| December 16, 2001 |
Christmas Brunch
Another Resounding Success
| December 16, 2001 |
Christmas Brunch
Another Resounding Success
Marie-Pierre Tremblay
December 16, H�tel de la Montagne. I rushed into the lobby, then stopped and stood gaping at the profusion of ... everything. On my right, a pyramid of scarlet poinsettias; here, a murmuring waterfall; there, baskets of fragrant fruit; overhead, myriad lights and gleaming gold; all around, columns with sculpted capitals supporting a white marble balustrade. Santa Claus wandered around, carrying what seemed to be a very heavy sack, looking for children to treat. Near the cloakroom was a plain little table where we were welcomed by Christiane Gauthier, Ron Jones and J. P. Olivier Foug�res.
All dressed up in their Sunday best, members greeted each other, worried about those who were absent and whispered the latest news before taking the elevator up to the Lutetia restaurant on the mezzanine. The tables were elegantly set, the silverware shone and the space was arranged so that each group of five or six tables seemed to be in its own private dining room. A pink swan ice sculpture sat imposingly in the centre of the room, at the far end there was a roaring blaze in a magnificent fireplace, and everywhere there were drawings, paintings, Christmas decorations, plants. Large bay windows looked out onto a rather grey day, but if you looked up, you discovered cupola ceilings painted in the purest Italian tradition: gods, goddesses and cupids frolicked against cloudiess blue skies. As we were soon to discover, the wonderful meal was no less refined than the d�cor.
We were first invited to sample a buffet offering a variety of soups, salads, cold cuts and p�t�s, along with smoked salmon, eggs mimosa and all sorts of bread. Then came the second course. As an a cappella quartet went carolling from table to table, white-gloved waiters lifted in unison the silver covers placed in front of each guest to reveal a poached egg on a delicate flaky pastry, accompanied by a light, tasty mushroom sauce. The third course, presented the same way, consisted of a tender fillet of salmon sprinkled with fresh herbs. Then came the pi�ce de r�sistance: a slice of rare roast beef with a gratin dauphinois and mixed garden vegetables. Wow! But that wasn't all. The dessert table held more surprises: a large cake with the NFB Club ONF logo, Bavarian creams, mousses, a selection of pastries, flans and fruit.
Conversation continued over coffee while Ron and Olivier drew tickets for the door prizes:
:
First and second prizes - A night for two at the H�tel de la Montagne : Philippe Troiliet and Michael Marcali.
Third prize - A bottle of champagne : Tony Ianuzielo.
Boxed sets - Grant Munro, Roger Martin, Christiane Gauthier, Sidonie Kerr, Francine Trudel, Michael Marcali.
Then the hotel manager, G�rard Marchandier, gave us each a present: a beautiful Cavaillon melon. On that joyful note, the hundred and twenty guests reluctantly said their goodbyes, hoping that the experience would be repeated again next year.
