City Club Weddings to Remember- Ron Smith & Rick Ritt 10.19.08

I have been enlightened. For any person planning a wedding, I have a tip that will guarantee that you will have a wonderful wedding. I was enlightened through planning the wedding of Ron Smith and Rick Ritt, who were married at the Club on Sunday, October 19th. The tip, plan a party, not a wedding. Mr. Ron Smith, a lover of all things party, food, family, friends and fun, dreamt of a truly splendid event. From the pre-ceremony reception of hors d’ oeuvres by Chef Michael Munoz and open bar (he figured there was no reason to make his friends and family wait until all the way after the ceremony to start the celebrating), to the rocking Swing City Band led Bradley Connlain who played throughout the dinner (again, Rick wondered why make people wait to dance?) it was a truly sensational event.

They choose to let the band be the centerpiece of the reception, and placed them in front of the fireplace, dance floor next and then the couple’s King’s head table, all surrounded by tables of their family and friends. Rather the band take a break when dinner was served, the dinner was served when the band took a break! The guests enjoyed a delicious meal of Char gilled Angus Filet and Seared Blue Nose Sea Bass and then got right back to the dance floor. Aside from the great music, décor and food, the most spectacular part of this wedding was the love in the room. I have done a fairly good amount of weddings but this one brought me tears, not once but twice. The story about Rick, the last of I think 11 siblings, to finally use the family knife to cut the Challah was truly touching.

At the end of the night, everyone was full to the brim of food and drink, dance and merriment and most of all love and isn’t that the true essence of what we all want at our wedding? So take a tip from this couple, take little notice of the little details but focus fully on creating and event that will inspire love.

Photographs by Fred McMillan

See what Beth Spotswood of SF Gate thought about the event too!

-Cassie Harris, Sales & Catering Manager

A Thanksgiving Table

Thanksgiving is a holiday out of the year that families take the time to sit down and converse over good food & family traditions. I believe simple & elegant additions to the dinner table can have a beautiful & festive impact. I am always the one elected to set the Thanksgiving Table in my family. I have acquired some tips throughout the years to make a great impact on your table at home, that uses your time wisely, and won’t break the budget:

1. Start with a pressed and clean table cloth that fits the table. Some favorites of mine are ivory, burnt orange, or burgundy.

2. Centerpiece: If a small floral arrangement is not in the plan there are things you can do. Two candle sticks may do the trick, or simple votive candles can be just as elegant.

3. Set place cards out on the table. This is a great way to choose for your guests where they will sit, and avoid uncomfortable family situations- if there may be!

4. Last but not least remember napkins! A nice way to present them on the table is in a nice fold right on the plate or charger. Or if you want to get fancy a tuxedo fold is always great if you decide to have menu cards.

Oh! And don’t forget the kids table. A small coloring book and crayons is a great way to keep those kiddos occupied!

TIP: Set the table the night before so that is one less things you have to do in the morning while preparing everything else.


Have a happy & stress free thanksgiving!

-Alison Angelo
Catering & Sales Manager

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

The holidays are my favorite time of the year. I have had the great pleasure of working at the City Club for almost three years now and this will be my third season of enjoying the Club decorated for the holidays.

The halls will be decked on December 1st and we plan to decorate the Club with gorgeous holiday décor.

Each of the rooms will be decorated with garland and wreaths abundant with twinkling lights and bows. The staircase will be adorned with fresh birch wood and lots of poinsettias. Our tree will be overflowing with gold and silver ornaments and specially wrapped presents under the tree. With holiday music playing and festive libations available, we look forward to celebrating with our Members and guests.

We hope that no matter what the condition of the economy may be in right now, when you walk into the City Club you feel embraced with joy and remember what the holidays are all about.

We thank all of the companies and Members who will join us this Season and look forward to many great celebrations!!

Michelle Kimmins - Director of Sales & Catering

And in this corner...

11/17
It was an amazing night here at the City Club – the Club was buzzing all day long as the boxing ring started taking shape on the 10th floor in the Café. All the various elements of this event sparked a palpable energy, as the boxing ring stood waiting for the classic mano-a-mano bouts to come. As members and special guests arrived looking elegant in their tuxes and gowns, the boxers weighed in and started warming up on the 9th floor. After a few cocktails and a hefty portion of beef tenderloin for dinner, it was time for the highlight of the evening – 10 sanctioned bouts, each three rounds. The boxers danced in the foyer in front of the elevators, as members admired their form and eagerly anticipated each match up. Everyone who attended enjoyed the transformation of the Club, and I have already had requests for another one next year! The Community Youth Center pulled everything together seamlessly, so we are appreciative of their level of professionalism and are looking forward to working with them again. Pictures will be coming soon, courtesy of member James Lilley – stay tuned!

