At The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco, a pretty terrace courtyard that’s open to the sky, is ground zero for raising a glass to the 250th anniversary of Veuve Clicquot, the famous French Champagne.
“Solaire Terrasse featuring Veuve Clicquot” opened as a collaboration in late July where a brand new food and beverage programming is available this summer and fall through Sept. 30, 2022 Thursday through Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The terrace is filled with masses of colorful roses and cozy seating under sunbrellas for guests. Complementing the signature palette of the legacy bubbles is an attractive outdoor bar serving Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label, Veuve Clicquot Non-Vintage Rosé, and La Grande Dame by the glass or bottle as well as Champagne cocktails featuring Veuve Clicquot Rich garnished with garden herbs.
Guests can pair their beverage with an exquisite menu featuring a Seafood Tower for Two or a Seafood Tower for Two with Caviar plus a Gelato Festival cart offering a selection of dairy and vegan oat flavors.
Seafood Tower for Two ($160, exclusive of tax and gratuity)
• Six jumbo gulf prawns, a pound of Alaskan snow crab legs, half-dozen Beausoleil oysters, two Maine lobster tails served on crushed ice with cocktail sauce, house hot sauce, fresh lemon, Marie Rose sauce, mignonette plus an assortment of Acme Bread, cultured butter, extra virgin olive oil and balsamic.
Seafood Tower for Two with Caviar ($335, exclusive of tax and gratuity)
• Six jumbo gulf prawns, a pound of Alaskan snow crab legs, half-dozen Beausoleil oysters, two Maine lobster tails served on crushed ice with cocktail sauce, house hot sauce, fresh lemon, Marie Rose sauce, mignonette plus an assortment of Acme Bread, cultured butter, extra virgin olive oil and balsamic. Includes one ounce of Private Label Imperial Osetra Caviar served with traditional accompaniments, potato chips and toast points.
Gelato Festival Cart
• The Gelato Festival Cart serves World Master-winning gelatos from the prestigious tournament that has represented 22 countries for over a decade. The yummy menu includes salted caramel, dark chocolate, hazelnut, and a Sicilian sunrise sorbet, as well as vegan options and more.
To bring the outside in and advance the hotel’s environmental sustainability goals, Executive Chef Patrick O’Sullivan and his culinary team present the Chef’s Herb Garden, a source for fresh herbs and produce used in new seasonal dishes at the hotel’s restaurant, Parallel 37, and The Lobby Lounge. Guests can view the garden’s fragrant bounty of purple blue lavender, opal basil, chocolate mint, strawberry mint and spearmint, rosemary, golden sage, thyme, lavender provence, shiso aka ohba and dill.
About The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco
Completely transformed and reimagined, The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco sets a new standard of excellence in the City by the Bay, drawing inspiration from the alluring designs of couture and the city’s iconic architecture. Set within a 1909 Neoclassical landmark building in the prestigious Nob Hill neighborhood, The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco was recently named San Francisco’s #1 hotel by Travel + Leisure 2022 World’s Best Awards, is the city’s only AAA Five Diamond hotel. In the heart of the city, the iconic hotel is near San Francisco’s most visited attractions and has the historic cable car right outside its doors. Offering award-winning dining and more than 24,000 sq. ft. of grand event spaces, the 336-room Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco provides the ultimate in personalized Ritz-Carlton service, comfort, and luxury.
The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco is located at 600 Stockton Street. ritzcarlton.com/sanfrancisco
About Veuve Clicquot
Founded in Reims in 1772, the House of Veuve Clicquot remains true to its motto: “Only one quality, the finest.” In 1805, Madame Clicquot took the reins of the House and became one of the first businesswomen of modern times, acquiring the epithet “la grande dame of Champagne.” Her visionary spirit and innate sense of French “art de vivre” live on today. Her iconic cuvée, Brut Carte Jaune, is synonymous with more than two centuries of know-how and an exceptional heritage. The color of the sun, it symbolizes the values of audacity and optimism that the House has carried for 250 years. veuveclicquot.com
Images: Courtesy of The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco and the author