Heeding the maxim "you never get a second chance to make a first impression," veteran club operator Charles Khabouth took pains to ensure the invitations promoting the launch party for newly renovated This is London would cut through the clutter. When opened, the cardboard invites expand into miniature, three-dimensional replicas of London's iconic Big Ben clock tower. Staying on message, Khabouth reused the Big Ben motif at the party, placing a 10-foot-high ice sculpture of the tower from Iceculture just outside the venue entrance.Khabouth spent nearly $800,000 renovating This is London, transforming the former loft like space into something akin to an English mansion. The flooring and beams are polished aged wood, and the walls are finished in richly detailed wallpaper. Other notable decor features include chandeliers, bookcases, Victorian armchairs, and signs hung for the party indicating famous streets and places in London, including Carnaby Street, Abbey Road, and Trafalgar Square.
The British theme of the reopening party extended to the food selections offered by the team of five caterers. On the main floor, Presidential Gourmet served English vanilla custard in sake cups; 10tation Event Catering offered beef, chicken, and lamb mini pot pies topped by mini British flags; and Daniel et Daniel Catering served a smoked haddock and warm baby potato salad. On the second floor, Eatertainment offered shoestring frites in paper cones and, in a nod to Britain East Indian population, individual portions of butter chicken served in shot glasses. Finally, Kindred Spirits Catering and Event Planning, also on the second floor, staged a sort of high tea, setting out a display of tea pots and serving potato leek soup in matching tea cups. This is London's bartenders also got in on the fun, serving cocktails such as a pink lemonade and gin combo with lemon zest on top in white tea cups.
Jeff Wojcik, sales manager of INK, Khabouth's management company, worked with Apex Sound & Light to incorporate the British theme into.phpects of the decor. For instance, TV screens played a loop of the intros to the James Bond series of movies.
As they left, guests were given umbrellas from Primo Promos imprinted with "This is London." Wojcik considered umbrellas to be a good choice for a parting gift both because they're associated with London and because they remain useful for a long time. "People don't throw away elegant umbrellas," he said.
The British theme of the reopening party extended to the food selections offered by the team of five caterers. On the main floor, Presidential Gourmet served English vanilla custard in sake cups; 10tation Event Catering offered beef, chicken, and lamb mini pot pies topped by mini British flags; and Daniel et Daniel Catering served a smoked haddock and warm baby potato salad. On the second floor, Eatertainment offered shoestring frites in paper cones and, in a nod to Britain East Indian population, individual portions of butter chicken served in shot glasses. Finally, Kindred Spirits Catering and Event Planning, also on the second floor, staged a sort of high tea, setting out a display of tea pots and serving potato leek soup in matching tea cups. This is London's bartenders also got in on the fun, serving cocktails such as a pink lemonade and gin combo with lemon zest on top in white tea cups.
Jeff Wojcik, sales manager of INK, Khabouth's management company, worked with Apex Sound & Light to incorporate the British theme into.phpects of the decor. For instance, TV screens played a loop of the intros to the James Bond series of movies.
As they left, guests were given umbrellas from Primo Promos imprinted with "This is London." Wojcik considered umbrellas to be a good choice for a parting gift both because they're associated with London and because they remain useful for a long time. "People don't throw away elegant umbrellas," he said.