Have you reserved for the Member Holiday party yet? December 2nd is not too far away - and the Club will be traditionally decked and ready for holiday cheer!

Looking forward to seeing you at the Club!

Larissa Lorian
Member Services Manager

Bridechilla

As the Club Director at The City Club, I’m surrounded by events day to day, week to week, year after year. In other words, inspiration is around us all the time and we have the luxury of building some really wonderful events in this gem of a place. We’re lucky, and we know it.

When I got engaged in April, it would have made perfect sense to get married at The City Club – after all, I’d seen plenty of weddings over my tenure and I knew that I’d be in the wonderfully creative hands of our fabulous Catering team. However, given that my then-fiance/now-husband and I had over 400 people on our “A List” (did I mention he’s the youngest of 10 children??), we decided that we need a wide open space for our festive affair…a large open pasture to be exact. That being decided, I vowed to myself and to my better half that planning a wedding in 6 short months would not get the best of me, nor sabotage our relationship.

I won’t go into detail about all the trials and tribulations of planning a wedding in a pasture that was not exactly equipped for the party that we were dreaming up – some might say that sounds like heaven for a creative genius (and at times it was!) but time and efficiency was of the essence. What I will share with you are my tips on how to get through the wedding planning process with ease, however much time you have to plan, and the resources that I found to be most helpful and inspiring:

1. Hire a coordinator. Our coordinator, Ryann, was truly our saving grace. Not only was she in command of every detail, but she was a neutral voice throughout the process, offering insight and recommendations, and kept us on track throughout. If you don’t have the budget or feel the need to have a coordinator throughout the planning process, I highly recommend you consider a Day-of coordinator – someone who will corral your vendors and coordinate everything onsite so that it’s the farthest thing from your mind the day of!

2. Blogs, blogs, blogs. As much as I wished I’d had the time to read every bridal magazine cover to cover, make collages of my dream wedding (i.e. inspiration board), etc….time did not allow whatsoever. I found blogs to be particularly helpful in giving me a daily dose of inspiration and since they are updated everyday, there was always something new to check out. Here are a few of my favorite blogs and planning websites:
a. Style Me Pretty – for the style-obsessed bride…what’s not to love about that tagline? And it’s pretty safe to say that I did become obsessed with this site. I started my planning days with a cup of coffee and Style me Pretty. The “vintage chic” section of their real weddings and I became the best of friends.
b. Snippet and Ink – similar to SMP and a real treat for your eyes. I particularly loved the guest bloggers that they would feature from time to time. Lots of style and creativity throughout.
c. Etsy – SMP turned me on to Etsy and again, I became obsessed! I ordered that fabulous ring dish from an artist that I found on Etsy. And the inner-artist was all about supporting those out there who are doing some really creative things.
d. Alison Events blog- Alison Events is a local SF-based event planning company that specializes in fabulous destination weddings – and we’re talking fabulous! As much as I liked to think that my pasture-chic wedding in Chico was a “destination wedding,” I couldn’t hold a candle to what these talented ladies do but I did have some fun perusing their blog from time to time for some very helpful tips.

3. Take a Marriage Prep course. If you are not getting married in a Church that requires a pre-marriage course or retreat, a non-denominational marriage prep course may be something to consider. My then-fiance/now-husband and I took a course in San Francisco called Marriage Prep 101 and found it to be the BEST money spent towards planning the wedding, hands down. It’s taught by a husband-wife team of psychologists/couples therapists – click here to check out their website.

4. Use your Wedding Party. I mean that in the most sincere of ways! It’s an honor to be a part of a couple’s most special day and the people that you select to stand up for you are those who are most important to you – and most likely would do anything for you. So put them to work! Delegate tasks, errands, DIY projects - anything that does not absolutely need to be managed by you. Planning a wedding is a true labor of love in many respects, and most people are more than happy to contribute a helping hand.

5. Keep it all in perspective. Remember why you’re planning this great big event after all. The end result is far more important than any drama along the way. Remind yourself that everything will come together beautifully and most importantly, stay present in each moment. You’ll enjoy and remember the journey that much more.

6. Do the Hustle. When all is said and done and your wedding day arrives, get out on the dance floor with your people, queue up "The Hustle" on your setlist, and have fun.

Go with the flow, take it all in stride, and you too, can be the “Bridechilla” that you want to be. It’s far more pleasant than the alternative.

