You'll recall that José Andrés' avant-garde eatery Minibar -- ranked No. 1 on City Paper's list of D.C.'s 44 Most Powerful Restaurants because "booking a reservation is harder than rescheduling a flight during a hurricane" -- was auctioning off all six of its seats on New Year's Eve to the highest bidder.
Advertised as "a rare opportunity to sidestep the usual reservation process and enjoy one of the most amazing meals of your life," the contest established the minimum bid at a stiff $2,012.
Now, before you go doing the math (that's $353.33 per seat, for starters), note that the final auction price also covers tax and gratuity. (Alcohol is extra.) To sweeten the deal, the restaurant stated that any funds raised beyond the initial $2,012 would benefit the D.C. Central Kitchen.
How did the bidding turn out, you ask? Well, it seems that "one of the most innovative and effective charitable organizations anywhere" is suddenly flush with an extra $25.
The auction, which ended Dec. 9, attracted just two bidders, with the winner bidding $2,037.
Photo by Darrow Montgomery
Pricey New Year’s Eve Dinner at Minibar Attracts a Whopping Two Bidders was originally published by Washington City Paper on Dec. 13, 2011.
