NYC MARINES TO HOST 2009 MESS NIGHT BENEFIT DINNER

New York, N.Y. – On Tuesday, June 30, 2009, the New York City Marine Corp Council will host the second annual NYC Marines “Mess Night.” The event takes place from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm, at the New York Athletic Club, 180 Central Park South, 9th Floor and raises funds for the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation and the National Foundation for Facial Reconstruction.

A rousing Marine Corps tradition, dating from the 1500s, that few civilians ever experience, “Mess Nights” encompass a cocktail hour and opulent feast, and a range of $1 and up fines for violating guidelines of the Mess, which all guests are informed of at the onset (gum-chewing, swearing and discussions of politics, shop, money or religion among them). All fines are cheerfully donated to the featured charities.

New York City boasts one of the nation’s largest populations of active-duty, former and friends of the Marines. The NYC Marines is a New York non-profit organization and the first of its kind dedicated to synergizing and coordinating the numerous Marine Corps interests in the New York City area.

NYC Marine Corps Council President Jeffrey S. Carusone (Lt. Col, USMC, Ret.), explained that in keeping with the mission of the NYC Marines, among this year’s civilian honorees is New York City Police Officer Susan Porcello, who personally cared for, and when he passed, personally paid for a proper military burial of Gaspar Musso, a Marine and WWII veteran, who Officer Porcello met, when she responded to a 911 ambulance call to Musso’s residence in July 2008. (read about Officer Porcello’s amazing story here:
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/brooklyn/2009/03/31/2009-03-31_heart_of_gold_behind_the_badge.html )

“Mess Night ‘09” is a recreation of a mess night held Saturday, March 20, 1920, at Oddenino’s Imperial Restaurant on London’s Regent Street. That dinner featured such classic dishes as “Poule au Pot Alexandra” and the famous “Culotte du Bœuf Imperial.” The 1920 dinner was attended by Sir Winston Churchill, a veteran of the division with which he had fought in World War I and which was honored at the dinner.

“THE MEAL,” according to published Military Mess Night Manuals, “should be the finest the mess can offer.” In keeping with that Order, in addition to supporting a great cause, guests at the 2009 Mess Night are guaranteed top notch cuisine. Chef von Hassell and his team, Chef Lucas Billheimer (Parlor Steakhouse) and Chef John Shirley (New York Athletic Club) have artfully prepared a menu that is second to none.

I had the distinct honor and pleasure of being one of three journalists to attend a “test dinner,” which featured a full preview of this year’s Mess Night menu, from cocktails to dessert. This all-night affair, at the Parlor Steakhouse (NYC), was attended by approximately 40 Marines, chefs, food purveyors and friends of the NYC Marines.

As will guests at the June 30, 2009 Mess Night, we indulged in a meal which was truly fit for a Marine:

Reception
The Oysters
Served Raw with Tabasco Sauce, Lemons and Sauces
Le Hommard
Lobster Tails with an Aioli Dip
The Truffled Ham
Thinly-sliced Truffled Ham with Fresh Garden Zucchini and Dressed with
White Truffle Oil and Chervil, Black Sea Salt from Cyprus
Canapé Ivanhoe
Toast with Smoked Haddock and Herb Butter
Poule au Pot Alexandra
Crème Reine
The Cheeses
Selected by Cheese Master Cielo Peralta
Reception Drinks
Red Wine
White Wine
Scotch Bar
Ito-En Chilled Tea
Beer
Soft Drinks
Mixed Liquors
Tea Cocktails
Created and presented by Tomoko Otsuka and Iris Silvero
The Winston Churchill Tea Cocktail
The Semper Fidelis Tea Cocktail
The Eagle, Globe and Anchor Tea Cocktail

The Dinner
Parading the Beef
Amuse Bouche – Dollop of Salmon Mousse with Herbs
Poularde Rotie Cocotte a la Mascotte
Chicories Salad
Culotte de Bœuf Imperial
Nouilles a L’Italienne
Asperges Milanaise

The Cheese Course
Gruyere Grand Cru Surchoix Cato Corner Hooligan (washed rind) Jasper Hill Bayley Hazen Blue (similar to Stilton) Walnuts to accompany
Apricots Bourdaloue
Marine Corps Cake

From the Wild Fire Island Oysters – plump and sweet – to the Salmon Mousse – as light as a cloud – to the main course of Culotte de Bœuf Imperial – tenderloin of beef, accompanied by one of the most indulgent, creamy, sweet-caramelized-onion sauces I have ever tasted – everything was delectable. However, Chef von Hassell, a perfectionist in every way, vowed to improve on this already impressive menu. Guests at the 2009 Mess Night will be in for a most memorable dining experience.

Tickets to the 2009 New York City Marine Council Mess Night, scheduled for June 30, 2009, are available to the public. Pricing is as follows:
$175 per person -Cocktail Hour Only
$450 per person ($4,000 table of 10)-Cocktails and Dinner
$750 per person ($7,000 table of ten) Semper Fidelis Donor Tickets, Cocktails and Dinner
$10,000 Corporate Sponsorship listing in program and a table of ten
**Active duty military sponsorships also accepted, and many people sponsor tickets and tables for recently returned veterans, including injured vets**
ATTIRE: BLACK TIE

Tickets may be purchased online at http://www.nycmcc.org/ .
Contact NYC Marine Council President Jeff Carusone (action@nycmcc.org), for additional ticket information.

This event is made possible by the generous donations of:
Strassburger Meats http://www.strassburgermeats.com/
Solera Restaurant and Tapas Bar http://www.solerany.com/
ITO EN http://www.itoen.com/
Italian Trade Commission

See the full article on the event at www.TheAlternativePress.com