I’ve included some photos from my big day…just for fun!

Happy Planning to you!

-Victoria Welch (Piluso)

Run DMC Connects Event Planners with Suppliers

On Wednesday, November 12th the San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau hosted the first Destination Management Company networking event at The City Club. This unique networking event provides Meeting and Event Planners an opportunity to meet Bureau Convention Service supplier members, showcasing their latest products and services.

The Main Dining Room at City Club was the perfect venue to host this “speed dating” atmosphere for vendors to quickly blast their offerings to busy DMC’s. The sound of the bull horn signaled DMC’s to move to the next table. I was in fact a participant and I found the format to be highly successful and very pleasant. I enjoyed conversing with DMC planners about the City Club on a casual and social level, while hearing about upcoming groups and events coming to the city in 2009. DMC’s such as TBA Global, Mana, Allison & Associates, & California Host were among the “runners”.

Kudos to the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau for hosting this modern and effective networking opportunity. Check back with us to learn about future mixers at The City Club for Wedding Professionals!

-Alison Angelo
Sales & Catering Manager

The CMO Club –November 6th & 7th, 2008

The City Club had the honor of hosting another group of diverse and intellectual guests late last week. The CMO Club headed by Peter Kranik, chose the City Club for their Peer to Peer Summit on November 6th and 7th.

The CMO Club focuses on exclusive peer to peer interactions of Chief Marketing Officers . They host dinners, online network and conferences to cultivate the “non-selling,” give and take form of information sharing.

It was a pleasure having the group with us at the City Club as well as working with Kaitlyn Mello of Garnish Events, a true professional with the discipline and focus on details that it takes to produce a truly flawless event.



The CMO Club started the morning on Thursday with a Networking Breakfast o followed by presentations and a panel discussion. Then they took advantage of the whole Club by breaking off into discussion groups in the Main Dining Room and Bechtel Room. The day continued with Lunch and wrapped up with a networking reception and a Celebration Dinner in the Café prepared by our Executive Chef Michael Munoz. The group returned on Friday, for more networking and idea sharing and ended early to give their guests an opportunity to enjoy the City.

Founder of the club, Pete Krainik noted, "we loved The City Club and it not only set the right tone for the sessions, the support from Club personal was excellent. Based on the postive feedback we will look to host another CMO Summit here".

Thank you for choosing us!

-Cassie Harris, Sales & Catering Manager

Let the Festivities Begin!!

Ahhhh, the holiday season is fast approaching and we are planning to feature some special beverages to help usher in the holiday spirit!

Each year it is the goal of the City Club to feature a special priced wine by the glass as well as to offer some specialty holiday cocktails at the member's bar. As you know, I am always trying to offer wines that are not readily, or easily, available at grocery stores or specialty food and wine markets. I strive to find the wines that are unique in their own way with limited production, high in quality and affordably priced. This is one of the ways I can share my passion and my commitment to offer you a creative selection of beverage products that will reflect the holiday atmosphere.

On behalf of the Food & Beverage Department, we all wish you and your families a happy holiday season!

Alex Rychetsky, Director of Food & Beverage

A Childhood Dream Come True

As a catering manager at The City Club, I am very lucky to meet many fabulous brides who are excitedly looking for that perfect location to host their wedding day celebrations. While we talk about their wedding day dreams and visions the topic of "The Dress" is always a sure topic to brighten any bride's face, and is just as important in a bride's wedding planning as finding "The One". The wedding dress is the quintessential icon of any bride's wedding day and is always the first item on the planning to-do list – whether or not the wedding location has been selected! In fact, many of the brides I meet have already selected their dresses before they've even begun their location search!

Knowing how important this process is to the bridal planning process, I've begun a search to help brides find the perfect dress and service that will extend the elegance and fabulous style of The City Club!

My favorite locations so far are:
Glamour Closet, Alexandra's, Amy Kuschel & JinWang.

Glamour Closet is a great find located on the edge of The Financial District & North Beach. Not only is it an absolutely darling storefront with great service and style but it's easy to get in. The fabulous ladies who assist in dress trials are on a walk-in client basis and are open to bride's whimsical schedules. Perhaps the best treat about Glamour Closet is the fact that all the dresses are sold off the rack – they're samples for sale – in great condition! So – if you can imagine – the designer prices are absolutely unbeatable!!

