sue’s Produce Market and pick up grapes and whatever fresh fruit looks ripe!

DEB PHL: What non-food items are always included in your picnic basket?
BC: A bottle opener.  You only make that mistake once.
AC: A bottle opener and a picnic blanket
KF: I always prefer to bring real dishes, and glassware. Disposable stuff can make an otherwise beautiful picnic feel like you’re slumming it. Sometimes it’s fun to pack a frisbee, or a board game like Scrabble or Backgammon.

DEB PHL: If you were planning the first Diner en Blanc event in Philadelphia what would be your outdoor public space of choice be?
AC: Benjamin Franklin Parkway
KF: I would hold it in Washington Square. It’s such a beautiful park, and it’s always been the under-appreciated step-sister to Rittenhouse.

DEB PHL: What do you plan to wear and what will be the hardest part about putting together your Diner en Blanc outfit?
BC: We have a choice about what to wear?  Have you read the rules??
AC: I am planning to wear a knee length cotton Kay Unger dress paired with Coach shoes accented by some white costume jewelry of my grandmother’s. She would have been thrilled to come to Diner en Blanc. Absolutely the hardest part will be to keep my dress clean and white!
KF: I found my dress and shoes pretty easily, but am still looking for an unusual accessory. I’m really hoping to find a fascinator, or a fabulous vintage hat.

DEB PHL: What’s your favorite thing about Philadelphia?
KF: I love the restaurant scene and the art community here, but something I really value and believe to be fairly unique is the eight-mile jogging path that loops behind the Art Museum.
BC: Watching the seasons change in the Brandywine Valley.  I am in awe of the artistic heritage it has inspired.
AC: While it’s the 5th largest city in the nation, it feels like a cluster of much smaller communities with talented and connected people pursuing their passions.

DEB PHL: What is your favorite restaurant in Philadelphia?
AC: That’s a tough question because I love discovering new places in Philadelphia. But some of my long time favorites are Ray’s Cafe and Tea House, Zahav and Butcher and Singer.
KF: Osteria. Not only is the food amazing, but the service never disappoints. (As an ex fine-dining server, my service standards are really high).
BC: I have to go beyond the city limits for this one…  and tell you that I can not wait for Buckley’s Tavern in Centreville, DE to reopen.  I have had more fun with more friends there than anywhere else. 

DEB PHL: If you were to plan “the perfect day” of things to do for someone who was visiting Philadelphia for the first time, what would their day look like from start to finish?
KF: An early morning yoga class at Dhyana followed by coffee and a croissant at La Colombe. Shopping at the boutiques and used bookstores in Old City. Lunch at Parc for the beautiful view and people-watching. Afternoon tours of the Rodin Museum and Eastern State Penitentiary. Happy hour at Oyster House, a blue cheese-stuffed burger at Good Dog, and then Jazz at Time or Chris’s.
AC: I would start with a breakfast on the go comprised of coffee and pastry from La Colombe, spend the morning visiting a couple of historic sites in old city – Elfreth’s Alley, Powel House, Headhouse Square and window shopping along the way. From there head to the Italian Market and browse the shops and either grab a slice of tomato pie at Sarcone’s or a bowl of Pho on Washington Ave. I would head to Rittenhouse Square and a table outside for drinks, enjoy a meal of shared plates with friends at Tinto and then hunt out a bar with some live music.
BC: I am “Uncle Brian” to more than a few of my friend’s kids…  One of the most fun days we’ve had in the city is taking their children to the Christmas Light Show in the Grand Court.  Seeing their faces light up at the finale is one of the best parts of the holiday season.  Afterwards, we head to the lobby of the Ritz for a glass of holiday cheer.  I look forward to it every year.

Brian Cawley and Anna Coyne. Artist: Katherine Fraser. Dress generously provided for the photo by Nicole Miller Philadelphia at the Bellevue. Photo credit: Sean Corbett Photography.

Brian Cawley and Anna Coyne are both Executive Committee members of the Young Friends of the Brandywine Conservancy.  Brian is Visual Director for Lord & Taylor, America’s oldest department store and Anna is Head of Practice Management and Analytics at Lincoln Financial Distributors, a member of Lincoln Financial Group. 

Katherine Fraser, local artist, grew up in mid-coast Maine, but was lured to Philadelphia by the opportunity to study painting at The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. After completing the painting program, and also getting her BFA from UPenn, she spent many years suffering the classic situation of trying to make art while waitressing in fancy restaurants part time. Two years ago she was finally able to retire her pantyhose and Dansko clogs in favor of painting full time, and still feels the need to pinch herself daily at her good fortune to able to make a living at the thing she was born to do. In the tradition of the Academy, her work is realistic and figurative, but her interest lies more in story telling than in representation. When she is not painting, she can often be found running, doing yoga, entertaining friends, or roller-skating around the warehouse.

Picnic Basket Banter: Alicia Nathanson, Brendan Walsh and Brian LaPann

Welcome to the eight installment of Picnic Basket Banter, a weekly series profiling Philadelphians who are participating in Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia. This series puts volunteers and attendees of Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia into the spotlight, asking a series of questions about their ideal picnic, favorite places in our amazing city and, of course, what they will be packing in their picnic baskets. This week we are going behind the scenes talking with the creative minds who will capture the essence of the night and bring people to their feet to dance and sing throughout the evening. Alicia Nathanson is our videographer from Blossom Productions and Brendan Walsh and Brian LaPann from Mole Street Productions will provide musical entertainment.

Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia: What is your favorite spot to picnic in Philadelphia?
Alicia Nathanson: Wissahickon Park-near the Kitchens Lane entrance
Brendan Walsh and Brian LaPann: Rittenhouse Square or Fairmount Park

Alicia Nathanson Co-Owner/Creative Director of Blossom Productions- Photo credit, Alison Conklin

DEB PHL: What’s your perfect picnic beverage?
Alicia: Iced Tea
Brendan and Brian: Sangria or red wine

DEB PHL: Who would be the most interesting person (famous or historical figure) you’d like to share a picnic with- living or dead ?
Alicia: Steve Jobs
Brendan and Brian: Ben Franklin and Jimmi Hendrix

Photographed on Mole Street in Philadelphia, where their company was founded- Photographed by Sean Corbett Photography

DEB PHL: Do you have a favorite picnic memory?
Alicia: When I lived in California, we went berry picking along the coast and then, had a very memorable picnic by one of the most beautiful streams I’d ever seen in my life.
Brian: Proposing to my fiance in White Clay Creek in Delaware.

DEB PHL: What will be on your Diner en Blanc menu? Do you have a favorite recipe you’d like to share?
Brendan and Brian: Cornbread and fried chicken. Fried zucchini and onions with grated Parmesan cheese and butter.

DEB PHL:If you needed to put together a picnic basket for two in less than 30 minutes, what would you make/buy?
Alicia: Bread, cheese, various sliced meats, cornichon and a fig spread.
Brendan and Brian: Primo subs and Kenzinger beer

DEB PHL: What non-food items are always included in your picnic basket?
Alicia: A camera.
Brendan and Brian: Napkins

DEB PHL: If you were planning the first Diner en Blanc event in Philadelphia what would be your outdoor public space of choice be?
Alicia: Rittenhouse Square
Brendan and Brian: Independence Mall or Art Museum

DEB PHL: What do you plan to wear and what will be the hardest part about putting together your Diner en Blanc outfit?
Alicia: Thank goodness this event happens before Labor Day here. It shouldn’t be too hard to find a nice, white outfit.  It’s very exciting to think of possibly wearing all white even though I am unsure yet of the exact attire. We typically wear dark clothes or all black when we film events so, we can blend in more. Hence, this unexpected excitement over wearing all white.
Brendan and Brian: Shoes will be the most difficult but white linen pants and a nice comfy white shirt

DEB PHL: How long have you lived in the Philadelphia area?
Alicia: I was born in Philadelphia but, have lived here on and off for roughly 40 years.
Brendan and Brian: Brendan has lived in Philly since 2000 and Brian grew up in Woodstown, NJ

DEB PHL: What’s your favorite thing about Philadelphia?
Alicia: The views of the Art Museum during the day and the boat houses at night while driving on 76. Those sights never get old.
Brendan and Brian: It’s a walkable city and is affordable, an US historical epicenter

DEB PHL: What is your favorite restaurant in Philadelphia?
Alicia: Distrito
Brendan and Brian: La Viola Restaurant and Time is the best bar

DEB PHL: If you were to plan “the perfect day” of things to do for someone who was visiting Philadelphia for the first time, what would their day look like from start to finish?
Alicia: Breakfast at Sabrina’s, then a Mural Arts Tour via Trolley, a visit to the Barnes, a walk along the river and then, dinner at one of the many incredible restaurants that the city has to offer.
Brendan and Brian: Starting in Old City, Visiting Elfreth’s alley, hitting all the historical spots and then ending at the Art Museum after visiting the Barnes and City Hall.

Picnic Basket Banter: Alain Blanchon

Welcome to the seventh installment of Picnic Basket Banter, a weekly series profiling Philadelphians who are participating in Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia. This series puts volunteers and attendees of Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia into the spotlight, asking a series of questions about their ideal picnic, favorite places in our amazing city and, of course, what they will be packing in their picnic baskets. Today we are highlighting Alain Blanchon, a wine enthusiast and distributor who has been promoting French wines in the U.S. since 1975.

Wine connoisseur Alain Blanchon at Williams Sonoma in Philadelphia- Sean Corbett Photography 

Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia: What is your favorite spot to picnic in Philadelphia?
Alain: Fairmount Park

DEB PHL: What’s your perfect picnic beverage?
Alain: A nice dry cotes de Provence rose

DEB PHL: Who would be the most interesting person (famous or historical figure) you’d like to share a picnic with- living or dead ?
Alain: Paul McCartney, because of my passion for music and his accomplishments.

DEB PHL: Do you have a favorite picnic memory?
Alain: In Juan Les pins with my family.

DEB PHL: What will be on your Diner en Blanc menu? Do you have a favorite recipe you’d like to share?
Alain: I like simple things, nothing impressive but needs to be fresh, cool , tasty and fun: I would start with a cantaloupe, cucumber, tomato vinaigrette salad, followed by a roast beef and Brie on French baguette. Ending with berries – strawberries, blueberries, blackberries with lemon/sugar.

DEB PHL:If you needed to put together a picnic basket for two in less than 30 minutes, what would you make/buy?
Alain: I would make a cold salad with grape tomatoes, cucumbers and cantaloupe, along with an assortment of goat cheeses, cold cuts, grapes and French bread.

DEB PHL: What non-food items are always included in your picnic basket?
Alain: Wine glasses, corkscrew, “une bonne bouteille”, silverware, napkins, table cloth, plates, a trash bag, a blanket.

DEB PHL: If you were planning the first Diner en Blanc event in Philadelphia what would be your outdoor public space of choice be?
Alain: Closing the entire Ben Franklin Parkway, which to me represents the distinct character and beauty of Center City Philadelphia.

DEB PHL: What do you plan to wear and what will be the hardest part about putting together your Diner en Blanc outfit?
Alain: A white shirt, with a pair of white pants… I don’t know about white shoes though!!

