Friday, January 30, 2009

The Seasonal Menu


This January it’s been hard to decide what season we are experiencing from day to day. But The City Club menu will show none of the ambiguity felt in the weather. Looking forward to the seasonal bounty available through the different times of the year is a fun challenge for those of us who enjoy preparing a healthful and visually appealing menu of choice. We are grateful for the compliments on the seasonal Buffet items. The Oven Roasted Winter Squash and the Citrus Salad have proved to be the biggest winners so far, but the Buffet is not the only place where we have made some changes.

The City Club breakfast offered in the Café from 7:30 to 9:30 AM has introduced two new healthy food items. Organic Irish Oatmeal with brown sugar, honey & raisins and Organic Ground Turkey-Egg White Scramble. Also new are the Nova Scotia Smoke Salmon plate and our very own recipe, the City Club Chilaquiiles. For our members who look forward to a sweet breakfast every now and then, we haven’t forgotten you. We are sure you will enjoy the Brioche French Toast with caramelized bananas drizzled in Marshall Farms honey. Is anybody hungry yet? Well, we are not finished.

Our Ala Carte Menu, always offered in the Main Dining Room and the Café, has items added to reflect the great bounty from the sea. Tantalizing Scallops, Mussels, and Tuna are spotlighted in their own individual recipes with the signature gourmet touch of our own Chef Michael Muñoz. Another new offering is the Sweet Dungeness Crab Terrine, taking advantage of the crab season which will end much too soon. Two more items you will want to try are the West Indian Rubbed USDA Prime New York and the House Made Caramelized Gnocchi. Oh, so good! See you at the Club!

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

City Club Weddings to Remember- Zarin & Sherman 12.31.09





New Year’s Eve probably seems a million miles away for most of us, but for one couple it will always seem like it was “just yesterday” that they tied the knot! Trisha and Greg selected this date for their big day because they figured there was no better way to ring in the New Year than with a big commitment. This was one couple that did not have to worry creating a party atmosphere. The energy and excitement comes built in with the date.

They choose a classic Black and Ivory theme, classic not only for the Club but for the Wedding and for the Holiday. Beautiful ivory damask linens to the floor and black satin napkins ordered from Classic Party rentals. Floral centerpieces by Sharla Flock accented their theme. Music was by Joel Nelson and the evening’s festivities were photographed by Francis Baker. And for this couple, there was no cake to be found. Their guests were treated to a variety of scrumptious cupcakes from Sprinkles.

The thing that really worked for this event was that like another couple we hosted Rick & Ron, they planned a great party and their guests really appreciated it. They started with a champagne reception to get the evening going and the party didn’t stop until the ball dropped!

-Cassie Harris, Sales & Catering Manager

Urban Winemaker Dinner Photos - featuring Connor Brennan, Keon, Jax and Vineyardgate

 
 
 
 
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Friday, January 23, 2009

Paint the Town Red!


On Thursday, January 29th The City Club hosted The Red Cross event "Paint The Town Red Gala Launch Party". We teamed up with the Red Cross to help showcase recent trends in the Fashion Industry to include labels such as:

Robert Berry, Cari Borja, Emily Jane, Marta Kaapl Couture, Erin Mahoney, Studio 615, Torso Vintages, Verrieres & Sako with hair and make up provided by Patrick Evan Salon and Shu Uemura.
The American Red Cross is an organization of volunteers which help fundraise to provide relief to victims of disasters and helps respond to emergencies. Through the way of fundraising and supporting the Red Cross you are supporting and helping the relief of others. This event will directly benefit the American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter’s Disaster Readiness and Relief Efforts.
The City Club Café was dressed in Red as the scent of red roses filled the air, models struted down the runway with music spun by DJ Kitchen. City Club showcased some of our most popular hors d’oeuvres by executive chef, Michael Munoz and cocktails. The event has been designed by Dominic Phillips Event Marketing.
To find out more information about the Bay Area Red Cross Chapter and the 2009 Paint the Town Red Gala RSVP to http://www.bayarea-redcross.org/Gala2009/index.htm.
The event was a huge success, with nearly 300 guests in attendance!

-Alison Angelo
Sales & Catering Manager

Thursday, January 22, 2009

On Stands Now! 2009 San Francisco Brides

The City Club is pleased to have joined San Francisco Brides by the publishers of San Francisco Magazine. The Spring Summer 2009 edition has already hit stands, so get your copy now!

