The Disappearing Dining Club is a secret, in danger of ousting itself…
Why? Well, I don’t know about other people but every time I go there I get the urge to tell everybody about it. See! I’m doing it now.
What exactly is ‘The DDC‘ then…?
It’s a private dining, ‘pop up’ restaurant. The phrase ‘Pop up’ feels like it’s reaching saturation point these days (someone mentioned a ‘pop up party’ the other day), but the DDC have been at it long before the term started to get abused. And they’ve doing it well.
I and a friend went to the DDC’s most recent incarnation, which they’ve dubbed ‘Back in 5 Minutes‘. Like most of their other appearances, it’s an incognito endeavour, and this time they’d decided to hold it in the back of a designer clothes shop on Brick Lane. As always, they pick swanky surroundings and cram a lot of great stuff into a small space. Because intimacy is their thing…
The experience
And it is an (intimate) experience. The DDC is more of a private dining club than a sit down restaurant. Sure, lots of eateries claim that they’re offering you an experience, but DDC have more right to make that claim than most. They’re almost theatrical…
Consider their marketing strategy (or lack of). Their only physical advertisement? – a little sign out-front the shop that states ‘Back in 5 Minutes’ – Most passersby will mistake it for a functional message. But those who know what they are seeking will find what they want in this little store…
Sure, it’s a risky commercial move, but it’s ballsy too. This way the DDC’s popularity spreads by personal recommendation and word of mouth – and it seems to be working quite well. Cunning, eh?
The staff are genuinely nice too. There’s a friendly atmosphere that extends to their interactions amongst each other, and with you. To me it felt a lot less like a commercial operation, and more like a bunch of friends who’d got together and decided to put on some foodie events. And maybe this is just me, but I really like that feeling. It’s a friendly dining club.
And speaking of friendly, you often end up seated next to new people, sharing food with them. So if you are the conversational type you may find yourself making new friends.
So onto the food then…
The Food
DDC’s food is always served to share amongst the group, and so you quickly end up getting to know the nice guy in the glasses and brown jacket who serves you the veal. Anyone who gives me veal will quickly find me befriending them.
And I can be a bit of a fussy eater, but the food here has yet to disappoint…
Starter A series of spreads, served with bread. These were smoked salmon, chicken, pork and a pate. This was actually mine and my +1’s favourite part of the meal. Each of the spreads were deliciously creamy and rich – and the smoked salmon one was fantastic. The pate was extremely light, almost like a mousse, though some said the bread was a bit dry.
Main Veal and rocket: Veal is a meat I rarely get, but always goes down well. I sprinkled mine with a bit of sea salt and delighted in how tender it was. Seems like I’m the only guy who actually eats the garnish/rocket as well. I must have given the wrong impression, as the waiter asked if I was a veggie. He’d obviously missed the previous 30 seconds…
Potato salad with asparagus: Not really being a fan of potatoes or mayo, I passed, but my compadre described it as a “nothing extraordinary, just a really decent potato salad“. It sure got eaten quickly, which is a good sign.
Dessert
Dessert was a three layered panna cotta. I didn’t eat mine, being full (of veal and salmon – I regret nothing). My guest described the bottom part of the dessert as “a little watery”, but the panna cotta part as ‘heavenly’. Again, these were all wolfed down so consensus seemed to be good, regardless.
Drink
There were some drinks too. Nice drinks…
Grey Goose Le Fizz – Served to us as we entered, this was rather sweet, slightly fruity and not too strong. I enjoyed it, though I prefer my beverages unadulteratedly alcoholic, which was a problem soon rectified…
Wine: Flowed wonderfully, both red and white. DDC operate a ‘one case only’ wine policy – which means I have no idea what it was that we served, but it was one of the best whites I’ve ever had. Actually, I should probably find out what it was…
Verdict!
I guess the only drawback would be that they could have served a larger main course. That veal was much too delicious for the mere tantalising portion that I got. I guess my idea of a main course is a much larger portion than the other two. Plus desserts aren’t really my thing. But really, it’s a bit hard to find fault with these guys…
Asides from the food and atmosphere being fantastic, the people at the DDC are just really likeable and very keen to ensure you have a good time. It’s about as divorced from the fast food experience as dining can get, and time flies by with the good conversation with interesting people.
I recommend it, and hope to go again. It is always a good time and you never know what you are going to get. Kinda exciting
Details
Tel: 07507 754 318
Address: Back in 5 Minutes, c/o Ante, 224 Brick Lane, E1 6SA.
Cuisine Type: Modern European
Website: http://www.disappearingdiningclub.co.uk
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