DEB PHL: How long have you lived in the Philadelphia area?
Alain: Since 1989… 23 years

DEB PHL: What’s your favorite thing about Philadelphia?
Alain: Philadelphia has a great history and a lot of charm; it offers a unique blend of a modern city with a European/old world feel.

DEB PHL: What is your favorite restaurant in Philadelphia?
Alain: I love Amada

DEB PHL: If you were to plan “the perfect day” of things to do for someone who was visiting Philadelphia for the first time, what would their day look like from start to finish?
Alain: Breakfast at the Four Seasons, then a visit to the Constitution Center, then Independence Hall. Then lunch at the Reading Terminal Market.  Then a visit to the Art Museum, a visit to the Barnes Foundation and then some shopping at Liberty Place.  Ending the day with a fine dinner at Bibou.

Alain’s Wine Selection for Diner en Blanc:
1. Louis de Sacy Grand Cru, Brut Champagne
2. Château Lauriol Cotes de Franc, 2009 (merlot based blend from the right bank of Bordeaux)
3. Château Larose-Trintaudon Haut Medoc, 2006 (cabernet sauvignon based blend from the left bank of Bordeaux)
4. Domaine de Panisse Chateauneuf-du-Pape Confidence Vigneronne 2009 (a blend of grenache and syrah grapes from the southern Rhone Valley region)
5. La Vigne D Argent, Bordeaux Blanc 2010 (a blend of sauvignon blanc and semillon grapes; dry and crisp; great summer wine!)

Picnic Basket Banter: Daniele Thomas-Easton

Welcome to the sixth installment of Picnic Basket Banter, a weekly series profiling Philadelphians who are participating in Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia. This series puts volunteers and attendees of Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia into the spotlight, asking a series of questions about their ideal picnic, favorite places in our amazing city and, of course, what they will be packing in their picnic baskets. This week we spoke with Daniele Thomas-Easton, a Diner en Blanc volunteer.

Daniele is photographed in Rittenhouse Square in front of Lion Crushing a Serpent by French sculptor, Antoine Louis Barye. The same sculpture is at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, France.

Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia: What is your favorite spot to picnic in Philadelphia?
Daniele: Your question reminds me of the time when hiking through local woods I came by sheer luck, upon pounds of fresh morels. To each of my gourmet friends asking for the “spot”, I gave a different answer, sending them on a quest for the elusive morel in a radius of 20 miles from Philadelphia. My morel spot, like my favorite picnic location, has remained a secret… doesn’t it remind you of the mysterious location for the Diner en Blanc?

DEB PHL: What’s your perfect picnic beverage?
Daniele: Clairette de Die, unfortunately difficult to find in the U.S., a natural sparkling white wine, a festive beverage with irresistible notes of peach, honeysuckle and rose. The making of the Clairette de Die can be traced back over two thousand years. Roman writer Pliny the Elder was the first one to describe it. And contrarily to what we like to say in France – petit clin d’oeil à Asterix – ils ne sont pas fous ces Romains, ils s’y connaissaient en bonne chère!

DEB PHL: Who would be the most interesting person (famous or historical figure) you’d like to share a picnic with- living or dead ?
Daniele: My husband! After 25 years of marriage, he is still the most interesting person with whom I like to share a picnic and more!

Chez Colette at the Sofitel Hotel in Philadelphia- Photo Sean Corbett Photography

DEB PHL: Do you have a favorite picnic memory?
Daniele: A picnic with friends by the edge of an empty pasture somewhere in the lower Alps. We were drowsy after lunch, fell asleep and woke up, surrounded by dairy cows coming back, late afternoon, to the barn. We followed them, met the farmer and bought some tasty fresh cheese… for the next picnic!

DEB PHL: What will be on your Diner en Blanc menu? Do you have a favorite recipe you’d like to share?
Daniele: We often cook on the spur of the moment and are inspired at the last minute by ingredients we find at the market. We may poach some chicken breast or fish and serve it accompanied by a light, home-made white sauce with fresh tarragon.

DEB PHL:If you needed to put together a picnic basket for two in less than 30 minutes, what would you make/buy?
Daniele: A pan bagnat as it is called in the south of France (a round white bread sandwich, filled with all the ingredients of a salade niçoise), some ripe white peaches, water, and, maybe, a bottle of Costières de Nîmes.

DEB PHL: What non-food items are always included in your picnic basket?
Daniele: Towelettes, trash-bag, a small spray bottle with essential oils I mix 50/50 – lavender and peppermint – to keep away flies, mosquitoes, spiders. I hate the smell of citronella!

DEB PHL: If you were planning the first Diner en Blanc event in Philadelphia what would be your outdoor public space of choice be?
Daniele: The green area by Walnut and Third Streets… A challenge though, it is part of the Philadelphia historic “shrine” and the terrain is uneven. But, in Paris, we “occupied” the Invalides, the Arc de Triomphe, The Panthéon, and a bevy of French historic and cultural shrines over the years.

DEB PHL: What do you plan to wear and what will be the hardest part about putting together your Diner en Blanc outfit?
Daniele: I do not know yet …

DEB PHL: How long have you lived in the Philadelphia area?
Daniele: 35 springs …

DEB PHL: What’s your favorite thing about Philadelphia?
Daniele: The incredible diversity of the city, the wide array of things to do, for all tastes and all purses. The walkability! We have given up our car and can go anywhere so easily.

DEB PHL: What is your favorite restaurant in Philadelphia?
Daniele: For the moment, Kanella and Matyson.

