ALI'S EL AY FIND: WOLVESMOUTH DINNER
I'm going to preface this post with the admission that I have not yet had the pleasure of enjoying one of these legendary wolvesmouth dinners, but I'm hoping that someday (soon!) my name will be chosen from the hundreds of e-mail requests and I am finally invited to dine on some truly incredible art.
When I say that chef Craig Thornton has changed the game in Los Angeles dining, I mean he has changed. the. game. in Los Angeles dining. Thornton has created a private dining experience which has garnered as much legitimacy as any above-ground establishment, while maintaining its underground mystique. Several times a month, Thornton throws dinner parties in his downtown LA loft which he has named 'the wolvesden'. To be invited to one of his innovative dinner presentations, you must e-mail him the week prior (he sends out notifications on his mailing list) with only your name, which dinner you'd like to attend and if you are bringing a guest. You can add anything else you'd like - your occupation, an anecdote, begging, pleading, promising your first born - but trust me, nothing has proven to help win you a seat. You are only allowed to bring one guest maximum, but I would recommend going alone as it adds to the magic of the experience.
While Thornton is clearly breaking all sorts of rules, borders, maybe even some laws (foie gras, anyone?) with his cooking, he is also pushing social boundaries with his dinners by bringing a group of people together in a very intimate setting who, in normal circumstances, might never cross paths. Like his incredibly well planned and executed dishes, each guest is carefully selected by Thornton to ensure an interesting occupational dynamic. Sparked by sensational culinary prowess, I can only dream what spectacular conversations must arise between such an array of humans. And what do you have to shell out for such a unique and mind-expanding experience? Well, that's really up to you. All of Thornton's dinners are donation based, so, at the end of your meal, you decide how satisfied you are with the experience and toss your contribution into the crocodile head, conveniently placed in the center of the table.
I highly recommend getting on the mailing list and putting yourself in the mix for what might be the most memorable dinner party of your life (and if you get in, you best be bringing me as your guest).
(Photo courtesy of wolvesmouth blog)