Whether you are a new bride, already a bride, a planner or someone who just loves Weddings, this is a great source to read through. I personally love the “Wed Dossier Now!” section. You can find helpful new tips and trends, resources from everything to jewelry, gifts, and flowers, to biographies of industry professionals. Of course if you are perusing this section, you may run across our City Club ad, which hopefully gives you the feeling and emotion of a City Club Wedding.

Don’t miss the calendar of events, where you will also see our 2nd Tuesday Wedding and Event Showcases, hosted every month. We feature at least three wonderful vendors in the industry, offer complimentary champagne and hors d’oeuvres, and set up the Club in style of a sample wedding ceremony and reception. You can also grab a complimentary copy of San Francisco Brides.

We hope to see you soon and if not you can read about us in San Francisco Brides. And remember, have fun learning more about the wonderful world of Weddings!

Happy Planning!

Michelle Kimmins- Director of Sales & Catering

Second Tuesdays Takes On a New Flavor!




Each Second Tuesday of the month, our fabulous Catering Team opens our doors to you for a special intimate Open House. Our purpose is to give you an opportunity to really feel the level of hospitality and warmth that we are so proud to extend here at The City Club. It also gives us an opportunity to show our guests how The Club transitions from day into evening.

Since we’ve had such a great response from our visiting brides, grooms and guests regarding how helpful Second Tuesdays are for planning and visual purposes, we have decided to invite our favorite vendors to come in for a monthly stoplight.

From now on, we’ll have at least one special Spotlight guest for you to meet whom we feel is someone you should know about for your big day! Whether the Spotlight is a photographer, DJ, or wedding cake designer, you can be assured that we have carefully hand selected them based on great experience, reputation and product.

This month our Second Tuesday Spotlight was Krista Markell of Sugarcoat It Studio. Her sweetly sophisticated cakes look as though they are freshly baked from your favorite letter-press stationary boutique! Her designs are elegant and graceful of course with a pop of fun! But looks aren’t everything… Once you taste her rich flavors – you’ll know that her cakes aren’t only beautiful on the outside, it’s what’s on the inside that’s sure to have you hooked!!

Also, Classic Party Rentals styled out a beautifully decorated sample wedding table that definitely sparked a creative chord for many of our guests. As a great partner of The City Club, Classic’s resources are a great way to bring a festive glow to your wedding or special event. They have beautiful linens, chargers, napkins, chairs and beyond. Just ask your City Club Catering Manager to help with your selections to bring a polished charm to your table décor.

February 10th is our next Second Tuesday, and is sure to be a blast! We’ve got a great group of people coming in to Spotlight!!

You’ll be able to meet Peter Rudolfi of Artists in Music for your musical needs; whether you want a full band, string quartet, or a single classical guitar – he’s got it!

Carol Attia will be here from Under the Chuppah, helping you bring a personal touch to your traditional ceremonial chuppah.

Classic Party Rentals will have a great imaginative table set to help you get your ideas for your own décor flowing.

And, La Tavola Linens will be here to show you that adding a little pop to your linens is fun, easy and a sure way to impress your guests!!

If you would like to check on future Second Tuesdays dates, definitely check out your local news stand for San Francisco Brides Magazine! We're listed throughout the Summer/ Spring 2009 issue, and you'll find endless helpful hints about planning your luxurious City Club Wedding!

See you here on the 10th!
-Alison Bianchetti, Catering & Sales Manager

Friday, January 16, 2009

Times they are a'changing....



Ahhhh....a new year is here. With "change" on everyone's mind these days, I'm inclined to reflect on the many positive changes that I've seen at The City Club over my 6 year tenure - and what a wild ride it's been! I've had the pleasure of welcoming so many wonderful Members to the Club and we, as Managers, enjoy the unique challenge of keeping things exciting and interesting for them, all the while maintaining the consistent values of a Membership club. That being said, allow me to elaborate on the images of "change" as seen through the eyes of the Club Director:

- Sold out Dining Rooms! Gone are the days when you could shoot a canon through the dining room at lunch and no one would be harmed...these days it's a packed house! To say that we love that would be an understatement. We love greeting our Members by name. We love how much they love their Club and enjoy showing it off to their guests. And most importantly, we love that we can always find them an open table, even when it appears to be SRO. Service with a smile, always.

