The Kindling x Edy's Grocer: A Guided Dinner Experience for Queer Men
Event update: There is now one dinner seating from 7:30-10pm.
The Kindling is a social wellness community for queer men and non-binary folx to gather for sober, phone-free experiences that focus on connection for longevity.
The invitation
For one night only this summer, you’re invited to step away from the busy NYC street and take a seat at a new dinner table where connection is the foundation for the night, not an after thought. In this guided dinner experience, we start as a table of strangers and end with new stories and friendships that move beyond the dinner table.
Across five courses, you’ll be guided through grounding breathwork to arrive, prompts to move past small talk, practices for deeper connection, and space to be exactly as you are.
What to expect
💨 Guided breathwork to land in your body
🗣️ Prompts that open real conversation, not surface talk
🍽️ Five course family style Lebanese dinner by chef Edy Massih
🥃 Non-alcoholic craft mocktails
🍲 Experience and share food in a new way
🕯️ Intimate candle lit dinner for 14-20 guests
🫶 A closing meditation to integrate the evening
The menu
Course 1
Mezze and Pickled Goods
Variety of homemade mezze dips, pickled goods, marinated olives, crudite, zaatar brushed pita, and crackersCourse 2
Sesame Harissa Tuna Tartare
Avocado, toum, sesame seeds, cucumber, cilantro, snap peas, soy sauce, harissa oil, served with pita chips (can serve with gf crackers)Course 3
Sumac Summery Fattoush Salad
Toasted chickpea pasta, heirloom tomato, Persian cucumber, radish, mint, pistachio, sumac lemon vinaigretteCourse 4
Papillote Mediterranean Branzino
Served with roasted local long beans capers, kalamata olives, thyme, and garlic.Course 5
Lemon Rosewater Olive Oil Cake
Served with labneh mousse (remove for dairy-free)This menu is adaptable for gluten-free, dairy-free, and pescatarian. Please note we cannot guarantee 100% gluten free as dishes are shared. Please share any allergies when registering to ensure that the menu meets your needs.
Your host for the evening
Brian Lamy is a breathwork facilitator, therapist, and sober gay man creating experiences for queer men to deepen their connection and belonging to themselves and each other. The dinner is trauma-informed and somatic from the ground up: every part of the night is optional, paced with care, and built to help you feel safe enough to be seen.
Your chef for the evening
Chef Edy Massih is a Lebanese chef and the owner of Edy’s Grocer in Greenpoint, cooking modern Lebanese food rooted in the recipes his grandmother Odette taught him back home. He cooks from a simple belief: good, thoughtful food creates community and gives strangers common ground.
The fine details
✨ All you need to to join is an open mind. We’ll set up the rest of the night for you.
🌈 This event is open to men and non-binary individuals who identify as gay, bi, trans, or queer.
👉 This event is alcohol- and substance-free. Please arrive sober and refrain from any alcohol or substances prior to this event.
❤️ This space is built on inclusion and respect for every person. Anyone who doesn’t demonstrate those values may be asked to leave.
🙋 Have any questions? Reach out to Brian at thekindling@brianlamy.com
Note on photography
📷 By attending this event, you're entering a space where photos and video will be captured for promotional use. If you'd prefer not to be photographed, grab a white bracelet at check-in to signal your preference to our photographer. We'll do our best to keep you out of shots. Attendance constitutes agreement to this policy.
Ticket sales
Refunds are available within 24 hours of purchase. No refunds within 72 hours of the event, regardless of when you purchased. All other sales are final.
Tickets are transferable with our approval. Email us your guest's name at least 72 hours ahead so we can update seating and dietary notes. Closer than that, reach out anyway and we'll do what we can.
If you can't make it, please let us know as soon as possible. It's a seated dinner, and an empty chair is one someone else could have had.