About this Event
More Than a Meetup 🎉 As part of our FOODIES + NEW FRIENDS series.
Percentage of monthly proceeds to benefit a different non-profit each month. Multiple cities, 4-6 people per table, new friends at the end of the day. Support a local restaurant while giving back to a cause!
For the North Carolina series, we're supporting Laura's Wish Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization aimed at helping adults to temporarily escape the stress and challenges of everyday life when living with terminal illness. We help recipients find meaning and joy in life, aiding in heightened mental health during trying times by granting a “wish,” through experience, a material item that would brighten their days or to embark on a new endeavor,etc whatever they desire, we strive to deliver.
The pin on the map is the pre-selected location we'd book a table at should we reach our minimum headcount for the time slot. Please note the restaurant is not directly associated with our series but our gatherings are simply based on an online reservation.
Hop off Eventbrite to become a monthly member on our official site, Foodies + New Friends. This page is to become part of a group, not to sign up for an individual date. Sign up there for portion of monthly memberships are donated to local food banks. Here, everytime you join a table, we support a family by putting dinner on theirs! You can also join us on Patreon for a chance at monthly prizes.
How does this work?
When you sign up we will send you a welcoming email. If you don't get it within 5 minutes of signing up, please contact us.
These outings are intended to help people make friends. These are not dating gatherings. 🧍♂️ 🧍♀️
Our pages are set to $USD 💵
The registration does not include your individual food and drink purchases.
Our intention is 4 diners minumum, 6 maximum per night. After a headcount, we'd book a table at a restaurant.
Check out our feature in Eventbrite's 2025 TRNDS report about embracing the micro-event trend.
Email us at [email protected] for info prior to signing up if you'd like, or for partnerships, or to add your business to our restaurant roster!
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Every Event Includes…
🎲 Signature Icebreaker Questions
No awkward introductions.
Each table receives icebreaker questions shortly before the reservation time via email.
Questions range from funny to the meaningful…
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🍽️ Shared Dining Experience
Relax. Eat. Laugh. Tell stories. No speeches. No pressure. Just conversation, and hopefully food you'll truly love!
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🎯 The Wrap-Up
Every gathering ends with a fun wrap-up round of questions sent in the same email the icebreaker questions are sent.
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📸 Memory Moment
Everyone is invited to gather for a group photo after the wrap-up.
If everyone agrees, it becomes part of your city’s community gallery inside the app.
It’s a reminder that strangers became acquaintances—and sometimes friends.
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Coverage 📰
Cincinnati Magazine interview
Good Morning Washington interview
Here’s our feature on Fox 11 Los Angeles!
Check out our feature in Nashville news station Fox 17
Lewiston, Maine News
*Your registration does not include your individual food and drink purchases. A paid ticket simply makes you more committed to actually showing up, supports our team's endeavors, and contributes to the featured cause of the month.
*If you sign up the day of, there's a risk of already reaching our maximum attendees for the night, or not having enough interest to move forward with a table reservation. Simply email [email protected] for info prior to signing up if you'd like.
Our vision is simple: we take the no gimmicks approach to networking. No need for yet another app to take up space on your phone - just four walls and a roof and good food for people to connect :) We coordinate with you directly, human-to-human. 🤖
Brought to you by event series Ermantourage. Please follow on IG:
@ermantourage
@thecomeunityproject
@foodiesandnewfriends
Check out our other endeavor TheComeunityProject.com and see how we use our platform to help families in need. Campaigns include family medical emergencies, bucket lists, and more.
Testimonials📝
"It was so great! I will share pictures of food and if you need anywhere to share the experience! You did it better than AI! All of us were from different parts of the world, somehow having similar interests even though the age was different. Super cozy and friendly and amazing. We had one birthday (Persephone) so we gave her a cake!Thanks for hosting and looking forward to more events!" -Korina from Munich
"Hey, just wanted to give an update months later. I ended up forming a long term friend from this event and am very grateful. Thank you for helping set it up!" - Daritza from Austin
“It was a great event, Erman - thanks -- great group, friendly environment, and a really good way to be introduced to people.... “ - Ron from NYC, dinner with creatives edition
“The organizers did a great job coordinating this event. It was a great selection of people, good vibes all around, and such a fun time. Perfect if you’re looking to connect and make new friends!” -Eden from Los Angeles
“I went in not knowing what to expect, but this ended up being such a great experience. The group was fun and easy to connect with, and the overall vibe felt very natural, not forced or awkward at all. We had great conversations, lots of laughs, and I genuinely enjoyed meeting everyone. We’ve even stayed in touch and plan to meet up again, which says a lot. Would absolutely do this again.” -Claudia from Miami
“I’m glad to say that the events that Erman and his team have put together have surpassed my expectations! I’m also satisfied with how well they have been curated towards my interests and schedule. The uniqueness of these experiences have been much more enjoyable than I could’ve imagined!” -Michael D. from Virginia Beach
More about
Laura's Wish Foundation was founded after Kimberly's family went on a long awaited family vacation to Disney World. Kimberly's Mom, Laura, was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2017, she fought the battle everyday and never backed down. Like many survivors, Laura was faced with lots of financial hardships after being forced on disability - through different grants, she was awarded financial help, however, though the financial assistance did take a weight off of Laura's shoulders, it's never helped her to escape the stress of the disease.
In October 2022, Kimberly, Laura and the rest of their family took a big vacation to Disney World, and this was when Laura's Wish was thought of. Despite Laura's disease, planning this vacation and looking forward to it gave her hope and happiness, it gave her something to work toward, and once there, it gave her pure joy. Something, financial assistance couldn't give her. She was in a magical place with her grandbabies and the rest of her family, and this was something her disease couldn't take from her.
At Laura's Wish Foundation, we hope to help others with terminal illness to escape the pain and stress of everyday, let us grant your wish!
Event venue & nearby stays
Da Vinci's Italian Restaurant, 2968 North Center Street, Hickory, United States
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.