The Center for Justice and Accountability 3.17.09

The City Club of San Francisco welcomed back The Center for Justice and Accountability for the second year this past month. This organization is one of the many non-profit groups that we have the pleasure of hosting here at the City Club. They are a group that works on a variety of human rights legislative and policy efforts with an emphasis on supporting policy that enhance the commitment to criminally prosecute human rights abusers.

As a venue, when clients to come back and use the Club, it is very flattering for us. To me it means that their past event was a huge success not only for the guests on that evening but also for their fundraising efforts and publicity for their group. It’s a great feeling for the entire team to have that type of compliment be paid. Like most organizations, especially non-profits in a fundraising capacity, it is ever important to maximize your resources and I am glad that we were able to create a truly wonderful event that the guests seemed to really appreciate and enjoy again this year.

The organization provided their own wine which was paired with a variety of food stations ranging from Turkey Carving to Italian prepared by Chef Michael Munoz. Guests mingled and filled up on the stations in the Café (10th floor) before being invited upstairs to the Main Dining Room (11th floor) for the Awards presentation featuring awards for Paul Farmer, M.D., Ph.D, Bureau Des Avocats Internationaux and Dr. Juan Romagoza. The guests were then invited back to the Café for dessert, coffee and tea. The evening had a wonderful flow and despite not including a full plated meal, the guests left full and satisfied.

I spoke with my contact at CJA following the event and we concluded that we may have preferred this set-up as it afforded guests with the opportunity to mix with a larger number of people rather than be with the same 8 people for the entire of the evening. All in all, we concluded that their guests really seemed to enjoy themselves.

It is a pleasure working with such an energetic and organized group and we hope to have them back with us again next year.

City Club Quinoa

Scallion Quinoa
Preheat oven to 400 degrees
¾ cup diced onion
3 Garlic Cloves Minced
2 Cups Quinoa
2 ½ cups Chicken Broth
1 Bunch Green Onion-Sliced
Salt and Pepper to taste
Olive oil for sauté
Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Sauté onions and garlic till translucent. Add Quinoa to pan and lightly toast, add a little

more olive oil if needed. Add broth and bring to a boil. Cover tightly and place in oven for 20-25 minutes. The quinoa will be done when the grains look like they have little strings hanging from them. Take out of oven, let cool slightly and season with salt and pepper. Add green onions and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. Mix and enjoy!

Healthy Lifestyle Tips from Chef Munoz

Many of you do not realize that our Executive Chef, Michael Muñoz, is not only dedicated to serving the most healthful of foods, he is also a dedicated personal trainer. Here are some culinary tips on how to prepare a tasty dish of Quinoa. In future blog spots Michael will also provided us with an instruction video for an exercise technique that will help you towards the goal of developing a healthy, active lifestyle.

The City Club presents "Chefs to Know - Dine & Sign"

The City Club of San Francisco has partnered with Starchefs to bring you an all star lineup of celebrity San Francisco Chef's.

Celebrate the launch of StarChefs.com's "Chef's to Know", a comprehensive guide to chefs from around the country and the world.

Don't miss the opportunity to enjoy a five course prix fixe menu from the following:

· Stuart Brioza, formerly of Rubicon, San Francisco

· Noriyuki Sugie, formerly of Asiate, New York

· Richard Corbo, Ducca, San Francisco

· Mark Dommen, One Market, San Francisco

· Nicole Krasinski, formerly of Rubicon, San Francisco

Monday, April 6, 2009
6:00pm
Hors d'oeuvres provided by Executive Chef Michael Munoz from the City Club
Dinner to follow

$175 including dinner, wine, tax and service charge
+ a copy of the book signed by participating chefs


Reservations are still available.

Please contact us at 415-362-6697 or michelle.kimmins@cityclubsf.com

A Decadent Affaire

As we all face challenges with the economy everyone is being creative with their budgets. Planning a wonderful event is just a few innovative ideas away. Earlier this year I shared Carmen and Jim’s budget friendly afternoon event. At the City Club’s 2nd Tuesday Open House last month another couple shared another great idea with me. They are looking to host an afternoon dessert and drinks reception. I’m talking about a delightful, delicious, decadent dessert display (sorry, I couldn’t help myself).

