PARTIES

Battle of the Socialite Dinners: Julia Restoin Roitfeld vs. Sofía Sanchez de Betak

An art director and a fashion consultant hosted dueling dinners on opposite sides of New York City. Here, a side by side comparison.

by Ally Betker

April 15, 2016

Earlier this week, the Argentinean, New York-based socialite (and art director, thank you very much) Sofía Sanchez de Betak and the French, New York-based socialite (and consultant!) Julia Restoin Roitfeld held celebratory dinners in New York. On Thursday, Roitfeld invited guests to the nearby downtown Barneys New York in Chelsea for the knitwear designer Ulla Johnson, while de Betak Uber-ed her guests to Astoria, Queens on Monday to fete a suitcase designer – herself! de Betak might get points for original location, but Roitfeld captured the downtown crowd.

Your Party Hosts Sofía Sanchez de Betak, art director, Instagram aficionado. Julia Restoin Roitfeld, fashion consultant, daughter of Carine.

Dinner’s Official Excuse De Betak: Suitcases! Specifically, her collaboration with the 119-year-old label Globe-Trotter and hotel group The Luxury Collection. Roitfeld: Knits! Specifically, those by the ten-year-old label Ulla Johnson.

Location, Location, Location De Betak: Loukoumi Taverna in Astoria, Queens. A fleet of town cars took partygoers to and from Manhattan. Roitfeld: Barneys New York’s new store in Chelsea. Guests could have walked there, though they probably didn’t.

The Tribes De Betak: Industry lifers Inez van Lamsweerdeand Vinoodh Matadin, Meredith Melling Burke, Linda Fargo. Roitfeld: Downtown lifers Sarah Sophie Flicker, Jessica Joffe, Thaddeus O’Neil.

Humblebrag of the Night De Betak: “I had to add tables at the last minute because I had no cancellations!” de Betak said. Roitfeld: Pamela Love crowing about her CFDA Award win three years ago.

Resident Ubiquitor with a Jewelry Line De Betak: Waris Ahluwalia. Roitfeld: Pamela Love.

The Victoria’s Secret Angels De Betak: Constance Jablonski. Roitfeld: Maryna Linchuk.

Talk of the TableDe Betak: Playing six degrees of separation. Roitfeld: The New York primary.

Dinner Table Pastime De Betak: Politely declining the mounds of calamari, Greek salad and chicken kebobs – then taking home a doggie bag. Roitfeld: Playing face swap.

And For Dessert De Betak: A giant cheesecake from Time’s Square tourist favorite, Junior’s, emblazoned with the Greek flag. Roitfeld: Blood orange ricotta cake, served with blood orange sorbet.