On Wednesday, June 30, 2010, the New York City Marine Corp Council (www.nycmcc.org) will host its Third Annual NYC Marines "Mess Night." The event takes place from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm, at the New York Athletic Club, 180 Central Park South, 9th Floor and raises funds for the Marine Corps Law Enforcement Foundation and the National Foundation for Facial Reconstruction.

A rousing Marine Corps tradition, dating from the 1500s, that few civilians ever experience, "Mess Nights" encompass a cocktail hour and opulent feast, and a range of $1 and up fines for violating guidelines of the Mess, which all guests are informed of at the onset (gum-chewing, swearing and discussions of politics, shop, money or religion among them). All fines are cheerfully donated to the featured charities.

Mess Night 2010’s menu is a recreation of a June 1945 Gala Dinner held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, celebrating the end of WWII and honoring Generals of the Armies, Dwight D. Eisenhower and his staff. This year’s Mess Night will honor General Alfred M. Gray, Jr., USMC (Ret.) 29th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps. Ernie Anastos of Fox News will be the Civilian Guest of Honor. Once again, a driving force behind this year’s event is businessman, professor, published writer and military food historian, Chef Agostino von Hassell (Capt., USMC Ret.).

This year’s Mess Night Menu is a recreation of the 1945 dinner attended by General Eisenhower. It is truly fit for a Marine.

The Reception

-Champagne with Crème de Peche

-Selection of Scotch Whiskeys

-Red and White Wines The Hors D Oeuvres

-A Succulent Seafood Bar

-Roasted Sliced Duck on Cypriot Savory Biscuits with Sea Salt, Grape Honey Spread, and Cypriot Herbs

-Selection of Cheeses

-Olives, Smoked Salmon and Mustard Canapés

The Dinner

-Salad of Ripe and Green Olives/Hearts or Celery/Salted Nuts Lobster Thermidor

Recreated by Executive Chef John Shirley, New York Athletic Club

Breast of Chicken Astoria

Recreated by Chef Agostino von Hassell

Foie Grois with Truffles and Mixed Green Salad

Created by Chef Arturo McLeod, Benjamin’s Steakhouse

Cheese Course

2 Sisters Isabella/Pecorino Sardo/Pata Cabra/Spanish Figs

The Dessert

Strawberries Melba with Chocolate Leaves

Recreated by Pastry Chef Patrick Martinez, New York Athletic Club

Marine Corps Cake

Donated by the Republic of Korea Marine Corps

The Traditional Port Wine The "Punch"

I recently spoke with Chef von Hassell who explained this year’s menu, which he and his team of accomplished chefs, recreated. The Chef explained that the he has, in the last two Mess Nights (’08 and ’09), "set the bar very high for himself, so" he has to "create incredible food." The Chef’s favorite dishes, which he is certain you will enjoy, are the Skirt Steak and Herb Sauce appetizer and the Steak and Foie Grois dinner course.

This year’s menu was a challenge for Von Hassell and his team of chefs, "…because no one knew what was in these dishes," explained the chef, who added "My biggest challenge was food archaeology, figuring what these old dishes were." Countless hours of research and testing in the kitchen have paid off. This year’s menu is sure to please.

Von Hassell said that he hopes that people will take a way from this year’s feast the fact that …"we are at war for 9 years now…and we have mothers and fathers in combat. This is about doing right by them."

I attended last year’s Mess Night, and it was an experience like none else. The elevators opened to a magnificent 9th floor space, overlooking Central Park, with magnificent views. Men were in black tie or full military dress, and the ladies wore stunning gowns. The cocktail room was lined with tables of collectibles and sports memorabilia, all part of the silent auction. The centerpiece of the room was elegantly displayed stations of imported cheeses, oysters, shrimp and piles of split lobster tails. Passed Hors d’Oeuvres were anywhere you turned. Inside, the food was plentiful and the drinks flowed freely. On the balcony, "the men" smoked cigars, from the complimentary cigar bar. As the dinner bell rang, the NYPD Pipes and Drum Band played and the festivities began. It was an evening of great food, wonderful people and loads of fun.

You can be part of this year’s spectacular event, where you will mingle with the NYC elite, perhaps smoke a cigar on the balcony overlooking Central Park and feast on gourmet fare with true heroes-and all in the name of honoring our brave men and women.

Tickets to the 2010 New York City Marine Council Mess Night, scheduled for June 30, 2010, are available to the public. Pricing is as follows:

$175 per person -Cocktail Hour Only

$450 per person ($4,000 table of 10)-Cocktails and Dinner

$750 per person ($7,000 table of ten) Semper Fidelis Donor Tickets, Cocktails and Dinner

$10,000 Corporate Sponsorship listing in program and a table of ten

**You may also sponsor tickets and tables for recently returned veterans**

ATTIRE: BLACK TIE

For full ticket and other Mess Night details, navigate to http://www.nycmcc.org/pdfs/Mess-Night-Evite.pdf