With an SRO crowd in the bar and first floor dining room, B&B Butchers & Restaurant owner Ben Berg was one happy man up on the second floor where he celebrated the first anniversary of his over-the-top popular steakhouse.
The invitation-only blow-out bash was a thank you to his best customers and bold-faced types. Among the headliners were Dominique Sachse, a very pregnant Erica Rose and Becca Cason Thrash, who was honored a B&B inaugural party last May.
A native New Yorker, Berg's intent on this night was to wow his guests with a taste of Manhattan's elegant Carlyle Hotel. It started with the Carlyle-style draping of the entrance and continued all the way through the evening that featured the clubby tunes of the Richard Brown Orchestra and included the stirring sounds of a mariachi band, accompanied by tequila shots.
Arriving guests were greeted with glasses of champagne as they ascended the stairs to what on this night was cast as Bemelmans Bar, the Carlyle's popular watering hole. Banquette seating and a nod to Bemelmans decor did the trick. But it was the generous array of plates from the kitchen that reminded guests that this was indeed a multi-starred Houston eatery.
In addition to the array of salamis and cheeses, waiters circulated with trays of mini beef wellingtons, fried oysters, king crab legs and more. A raw oyster bar satisfied other tastebuds. As the night progressed, the kitchen sent out dinner plates with sliced tenderloin and seared tuna. The late night crowd sourced energy for their dancing into the wee hours from the Sabrette hot dog stand set up on the open air terrace.
Savoring the food, the drink and the spectacular views of the downtown skyline were Monica Berg, Luvi and Carlos Wheelock, Martha and James Madget, Annie Amante and Cliffe Reckling, Nicole Fertitta, Chuck Brown, Jeanie and Jim Janke, John Thrash, Nick Florescu, Minnie Baird, and Frani and David Denenburg.
'Cigarette girls' offer candy smokes, including chocolate cigars, for Ben Berg's party guests.
