Work

Chefs Philip Brock of Cascata Grille and Paula DaSilva of 1500° went head-to-head in a cook-off.

Looking to connect the project with the history of the Lower East Side, the Lowline held its second anti-gala at the Angel Orensanz Foundation, a synagogue-turned-arts-center originally built in 1849.

Rather than setting the room with traditional round tables, the organizers created a communal environment for the 280 dinner guests by creating six long rectangular tables inside the venue's main hall.

The organizers used antique linens, crystal goblets, and vintage silver trays to match the design of the tables to the evening's theme. The program, which sat at every place setting, also had a vintage look, with early 20th-century-style illustrations.

Catering company Neuman's Kitchen collaborated with chef Gabrielle Hamilton to create menus inspired by the year the trolley terminal opened. This included a stationary buffet during cocktail hour that offered Cherrystone clams, salted almonds, and stuffed celery.

The caterer and chef also designed a four-course menu for dinner comprising turtle soup; broiled mackerel with maître d'hôtel butter and sliced cucumbers; poached stuffed chicken with tarragon sauce, French peas, duchess potatoes, and tinned white asparagus (pictured); and crème de menthe parfait.

To add to the immersive experience of the evening, organizers tapped Vince Garrett Productions to provide entertainers dressed in 1900s-inspired clothing. Acts performed during dinner.

Not all entertainment was based on the 1900s theme; stilt walkers in brightly colored costumed also roamed the event.

Matching the underlying narrative of the evening, the organizers built part of the trolley car dubbed the Lowline Express. During the evening, the structure was used by a cast of characters, including a conductor, which led guests to a room hidden inside for a surprise performance by banjo player Morgan O'Kane.

Costumed staffers tended vintage-style bars, which were designed to match the speakeasy theme of the after-party. Absolut, a sponsor of the event and partner of the Lowline organization, served a variety of punches during the post-dinner bash.

Terrain, a supporter of the Lowline, provided plants used as part of the gala's decor. Foliage surrounded the DJ booth at the after-party, where Phil Mossman (pictured) and Pat Mahoney of LCD Soundsystem spun tunes.

Entertainment for the dinner and the speakeasy theme after-party also included contortionists, street performers, and dancers.

As a parting gift for guests, staffers handed out potted lavender plants.