- Excellent cuisine! A packed house can only mean one thing - the food must be top notch! As Chef Michael Munoz will tell you, when he came on board just about 5 years ago, he was determined to eliminate the stigma that "private Clubs serve bad food." And boy, did he do something right! We constantly receive praise for his outstanding creations, from the variety of the Cafe Buffet to the delicacies offered on the A la Carte menu - we've got one heck of a talented Chef and we're proud that he's all ours.

- Events! Not to brag too much, but we've been told a time or two that we throw a good party. In the last few years, thanks to the event suggestions from our Members and the creative geniuses that comprise our management team, we've taken events to whole new level. A boxing ring in the middle of the Cafe? No problem. Casablanca-style hookah lounge? Check. Havana Nights in January? We can't wait. Members not only enjoy the social nature of these events, but also the opportunity to network and entertain guests, for business or pleasure. On the business side of events, our Jamison Roundtable Luncheon series continues to gain momentum, thanks to the diligence and commitment of David Jamison, one of the Club's Founding Members. Excellent speakers and timely topics - thanks David!

- A true Art Deco treasure! Walking into The City Club for the first time is truly a magical moment. The looks of "awe" that we see when someone admires the Diego Rivera mural brings a smile to our face, every time. Our Club is a true gem and those of us who get to experience such elegance and splendor everyday are among the more fortunate ~ yet another reason our Members love calling this "their Club." The unparalleled decor and history of The City Club have been well preserved in the past few years, thanks in no small part to the commitment of the Owner to continually invest back into the Club, ensuring that we're always looking our best. It's amazing how much a gem can really shine with a little love and genuine care...and the capital for restorations here and there certainly helps! We're thankful for all of that.

Our Members are the heart and soul of The City Club ~ our most loyal fans and greatest assets for whom we have the great pleasure of welcoming everyday. As we look ahead to this year of "change," may we stay focused on making strides in a positive direction and continue to look at ways that we can be better citizens, partners, associates, and friends. I close with a reference to our Mission Statement, and the pledge to continue to promote positive change at The City Club of San Francisco ~ yesterday, today, and all of the tomorrow's to come.

"Our mission is to promote active engagement and influence in civic, social and business areas. We focus our support on community service, appreciation of The City's arts, culture and culinary experiences to inspire fellowship at the Club. People making a difference through leadership, fellowship and diversity defines the purpose of the Membership at The City Club of San Francisco. Camaraderie is not only important at the City Club...it defines our experience!"
- Victoria Welch, Club Director

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Now that's what I call Fun!

I figure that I can’t be the only one who is happy for December to be over. Please do not get me wrong, I am no scrooge. I love cheer, decorations, parties, holiday music, hats, blowers, more cheer, champagne, big dinners, more parties, bigger dinners, wine, more champagne, more cheer and yet another party. But really, I am exhausted and I like I said, I can’t be the only one.

Want to know the sad thing though, as much as I’m happy to be rested, what do I have to look forward to? I look out into the vastness of 2009 and there isn’t much aside from full 5 day work weeks. Again, don’t get me wrong, I love my job and I love working, but it is always nice to have something to get really excited about.

So what am I getting at? New Year Celebrations, that’s what. At the City Club this January and Februarys we are hosting a handful of “delayed holiday celebrations.” These businesses have decided to postpone the excitement of the annual company to after the holiday season, and I can’t blame them. What a innovative idea and how exciting for their employees to have something to look forward to! Everyone eagerly anticipates their company party, but amidst the excitement of the holidays some might find it to be just another party.


Holiday burnout is a dangerous thing so why not consider moving you company party to the New Year? It’s a great way to start the year off as a business. Rather than looking at the year that’s past, use the opportunity look into what the New Year holds, build moral and camaraderie amongst the team!




-Cassie Harris, Sales & Catering Manager










Monday, January 12, 2009

real simple.


While helping a bride choose her theme, colors, and floral for her wedding, it dawned on me that the more simple the better. The simple things in life and always the best, right? We went through the Reds, Oranges, Blue’s, Dazzles, Sparkles; you name it we looked at it. Looking at all the options first gave us a good idea of what she was looking for. Elegant, but simple.

