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<\/a>The overview of the cocktail party and the dinner tables set-up below the terrace. All photos (except the one of Harry Connick, Jr.) by Getty Images for Etihad Airways.<\/p><\/div>\n
It was held on the stunning property of Beverly Hills’ Beverly House, high above the flats. It was originally the home of William Randolph Hearst and Marion Davies, the honeymoon destination for JFK and Jackie Kennedy, and for many years now has belonged to Leonard Ross<\/strong>, a lovely lawyer whom I met at this fete.\u00a0 I cannot believe that just one man lives there!\u00a0 And I love that he appeared to really appreciate doing so.<\/p>\n This is going to be a very long write-up because there were so many nuances to the event that I don’t want you to miss any of the details.\u00a0 And get used to lots of exclamation points because this party was indeed superlative!<\/p>\n Two members of the cabin crew.<\/p><\/div>\n First and foremost, I must laud every single person who worked on it.\u00a0 The planners (I believe led by Ines Manger, with whom I bonded in one of the upscale-eatery-level powder rooms,) did a perfect job, on every front.\u00a0 The service, from the people who first checked us in at a nearby park, to the valets, to the security detail, to the most pleasant servers, at both the cocktail party and the dinner, was on a level that I’ve rarely encountered.\u00a0 And all throughout the evening, there were actual cabin crew members from the airline, in their attractive retro uniforms, to cater to our every need.\u00a0 With a smile, of course!<\/p>\n I have never felt so welcome anyplace.\u00a0 Not only did they ask<\/em> me to stay when I was ducking-out early because I was cold, but they came out to see me at the valets to make sure I would be warm enough for the rest of the evening! (More on that later.)<\/p>\n We were told that \u201cetihad\u201d means \u201cunited,\u201d and that’s what we all were there.\u00a0 The guest list was comprised of about four hundred fashionable people, and all were willing to mingle and chat, including special guests Buzz Aldrin<\/strong> (my table-mate,) and Quincy Jones<\/strong>!!! (And I also met my two New Best Friends that night! Lovely ladies.)<\/p>\n For the first couple of hours, the guests were on the terrace, enjoying cocktails, Arabic coffee and dates, and passed hors d’oeuvres, that were each presented on a spoon, for the easiest eating possible.\u00a0 Each offering was attended by two<\/em> servers–one with a tray of the tidbits, and the other carrying a tray on which we laid our spoons when we were done!\u00a0 It was the least messy party I’ve ever been to.<\/p>\n A bed in a new Residence on Etihad Airways.<\/p><\/div>\n While that was happening, we got to explore mock-ups of the interiors of Etihad Airways opulent airplanes. My associate, Celia, and I almost passed-out when we saw their new \u201cResidence;\u201d it features a double bed and a full private shower!\u00a0 And–get ready for this–a butler!!!\u00a0 It was more luxurious than some top hotels I’ve stayed at!\u00a0 I might just fly there and back, without ever getting off the plane!\u00a0 Mr. X would seriously love doing that, since he doesn’t like to go out anyway!<\/p>\n There was also a tent where ladies were doing mehndi, which is henna tattoos, for the guests.\u00a0 I always regret getting them, but at the time, they’re so special and fun.\u00a0 (But, before you<\/em> get one, think about what you have going for the next several days; \u00a0it looks like you have a skin disease for at least a week after.\u00a0 Don’t say I didn’t warn you!)<\/p>\n One of my favorite touches of the evening was also the most considerate on the part of the event planners.\u00a0 It appears that I wasn’t the only female in attendance who expected it to be warmer out that night than it really was.\u00a0 None of us had jackets, and my cocktail group was wondering how comfortable we’d be during the dinner and entertainment portions of the evening.\u00a0 All of a sudden, a girl came out of the mansion carrying a tray full of…pashminas!!!\u00a0 OMG!\u00a0 It was like a miracle! We all readily, and gratefully, accepted them.<\/p>\n The mehndi tent on the terrace.<\/p><\/div>\n Okay, so here’s the story I referenced earlier:\u00a0 Even with<\/em> the pashmina, I was still a tad chilly, so I told Celia that we’d, unfortunately, have to leave because I was cold.\u00a0 So, very reluctantly, we went out to the valet parkers.\u00a0 As we were waiting, one of the flight attendants walked out to us.\u00a0 I couldn’t imagine what was up.\u00a0 She came right up to me and said, “We understand that you’re cold.\u00a0 Will these help?”