A blizzard forecast didn't stop anyone from turning up for 2008's Wines of the World event at Kleinhan's. It wouldn't be too bad to be stuck with beautiful architecture to marvel at, delicious food from the area's top restaurants to eat, and a selection of 50 different wines from Spain, France, New York and the world to drink.
May Jen offered fresh spring rolls and savory crab Rangoon. Bing's served up moist crab cakes and marinated artichokes. Oliver's had set up a carving station that had two chefs diligently slicing up moist roast beef for sandwiches. Verbena, formerly Daffodils, offered a selection of canapés and finger foods, but the real draw at their table was the chocolate fountain. Five cascading tiers of milk chocolate added a degree of decadence to the cookies, pretzels and fruit that lay spread on trays around it.
There was no lack of after-dinner treats to choose from. Dolci came with pear tarts and molten lava cakes paired with light and delicious homemade ice creams. Dessert Deli cut up two-layer cakes. Spot Coffee was in attendance with hot java for all of those who had to drive home responsibly, or who had had too much wine.
Multiple wine stations offered samples from Dr. Konstantine Franks Vinifera, Moet Hennessey, Opici and Southern Wine and Spirits of Upstate NY to list a few. Golden carafes poured Chardonnay's and Sauvignon's, while deep mauve bottles tipped out Merlot's and Pinot Noir's. Hundreds pushed their way up to an already crowded table for another sip.
For many, a $50 dollar ticket gave them access to some fine food and heady wines, and gave them a chance to contribute to a local charity. For others, a $50 ticket gave them license to act like animals. Being well dressed and having money had given them a sense of superiority that allowed them to push and jump ahead in lines and act without kindness and regard for others.
The first time Master of Ceremonies, Maryalice Demler, asked for a moment of silence in honor of our troops abroad, she was met with the thunderous roar of continued revelry. The second time, a few piped down. By the fourth time, you could finally hear her above those who refused to quit the chatter and the multiple cell phones that conspired against the moment. It's unfortunate that people like that can spoil what is otherwise a perfectly lovely evening.
But all was not lost. There was still a chance to win prizes, or buy them. There was an array of wonderful items to bid on in a silent auction, a Chinese auction as well as in a good old-fashioned live auction.
Led by Cash Cunningham, the live auction sold an oriental rug valued at $700 for $300, Posluszny's jersey went for $200, a $1200 case of Cabernet sold for $400, talk about a bargain. Other items up for bid included a sightseeing plane ride over Western New York, an 18-guest suite for a Sabres game, and an honorary membership with the Buffalo Yacht Club, none of which met retail value. However, a roundtrip ticket to San Francisco with a two night stay and wine tour in Napa Valley matched its value at $1500, and an in-home wine tasting for 8-12 guests hosted by David Male went for a little more than retail and was given to two different bidders at the identical rate.
Handing out prizes to the winners of the Chinese auction was a bit of a mess as 50 or more people pressed up to the prize table to vie for alook at one of the few sheets that would reveal their fortune, or lack of.
Guests aside, all monies collected were donated to the Frank Lloyd Wright Rowing Boathouse Corp. and will be used to construct a building on the water that will increase the number of young rowers that the West Side Rowing Club can accommodate. Additionally, it will add a significant landmark to Buffalo's collection of Wright's architecture while improving our waters edge. Buffalo's Rotary Club, event organizers, matches 25% of the sales.
Though the snow raged outside, everyone inside was warm with the glow of wine, a full belly, and sense of contribution in making Buffalo a little more beautiful.