The Update The Athenaeum JANUARY 2018 A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FOR MEMBERS OF THE ATHENAEUM THE CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY Happy New Year from all the staff at The Athenaeum! We will see you after the holidays when we re-open on Tuesday, January 2. Martin Luther King Jr. Day We are closed on Monday, January 15, in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Complimentary continental breakfast is available to our hotel guests on weekends and holidays from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Reservations Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Club Events athenaeum.caltech.edu (626) 395-8282 Hotel Rooms (626) 395-8200 551 South Hill Avenue Pasadena, CA 91106 Wedding Open House Save the date this January as The Athenaeum opens its doors for this very special occasion. Enjoy hors d oeuvres & refreshments and become familiar with our historic venue. Meet our experienced Private Events staff and our preferred wedding vendors. This event is the perfect time to visualize your wedding day at The Athenaeum as well as get a jump start on planning all the details. Advance reservations are required. To reserve, please email say_i_do@caltech.edu. SUNDAY, JANUARY 28 1:30 p.m. 4:00 p.m. Complimentary admission to all members & guests Wine & Spirits Tasting Scotch Join us for an exclusive tasting event featuring premium blended, single grain and single malt Scotches. Learn the distinction between varietals from aromas, flavoring, maturity, taste, and texture during this very special event, one of our most popular. FRIDAY, JANUARY 19 6:30 p.m. $50.00 per person Chef s Cooking Class: Thai & Vietnamese Cuisine Chef Kevin welcomes you back into the Athenaeum kitchen for an afternoon of education that will hone your culinary skills. Chef s Cooking Classes provide informative, hands-on preparation and cooking lessons, followed by a class luncheon, with instructional recipe booklets to take home. (Please see menu on page 5.) SATURDAY, JANUARY 13 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. Registration Class begins promptly at 10:15 a.m. $92.00 per person International Nights International Nights are the perfect way to explore the culinary world without leaving town. Join us for these special dining experiences. International prix fixe dinners are available in addition to our à la carte dinner. (Please see menus on page 5.) MONDAY, JANUARY 8 Greece MONDAY, JANUARY 22 South Africa 5:30 p.m. 9:00 p.m., seating every half hour $39.00 per person Valentine s Day Dinner Dance Escape the crowds of local eateries and opt for the personal and romantic atmosphere of The Athenaeum this Valentine s Day. Treat your loved one to an enjoyable evening, dining by candlelight with musical entertainment and dancing. Delight in an opulent menu with four unique main course options. Extend the evening by staying overnight in one of our guest rooms or hotel suites. (Hotel reservations are to be booked separately.) WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., seating every half hour Four course menu from $100.00 to $115.00 per person (depending on entrée selection) (Please see menu on page 5.)
Employee of the Month November 2017 CONCEPCION RAMIREZ (Marisu s Message Corner) We welcome 2018, a New Year! Let me start off by thanking all the members who gave generously to the Employees Holiday Fund. Your contribution made the holidays joyful and bright for the employees! Concepcion Ramirez has been with The Athenaeum for 11 years and has been elected Employee of the Month numerous times and it s not hard to see why. As a server in our dining room and at many events, he goes out of his way to help others and is very hardworking and efficient. Concepcion highly values teamwork and the friendships he has formed with his coworkers. In his words, Working as a team, works. Concepcion has a loving family in Elvira, his wife, and his two daughters, Juliana, 20, and Cassandra, 14. Concepcion s positive contribution is recognized by everyone at The Athenaeum. Congratulations, Concepcion, for a job well done! Robert Burns Prix Fixe Dinner The birth of the famous Scottish poet and lyricist, Robert Burns, will be commemorated as our Executive Chef Kevin Isacsson prepares an appropriate feast of several prix fixe selections, served with haggis with neeps and tatties. Everyone in your party can raise a toast in celebration of this auspicious day. THURSDAY, JANUARY 25 5:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m., seating every half hour $55.00 per person In addition, thank you, to all the members who kindly donated to the Rath al Fresco Pavilion and The Athenaeum Architectural Preservation Endowment Fund (AAPF.) Both of these funds support, sustain and advance the preservation and future growth of the club to satisfy the growing needs and expectations of the membership. A new year means the start of new winter menus at