Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner

When it comes to dinner parties, we learned long ago that the most important element can be found not on the table, but on the chairs.

Tamsin Lonsdale, Founder of The Supper Club, couldn’t agree more. For her, hosting a brilliant event is all about having the right mix of guests. On Tuesday night at the launch party (sponsored by Eos Airlines and Moet Hennessy USA) for the New York chapter of her members-only dining club, Brit socialite Lonsdale gave us a taste of her entertaining style. An elegant yet edgy cocktail party at the National Arts Club (15 Gramercy Park South) was created by seasoned event planner Joey Jalleo and new catering talent, Kimberly Belle of The Dinner Belle, who were inspired by the old world charm of the townhouse.

With her team of founding members and ambassadors, Lonsdale hand-picked some of New York’s brightest young things for a night of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. There were the usual Brit boys, Euan Rellie and Rufus Albemarle; the film aficionados, Katrina Pavlos, Andrew Saffir and Daniel Benedict; the designers, Jeremy Kost and Andrew Buckler; society tea hostess, Tracy Stern; the fashion eccentrics, Patrick McDonald and Richie Rich; the socials, Emma Snowdon Jones and Susan Shin; and a handful of the fashion elite made up of editors, stylists and publicists, Jackie Astier, Kate Schelter, Kate Lanphear, Melissa Skoog and Tony Alcindor.

When we asked Lonsdale who her dream dinner guest might be, she coyly answered, “anyone with a sparkle in their eye who can add a little something to the table.”

Trust us when we say that an invitation to sit at “Tamsin’s table” will take a lot more than that. First you’ll need referrals from at least two founding members. Then you’ll need to ace your “interview” with Lonsdale and her team at one of their introductory cocktail parties.

Sound a little rigorous for a dining club? It is….

But, according to Lonsdale, she doesn’t accept anyone that she wouldn’t personally invite into her home. (Translation: if you get in, you’ll be in good company.)

Memberships in New York are $750 per year which gets you (and a guest) into a variety of events at exclusive venues and private homes , access to their member database and special deals with many of their partners including hotels, restaurants and airlines. International memberships for both New York and London (home to the original and ever-popular Supper Club) go for $1000. Visit the web site for more information.

To read more buzz on The Supper Club (courtesy of PR team OW! Onorato Wixom), check out the articles in the NY Observer and in NY Magazine.

PHOTO CREDIT:  Chance Yeh for Patrick McMullan