Our Plea: Get Thee to Pleiades

After giving Café Boulud a beautiful renovation last fall, the indefatigable Daniel Boulud also birthed Bar Pleiades, site of tonight’s Winter Cocktail party benefit for Citymeals on Wheels.  Pleiades mixologist Cameron Bogue (left) busily delivered creation after creation to the dapper crowd. Of his three exceedingly exciting cocktails, the Gourd-geous Sling, with butternut squash purée, left us appreciatively dumbfounded (How seasonal! How brilliant!) Drinks aside (but only momentarily), we couldn’t help but munch on the elegant creations being passed around from Chef Gavin Kaysen (Café Boulud). Guest chefs Nate Appleman (Pulino’s Bar & Pizzeria), George Mendes (Aldea), and Vinny Dotolo and Jon Shook (LA’s Animal) scattered themselves around the room, amicably plating and chatting with guests. Our favorite canapé was Animal’s chicken liver paté, a demonstration of bold flavor artfully spread under drops of pear and mustard (wacka, wacka, wacka!) The intimate and classy bar, with niches of beige quilted, Chanel handbag-inspired walls, is one you’ll find us returning to soon. Particularly when we have the chance to support such a worthy cause.

For more party pics, click here.