Vicky and Lysander Fake Dinner PartyIn the hierarchy of awkward social engagements, the dinner party lies somewhere between an ex's wedding and an office karaoke party. (When too many drinks leads to an "Endless Love" duet with Greg from payroll, just remember, you will have to see him every payday.)

But the dinner party is a special breed of discomfort: Between the food you have to pretend to like even if you don't and the small talk with strangers and semi-acquainted friends, you think to yourself, Why am I not at home, privately shoveling a Mr. Potatoskin sandwich into my face? Because awkwardness can be very, very entertaining. Especially if the dinner party is a fake one hosted by Vicky & Lysander.

Like dinner theater where you're in on the action, Vicky and Lysander's soiree is part improv comedy, part meal. In the couple's "dining room" at Grand Opening storefront on the Lower East Side, guests are served grub from Mama's Food Shop (on the spread: mac 'n cheese, fried chicken and potato salad), as Vicky and Lysander get to know their 12 new friends by asking a lot of questions, which as any self-involved host knows, is just an impetus for turning the conversation around and talking about himself.

But that's OK, because the pretentious pair of wealthy socialites are guaranteed to be way more interesting (and offensive) than anyone else at the table. If Lysander isn't regaling you with the story about how he saved a "brown child" from a shark in St. Bart's, Vicky is yapping about Tonka, her desperately-in-need-of-Botox spiritual adviser who lives in the crawl space above their bathroom. There may also be slide shows, a song-and-dance number, and plenty of jokes at the expense of your dining partners. Those who are shy or easily insulted may want to double up on the BYOB tip -- because they'll need the extra social lubrication.

Tickets are $40, with dinners held Thursday through Sunday, now until May 23.