DEB PHL: If you were to plan “the perfect day” of things to do for someone who was visiting Philadelphia for the first time, what would their day look like from start to finish?
Daniele: This is a bad question. One does not, cannot, must not, envisage to spend only ONE day in Philadelphia. There can be dozens of different scenarios for “the perfect day” according to the personality, the interests of the visitor:
- Philly as an art mecca, with the first American museum and academy, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, the Barnes Foundation, the superbly renovated Rodin, the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
- Philly as a historic pilgrimage, with the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Elfreth Alley, the First Bank, Carpenter’s Hall…
- Philly with its layers of architectural styles
- Philly as a place where so many films were shot.
- Philly through the French lens, Stephen Girard, Moreau de Saint-Méry, Achard de Bonvouloir et Loyauté, Joseph Bonaparte, et al.
- Philly as a place to eat around the world within the city limits.
And so on… Philadelphia is to me similar to a large daisy from which one pulls one petal at a time, discovering with each plucking that it is not love me, love me not, but love me all the time!

Picnic Basket Banter: Berley Brothers of Franklin Fountain

Welcome to the fifth installment of Picnic Basket Banter, a weekly series profiling Philadelphians who are participating in Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia. This series puts volunteers and attendees of Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia into the spotlight, asking a series of questions about their ideal picnic, favorite places in our amazing city and, of course, what they will be packing in their picnic baskets. Follow along here on the blog, Twitter, and Facebook as we highlight someone new each week to gather some ideas and learn more about your Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia dining companions!

Our fifth Picnic Basket Banter profiles brothers Eric and Ryan Berley, the moustached masterminds behind The Franklin Fountain and Shane Confectionery.

Ryan (left) has made his favorite white fountain drink; a classic Vanilla Bean Milkshake. Eric (right) displays his hand-crafted white sundae called the Phantom Parfait with vanilla ice cream, marshmallow sauce, whipped cream and white jimmies. Photo by Sean Corbett Photography.

Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia: What is your favorite spot to picnic in Philadelphia?
Eric Berley: Quite honestly, as an adult, I’ve not taken advantage of picnicking traditionally, save one time along The Schuykill River Trail with my wife and a friend. It was lovely.
Ryan Berley: Boathouse Row.  There’s something beautiful and calming about watching the waterbirds and sculls at dusk skimming the river so gracefully while cars zip along the Schuylkill Expressway above.  There are plenty of shady spots amongst the sculptures and rocks that line Lincoln Drive. 

DEB PHL: What’s your perfect picnic beverage?
Eric: I would call for a Tart Lime Rickey. Carry the lime juice mixed with simple syrup separate than seltzer in two cups with lids. A few chilled ice cubes of champagne can make a fun splash! Add all together at your table.
Ryan: Chilled white wine, something juicy and refreshing.  Just don’t forget the corkscrew…

DEB PHL: Who would be the most interesting person (famous or historical figure) you’d like to share a picnic with–living or dead?
Ryan: Although Abraham Lincoln would be my top choice for someone to meet from history, I can’t imagine tall old Abe sitting cross-legged on a picnic blanket.  I’d have to say Elbert Hubbard, the early 20th century reformer and founder of the Roycroft colony in Western New York.  His blend of craft artistry, progressive social politics and unabashed capitalist zeal make him a compelling figure and I’d love to pick his brain.  Hubbard loved nature and a picnic would suit both of our temperaments. 
Eric: I would choose to picnic with Leonardo DaVinci. His abilities to bridge both arts and sciences in one human make him a fascinating bard. I would love to see his genius hand drawing on a pad of vellum at the same time conversing on political and philosophical problems of today. I could imagine him wearing a bejeweled silver threaded royal frock coat and leggings.

DEB PHL: Do you have a favorite picnic memory?
Eric: Growing up, my best friend, named “Big Eric,” lived near the “Woods.” Two hoagies from Tiny “T”s, a bag of Cheesy Doritos, and a couple of Cokes was our sustenance while building forts and playing Capture the Flag, building rock bridges across Ridley Creek, fishing, or dirt biking. I am a person who loves to stay active, and picnicking usually revolves around some larger activity.
Ryan: I remember being stood up for a first date to picnic at Bartram’s Gardens.  I was on the way with freshly-cut lilacs from my garden and then I got the devastating call.  I laugh about it now because I was young and romantic and blind–still am!
 
DEB PHL: What will be on your Dîner en Blanc menu?  Do you have a favorite recipe you’d like to share?
Ryan: We haven’t developed the menu yet, but I’m quite sure everything will have the word “white” in it.  White Rabbit sounds colorful.
Eric: Now that I’m older, 31, I appreciate food more than I once did. Dessert always comes first to mind. I have suggested molding vanilla ice cream into shapes using our fun collection of metal molds. Washington and Lincoln busts seem classically  appropriate to be part of our meal. Beyond fancy ice cream sculptures and dessert creations, our Berley holiday meals are inspired by historical recipes, usually with a country of origin theme for focus. 
 
DEB PHL: If you needed to put together a picnic basket for two in less than 30 minutes, what would you make/buy?
Eric: I would grab a fresh baguette at Fork. I always stock at least three cheeses in my fridge (usually a hard, soft, and medium cheese), race to Claudio’s for some fine meats sliced thin, a bunch of red grapes at a produce stand on 9th Street, and a bottle of wine (whatever one was available) from my table, fridge or wine fridge.
Ryan: Chilled asparagus, cheese, cured meat, French bread, herbed butter.  Fresh berries and sweet cream for dessert. Sparkling water.  And wine, of course.

