Tag: Dinner Party

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Around Town With HughE

Almyra’s Kéfi Party – The Best Dinner Party

Last Saturday, Almyra’s bi-annual Kéfi Party proved once again why it’s one of the city’s most seductive, can’t-miss nights out. Guests arrived dressed to the nines glam fits, sharp suits, sparkle everywhere turning the dining room into a runway before anyone even sat down.

Restaurateurs Dean Pashalis and Anastasia Pashalis, whose family co-owns the Estia restaurant group were on hand for the festivities Saturday night.

Kylie McIlwain, Shannon St. Clair, Emily Uliano and crew

Dinner itself was a full-on food fest: a lively, family-style feast where plates kept landing on the table, conversations grew louder, and every course felt like a warm-up act for what was coming next.

By the time the last bites were finished, anticipation was buzzing through the room.

Maria Maraki, Teddy Sotirakis, Stephanie Algayer, Angelica Velikaris and Chris Valontis
Bailey Witherspoon and Casey Corradin – Betweenusgirliespodcast

And then….

right at 11:30 PM — the lights began to flicker.

That’s the signal everyone waits for.

the energy shifts and the room ignites, evolving into a vibrant club scene with dancing, bottle pops,

and plenty of napkin-throwing.

Making it the most Instagramable night in Philly. People want to remember it, and share it!!

Thanks to the staff who really help the night run smoothly, as it can get quite active with lots of moving parts throughout the evening.

Whether guests booked dining room tables or secured those coveted high-tops for the night, everyone was part of the same electric experience. Dinner was $55 with drinks à la carte, and the high-tops kept the cocktails flowing long after midnight.

Mark your calendars — the next Kéfi Party lands in April 2026. And trust me, you’ll want to be there. In the meantime check out my Instagram for video of the evening.

PR Punch Media Group

Have a great and safe Thanksgiving.

Socially yours, xoxo HughE

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Photos: DePaul’s Table Opens in Ardmore

Restaurant veteran Anthony DePaul (center on left) recently opened his latest concept on the Main Line, DePaul’s Table: Modern Italian Steakhouse at 7 E. Lancaster Ave., earlier this month. Jose Galicia (center on right) is leading the DePaul’s Table kitchen as executive chef, with menu items featuring two dishes I had: filet Mignon, seared diver scallops, (worth the trip) and sesame-crusted ahi tuna, and the cheesiest onion soup.

DePaul’s Table is in a historic 10,000-square-foot space which dates back to the early 1900s and once housed Haverford Trust Bank. There are 190 seats inside on two levels, including a 40-seat bar.  Did I mention there’s a Happy Hour daily, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., look for filet tips, flatbreads, oysters Rockefeller, salmon nachos and more, starting at $5 and up.

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Dîner en Blanc Wants You

Many of us are counting down the days til the 8th annual Dîner en Blanc, which rolls around every August.

Last week the folks at Dîner en Blanc held their annual sponsor party at the Bourse Food Hall in Old City. Unlike the main event in August, the preview party is open to all without registration. It’s a great way to be introduced to all that is fun and stylish of the summer white party, although I did meet a lot of people who have already been to one, to all of the parties.

  • Julia Morales, Steven Humes, Amy Needle, Vanyah Harrigan, Amber Hikes and Miguel Martinez-Valle at Le Dîner en Blanc Preview Party at The Bourse Food Hall on Tuesday, June 11.

The highlight of the evening were the 9 tables on display and decorated by Dîner en Blanc table captains. The table decorating contest theme was “Philadelphia’s Festivals and Outdoor Celebrations.” A panel of judges chose the best decorated table, and guests at the party chose the “People’s Choice.”

  • 4th of July Pops
  • Opera Philly on the Mall
  • Wawa Welcome America
  • People’s Choice:  Roots Picnic and by Sharon Johnson, a DEB volunteer since we started in 2012!  This table even had Questlove’s Cheesesteaks and Questlove Popcorn Seasoning she purchased at Williams-Sonoma.
Judge’s Choice: Bastille Day at Eastern State  by Danielle Milbourne  This table was fabulous- complete with Tastykake Krimpets (a nod to the tradition of throwing them during the event)  and  Marie Antoinette’s head rotating on a cake stand!  It was fantastic!!
East Passyunk Car Show which is coming up July 28
The Diner en Blanc after party will be at the Sofitel Hotel this year.

Miguel Martinez-Valle, Emmanuel Capó, Syrmarie Villalobos and Alondra Anaya– Comcast/NBC10/Telemundo team.

  • Event date is Thursday, Aug 22nd (4th Thursday instead of the usually 3rd Thursday)
  • Number of Guests – 6,000 making us the largest Diner en Blanc in United States. REGISTRATION IS OPEN NOW, they’re accepting 500 new guests this year.
  • At the event they gave away 8 free registrations for this year’s event through drawings that encouraged participants to purchase from the Bourse Food Hall vendors and raffle ticket purchases that benefited Broad Street Ministry raising $1,000 for Broad Street Ministry through the raffle.  This is the second year in a row we are supporting Broad Street Ministry through raffles and auctions that will continue through registration and the actual event.  
    At the the May Franklin Square Gala, two seats for Diner en Blanc were auctioned off and received over $5,000, with funds going towards the mission of Franklin Square Gala.
  • A DEB team also volunteered earlier this month at Broad Street Ministry for their Breaking Bread lunch service.
Natanya Dibona, co hostess for Diner en Blanc (with Kayli Moran ) and Hadas Kuznits, KYW1060
https://lovetyalexander.com/what-to-bring-for-diner-en-blanc/