lunch and dinner in the middle of the month, showcasing always what is in season. So, where does Executive Chef Kevin Isacsson get his inspiration for his menus? He says that a lot of research and thought goes into changing the menus seasonally. He makes a long list of menu items, reviews these numerous times and sometimes from a list of a hundred or more will pick only a handful which will make the final cut. He also takes into consideration current trends and how these will apply to the current menu mix. The Food Committee is privileged to sample some of the new menu items that ultimately make it but not before the dishes are critiqued and evaluated by committee members on presentation, taste and the appropriate balance of flavors. It is an arduous job for the Chef but surely one that brings bountiful satisfaction when member comments validate all of the efforts he has put into the process. Scotch tasting in January is one of our very popular events. Food & Beverage Director Jerry Rodriguez, just like the Chef, puts a lot of thought on the selections for the tasting. There is a core following for this event, so an interesting combination is always crucial. Join us on Friday, January 19 to experience and discover how this spirit gets its unique flavor and character. Join fellow enthusiasts in an exploration of single malt, premium blended Scotch and other unique whiskies. I look forward to seeing you all at The Athenaeum in 2018. Please drop by my office when you are next at the club. Marisu Jimenez General Manager 2
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY DEC 31 JAN 1 2 3 4 5 6 Winter Break Institute Holiday Athenaeum Closed Wedding Open House Happy New Year! Institute Holiday Athenaeum Closed 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 International Night Greece 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Institute Holiday Martin Luther King Jr. Day 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 International Night South Africa 28 29 30 31 FEB 1 2 3 January 2018 Robert Burns Prix Fixe Dinner Wine & Spirits Tasting Scotch Chef s Cooking Class Thai & Vietnamese Cuisine Monday Kobe Burger Night Tuesday Fish Taco RATHSKELLER SPECIALS Wednesday Thursday Pasta Night Philly Cheesesteak Friday Pizza Request for Teacups & Saucers We would like to thank Ms. Marlene R. Konnar and Leslie & John White for their donations of beautiful teacups and saucers. The Athenaeum gratefully accepts donations of fine China teacups and saucers, along with salad and dessert plates, to expand our Afternoon Tea service. China may be in mismatched or incomplete sets, but must be in good condition without any chips. Please call Valinda Richardson at (626) 395-8277 if you have any questions. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. Ms. Tonia Ahmed Mr. Thomas Felgner Mr. Aidan Fenwick Mr. J. David Germany Mr. John Grimes Ms. Megan Hayashi Ms. Amanda He Mr. Chen Chih Hsu Ms. Stephanie Hsu Ms. Jenny Hua Dr. Satish Khanna Dr. Joseph Lee Dr. Thierry Lepelletier New Members Mr. Songtai Li Ms. Alice Lyons Mrs. Monica Nolasco Dr. Sumner Norman Prof. Dinakar Ramakrishnan Mr. Kevin Reelfs Dr. Robyn Sanderson Dr. Kathleen Schiro Mrs. Margaret Sharma Dr. Katerina Sherstyuk Ms. Ariana Tribby Mr. Robert Wilson Mr. Chun Wei Wu 3
ROBERT BURNS PRIX FIXE DINNER THURSDAY, JANUARY 25 $55.00 per person 5:30 p.m. 8:30 p.m., seating every half hour FI RST COURSES Scottish Rarebit crusty farmhouse bread with cheddar ale sauce, arugula and a basted duck egg Scotch Duck Egg encrusted in pork sausage with mustard ale sauce, leeks, heirloom tomatoes, apple ginger chutney Cullen Skink hearty smoked fish chowder served with brown bread Forfar Bridies beef pies with colcannon and mustard beef gravy All Served with Haggis, Neeps and Tatties ENTREES Steak Balmoral pan-fried rib eye steak, mustard mushroom sauce, Scotch whisky, skirlie potato cakes, roasted Brussels sprouts Slow Poached Scottish Salmon bubble and squeak, clapshot, market carrots, dill beurre blanc Pan Roasted Duck Breast Scotch broth, pearl onions, stuffed Savoy cabbage, blackberry sauce Steamed Vegetable Pudding market vegetables steamed in an oatmeal pastry casing with Scottish mustard curry sauce DESSERTS Sticky Toffee Pudding buttered caramel, vanilla bean ice cream Cranachan crème fraîche, honey, raspberries, toasted oats, Scotch whisky Tipsy Laird layers of sponge cake, pastry cream, fresh berries, crème fraîche, toasted almonds and Scotch whisky Thank you for Supporting The Athenaeum Thank you to the most recent donors to The Athenaeum Architectural Preservation Fund (AAPF), as of November 15, 2017: Prof. Jenijoy La Belle Mrs. Kay S. Onderdonk & Mr. Robert M. Sutton Prof. Leon Silver & Mrs. Arlana Silver The AAPF is an endowment dedicated to the maintenance and restoration of The Athenaeum s physical facilities. If you would like to donate to the AAPF, please mail your check to Marisu Jimenez, General Manager, at