The New York Botanical Garden’s Winter Wonderland Ball is certainly one of the highlights of the holiday season for New York’s social circuit!
The annual event, which took place this past weekend, was part glamour, part fantasy, and part culinary delight! With a fashionable crowd of the most talented designers, editors, and socialites, this event is definitely known as a high profile event attracting a distinguished crowd. In addition to its unique setting, exclusive list of attendees, and incredible leadership committee which includes a pretty lofty list, (see below), The Winter Wonderland Ball is featured in many of the major fashion and society magazines, both print and online, and is often listed as one of the “Best Parties of the Year.” While the list of attendees (and their designer dressing) might be impressive, you also can’t beat the venue. The New York Botanical Garden is beyond spectacular, especially during this time of year when the NYBG is showcase their holiday train exhibit, which is an internationally acclaimed display of magnificent model trains winding through a sprawling landscape featuring replicas of iconic New York landmarks.
Each year, The Winter Wonderland Ball takes place in the magnificent Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, the Garden’s Victorian-style crystal palace. The evening began with cocktails under the Palm Dome in the grand rotunda, then transcended into dinner and dancing in an adjacent beautifully-designed tent.
The White Orchid. Photo Credit: Will Raggozino
Appetizer
Roasted Beet and Balsamic Pear Salad: Made with caramelized sweet shallot jam, goat cheese quenelles, micro beet salad, raisin walnut croustade.
Menu. Photo Credit: SocialVixen.com
Specialty Cocktail: Winter Gold Rush: Made with Domaine de Canton, Freshly Squeezed lemon juice & Makers Mark 46, and a Luxardo Cherry Garnish.
Derek Warburton and I sample the 'Gold Rush' specialty drink. Photo Credit: SocialVixen.com
Lori Lengua and Lester Brathwaite from FashionIndie.com. Photo Credit: SocialVixen.com
These beautiful centerpieces were made extra winter-y with faux snow, candles, and a white orchid!
The White Orchid. Photo Credit: SocialVixen.com
Entree
Tournedo of Beef: Cider Thyme sauce, root vegetable crisps, savory pumpkin bread pudding, Tuscan kale with parsnipd and apples.
Tournedo of Beef. Photo Credit: SocialVixen.com
Dessert
Decadent Miniature Sweets: Espressomisu served in demitasse cups, pumpkin spice petits fours, cranberry tarts, pistachio caramel pyramids, and peppermint ganache.
Specialty Cocktail: The White Orchid: Belvedere Citrus Vodka, Domaine de Canton & White Cranberry Juice finished with a Phalenopsis (a type of orchid) adornment.
Coffee & Tea
Photo Credit: SocialVixen.com
Domaine de Canton sponsored many of the delicious cocktails served throughout the night.
Domaine de Canton Cocktails. Photo Credit: Will Raggozino
The following photo was taken by Will Raggozino. I love the flower and how you can see the bubbles rising in the Champagne. The Domaine de Canton gives this drink a special touch with notes of fresh Ginger.
Phalenopsis
After Dinner: time to dance!!!
After Dinner Dancing. Photo Credit: Will Raggozino
After Dinner Dancing. Photo Credit: Will Raggozino
On the guest list: Wondering who was getting down on the dance floor?
Stacey Bendet (from Alice & Olivia) wearing Alice & Olivia, of course, Charlotte Ronson in Derek Lam, Nina Garcia, Molly Sims, Tinsley Mortimer, Eugenia Silva, Derek Warburton, Linda Fargo, Darryl Robinson, Alex Kramer, designer Chris Benz, Lydia Fenet, Annie Churchill, Annabel Tollman, Kerry Washington, Alexis Bryan, and Maggie Katz, Lisa Airan, and Alina Cho.
The evening’s Chairmen include Jennifer Creel, Cristina Cuomo, Victoria Vargas D’Agostino,, Emma J.P. Goergen, Alexandra Lebenthal, Christian Leone, Alexandra Lind Rose, and Molly Sims.
The Junior Chairmen are Byrdie Bell, Martin Dawson, Patrick M. Herning, Jamie Johnson, Lily Kwong, Julia Moore, Dalia Oberlander, Lauren Remington Platt, and Gillian Hearst Simonds.
The Founding Chairmen are Sloan Barnett, Whitney Fairchild, Pauline Joerger, and Nathalie Kaplan.
Tinsley Mortimer. Photo Credit: Patrick McMullan
Charlotte Ronson. Photo Credit: Patrick McMullan
Nina Garcia, Ettina Zihlka and Tinsley Mortimer. Photo Credit: Patrick McMullan
Photo Credit: Patrick McMullan
Photo Credit: Patrick McMullan
Photo Credit: Patrick McMullan
Me and Lori on the dance floor. Photo Credit: Patrick McMullan
The Cooking Channel’s favorite mixologist Darryl Robinson. (below)
Photo Credit: Patrick McMullan
Stacey Bendet (from Alice & Olivia) wearing Alice & Olivia. (Below)
Stacey Bendet Eisner and Eric Eisner. Photo Credit: Patrick McMullan
After the event, guests were offered cupcakes by Sprinkles to take home as well as freshly made hot cocoa to go – perfect for the ride home! Of course, there were gift bags as well which contained this month’s InStyle Magazine, a Domaine de Canton mixology book and some other fashionable treats.
After Dinner Cupcakes by Sprinkles. Photo Credit: SocialVixen.com
This year marked the 20th Annual Holiday Train Show. How many of these iconic New York landmarks can you recognize? Look closely – each exhibit is made from the Botanical Garden’s backyard using twigs and other plant materials.
Holiday Train Show-Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. I'm wearing a dress by Ralph Lauren and my clutch is from Blazon Boutique in Danbury. Photo Credit: SocialVixen.com
20th Annual Holiday Train Show. Photo Credit: SocialVixen.com
20th Annual Holiday Train Show. Photo Credit: SocialVixen.com
20th Annual Holiday Train Show. Photo Credit: SocialVixen.com
Train Exhibit- Winter Wonderland Ball-15-Holiday Train Show-Enid A. Haupt Conservatory. Photo Credit: SocialVixen.com
This year’s event supports the Garden’s world-renowned Children’s Education programs, allowing children of all ages, particularly undeserved children in the Bronx, an opportunity to learn about nature in engaging ways through workshops and hands-on activities.
The New York Botanical Garden’s Website
Event Sponsor: Domaine de Canton