The Historical Museum of Southern Florida hosted the seventh annual Croquet & Croquetas at Twilight bash at the Deering Estate. The event smartly combined the white linen sport and the fried Latin snack to make for one catchy title. But don't be fooled—there were plenty of dining options. During the V.I.P. reception, assorted passed hors d'oeuvres, including chicken dumplings and fried cheese risotto, were plentiful. Later, four different buffet stations featured Asian fare, wraps, and carved meats—a Cuban station offered rice, beans, and a whole roasted pig. And a chocolate fountain satisfied the sweet cravings that followed. The cuisine was prepared by Fare to Remember Creative Catering.
The breezy day-into-night event provided attendees a multitude of diversions. V.I.P.s were offered a guided tour of the elegant manse (the former winter home of industrialist John Deering) and a wine tasting in the cellar, which featured Chilean wines provided by Cato's Wine Cellar. Outside, a croquet course was set up on the lawn overlooking Biscayne Bay, and croquet professional Ted Prentis was on hand to teach the uninitiated.
The focal point in front of the stone house was a functioning ice sculpture by Iceculture Inc., part of the bar sponsored by Ketel One. The interactive design allowed bartenders to pour the lemon-infused contents of a shaker into the top of the bar and deliver a tasty, perfectly chilled libation into a waiting martini glass at the bottom.
Two separate bars were stocked with a rainbow of Bacardi flavored rums, allowing guests to get creative with their cocktails. Providing the proverbial smoke with those drinks was a cigar bar stocked by Sabor Havana Cigars. Meanwhile, in the adjacent Royal Palm Grove, students from the culinary club at nearby Coral Gables Senior High School were starting to prepare croquetas, which resulted in a plantain-crusted crab and artichoke version served with mango-aioli dipping sauce. The museum's Stephanie Brod said they honored the club with a membership, and plan to have more schools participate next year.
Luxury goods were everywhere, thanks to an extensive "Wine, Dine, & Getaway" silent auction that included jewelry from Symphony Jewelers, as well as an array of gift certificates from area restaurants. If larger ticket items were your fancy, a Mercedes ML and CL500 were on view, courtesy of Bill Ussery Motors, so guests could get acquainted with the new models.
The breezy day-into-night event provided attendees a multitude of diversions. V.I.P.s were offered a guided tour of the elegant manse (the former winter home of industrialist John Deering) and a wine tasting in the cellar, which featured Chilean wines provided by Cato's Wine Cellar. Outside, a croquet course was set up on the lawn overlooking Biscayne Bay, and croquet professional Ted Prentis was on hand to teach the uninitiated.
The focal point in front of the stone house was a functioning ice sculpture by Iceculture Inc., part of the bar sponsored by Ketel One. The interactive design allowed bartenders to pour the lemon-infused contents of a shaker into the top of the bar and deliver a tasty, perfectly chilled libation into a waiting martini glass at the bottom.
Two separate bars were stocked with a rainbow of Bacardi flavored rums, allowing guests to get creative with their cocktails. Providing the proverbial smoke with those drinks was a cigar bar stocked by Sabor Havana Cigars. Meanwhile, in the adjacent Royal Palm Grove, students from the culinary club at nearby Coral Gables Senior High School were starting to prepare croquetas, which resulted in a plantain-crusted crab and artichoke version served with mango-aioli dipping sauce. The museum's Stephanie Brod said they honored the club with a membership, and plan to have more schools participate next year.
Luxury goods were everywhere, thanks to an extensive "Wine, Dine, & Getaway" silent auction that included jewelry from Symphony Jewelers, as well as an array of gift certificates from area restaurants. If larger ticket items were your fancy, a Mercedes ML and CL500 were on view, courtesy of Bill Ussery Motors, so guests could get acquainted with the new models.
Guests played croquet on the estate's lawn overlooking Biscayne Bay.
Benjamin Thacker
A new Mercedes ML, provided by Bill Ussery Motors, was on display.
A bar sponsored by Ketel One vodka featured an interactive ice sculpture by Iceculture Inc.
The museum's logo was incorporated into the ice sculpture, as were nifty containers for the cocktail garnishes.
Guests dined on roasted pig provided by Fare to Remember.
Sunflowers, wheatgrass, and a variety of fresh fruit decorated the food stations.
The music duo SonCubano added to the Latin vibe.
A wine tasting was held in the estate's cellar.
Dessert included a chocolate fountain.
Benjamin Thacker
