LAFAYETTE, CALIFORNIA – People often lament that they no longer know their neighbors. And the “loneliness epidemic” is a well-documented concern.
Without formal reasons to get together with others in the community, lots of people simply stay in, scroll on their phones, and stay isolated.
A new initiative in Lamorinda aims to change that, connecting neighbors together and giving them an excuse to go out, meet new people and try local restaurants.
The project is called the Lamorinda Life Dinner Club, and its first dinner is scheduled for Wednesday, March 18 at 6:30 p.m. in Lafayette.
Rajiv Doshi, who is running the dinner club, told Bay Area Telegraph that for the March 18 kickoff, the plan is to host across multiple Lafayette restaurants, with curated groups of six diners at each table.
“Diners will find out their restaurant the morning of the event, which adds an element of fun and discovery,” Doshi said.
That little element of mystery should make this especially fun for people who have tried lots of local places and might want to experience something new.
That structure matches how the dinner club is being promoted publicly: small tables of six meant to create a relaxed setting for real conversation and new connections.
After dinner, the event listing says guests can optionally continue the night at a casual after-gathering nearby.
Doshi says the goal for the first event is to bring together at least 18 diners — and then scale.
“The long-term vision [is] growing to hundreds of participants monthly, rotating among local restaurants to bring neighbors together offline while also supporting restaurants during the week, when they need it most,” Doshi said.
Doshi also said “community interest has been encouraging so far,” and that they already have “a strong list of people who asked to be notified about future dinners.”
Doshi runs the Lamorinda Life newsletter, which often features the Bay Area Telegraph’s stories!
Want to try it out? There’s a website here where you can register.