DEB PHL: What non-food items are always included in your picnic basket? 
Ryan: Pipe tobacco or cigars.  Unsurprisingly, I like a blend of Burley leaf tobaccos.
Eric: Napkins. Hand Sanitizer. Candle for mood and mosquitos.

DEB PHL: If you were planning the first Dîner en Blanc event in Philadelphia, what would be your outdoor public space of choice be?
Eric: I would like to be nearby either the old Inquirer Building (which is still White), City Hall (used to be White) or the Water Works Building behind the Art Museum. 
Ryan: That’s a difficult question, with so many gorgeous public spaces in our city.  I might choose West Fairmount Park, opposite Memorial Hall.  It would be great if they opened up the Dentzel carousel for attendees to ride.  I think the white palette with the colorful painted horses would be striking.    
 
DEB PHL: What do you plan to wear and what will be the hardest part about putting together your Dîner en Blanc outfit?
Ryan: I’ll be going for a 1930s aesthete look, which will depend on the style of straw hat I find.  I don’t own a pair of white shoes but have a pair of old black Stacey Adams I was thinking about sacrificing and painting white.  We’ll see how that goes.
Eric: I will be donning a medical jacket, a skull cap, and summer white Navy trousers to be my traditional soda jerk/pharmacist self. The hardest part of my ensemble will be finding an appropriate white bowtie.

DEB PHL: How long have you lived in the Philadelphia area?
Ryan: Born and raised right here in Media, “Everybody’s Hometown.”
Eric: Born and Raised in Delaware County. Proud to be a resident and business owner in Philadelphia for the last eight years.

DEB PHL: What’s your favorite thing about Philadelphia?
Ryan: The small neighborhood scale paired with the burgeoning scene of amazing food, art, history and performance.  It’s like a cultural pressure cooker without the stress and intensity of New York. 
Eric: I really enjoy being upfront with people. Honesty and transparency are endearing and enduring qualities of many Philadelphians. The people are my favorite part and it’s our unique regional identity which makes it always feel like home.

DEB PHL: What is your favorite restaurant in Philadelphia?
Eric: Tough choice… But I’d return to my friends at Chloe BYOB on Arch Street. Dan and Mary Ann are an amazing team and true Philadelphia pride and joy shines in their place. I also appreciate an honest critic. When they refused my blueberry ice cream last year, I made it even better this year! Real friends don’t always tell you want you want to hear, especially in the food field. I respect them for that.
Ryan: I’m kind of European when it comes to my food preferences, as I love the sounds and energy of large-scale bistros.  Brauhaus Schmitz and Parc are among my favorites for classic continental cuisine.

DEB PHL: If you were to plan “the perfect day” of things to do for someone who was visiting Philadelphia for the first time, what would their day look like from start to finish?
Eric: I assume this day to be the only day our visitor can see Philadelphia, which means I would pack it with active sights and personal interactions with real Philadelphians, more than experiencing special exhibits at institutions. We would begin with a run along Boathouse Row and return into the city along Walnut Street.  By 9 am, breakfast would be a short double latte and croissant at La Colombe on 19th and Walnut. After resting on a bench in Rittenhouse Square, we would cool down by walking past City Hall, the Masonic Lodge, and check out the restored Rose Window on the Methodist Church. Continue walking down Arch St. through Center Court at The Reading Terminal Market and into Chinatown, stepping into the Chinese Cookie Factory for free smells.  Continuing into Old City, we would go past Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell along Chestnut Street. Getting Hungry again? Continue down Front Street, walking through Society Hill and Southwark, to John’s Roast Pork for the most amazing cheesesteak! I usually split one with my wife. A nap might be in order along the banks of the glorious Delaware, or a visit to a friendly butcher along 9th Street, or perhaps we could rent a sail boat from the Independence Seaport Museum. Otherwise, we would spend our afternoon learning important history lessons on the 18 hole miniature golf course at Franklin Square For dinner, depending on our visitor, we would choose a restaurant in Old City because what matters most is saving room for a private ice cream dessert experience above The Franklin Fountain afterwards while watching a re-run of Rocky 1, 2, or 3, and munching a box of brandied cordial cherries from our sister business Shane Confectionery while sipping madeira until sleepiness sets in. (Editor’s note: Eric, can you please take me out for your perfect day? Minus the part where we start the day by running, this sounds lovely!)
Ryan: We would start with an early breakfast at Morning Glory Diner (the berry biscuit is ravishing) and a pass through the Italian Market on 9th Street.  Then we would go over to the Philadelphia Museum of Art for the balance of the morning.  If they’re like me, I try and cram 2-3 museums in per day when traveling, so I’d suggest the Barnes Foundation or Pennsylvania Academy if they love art.  Somewhere in there, lunch at the Reading Terminal Market.  As the sun descends, check out the scene at Rittenhouse Square for its vibrant energy as day workers and students sprawl and scatter.  Monk’s has great Belgian beers, so I’d go there for a brew and a burger (one of the best in town) and then stroll east across Broad St. after dinner.  You can view the Liberty Bell at night through the lighted glass pavilion without battling crowds and take in the views of Independence Hall and the historic cobblestone streets of Old City.  By then, the entertainment scene is heating up and a cocktail at Fork or Amada may be in your future.  But whatever your vice, certainly, most definitely, you must end your evening with a dish of home-made ice cream at The Franklin Fountain–we’re open late!

Ryan and Eric show off some colorful candies they may be stashing in their picnic baskets. Photo by Sean Corbett Photography.

