Photo credit: Janet Donovan
Last week at The Russian Embassy, we could have sworn we saw the “Unseen Treasures of Imperial Russia,” an exhibition that has played out in various U.S. cities.
There were so many furs and jewels at the soiree hosted by H.E. Ambassador Sergey Kislyak, the Romanovs would have been impressed.
The Embassy of the Russian Federation is situated on what is referred to as “Mount Alto” on Wisconsin Avenue and on this night you couldn’t miss it: It was Red, all Red. Accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s overture, guests strolled the long and winding red carpet – enough time to remember its famous or infamous history. We would be remiss not to mention that, so we will.
Rumor has it that a tunnel was carved out under the building designed by well know Soviet architect Michael Posokhin for espionage purposes, causing a kerfuffle between the two nations – but we let bygones be bygones since we were not asked to use it to get to the festivities.
As fate would have it, humorist Art Buchwald lived close by and of course it became fodder for his columns, insisting that his microwave was bugged. As fate would also have it, Buchwald became an avid fan of the Russian culture and was a frequent guest at this same annual soiree. We miss him.
It’s been said that nothing gets a lady’s heart beating faster than a man in uniform; just ask Scarlett O’Hara. We’re not sure who the dudes were that greeted us at the entrance – but we’re thinking Naploenese – they did the trick, although smelling salts not required .
Unless you knew where the secret elevator was, guests climbed the long winding staircase to the upper level where exquisite & breathtaking tapestries adorned the walls and eager to please bartenders offered so much Russian vodka it would drive P. Diddy and the Ciroc folks crazy with envy.
By the time you entered the next room, you were in a time warp, like 1812, the theme of the evening being “1812: The Anthem, the Overture and Salute to Diplomacy” – how 1812 united Russia and America. The ladies of the times were supposed to make mens hearts flutter by showing off their top layer assets while strapping in the waist (girdles, not Spanx), just ask Rhett Butler.
In the adjoining room, museum pieces sat in easily accessible display cases and so naturally we wondered who would take the first crack at Napolean’s drinking glass…..we thought maybe ‘James Bond’ since we heard that it was Bond night at the Spy Museum.
The ball room was filled with almost edible flowers and the table settings worth their weight in gold.
At this point, having looked at the menu, we were somewhat dismayed to know that the program came first, not the Lobster and Artichoke Salad Imperial with a Trio of Root Vegetable Rapee, Chateaubriand of Angus Beef with Trumpet and Honey Mushrooms with Sauce Madiera, Lacy Potato Nests with Pommes Parisienne – you get it………….and yes, we behaved and watched the show with intent focus, while downing Russian Standard Vodka.
The program was a dialogue with John Quincy Adams taken from the extensive diaries of our 19th century distinguished ancestor, first US Envoy to Russia played by Amb. John Beryle opposite Senator Jim Symington.
There were lots of awards and a lot of Honorables in the room, so many it made you feel bad – not being an Honorable and all. The list is too long to mention all, but the event was chaired by Susan Lehrman and Selwa Roosevelt – Honorable, of course., and honored Donald M. Kendall – Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of PepsiCo.
We capped the evening off with Chocolate Torte Napoleon Walnut Ice Cream and Veuve Clicquot Demi Sec, of course.
Here’s to 1812, we’ll drink to that: – oh, we already did.