\u00a0 And with that, she handed me three more pashminas! She then requested that we stay for dinner, and escorted us to our table…right near the stage!\u00a0 This is one of the very few times where I can state honestly that something was “amazing!”\u00a0 My own friends<\/em> wouldn’t do that for me!<\/p>\n The dinner portion of the evening could not have been executed more perfectly.\u00a0 The tables themselves looked gorgeous, and the printed menus, on black textured cards with gold lettering, were impressive.<\/p>\n (L to R) The power trio of Quincy Jones, Dannii Minogue, and Buzz Aldrin.<\/p><\/div>\n There were a few brief, intelligent greetings from higher-ups in the Etihad organization.\u00a0 My favorite speaker was the Mistress of Ceremonies, Dannii Minogue<\/strong>, the younger sister of Australian pop star Kylie Minogue, and a celebrity in that country in her own right.\u00a0 She’s a beautiful, classy woman, with gorgeous speech, so kudos to Etihad for having such an excellent spokesperson for their top-notch airline.<\/p>\n After viewing an incredible Abu Dhabi-themed projection on the entire width of the immense edifice, we dined.\u00a0 First we had burrata and tomato salads, which were served thusly:\u00a0 Ten servers surrounded each table, one at a time, carrying the salads, which each had a cover on them.\u00a0 Then, on the direction of one of the workers, all the salads were placed in front of the guests, ensemble!\u00a0 I especially loved that presentation because it’s how the Dimitri Dimitrov-led team did things at the former Bel Age Hotel eatery, Diaghilev, which was always a regal experience.<\/p>\n Then the most brilliant thing happened; after the salads, we were entertained by none other than Harry Connick, Jr<\/strong>!\u00a0 Besides that he was fabulous, (deets in a second,) it was perfect to have him perform in the middle<\/em> of the dinner, rather than after<\/em>, when everyone’s sated and ready to leave.\u00a0 This way, there were no dishes or glasses clinking during his set,and everyone was full enough to pay rapt attention, but not too full to be groggy.\u00a0 I can’t tell you how much I appreciated that order of experiences.<\/p>\n A guest’s photo of Harry Connick, Jr. performing.<\/p><\/div>\n Now, to the performance.\u00a0 In addition to seeing the man himself, we heard his fabulous musicians, several of whom were featured.\u00a0 What a fabulous treat the whole thing was.\u00a0 Not only is Harry Connick, Jr. a gifted singer and pianist, but he’s so funny.\u00a0 This is the first time in a long time that I wish I was still doing my TV show so that I could let you in on some of his bon mots with the proper inflections.\u00a0 Suffice it to say that the men in the front tables, right in front me, had an extra-great time.\u00a0 And, by the way, Harry is even better-looking than he is on television, and just as entertaining.<\/p>\n After that delightful musical interlude, we had our choice of three meal entrees.\u00a0 There was a thoughtful vegan and gluten-free risotto, Celia’s choice of the succulent Chilean sea bass, and the delicious short ribs that were chosen by us carnivores.\u00a0 The portions were the perfect size, as well.<\/p>\n We then moved on to the raffle, which awarded the winners with flights on Etihad to Abu Dhabi, and stays of varying lengths.\u00a0 (While waiting for our cars, I chatted with one of the excited winners, Shohreh Aghdashloo<\/strong>, an actress I’m familiar with because of her excellent work on 24<\/em> and House of Sand and Fog<\/em>.\u00a0 We were laughing the whole time, and I told her, “You’re famous, and a world traveler–you don’t need<\/em> this prize!”\u00a0 And she answered that, despite those conditions, she could not wait to fly on Etihad!\u00a0 I don’t blame her.)<\/p>\n That frivolity was followed by a chocolate cake dessert, which was a superb ending to the evening.\u00a0 Or so I thought<\/em> it was the end.<\/p>\n But the fun just kept on coming!\u00a0 In her closing remarks, Dannii invited the assemblage to the “after-party” in a bar room beneath the terrace.\u00a0 It was art deco, and gorgeous!\u00a0 And it had a disco ball!!!\u00a0 And music to match. (Mr. Ross told me that this structure was built eighteen years ago.\u00a0 I would have never thought to improve this property, but it’s an exquisite addition.)\u00a0 It was a wonderful place to wait for our cars.\u00a0 When we handed in our valet tickets, they even supplied each party with one of those pagers they use in restaurants to call you when your table’s ready, so you could hang in the party room instead of standing outside.\u00a0 Yet another brilliant touch!<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>