The Athenaeum, 551 South Hill Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91106. Donation checks should be written to The Athenaeum, with the memo line indicating AAPF. If you would like to discuss a naming opportunity or a special gift, please contact Marisu at (626) 395-8260 or Marisu.Jimenez@Caltech.edu. CHEF S COOKING CLASS Thai & Vietnamese Cuisine SATURDAY, JANUARY 13 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. Registration at 10:00 a.m. Class starts promptly at 10:15 a.m. $92.00 per person Prawn Firecrackers Pork Sugarcane Satay Sweet Pumpkin and Peanut Curry Pho Pad Thai Cassava Cake with Lemongrass Ice Cream Chef s Cooking Classes provide informative, professional techniques and cooking insights followed by a class luncheon with instructional recipe booklets to take home. Please wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes; hair should be tied back. 4
International Nights 5:30 p.m. 9:30 p.m. Seating every half hour $39.00 per person Greece South Africa MONDAY, JANUARY 8 MONDAY, JANUARY 22 Grilled Octopus Salad cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, Romesco Youvetsi Greek lamb and orzo casserole with tomato, grated sheep s milk cheese and pita Galaktoboureko baked semolina lemon custard with honey ice cream Prawns Peri-Peri yellow rice with golden raisins Tomato Lamb Bredie a spiced tomato lamb stew with fruit chutney, curried carrot salad, hot rice salad and Chakalaka Malva Pudding apricot pudding with crème anglaise Valentine s Day Dinner Dance WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 14 AMUSE-BOUCHE 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., seating every half hour Dancing from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Four course menu from $100.00 to $115.00 per person (depending on entrée selection) Oyster and Caviar Terrine FIRST Diver Scallops and Prawns basil risotto, truffled mushroom ragout, roasted pepper pesto MAINS Coffee Porcini Crusted Tenderloin of Beef short rib croquette, creamed spinach, potato pavé, caramel soy beurre blanc Olive Oil Poached Norwegian Halibut lemon potato purée, liquid olives, zucchini, roast tomato,roasted carrot lobster sauce Citrus Duck Breast and Duck Leg Confit garlic thyme roasted beets, duck fat fries, haricots verts, citrus honey sauce Portobello Mushroom Wellington curried carrot coulis, roast potatoes, fresh peas DESSERT Red Velvet Sphere passion fruit, strawberry, sparkling zabaglione 5
CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY PASADENA, CA 91125 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT #583 PASADENA, CA Coming in February Basque Country MONDAY FEBRUARY 12 INTERNATIONAL NIGHTS Galicia MONDAY FEBRUARY 26 Valentine's Dinner Dance WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 14 Chef s Cooking Class Pairing Seafood and Wine SATURDAY FEBRUARY 17 Athenaeum Administration and Staff Chair, Board of Governors GARY LORDEN, Ph.D. Phone: (626) 395-4349 Email: glorden@caltech.edu Chair, House Committee PETER DERVAN, Ph.D. Phone: (626) 395-6002 Email: dervan@caltech.edu General Manager MARISU JIMENEZ, CCM Phone: (626) 395-8260 Email: marisu.jimenez@caltech.edu Executive Chef KEVIN ISACSSON, CEC Phone: (626) 395-8293 Email: kevin.isacsson@caltech.edu Finance Director MEETA BINDRA, CPA Phone: (626)395-8267 Email: meeta.bindra@caltech.edu Director, Food & Beverage JERRY RODRIGUEZ Phone: (626) 395-8261 Email: jerry.rodriguez@caltech.edu Manager, Banquets DEXTER JEREMIAH Phone: (626) 395-8205 Email: dexter.jeremiah@caltech.edu Manager, Private & Club Events KATHY WINTERROWD Phone: (626) 395-8206 Email: kathy.winterrowd@caltech.edu Manager, Private & Club Events BONNIE WEILER Phone: (626) 395-8263 Email: bonnie.weiler@caltech.edu Director, Hotel Operations & Membership MARGARET McVEY THOMAS, CCM Phone: (626) 395-8271 Email: margaret.thomas@caltech.edu The Athenaeum 551 South Hill Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91106 http://athenaeum.caltech.edu Membership & Guest Relations Coordinator SUSAN WANG Phone: (626) 395-8266 Email: susanw@caltech.edu Lunch and Dinner Reservations, Special Events Reservations Phone: (626) 395-8282 Front Desk & Guest Room Reservations Phone: (626) 395-8200 Fax: (626) 795-0869 Dining Room Schedule Breakfast Monday to Friday 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Lunch Monday to Friday 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dinner Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Every Wednesday Evening 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Non-beef options are always available) Hayman Lounge Bar Service Monday to Thursday: 4:30 p.m. 10:00 p.m. Food Service Monday to Wednesday: 5:00 p.m. 8:45 p.m. Thursday & Friday Food service available until 9:00 p.m. Rathskeller Bar Service: Monday Thursday, 4:30 p.m. 9:00 p.m. Friday, bar service until 10:00 p.m. Food Service: Monday Thursday, 5:00 p.m. 8:45 p.m. Friday, food service until 9:00 p.m.