Always sporting his iconic mustache, Eric Berley has always been the “Ice Cream Brother” while Ryan has conquered candy. The younger of the two brothers, Eric and his wife Kiersten live on the 3rd Floor of The Franklin Fountain, daily involved in the life of their small business ventures. Eric, who studied the liberal arts, settling on Philosophy at America’s 2nd oldest college, William and Mary in Virginia, began working in Philadelphia at Christ Church Philadelphia as a tour guide. While working across Market Street, and working retail for years with their mother’s antique stores, Eric gained an appreciation for customer service and salesmanship. His passions include historic architecture, business leadership and beginning to tackle projects on his new 1930 twin in Swarthmore. This year, he recently added beehives to the Shane Confectionery roof and hopes to be involved with the creative side of sweets menu planning for Franklin Fountain.

Ryan Berley was born and raised in Media, in suburban Philadelphia.  He studied history and entrepreneurship at Washington & Jefferson College (Washington, PA) and upon graduation worked as an antiques specialist and appraiser at Samuel T. Freeman & Co., America’s oldest auction house.  After a number of years in the antiques business, he started The Franklin Fountain, an early 1900s soda fountain & ice cream saloon, with his brother Eric in 2004.  Six years later, they purchased Shane Candies and embarked on a full-scale restoration spanning over 18 months, re-opening as the Shane Confectionery in December 2011, celebrating the history of America’s Oldest Candy Store since 1863.  Ryan lives in Lansdowne in a 1911 home furnished with arts and crafts antiques and plays 19th century baseball, among other pursuits. 

Picnic Basket Banter: Seun Olubodun

Welcome to the fourth installment of Picnic Basket Banter, a weekly series profiling Philadelphians who are participating in Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia. This series puts volunteers and attendees of Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia into the spotlight, asking a series of questions about their ideal picnic, favorite places in our amazing city and, of course, what they will be packing in their picnic baskets. Follow along here on the blog, Twitter, and Facebook as we highlight someone new each week to gather some ideas and learn more about your Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia dining companions!

Our fourth Picnic Basket Banter profiles Philly’s Seun Olubodun, the master of fashion behind the tres-chic local clothing company Duke & Winston.

Seun Olubodun and his English Bulldog, HRH the Duke. Photo by Sean Corbett Photography.

Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia: What is your favorite spot to picnic in Philadelphia?
Seun Olubodun: Rittenhouse Square.

DEB PHL: What’s your perfect picnic beverage?
SO: Blue Moon!

DEB PHL: Who would be the most interesting person (famous or historical figure) you’d like to share a picnic with–living or dead?
SO: Winston Churchill.

DEB PHL: Do you have a favorite picnic memory?
SO: Going to a picnic with my great grandfather in an old park from 1860 called Jesmond Dene in England.

DEB PHL: What will be on your Diner en Blanc menu? Do you have a favorite recipe you’d like to share?
SO: Baked potato dip… I’ve never made it, but its good, lots of sour cream, scallions, BACON, potato chips

DEB PHL: If you needed to put together a picnic basket for two in less than 30 minutes, what would you make/buy?
SO: Lettuce, apples, potato salad, bread, and cold cuts.
 
DEB PHL: What non-food items are always included in your picnic basket?
SO: Blanket, frisbee, soccer ball, sometimes a little croquet!

DEB PHL: If you were planning the first Diner en Blanc event in Philadelphia what would be your outdoor public space of choice be?
SO: Rittenhouse Square.

DEB PHL: What do you plan to wear and what will be the hardest part about putting together your Diner en Blanc outfit?
SO: White boat shoes, white seersucker pants, white polo.  Finding white seersucker pants could be difficult.

DEB PHL: How long have you lived in the Philadelphia area?
SO: 14 years.

DEB PHL: What’s your favorite thing about Philadelphia?
SO: It’s a big city, but has a small city vibe.

DEB PHL: What is your favorite restaurant in Philadelphia?
SO: Jose Garces’s restaurant Amada.

DEB PHL: If you were to plan “the perfect day” of things to do for someone who was visiting Philadelphia for the first time, what would their day look like from start to finish?
SO: We would start in Olde City and visit a lot of the historic sites during the day.  We’d then head over to the Art Museum area, then head to Rittenhouse Square and eat and people watch at Parc.  The evening would be spent checking out a Phillies game down at Citizens Bank Park.  We would end the night having drinks at a few different bars around the Northern Liberties area.

Seun and HRH the Duke, contemplating a dinner in white. Photo by Sean Corbett Photography.

Launched in mid 2009 by Seun Olubodun and his English Bulldog, HRH the Duke, Duke & Winston is a Philadelphia based clothing line (plus a limited dog line) that creates casual clothing for guys who favor substance, refinement and practicality. Conceptually, Duke & Winston draws its inspiration from Seun’s upbringing in various parts of the world, particularly his formative years spent in the UK. As a young and largely “one man and his dog” company, he is constantly striving to create products that meet the expectations for quality and style that his customers have come to expect.

Picnic Basket Banter: Michelle Cassidy and Art Etchells

Welcome to the third installment of Picnic Basket Banter, a weekly series profiling Philadelphians who are participating in Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia. This series puts volunteers and attendees of Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia into the spotlight, asking a series of questions about their ideal picnic, favorite places in our amazing city and, of course, what they will be packing in their picnic baskets. Follow along here on the blog, Twitter, and Facebook as we highlight someone new each week to gather some ideas and learn more about your Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia dining companions!

Our third Picnic Basket Banter profiles Philly’s best food and drink maestro and maven, social media gurus Michelle Cassidy of Yelp and Art Etchells of Foobooz.

Michelle and Art stroll down Cherry Street. Photo by Sean Corbett Photography.

Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia: What is your favorite spot to picnic in Philadelphia? 
Michelle Cassidy: Fitler Square; it’s the most peaceful park and never too crowded! 
Art Etchells: Rittenhouse Square.

