Since 2012, Sondra Bernstein’s Suite D has been serving up family style “pop-up” dinners after securing over $30,000 through the crowdfunding website Kickstarter. The space still remains a mystery to many: with a cult following, tickets for exclusive themed and winemaker dinners often sell out as fast as they are posted. Here’s your crash course on Suite D.
Tips:
1) If you don’t like the idea of potentially sharing a table with strangers or lean more towards the introverted side of things, you won’t like Suite D unless you invite a group of friends to go in on tickets with you. That way you’ll be more likely to have a table to yourselves and you don’t have to “make friends,” for the three hour experience. Solo diners are rare at Suite D.
2) There is no corkage at Suite D, so you can bring your own wine. Each person can bring one bottle. Specific dinners offer specialty cocktails and/or “house wine” for the duration of the evening.
3) It’s an adult vibe, so while the food is served family style, it’s best to leave the kids at home. At my first visit, it was a more “mature” crowd, with a lot of retirees. Less than a handful were in their 30s or 40s, and those that were had come from out of town and were fans of Bernstein’s girl & the fig.
Getting in:
Bernstein announces events on the Suite D website (figsuited.com) and via Facebook, the latter which is the most timely way to stay informed. You can also get on her mailing list and you’ll receive notices of all public Suite D pop-up dinners (see website for details). Events generally take place generally on Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets start at $50 and usually include a reception with appetizers, followed by a multi-course dinner, dessert, and coffee. House wine, and sometimes a cocktail, is provided. Buy tickets through the Suite D website (see above). You can buy up to five tickets per order and you pay via credit card or PayPal. Have to cancel? Suite D will refund your ticket up to one week prior to the event. Print your tickets to be shown at the door. Dress code is casual.
Attending:
Suite D is located in an industrial park. Parking is located out front. Doors open at 6:30 PM and crowds start lining up outside at 6:15 PM. There’s not much seating outside, so take that as a warning if you don’t want to stand around waiting. When the doors open, provide your ticket and/or the name you reserved the tickets under to the hostess. She’ll tell you what table to sit at. At the recent Italian dinner, the tables were named after different pasta types. Head to your table and pick your own seat. The environment is convivial. Bernstein has done a fabulous job at making one feel like they aren’t in a warehouse: lighting is dim and beautiful, ever-changing artwork decorates the walls. The feeling is more like an Italian piazza at night or a hipster spot in San Francisco, than a warehouse in Sonoma. There’s one restroom near the dining area, with an additional wheelchair accessible restroom available upon request.
Your experience:
A well trained waitstaff will greet you with a welcoming drink and appetizers will either be served at the table or at large banquet table, where you grab your own plate, and take your share of a selection of tasty bites. If you brought your own wine, waitstaff will open it for you. After about 30 minutes, plates will be cleared – the staff moves quickly and efficiently and your table with be cleared in a flash. Salad may be served before the entree, either at the table or via a salad bar where chefs will prepare your salad for you; the waitstaff will tell you what to do, so don’t fret. Dinner entrees will arrive at one table at a time. Main entrees are often shared. You’ll pass the mashed potatoes around the table just like you do at Thanksgiving. After plenty of time to enjoy your entrees, the final act is served: dessert. Coffee will be offered. Suite D closes at 9:30.
Looking forward to coming.