Alexandra's is another bridal boutique that leaves you with a great feeling. It is an intimate appointment-only studio that offers a wonderful feel for great taste, variety in design and very personal service. Nicole, Alexandra's Store Manager is a natural at guiding brides to their dream gown – and is a pro at making sure that every detail of each gown is perfected before it's debut walk down the aisle! Each bride who visits receives the royal treatment – it's an experience fit for a queen!!

Amy Kuschel is a San Francisco wedding gown designer who is so much fun to love! The Amy Kuschel experience is professional and fun. The Amy Kuschel team offers a very savvy style to your gown selection that feels a lot like shopping with your girlfriends! And there's nothing more special than seeing Amy walk up to her brides and taking a personal interest in each gown's individual fit to it's blushing bride!

My final bridal location is the ever so lovely Jin Wang. Located on Maiden Lane, Jin is perhaps one of San Francisco's most royal boutiques. Jin designs custom gowns for the bride who has the perfect picture in her mind – but not anywhere else… she is able to turn your childhood dream gown into a reality. And she also carries an elegant variety of her designs as well as other designers who extend her graceful view for design and beauty.

Ok ladies! Congratulations on your engagement!! Now – happy shopping!

- Alison Bianchetti
City Club Catering Sales Manager

Cooking Light Magazine's Signature Supper Club visit’s The City Club

On October 23, 2008 Cooking Light Magazine partnered with The City Club to host their “La Crème de la Crème” Supper Club tour.
















Cooking Light’s Chef demonstrated a tasty French- bistro- inspired menu while guests enjoyed a four course “healthier” meal along with wines paired by Woodbridge.

Cooking Light magazine provided us with their recipes while our executive Chef Michael Munoz prepared the tasty dishes. One of the recipes that certainly surprised us was the Country Chicken Pâté.

Pâté is traditionally made with whole cream but the Cooking Light version replaces the higher fat cream with low-fat sour cream and fat-free cream cheese.

For those who love to indulge in tasty food while watching calories, give this recipe a try. We are sure you will not be disappointed.

Country Chicken Pâté Recipe along with photo provided by Cooking Light, 2000 .



Served with French bread baguette
Coarse-grained mustard
Gherkins

1 teaspoon butter or stick margarine
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, chopped
4 ounces chicken livers
2 tablespoons port or other sweet red wine
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Dash of ground cinnamon
Dash of ground allspice
1 tablespoon low-fat sour cream
1 pound boned, skinned chicken breast, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 (8-ounce) block fat-free cream cheese, cubed and softened

Cooking spray
Preheat oven to 325°.
Melt butter in a small nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, and sauté 4 minutes. Add chicken livers; cook 2 minutes or until livers lose their pink color. Add port, and cook 3 minutes or until most of liquid evaporates. Cool.
Place chicken liver mixture, salt, and next 5 ingredients (salt through allspice) in a food processor or blender; process until smooth, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Add the sour cream, chicken breast, and cream cheese; process until smooth, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Spread chicken mixture into an 8 x 4-inch loaf pan coated with cooking spray.
Bake at 325° for 1 hour or until a thermometer registers 170°. Cool; cover and chill 8 hours. Serve at room temperature.

Yield: 10 servings

CALORIES 95 (16% from fat); FAT 1.7g (sat 0.7g,mono 0.4g,poly 0.3g); PROTEIN 15.9g; CHOLESTEROL 82mg; CALCIUM 76mg; SODIUM 297mg; FIBER 0.2g; IRON 1.4mg; CARBOHYDRATE 2.4g

Enjoy!
- Michelle Kimmins - Director of Sales & Catering

Splish Splash...

Members were blown away by the unexpected Library Wine that Winemaker Josh Jensen hand-picked from his cellar. The ‘97 Reed Pinot was just the beginning of an evening filled with splashes of a number of Pinot Noirs from Calera Wine Company. The Library Room on the 9th floor was a cozy and comfortable setting for this intimate dinner with the winemaker, as just 30 members and guests gathered to hear about Josh Jensen’s philosophy, techniques and tasting suggestions for his handcrafted wines. Chef outdid himself with the menu that evening; he started off with a creamy bone marrow custard set atop a thin layer of raw beef carpaccio, drizzled with earthy truffle oil – all of which melded together to set off the first Pinot Noir very nicely. The second course featured richly braised short ribs in their own braising sauce; the richness was perfectly cut by the sharp bite of fresh horseradish mashed potatoes. In the spirit of the season, a pumpkin flan with a dried fruit compote offered a nice complement to the precious pour of Calera’s Late Harvest Viognier. This was our last winemaker dinner of the year! Make sure to join us for a special Italian multi-winemaker extravaganza coming in February of 2009!