DEB PHL: What’s your perfect picnic beverage?
MC: A crisp white wine or boozy lemonade.
AE: Stillwater Stateside Saison.

DEB PHL: Who would be the most interesting person (famous or historical figure) you’d like to share a picnic with- living or dead?
AE: Architect Frank Gehry.
MC: Keith Richards.

DEB PHL: Do you have a favorite picnic memory?
MC: Art and I vacationed in wine country earlier this year. Our hotel had bicycles available so we rode to a grocery store and stocked up on cheese, bread and olives. Then we bicycled a few miles to a winery, purchased a bottle of red and enjoyed a picnic on their deck which overlooked a vineyard. It was a little chilly, but a perfect day nonetheless.
AE: Hanging out in Rittenhouse Square with a good group of friends while Black Landlord played a concert.

DEB PHL: What will be on your Diner en Blanc menu?  Do you have a favorite recipe you’d like to share?
AE: It will be more assembled than cooked. I’m thinking cheeses from DiBruno, bread from Parc, maybe hit up some chefs for some charcuterie. Budino from Barbuzzo for dessert.
MC: I’m not really much of a home chef; chances are high that I’ll purchase some prepared foods from DiBruno Bros.!

DEB PHL: If you needed to put together a picnic basket for two in less than 30 minutes, what would you make/buy?
MC: Cheese, bread and wine. The staples of any good picnic basket!
AE: A couple of hoagies from Paesano’s.

DEB PHL: What non-food items are always included in your picnic basket? 
MC: Wine, candles, napkins.
AE: A knife and a bottle opener.

DEB PHL: If you were planning the first Diner en Blanc event in Philadelphia what would be your outdoor public space of choice be?
AE: Outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art, overlooking the city.
MC: Washington Square. It’s gorgeous, would fit a ton of people and is centrally located.

DEB PHL: How long have you lived in the Philadelphia area?
MC: I’m a born and raised Jersey girl but I’ve always lived just outside of the city. I moved to Philly a year and a half ago when Art and I decided to get an apartment together.
AE: My whole life!

DEB PHL: What’s your favorite thing about Philadelphia?
AE: The camaraderie I find among chefs, brewers, and the whole hospitality industry.
MC: Hands down, the restaurant scene. It’s the absolute best. From our many talented chefs to the wide range of options for every appetite and budget, no city does it better.

DEB PHL: What is your favorite restaurant in Philadelphia?
MC: Working for Yelp, I get asked this question all the time but I’ve yet to narrow it down to only one final answer. Favorites include Mercato, Pub & Kitchen, Barclay Prime, Han Dynasty, Amis… it depends on the day!
AE: It’s impossible to narrow it down to just one. Pub & Kitchen, Percy Street Barbecue and Fond are three I’ve been to recently that I really enjoyed.

DEB PHL: If you were to plan “the perfect day” of things to do for someone who was visiting Philadelphia for the first time, what would their day look like from start to finish?
AE: It would be a food filled day. Start the day with breakfast at Honey’s Sit N Eat. See the historic sites before hitting up Reading Terminal Market for a lunchtime feast. It’s hard to beat DiNic’s and and an Amish pretzel. Then head up to the Parkway for a museum or two. The Barnes and recently reopened Rodin Museum are must hits. Then a local beer at Kite & Key in Fairmount to rest the feet before shooting across town to Stateside on East Passyunk for  dinner. It’s a great peek into our gastropub scene. Then finish the day with more drinks at Hop Sing Laundromat. Wherever they’re from, they don’t have a spot like Hop Sing.
MC: Coffee and a pastry at La Colombe followed by shopping on 3rd Street in Old City to start the day. Next, grab sandwiches at Fork Etc. and enjoy a picnic at Race Street Pier. In the afternoon, drinks at Kite & Key followed by some culture at the Barnes Foundation. Dinner and people watching al fresco at Parc on Rittenhouse Square, followed by drinks at Tria or Hop Sing Laundromat.

Art and Michelle shop for white clothing at Franklin Square Boutique. Photo by Sean Corbett Photography.

Special thanks to Franklin Square Boutique owner, Liz Burt, for letting us come into her store for photos! 

Michelle Cassidy is a Senior Community Manager for Yelp.com in Philadelphia. In addition to planning marketing promotions and special events for Yelp, she also enjoys exploring the city’s restaurant scene, traveling, cheering on Philly’s sports teams and staying active with running, spinning and yoga.

Arthur Etchells is the founder and editor of the popular Philadelphia food blog Foobooz. Foobooz is your guide to eating and drinking in Philadelphia. Foobooz will keep you up to date on the latest restaurant and bar openings as well as culinary events. Equal parts events calendar and weblog, Foobooz aims to be your favorite place for Philadelphia, food, drink, and deals.

Picnic Basket Banter: Jose Garces

Welcome to the second installment of Picnic Basket Banter, a weekly series profiling Philadelphians who are participating in Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia. This series puts volunteers and attendees of Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia into the spotlight, asking a series of questions about their ideal picnic, favorite places in our amazing city and, of course, what they will be packing in their picnic baskets. Follow along here on the blog, Twitter, and Facebook as we highlight someone new each week to gather some ideas and learn more about your Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia dining companions!

Our second Picnic Basket Banter profiles Philly’s favorite chef, Jose Garces, the man behind the picnic baskets available for Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia via Garces Catering. 

Chef Jose Garces. Photo by Jason Varney.