Consulting with the very professional & creative Stacy of Stacy Miller designs, she recommended that the more simple, the more elegant and classic. Being that it is a Fall Wedding we were designing, we were looking for rich colors that coordinate with the season but nothing too rich to take away from the beautiful setting of the City Club where our rich hues and décor make a statement for itself. In addition to our original and one of a kind Diego Rivera Mural, we wanted the color pallette all to blend together.

Before I knew it we found the perfect linen, thanks to La Tavola and an exquisite classic tall centerpiece from Stacy Miller. We had designed a simple, elegant, and classic wedding table every bride strives for.

Keep it real simple, and it will all come together with flying colors!

-Alison Angelo
Sales & Catering Manager

Friday, January 9, 2009

Food and Beverage Spotlight




We would like to wish you a happy and prosperous New Year on behalf of the Food and Beverage Department and suggest checking the City Club’s website for the different calendar events for the month. One of the special events in January is our Cigar Night, on the 30th, which is always a big success.

This time we will feature the Johnny Walker Whiskey selections presented by Kevin Kachadoorian from Pacific Wine and Spirits. Kevin is very knowledgeable and passionate about the products he represents. As usual we will feature one of a kind selection of cigars and a sumptuous buffet prepared especially for you by our Chef Michael Muñoz.

Also, please, do not forget to check our wine list for new and exciting additions. This month we feature by the glass Provenance, Sauvignon Blanc, from Rutherford, Napa Valley and Chateau Vignot, Saint-Emilion, Grand Cru from Bordeaux, France. Please make sure to try these unique and highly rated wines by The Wine Spectator magazine.
Just a reminder that The City Club’s Happy Hour is from 4:30 to 6:00 PM Monday through Friday, at the Member’s Bar. We offer wine by the glass for $6.00 and beer for $3.00.
Thank you for your patronage and see you at the Member’s Bar.
Alex Rychetsky
Director of Food and Beverage

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Happy New Year!

Resolutions, Words of the Year (my favorite), new gym memberships, Weddings to plan, Clubs to join, Places to visit, Events to plan, Old friends to catch up with and New friends to meet. Don’t you love the beginning of a New Year?

The year ended well for us at The City Club. We appreciate all the business received from our Members and guests and look forward to what this year will bring us.

We have a few upcoming events that we want to share and remind you about:

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 from 5-7pm
City Club Wedding & Event Open Houses- scheduled for the first Tuesday of every month.
Complimentary Champagne and Hors d’oeuvres

Featured vendors: Sugarcoat It Studio cake tastings and Table Décor by Classic Party Rentals.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 from 6-9pm
Havana Nights- Dennis M Photography Showcase hosted by The City Club sponsored by f. Duncan Reyes events by design, one of San Francisco’s premier event planners.

The Café will be transformed into a Cuban Night! Join us for live music and entertainment, traditional food and flair, signature beverages and private reserve cigars. The night is sure to indulge your senses.
Please contact your Sales & Catering Manager for more information and to RSVP.

Friday, January 23, 2009 from 6-9pm
Urban Winemaker Dinner

$85 inclusive members and hosted member guests
$100 non-members
Featuring:
Connor Brennan, who will share about his Pinot Noir, recognized by the San Francisco Chronicle as one of the top 5 wines in the country.
Matt Reidy, of ConnonBrennon Cellars will share about his wine philosophy.
Kian Tavakoli of Keon Wines and a consulting winemaker at Crushpad will share about small lot wineries.

January 29th, 2009 from 7:45 -9: 30 a.m.
Cleopatra Vaughns Non-Profit Leadership Breakfast

Complimentary with reservation
reservations@cityclubsf.com
Featuring:
Michael O'Neill, Ph.D., Professor of Non-Profit Management, University of San Francisco
"Is there really a crisis of confidence in charities?"
This event graciously hosted by The City Club of San Francisco & Board of Governors.

*In Memoriam of Cleopatra Vaughns, Former City Club Board Chair and true community servant.

January 30, 2009 from 6-9pm

City Club Cigar Night

$85 inclusive members and hosted member guests
$100 non-members
Join us for our signature cocktails, and selection of fine cigars.
Menu will include barbecued beef brisket and fixings.



Hope to see you soon!
Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Michelle Kimmins- Director of Sales & Catering