Our Holiday Gala returned to The Fortnightly, Chicago’s first private club for women. Built for Helen and Bryan Lathrop, the 1892 mansion nestles in Chicago’s Gold Coast. Home of The Fortnightly since 1922.

Meeting every other week (or, as in 1873 “fortnightly”), members are offered a diverse array of cultural, educational, and social programmes. Many are presented over lunch or dinner. The Fortnightly boasts beautiful dining facilities. Executive Chef Ed Gilardon heads up a talented kitchen brigade.

Our planning committee instructions were “cook whatever you want”, hence Chef Ed’s Asian influence creations. Beautifully paired with Champagne Ayala 2005, the first vintage after Bollinger acquired the house, passed appetizers during the reception included tiny tuna tartare tacos and celery root latke.

MENU

Warm oyster with lobster velouté
Chablis Premier cru

Braised pork belly

Roasted strip loin over parsnip purée
Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 1990
Bordeaux, France

Brie à la truffe
toasted rye, almond blintz, smoked blackberry jam

“Citrus & Chocolate”
squiggle of white chocolate, dots of yuzu curd
topped with toasted sesame seeds, a dip for the coconut cake
2005 Weingut Max Ferd Richter Riesling
Mosel Valley, Germany

The gracious Holiday Gala, rated 10 and even 10++, ended with after dinner drinks and expressions of gratitude for celebrating the festive season together again.

A huge thank you to Dame de la Chaîne Jean Tsai for sponsoring the Bailliage at The Fortnightly.

Truly a night to remember!

Colleen Roberts
Vice-Chargée de Presse

Photographer: Lorenzo Tassone