We heard the buzz about a bi-monthly, underground club with a Parisian-style cabaret dinner show located in the historic Carondelet House on the edge of Korea Town and couldn’t wait to see what the hype was all about.
What we were not expecting was to be completely transported back in time to the roaring 20s. The evening starts with being handed a tiny velvet pouch to dispose of your phone for the night – a welcome and refreshing twist already. Yes, you can take a few snaps during the cocktail hour but that should suffice for even the most dedicated selfie junkies or influencers.
Once inside, dressed in your finest black-tie gown or tux, you’ll be treated to a full bar, piano player and live dancers dressed in lingerie milling around the elegant entrance lounge. Be sure to seek out the Absinthe fountain for a decadent glass of almost pure alcohol to set the tone.
Nuit Blanche was created by Alan Dunn of Tres L.A. Group who caters to many celebrities with sophisticated palates and high standards from Heidi Klum to Sean “Diddy” Combs, Johnny Depp and Moby. This show is no different.
The premise of the evening surrounds the opening night of host and original proprietor Jean Marceau’s Nuit Blanche showcase ala French cabaret. Marceau built the house in 1928 to pursue his dream of bringing this stage art from France to Los Angeles. Carondelet was the name of the ocean liner that brought this visionary to America and this is the first time in 70 years that cabaret is being celebrated again at this very site.
To really get the evening going, guests are escorted upstairs for a full five-course dinner that includes Maine lobster claw - served by a tap dancing trio no less - Troy Rieger farmed peach salad dressed with a white balsamic gastrique, Channel Island sea bass on a bed of sweet potato and ginger puree, followed by a palate cleanser of Harry’s Berries strawberry Champagne cocktail, with a final entrée of Niman Ranch tenderloin served with dandelion greens and for the finale, a dome en chocolat fondue.
During most of the lingering meal, there is a stage show going on with tap dancing, a torch singer and plenty of voyeuristic performances - even a little comedy, but you will have a bit of breathing room in between to chat with your guests at the long communal table. A show like this makes you remember that we are in city where there are so many talented performers who can tap dance, sing and act right at our feet. So why not enjoy this abundance with a multi-course dinner and flowing wine in a gorgeous setting?
After the main performance, an upstairs soirée is optional but don’t’ skip out early for that final nightcap downstairs as the dancing gets a little more risqué. We don’t want to ruin the surprises but this one of the most provocative, sexy nights out in town at the moment. Sure, you can see people half naked at a club, but this done with finesse, style and talent that brings you back to another era. Anaïs Nin would fit right in.
For more information, tickets and to experience a taste of show for yourself: www.nuitblanche.me
