A seat at The Friday Table

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by Jay Ahuja

After graduating from Miami University in Ohio, 26-year-old Danielle Rubin spent five weeks driving around the country with her dog, Nemo, looking for a place to live. She visited six cities, but Charlotte emerged as her top choice: She loved its trees and nature, it felt dog-friendly, and the people she met were kind.

It also seemed to be growing and felt like an opportunity for her to get in on the ground floor of something. 

Rubin, whose family is from Israel, grew up attending Shabbat dinners, Friday evening meals that mark the beginning of Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest. Once she settled in Charlotte, Rubin began hosting dinners once a month at her apartment on Fridays to get to know people. The only rule: You had to bring your own chair.

It steadily grew to 32 people. Her boyfriend, Ani Asanga, convinced her that, with his help, it could become a business.

And that was how The Friday Table began in May 2025. 

Months ago, I wrote about the Tasting Collective, a local supper club that does restaurant takeovers, typically early in the week. 

After joining, I became aware of The Friday Table. As the name implies, the group meets on Friday nights, but instead of taking over restaurants, the founders find unique gathering spaces and feature a local chef who creates a meal that is served family-style. As each course is served, the chef discusses what it is and how it was prepared. 

In July, I dined with dozens of people for a meal that was prepared by Briean Lyles, a chef at Peppervine. Each get-together also spotlights a local artist.

The Friday Table has a young, diverse crowd — most of the people at the dinners I’ve attended were younger than 50 — and caters to creatives. Each dinner is held at a different location that is divulged shortly before it takes place. Attendees sign up in advance without knowing where they are going or what will be served, although there is at least one vegetarian option at each dinner, and guests have an opportunity to share any dietary restrictions beforehand. But all they know is the featured chef and artist. 

“We intentionally seek diversity — in people and in creative mediums,” Asanga said. “We've welcomed photographers, painters, fashion designers and other creatives because every discipline brings something different to the table.”

The first time I went, The Friday Table showcased a local photographer, Mase Ralph, and several of his photos were purchased that evening. At July’s Friday Table, which had a theme of “Brush & Bite,” before we sat down to eat, we each painted mini-portrait name tags with the help of local artist Brittany Freeman. She also displayed and sold several pieces of her artwork that night. 

These are intentional gatherings in the form of a community dinner. Guests fill out a brief personality form with questions such as their line of work, age and whether any milestones are being celebrated that evening, as well as questions like: “If you could give a TED Talk, what would the topic be?” and “Describe a perfect day in Charlotte.” Based on the answers given, attendees are assigned seats. Most folks attend as a couple but more than a few arrive alone. Typical dinners have 40 to 50 people.

“Finding venues is a combination of relationships and research,” Rubin said. “We tap into The Friday Table network for recommendations, while also looking for new spaces opening across Charlotte. If we want the evening to feel intimate, we might look for a condo. If we want a more open, social atmosphere, we'll look for a rooftop, patio or outdoor space.”

In September, The Friday Table will launch a membership model, much like the Tasting Collective, but with quarterly rather than annual dues.

At both events I attended, the meals were tasty, four-course dinners. July’s menu had a peach theme and included: yeast rolls with herb butter and peach preserves; a peach, arugula and feta salad; braised lamb shoulder with roasted summer vegetables and peach-pepper jus; and Brie cheesecake with peach compote. I met several terrific, talented locals doing interesting projects. 

On Friday, Aug. 28, The Friday Table is hosting a free event at Do Greater Charlotte from 6 to 8 p.m., so people can learn more about the group, meet the leaders and other members. This event will include finger foods, games and connection-based activities — similar to what they do at dinners.

Jay Ahuja has lived, worked and played in Charlotte since 1986. He has one wife, two stepsons and one dog. He’s had two sports travel guidebooks published and produced a documentary film, “Live From The Double Door Inn.” He has retired from WDAV 89.9FM, the region’s classical public radio station, and has started working on a new documentary with his partners at Ahujadaddy Films.

Today’s Charlotte Ledger is sponsored by Arts+.

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