Guest Post: Lisa Martinez on her lovely company Lark and how it is helping build community in Southern California
You know those people who are running companies that sound magical and amazing and are doing great things in the world? Yes, she is definitely one of those people.
Lucky me, how often do you meet someone who is engaging, a great conversationalist AND owns the most wonderful business around putting on communal dinner parties? And who is willing to share the background and mission of it? Anyone who knows me knows sharing good food and building community are two of my biggest passions and Lisa has managed to make a career out of tying these together in a wonderful way. Truth be told I have yet experience a Lark dinner party but as Lisa could tell you I ask her all the time when she is having her next one and I WILL be there. I am so drawn in by her ability to create an engaging evening by gathering people that would not ordinarily be sitting around the table and sharing dinner. And building community. How many times do you get to be surrounded by the magic of great food and interesting people and beautiful music and a gorgeous venue woven all together? There is something very magical about sharing and bonding this way. Honestly this concept and the special way Lisa is weaving together all the elements that make it work is just incredible, and I am here for it. I can’t wait for you dive a bit deeper so keep reading below for her lovely words.
xo, Lesli
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Hello!
I was on a bit of lark when I met Lesli, who is the author of this engaging Substack as well as a great conversationalist! We met, by chance, sitting next to each other at a recent event hosted by Now Serving & The Stacks featuring an amazing gal from the East Coast who opened a shop called Big Night.
Well, books, podcasts, all things culinary & meeting new people are right up my/our alley––so here we found ourselves, on a warm summer evening, seated under a string of lights in a beautiful backyard in Silver Lake exchanging stories.
I am honored to have Lesli, who genuinely seeks a richer life through community, invite me to share my story. My name is Lisa Martinez and my passion project come-to-life business, aptly named Lark, is the repeated creation of well styled pop-up communal dinner parties in Southern California for people who love food, wine, fashion & design (subjects abridged).
Wait, what? Imagine a makeshift convivial restaurant with one long communal table existing for one night in an inviting space— be it a boutique, interior design studio, coffee shop, art gallery, or private residence. Here people gather, coming together or alone, to share a curated dining experience––a collaborative effort brought to life by the makers: producer, stylist, chef, florist, photographer, illustrator, etc…
This lark of ours is organic––meaning once a person sees/hears/ learns of lark, they are invited. One may discover a lark through a location, friend, social, talent, curated provisions or purely by chance. These strings of interest pull curious and adventurous people together to enjoy delicious chef crafted four course meals & wine pairing, be inspired by the surroundings, and partake in the (rediscovered) art of conversation.
How did we get here? An intersection of experience, dreams, bravado, and discovery. We are chasing a feeling one gets when they are in flow. We are chasing visions. We are chasing possibilities. We are chasing the unfolding of things yet to be defined. And vice-versa because this adventure also tugs.
Our approach is intentional, modeled after our days of producing still photography shoots––with purpose and art direction. Every lark is informed by what is inspiring us at the moment. Often it is something intangible conveyed through images and words (inside scoop: we lean heavy on Pinterest).
It’s relatively simple, it’s always refreshing and, best of all, it’s building community dinner by dinner (bird by bird). We have done 75 larks to date. Honing our craft through our motto: do, reflect, refine & do again.
We love to learn of a guest, collaborator or follower who has discovered a new place, made a new friend, became inspired to pursue their dream, became delighted by new idea or opportunity, are now inspired to throw their own dinner party and have felt nourished in endless (sometimes indescribable) ways.
This in real life connection is much needed and desired. The nuances add up to nourish and sustain us. This is what living feels like. And we can’t wait to do it again.
💛⚡️Love how chance meetings can materialize into shared opportunities & friendship!