A Warren Couple Fosters Community Through Dinner Parties, Book Clubs, Cinema Clubs and More
In an age where many of us work remotely, community can be hard to come by. “It’s hard to make friends as adults,” says Julia Dominguez of her experience after moving to Rhode Island in 2021 with her husband, Irvin. Their solution? Hosting dinner parties, book clubs and cinema clubs here in Rhode Island and retreats in select New England locations. Marking The Dinner Club RI’s two-year anniversary this June, they have hosted more than 60 events, with themes including Yoga Brunch; Weenies and ‘tinis; and Trivia.
Julia and Irvin started in 2023 by posting their first dinner invite on social media. At first, Irvin remembers being skeptical that others would buy into the concept, but they’ve had a steady stream of participants, mostly adults aged 25 to 35, since the beginning.
For the couple, food is a deeply meaningful and natural point of connection. As the youngest of six, Julia remembers learning to cook and bake as a way to help out while her parents worked. Irvin recalls, “For me, growing up, every weekend, I would get together with my family of 30 for a potluck, and we’d just eat and have a good time. That’s what food is to me, so I want to share that with everyone.”
Their house, where the dinner clubs are held, is a historic structure in Warren with large grounds. On one particular evening in late May, Julia and Irvin welcomed nine guests—one returning couple and the rest newcomers—with spicy margaritas and strawberry hibiscus cocktails. After escorting everyone to their beautiful dining room filled with books and artwork, they brought out appetizers: chicken tinga and shrimp tostadas on locally made tortillas from Tortillería El Quetzal in the Hartford neighborhood of Providence. These were followed by a dinner of chicken enchiladas divorciadas, which means they included both red and green salsas, with homemade rice and beans. For dessert, they brought out assorted pan dulce from Casa Mexico, a Mexican grocery store in the Dyerville neighborhood of Providence, and freshly brewed espresso.
The conversation and cocktails flowed until the moon was high and there were no strangers to be seen, only friends. Diners shared everything from hobbies to personal stories about the struggles of connection and working from home after Covid. Staying true to their motto “Came for food, left with friends,” Julia and Irvin have created a truly special community with The Dinner Club RI.
