I was thrilled when I finally found just the right table. It had to meet certain dimensions, be foldable and light enough to carry. It took weeks to find the right one. For some reason, we thought the all-white outfits would be our biggest challenge, but it was the table which had me at a loss.
It was our first year participating in Toronto’s Diner en Blanc (#debTO), a secret dinner party, an elegant outdoor picnic, where thousands of couples converge at a secret location, tables and picnic baskets in hand, dressed elegantly in white, for a dinner enjoyed al fresco.
In Toronto, we selected a bus group coming out of the Distillery. As we waited to board our bus among the many lined up, we chattered on the street trying to guess which location they’d selected for us. We were grateful for the hot August night and no looming rain.
The buses left slowly, one by one, making their way through the streets of downtown, eventually leading us to the waterfront where an environment had been secured between Lake Ontario, a public space (The Power Plant) and a large condominium. A cheer went up in the bus when we saw the environment where we’d be dining.
Crowds of people (2,300 of them), all in white, all dressed up, all in groups, were gathering in lines to make their way inside. It was surreal. They had met at various points in the city to be escorted to the Secret Dinner Party location of Diner en Blanc.
We’d all converged here, at the open space beside the Power Plant, next to the water, just below the CN Tower in Toronto. Lights, a stage, catering tents and a blow-up arch-shaped building were the landmarks in the space, but the participants’ long lines of tables would be the predominant element.
One couple after the other, you snake down the series of table rows until you’re shown your place for you to set up your own table. It’s incredibly organized, with team leaders showing each group where they’ll be.
As two women ice skate and a band on stage plays, magically, this pavement is transformed into long tables with white tablecloths, lovely china plates and floral or lighted centrepieces.
If you’ve ordered wine (or champagne) or had a prepared meal selected, you stand in lines to exchange your tickets for the goods.
These were long lines and by the time Joe and I had made it half-way through the line, the customary waving of the napkins had begun among the tables.
We were rewarded, however, with a delicious gourmet dinner and sparkling white wine which was a fitting celebration for Joe’s birthday (I had also secretly brought him a tiramisu cake).
A signal goes out to the crowd and sparklers light up the sky as festival-goers dance and wave the bright white wands around.
After dinner, the celebration continues into the night with dancing as others pack up their tables and chairs, picnic baskets and trash, leaving no trace of having been there.
The Secret Dinner Party that is DEB takes place in over 70 cities world-wide, so look for one close to you.
Here are some other places to try in Toronto.
