A Gracious Evening

The Gracie Mansion Conservancy benefit is my favorite event of the year, as I wrote in Out & About today. Photos, including ones not in the print edition, are here. As promised, below are some online extras. The Scene The Guests Board members of the conservancy attending included: Adrian Benepe, Diane Coffey, Oscar de la Renta, Kate Levin, Josie Natori, Patricia Newburger, Pam Schafler, Audrey Smaltz, Robert Tierney, and Patricia Harris. The chairmen of the event were Mr. de la Renta, Ms. Schafler, and Deborah Krulewitch. Others attending: Colin Bailey, Emilio Bassini, Judy Berkowitz, Lisa Cashin, Jennie and Richard DeScherer, Jamie Drake, Michael Gross, Martin Halbfinger, Joan and John Jakobson, Commissioner Raymond Kelly and his wife Veronica, Sandy and Michael Meehan, Nancy and Joe Missett, Mitchell Moss, Laura Pomerantz, Warrie Price, Tom Secunda, Lisa and Michael Schultz, Daisy and Paul Soros, Joan Steinberg, and Christine Taylor. The Chefs chefs photo credit: Kristen Artz <The Menu HORS D'OEUVRES Tuna tartar spring rolls Michael Schulson, Buddakan Blue corn "cones" with guacamole Alicia Reinish, Cafe Botanica Chestnut soup "Viennese Melange" Kurt Gutenbrunner, Cafe Sabarsky Pomegranate-glazed duck on yucca cake Feliberto Estevez, Gracie Mansion Roasted tomato chili cornets Mitchel London, Mitchel London Foods Italian sausage with smoked mozzarella Roberto Paciullo, Roberto's Pistachio-coated goat cheese bon-bons filled with sweet and sour currant jelly Saul Bolton, Saul Crab meat salad with mango and diced vegetables on an endive leaf Rocco Sacramone, Tattoria L'Incontro Raw bar by Blue Fin Cheese selections by Fairway Market Pineapple martinis Celebrating Archibald Gracie's legendary hospitality 2005 Taste White and 2002 Reserve Merlot All wines for the cocktail hour were grown on the North Fork of Long Island and provided by Bedell Cellars and Corey Creek Vineyards DINNER FIRST COURSE Chilled seafood salad with shrimp, scallops, calamari, mussels, and clams in extra virgin olive oil Michael Romano, Union Square Cafe MAIN COURSE Braised short ribs with celeriac puree, green apple and celery salad Jean-Georges Vongerichten Bread by Le Pain Quotidien SORBET "Baba au Rhum" Rum-scented brioche with fruits exotiques, fruit cocktail sorbet and vanilla cream Sebastien Rouxel and Richard Capizzi, Per Se and Bouchon Bakery DESSERT Milk chocolate Cremaux and hazelnut streusel with condensed milk sorbet, pain au lait sauce, and sweetened salty hazelnuts Sebastien Rouxel and Richard Capizzi, Per Se and Bouchon Bakery Chocolate lollipops by Li-Lac Chocolates 2004 Lenz White Label Chardonnay and 2000 Lenz Estate Selection Merlot All wines for the dinner were grown on Long Island