Naeem Khan & Krug Host Dinner at Faena’s Alinea Pop Up

Gorgeous gowns, fine vintage champagne, haute cuisine and jazz. It’s not hard to see the connection of things done to the very best of human ability. Such was the theme of a magical dinner hosted by Naeem Khan and Krug Champagne at the Faena Miami Beach on March 9th.

A handful of VIPs like Karolina Kurkova and husband Archie Drury, Tommy and Dee Hilfiger, Christina Getty, Alan Faena, and muse Criselda Breene adorned in their favorite beaded Naeem Khan designs started the evening with a reception in the cozy bar at Faena. Guests sipped Krug Grand Cuvée served from a jeroboam, and nibbled on bites such as caviar and quail egg from Chef Grant Achatz of Chicago’s Alinea.

When it was time for dinner, guests headed into the cozy, red ballroom where Chef Achatz is staging an Alinea pop-up for the month, while his award-winning restaurant is undergoing reservations in Chicago.

To set the mood a jazz band played until saxophonist Ben Wendel played an impromptu solo, improvised on the spot after tasting the various Krug expressions, including the Krug Clos du Mesnil 2003 that was served with a single bite that held the flavor of a Chicago hot dog in a small gelatin cube.

Chef Achatz also served red snapper with bouillabaisse and beef chimichurri, paired with Krug 2003 and Krug Rosé, respectively, and trio musical performances of ”The Seasons” and “Jean and Renata.” Guests were treated to Alinea’s tableside balloon course with helium and green apple, followed by their famed dessert mat presentation while Ben Wendel performed “Simple Song,” completing the Krug Journey.