Dîner en Blanc Philadelphia: What is your favorite spot to picnic in Philadelphia? 
Jose Garces: Ultimately, my favorite spot to picnic is in Wissahickon. My family and I hike Forbidden Drive and then we pick a spot near the Valley Green Inn, where there are wooden benches and picnic tables. The creek flows right off of this area. It’s also special because Beatriz and I got married at Valley Green Inn.

DEB PHL: What’s your perfect picnic beverage?
JG: Picnics demand a few things: beverages that will either stay cold or be palatable at a warmer temperature, as well as self-containment: no garnishes or fancy glassware.  For those reasons, I love a big batch of sangria – either white or red – as well as two-ingredient cocktails such as whiskey sodas. Keep the whiskey in the freezer until you leave the house, so it stays cold in the drink as long as possible.

DEB PHL: Who would be the most interesting person (famous or historical figure) you’d like to share a picnic with–living or dead?
JG: I would love to picnic with Jacques Cousteau and learn about his adventures with marine life.  I’ve often thought that if I wasn’t a chef I would work with the ocean in some way, perhaps as a marine biologist.

DEB PHL: Do you have a favorite picnic memory?
JG: One of my favorites would have to be picnicking in Central Park in New York City before a Widespread Panic concert back in the late nineties with a group of friends.  We had Italian subs with lots of charcuterie that I had made, homemade kettle chips, and beer.

DEB PHL: What will be on your Dîner en Blanc menu?  Do you have a favorite recipe you’d like to share?
JG: Something I’m offering on the Dîner en Blanc menu is an egg salad sandwich, served on grilled focaccia with mortadella, heirloom tomato and green olive from JG Domestic. Potted Duck with duck rillette, foie gras mousse and elderflower caramel will also be served, and is one of my favorites.

DEB PHL: What non-food items are always included in your picnic basket? 
JG: A big sheet or blanket is a must, to create a comfortable place to sit.  I prefer plastic cutlery to metal because it’s lighter, but I do try to pack it up and bring it home to wash and reuse, rather than throwing it away, because it’s better for the environment.  Glassware is tricky; I like plastic cups because they’re simple, and can be stacked to take up less room in the basket.  And extra napkins are crucial, especially if you’re picnicking with children – there will be spills!

DEB PHL: If you were planning the first Dîner en Blanc event in Philadelphia what would be your outdoor public space of choice be?
JG: I would have to say the Azalea garden, or the sculpture garden, both of which are located behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

DEB PHL: How long have you lived in the Philadelphia area?
JG: I have been here for about 10 years.

DEB PHL: What’s your favorite thing about Philadelphia?
JG: There are so many!  Obviously, I love our food scene: the restaurants; the people who work in them; the ambitious diners, the gifted producers, and purveyors that give us chefs so many fun products to work with.  Overall, though, I think my favorite thing about Philadelphia is my life here. I met my wife here.  We opened my first restaurant here.  My children were born here.  It feels very much like home to me.  The city is full of happy memories.

DEB PHL: What is your favorite restaurant in Philadelphia?
JG: It would be impossible to choose just one, just as there is no one reason that I go out to eat.  There are restaurants for every occasion, and I love that variety.  Vetri comes to mind, and of course, there is a special place in my heart for my first restaurant, Amada.

DEB PHL: If you were to plan “the perfect day” of things to do for someone who was visiting Philadelphia for the first time, what would their day look like from start to finish?
JG: So much food.  They’d have to start with breakfast at Reading Terminal Market, checking out the vendors, buying souvenirs and sampling the awesome Amish food at Dutch Eating Place.  After that, you’re awfully close to Chinatown – why not take a stroll, explore the shops and maybe indulge in some dim sum?  Then, north to a quick round of Philly-centric mini-golf at Franklin Square and up to Northern Liberties for craft beers at Standard Tap or North 3rd and maybe a frame or two at North Bowl.  After that, hop the El train into Center City and switch to the Broad Street line, because we’re headed to the stadium for the Phillies game and some crab fries.  Finish the night with cocktails at Village Whiskey – and a burger, if you’re still hungry! 

Chef Jose Garces. Photo by M. S. Smith.

Since opening his first restaurant Amada in 2005, Chef Jose Garces has emerged as an enormous talent and one of the nation’s most gifted chefs and restaurateurs.  He is a 2009 winner of the James Beard Foundation’s prestigious “Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic” award and one of only eight chefs in the country to hold the coveted title of Iron Chef, appearing regularly on Iron Chef America.  Chef Garces’ second cookbook, The Latin Road Home (Lake Isle Press, October 2012), will take readers on a tour of five Latin countries – Ecuaor, Spain, Mexico, Cuba and Peru – through food.  It is a hotly anticipated follow-up to his stunning first cookbook, Latin Evolution (Lake Isle Press, Fall 2008).

Chic Picnic Checklist – Everything You Need For Dîner en Blanc

With lots of buzz around Philly for Dîner en Blanc, hopeful participants are starting to think about the event itself and what they will need to bring if they’re able to secure a coveted spot to the soirée. Luckily, we have compiled a helpful and simple checklist to guide you during your preparation for the big event. Bookmark or print the list for your reference as we get closer to August 23!

Event Checklist

√ Register on Waiting List  √ Invite a Fabulously Fun Guest  √ Assemble Chic White Attire    Gather:  √ Folding Square Table (26-32” high and wide)  √ White Folding Chairs (2)  √ White Table Cloth   √  Picnic Basket & Essentials: (All non-disposable)  White Plates & Serveware Wine Glasses Cutting Boards & Utensils Storage Containers White Cloth Napkins Candlesticks & Votives White Trash Bag    Prepare and Procure: √ Elegant Gourmet Meal and Favorite Bottle of Wine