Last week I had some questions for Jill Richmond, founder of the Coterie, a newly launched dining club that gives the District's food connoisseurs a chance to have chefs at five acclaimed local restaurants create an off-the-menu experience just for them. The $42-per-month membership fee also gets you access to Sunday cocktail hours and group dinners. 

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I initially took issue with the Washingtonian piece about the Coterie, which I felt painted an elitist portrait of its typical and most-desired member. When I spoke to Richmond, however, she described the Coterie in a way that made it seem — if spending money on fancy food is your type of thing — enjoyable.

Lucky for me, Richmond invited me to the soft launch of the Coterie's fireside cocktail parties, which took place Sunday at the Fathom Gallery near Logan Circle.

After the jump: My evening as a fancy lady