The timing for this kind of event is highly important. You don’t want anyone to show up thinking they will be having a big meal. Strategically placing the event between lunch and dinner is the way to go. The couple is planning on inviting their guests to a ceremony starting around 1 or 1:30 giving their guests plenty of time to grab lunch before they head over. After the Ceremony in the Main Dining Room, the guests will then be invited to Café for the party, where they will be greeted with Champagne, Cocktails and a variety of non-alcoholic, refreshing beverages. And don’t forget the dessert, cookies, fruit tarts, petite fours, an ice cream bar and much much more. The event is slated to finish around5 or 6 giving their guests to go and grab dinner or head out into the City for a post wedding celebration.

The best thing for the couple, aside from looking fabulously creative and unique, is that their guests will get to sample a wonderful array of treats (something you don’t get to do every day), and the couple doesn’t have to compromise on all of the wedding traditions; toasts, slideshow, cake cutting and first dance.

-Cassie Harris, Sales & Catering Manager

Secrets to fabulous Parties & Decor

Take it from us at The City Club who has seen so many wonderful events and celebrations!
We are always excited to see creative event design but also admire tasteful simplicity.

There are a few secrets to keep in mind when planning your next celebration at The City Club:

Lighting:
The City Club offers an in-house up-lighting package which truly enhances the ambiance of the Club. The lighting reflects off the white walls on the 10th Floor Café and plays off the gold leaf ceilings. When lighting is placed on the 11th floor Main Dining Room it creates a warm amber glow which encompasses the warmth of the wood walls.

The City Club works closely with Elle Music & Events who can help create even more lighting designs from table pin spotting, room washes, dance floor washes, gobo designs and spot lighting.


Linens:
The simplest way to create drama and flair in the rooms is to upgrade your linens. With the right touch of color you can keep the rest of your design elements simple.

The City Club works closely with Classic Party Rentals, La Tavola and Napa Valley Linens.


Floral Design:
Fresh, colorful and tastefully done. The City Club is happy to provide three large entry arrangements that can be tailored to your event. When thinking about floral design, take advantage of the colors, art work and existing Art deco elements within the Club. Create floral masterpieces that can be as simple as a floating gardenia in a tasteful 30’s inspired bowl to taller natural looking centerpieces that can bring outside elements inside. Floral design is the obvious choice, but you can be creative, budget conscious, and still achieve that extra flair.

The City Club is happy to work with our Club florist on your floral needs and also works closely with Stacey Miller Designs, Branch Out, Floramor Studios and Floreal.


Music:
The City Club is wired with Satellite Radio and has connections for IPod sound. Just a little touch of sound is all you need but when you choose a live element it makes all the difference.Whether it is steel drums, a solo guitarist, duo or trio, full live band or DJ, music really keeps the entertainment minimal and the enjoyment among guests high.

The City Club works with Peter Rudolfi of Artists in Music, Denon & Doyle, Marianne Kent & Bay Society, Bay Music & Entertainment and Elle Music & Events.


Furniture:
The City Club has a variety of original 1930’s furnishings that can be arranged within our event spaces to create a lounge like feeling. Use these pieces to warm up our spaces and create an inviting feeling which guests will love. Whether you want the Club to feel classic and original or bring in a modern feeling all of this can be achieved.

The City Club works closely with Classic Party Rentals and Blueprint Studios to create the perfect ambiance.



We hope our advice will help make your next event even more wonderful!

Michelle Kimmins- Director of Sales & Catering

Did Someone say "Crab Feed?"

Well, it has been a little over a month since President Obama has been in office. We have seen quite a few changes in the faces of government and I’m sure we will see more has time progresses. It is important to note that the hope that President Obama brought to the nation is still in the air. We realize there are some hard times ahead for all, but the hope that change can bring, is where we choose to focus.

Here at the City Club we have experienced a few changes as well. Alex Rychetsky, our Food and Beverage Director, is no longer with the Club and he will be missed. We wish him the very best and thank him for the outstanding attention he gave to the presentation of our Chef’s menus, fine wines and beverages. Change is always a challenge and the entire City Club team looks forward to continuing with the very best interest s of our members and guests in mind.

As the end of Crab Season draws to a close, join us for our annual Crab Feed festivities. We promise an excellent selection of wines to pair with the succulent morsels. Another event you do not want to miss is the Wine Tasting featuring Tre Bicchieri wines. We look forward to serving you.

Hector Romero – Banquet Manager