Washington’s Top Businesses ‘Gilted’ Into Trying Rogue 24!

BLAGDEN ALLEY -- With Washingtonians being courted by a variety of so called ‘daily deal’ providers, scoring a bargain at a restaurant or spa has never been easier. But amidst a constant barrage of offers, it can be tough to find the proverbial diamond in the rough.

Things will get a whole lot easier for District residents on August 1st, however, with the official launch of online luxury shopping giant Gilt Groupe’s take on the daily deal space. Dubbed Gilt City, the four-million-member-strong shopping category leader has embarked on an ambitious campaign to bring its affluent touch to a market that is more traditionally focused on lower price points.

Metrocurean’s Amanda McClements and Chef RJ Cooper.
Gilt seeks to break the traditional daily deal mold by focusing primarily on unique and coveted lifestyle experiences, rather than bombarding its members with everything under the sun (quality vs. quantity, essentially). The company's ability to do so therefore hinges on its success in attracting commensurate high-end, local businesses to partner with the Gilt City brand.

Derek Brown, the acclaimed mixologist behind both Rogue 24 and the Columbia Room’s cocktail programs.
Monday night represented the opening salvo in this never ending charm offensive, with Gilt City hosting an intimate cocktail party for representatives of D.C.’s top restaurants, boutiques, hotels, and service businesses at Chef RJ Cooper’s soon-to-open 24-course, fine dining restaurant, Rogue 24.

Top company brass from New York, including Gilt City President Nathan Richardson and Chief Revenue Officer Carolyn Bekkedahl, had traveled to the District just for the occasion. They joined Gilt’s D.C. Curator, Marissa Schneider, in chatting with area businesses while sampling from Rogue 24’s much talked about small plate and cocktail menu.

Gilt City President Nathan Richardson.
Derek Friday from The Source by Wolfgang Puck, Julia Farr from her eponymous boutique, Paige Speyer from Georgetown’s Wink boutique, Allyson Parson from the celebrity-frequented Café Milano, and Lost Boys’ Kelly Muccio were but a handful of the guests spotted.

Gilt’s D.C. Curator, Marissa Schneider, is flanked by Vanessa Rodriguez of Federal Realty and Gilt City CRO Carolyn Bekkedahl.
“Our event this evening at the highly anticipated Rogue 24 was the ideal setting to introduce Gilt City to the DC market,” said Schneider. “We are thrilled to connect with top businesses in the area and work to customize great offers with them in the coming weeks.”

Rogue 24’s $5,000 rotary evaporators were put to good use for the party.