65th Birthday in Paris

How do you design a 65th birthday party for a person whose guests come from 16 countries?

Start with a beautiful venue, the private, mirrored first floor (2nd floor in America) dining room at Maceo, elegant cuisine from the same kitchen as the restaurant and a fine cave. Add live tanguero music et voila!

On a drizzly Saturday night in early June I ascended the staircase to the first floor of Maceo and the mirrored private dining room to the accompaniment of tango being strummed on a guitar and squeezed out of a bandeneon. Most of the 50 revelers had a glass of champagne in hand in celebration.

After several glasses of Champagne Jacquesson & Fils à Dizy 'Cuvée and an assortment of canapés we sat down at our designated tables for a 5-course meal with wines - Macon 2006 'Chânes'  Dominique Cornin with the Turbot and magnums of Saint Martin de la Garrigue 2001 Coteaux du Languedoc  with the canard.

Afterwards, like the pied-piper of Hamelin I led 20 guests on a short walk to the Hotel Westminster’s Duke’s Bar where at 12:45 AM we persuaded head bartender Gerard to keep the bar open and the pianist playing FLY ME TO THE MOON as we made our final toasts to the birthday boy.

If you are considering a special event in Paris please contact Terrance Gelenter at: