I laughed when I got the e-mail invite on Nov. 3.

“The concept is very simple BYO, in other words, everyone is bringing a little treat or favorite beverage to the gathering,” said Jay DePalma, a local artist who opened what he called an upscale, arts and entertainment establishment in Pineapple Grove in Delray Beach, 245 NE 2nd Ave.

My first thought was BYO, as in bring your own? Is this high school and are we going to a kegger with BYOB (bring your own beer) after the football game at Josh’s house?
Did you hear that Courtney cheated on Brad, the team quarterback, and kissed his best friend Jeremy, the team’s running back?

I kept an open mind and arrived to find out that DePalma was a flamboyant Cuban with two earrings and red Elton John sunglasses. He was an art diva and I liked it. Where is Jason Parsley when you need him?

I opened the front door and there was so much fine art in the gallery, I felt like I was walking into my grandmother’s antique apartment.

There were drawings of all the ancient celebrities like Marilyn Monroe, Ava Gardner and Liz Taylor. It was like a 1950s U.S. Weekly magazine. Plus, every section of the gallery was different. One part would have large decorative Asian vases, while another part looked out of a cabin during Thanksgiving, with harvest décor.

A couple couch areas were set up with floral designs. Tea and crumpets anyone?

Toward the back of the gallery was a country-style wooden table with two large roosters as decorations and a bowl of salty nuts. Now, you all know what I am going to say so I don’t even have to.

There were also some Cheez-It crackers and grapes, but I’m solely focusing on the two cocks aka roosters and the cashews.

The gallery also has a nice Sony 40-inch TV for viewing of vintage movies while drinking wine and creating art.

The next dialog I couldn’t make up if I tried. A young woman had brought honey garlic meatballs to the opening. You know where this is going.

“These are magic balls, you can’t eat just one,” she said.

“All balls should be eaten in pairs of twos,” I quickly quipped.

To be honest, they were delicious. You know what? As the evening wore on, I started to feel at home like I was at a Hanukkah dinner party. There were lots of red wine and plenty of tasty treats.

Then someone brought a special edition bottle of Absolut Vodka. This really is starting to be like a Rothman family party.

The BYO concept was a little different but interesting. Next time, I’m bringing Jager Bombs.

For information about the gallery, call 561-860-7748.