Palmabella's Passions

Last weekend we attended Brad's company party at the Renaissance Esmerelda Hotel.
The tree in the lobby was gorgeous.

After a glass of wine, a free professional photo, and meeting Brad's boss and co-workers, we were seated for dinner.

There were 480 people in attendance. Usually, banquet food for a crowd that large is fair, at best. They did a better than average job. We began with a butternut squash soup en croute.

Next was a salad, wrapped in cucumber, with goat cheese, pear, and a balsamic vinegarette.

The entree was actually very good. We had perfectly cooked filets topped with gorgonzola and pecans on a pile of potatoes with al dente baby carrots, asparagus and mushrooms.

Dessert was interesting: Two chocolate disks (standing up) filled with a green almond flavored cake, raspberries and whipped cream in the center. Two chocolate truffles were "glued" to the plate with chocolate. Brad ate mine.

After dinner there was a drawing with about 25 wrapped prizes, and then a band. After 30 minutes of VERY loud hip hop, we left and were home by 10:00.

I believe it was the first time I wore pantyhose in 6 or 7 years in the desert! (Well, it was cold!) I must be getting really old! A Christmas movie, a fireplace, or a board game is more my speed than a dinner dance. When did that happen?