When you go out to eat at a nice New York eating place , you could typically expect ( or at least Bob Hope for ) some good food and an atmosphere that meet it – and apart from that ( and a brawny bill ) , not much . But a new members - only dining gild is endeavor to change that by bringing the chef into the dining experience .

Tasting Collectiveis a secret rank biotic community for food lovers , bid chef - top dinner party at some of the city ’s most popular restaurant .   Founder / CEO Nat Gelb bring in he wanted to get more out of his dining experiences than just eating the intellectual nourishment . He want to get a line about the history of the food , and of its Lord – to be able to interact with the chef and discover their tale . “ Having a community around a portion out passionateness for food for thought allows you to create a dissimilar dining experience at the restaurant , ” Gelb says . As more and more people become fascinated by what ’s going on in the back of the star sign at restaurants , taste Collective offer the unique access and experience you ca n’t really get anywhere else .

Can anyone join?

For now , yes . just visitTasting Collective ’s websiteand hit " request an invite . " After that , you ’ll typically get a reply the next day with your invitation to get together .

How much does it cost?

rank is n’t cheap . The standard rank rate is $ 199 / year for accession to dinner party events ( each dinner slate is $ 40 - 50 dollars ) , plus other benefits . Though your money arguably cash in one’s chips fairly far …

What do you get out of it?

Tasting Collective ’s secret dinner fall out every other calendar week , during which the integral eating house is exclude down , and members can savor a multi - course menu of the chef ’s preferred dishes , plus food stories from the chef themselves ( who issue forth out to introduce each dish ) . The largest dinner is around 50 multitude ; the small is 25 . For now , taste Collective is centre on little , independent restaurants ( typically ones where the chef is a partner or an possessor so they ’re more involved in every aspect ) . Some current partners include Pig & Khao , noreetuh , Edi & the Wolf , Huertas , Xixa , Yunnan BBQ , Shalom Japan , Mile End , Miss Lily ’s , Traif , and Flinders Lane .

In addition to the bi - hebdomadary dinner party , appendage also get welfare from food - related brands ( like artisanal purveyors and cooking classes ) , and if they show their card ( which are wooden , because of course ) at any of savor Collective ’s partner restaurants , they can meet complimentary dishes or cocktails with their repast . member can also buy tickets for non - member supporter to dine with them .

So what does this all mean for the dining-out culture in New York?

Well , technically your dinners would not only be more informative than most , but also cheaper ( look at the average menu prices at the restaurants involve ) . Yes , you ’re also paying the $ 199 yearly fee , but since most large - scale chef - lead events be that amount for a single slate , it would seem that you ’re getting more than your money ’s Charles Frederick Worth .

Are members - only meals the hereafter of dining out in New York ? Probably not ( especially since New York is crazy expensive , and most people ca n’t afford to dine out often , if ever ) , but for those with the means , and a deep interest in solid food & drink polish , a affair like Tasting Collective opens a ton of doors into that world , fetch people with a shared interest in restaurants together in a altogether unique way of life .

Sign up herefor our casual NYC email and be the first to get all the intellectual nourishment / drink / fun New York has to offer .

tasting collective dinner

Courtesy of tasting collective

tasting collective card

Courtesy of Tasting Collective