Athos, Porthos, Aravind and....

D'Artagnan! More perks of being a lucky little intern at Restaurant Business magazine!

D'Artagnan, if you aren't familiar with this FABULOUS company, is a leading purveyor of foie gras, pates, sausages, smoked delicacies, organic game and poultry. A lot of NYC restaurants and gourmet stores carry their products, and though I have drooled over them many times, foie gras is not on my usual shopping list, so I'd never tried their products before. Until now! You see, they invited my editor to their 25th anniversary party this past Monday and unfortunately she was going to be out of town. Dedicated employee that I am, I was quick to offer my party-going services.
Boy, do these people know how to throw a party! They were very accommodating and even let me bring a plus one, which always makes these sort of shindigs 100 times more fun.

First of all, the place. The soiree was held in a stunning event space that is actually built into the Queensboro bridge. Gothic and cavernous, it was decked out and amazing.



Everyone was told to dress in their red and white best, and by jove, everyone complied!


Have you ever bobbed for prunes in Armagnac? I passed on this particular pass time, but it sure looked fun... maybe next time.



Lillet?

I loved seeing Lillet have such a dominant presence here. Personally, I am a bit of a Lillet fanatic, and it's not just because they have those neat looking ads with paintings of tipsy ladies. It's a darn good bevvy. I always have it in the fridge, especially in summer.

I stuck with Lillet Rouge, while David found he had a little preference for the Blanc. Lillet flowed freely all night long.

When Tom Colicchio took the stage, I decided it was time for yet another Lillet...


Speaking of celeb sightings, I totally saw Ming Tsai, but I'm apparently not devoted to you enough to be a creepster who takes pictures of random famous people... Tom C. was sort of different because he's on TV all the time, and he's sort of a ham. I feel like Ming is a little shy. I didn't want to scare him. How about I appease you with some more pictures...
Cassoulet anyone?


White veal stew?


Foie gras? Don't mind if I do!


Cured Mangalica legs, Prosciutto-ish but a deeper, richer flavor. Love those woolly little piggies.


More Lillet? Plus some funny French people? Yes please!


More awesome funny French people!

I sort of wish I could be this girl, have all that great Little Mermaid hair, and the guts to pull that dress off with a belly full of foie gras. Incredible.

Le Pimp?


I sort of loved this next guy, he basically seemed three sheets to the wind and just sort of wandered between the food tables having a taste here and a bite there. Circling, circling back. Drink. Taste. Drink. Drink more. A little more. Swagger. Taste. He was so cool.


When, after hours and hours of liver products and Lillet, David and I started to relate to the aforementioned 3 sheets guy, we decided it was time to call it a night. It was raining out, and really very wintery. But in our slightly clouded, party-warmed souls, it might as well have been June!