As soon as the clock hit 4 o’clock, I started checking Twitter, emails, texts. Until finally at 5:01 p.m. I received a voicemail that said: “the secret location is the Robert F. Wagner Junior Park” in Battery Park City. Jackpot.
I pulled out my white dress, white bag, and white accessories. Put everything on and headed down to the subway towards Battery Park.
When I arrived, the sponsors were still setting up which gave me enough time to see all the guests arrive in all their splendor.
Some of the guests wore white wigs, gowns, and even top hats. It was fascinating to see how a group of over 5,000 people were able to organize themselves into forming the most beautiful white event that New York has seen.
There was a live band and swing dancers revolving around the sea of white decorations. While some people setup their elaborate center pieces, others opted for sitting down quickly and enjoying the complimentary Moët & Chandon champagne or Apothic wine bottles.
A nice addition this year was the option to purchase Todd English picnic baskets. If guests wanted they could purchase one of the offered baskets filled with delicious treats instead of bringing their own food.
In fact, Todd English, the chef himself, made an appearance at the event to let important guests sample some of his newer plates. He offered two plates. One had peanut noodles with chicken and the other one included avocado mousse with salmon and a crème fraiche sauce.
At 7:30 p.m. all the thousands of guests stood up with their napkins and cheered for the official start of the dinner. At the same time a boat that was passing by shot water off like a shaken bottle of champagne opened at a party.
After that it was officially time to eat, enjoy, laugh and celebrate the fact that you were part of the most exclusive dinner party in New York City and definitely the most fun one to be at.