Inside Aubrey Brewster’s Mystique Savanah-Themed Birthday Bash

Photo Credit: Natalie Schrik for Drew Altizer Photography

Nobody throws a party quite like Aubrey Brewster. The man-about-town recently hosted his birthday party and it was an over-the-top affair full of delicious decadence and thoughtful details. Brewster is one of the city’s most sensational entertainers who frequently hosts intimate dinner parties in his penthouse apartment that he shares with his partner, Dr. Edward Winger. Normally the dinners have a theme, like a movie night or Mediterranean-inspired feast. Naturally for a celebration like his birthday, Brewster would need to take the level of the event up a notch—and he turned it up full throttle.

Photo Credit: Natalie Schrik for Drew Altizer Photography

Brewster invited the creme de la creme of San Francisco’s social set to a Mystique Savanah-themed luncheon at Neiman Marcus’ Rotunda. To set the tone for the party, guests were sent a black-and-white hatbox filled with goodies from the South—cheese straws, pecan divinity, pralines, and peach jam. The invite’s text was on the top of the hatbox and instructed guests to dress in Southern-inspired attire with hats.

Photo Credit: Natalie Schrik for Drew Altizer Photography

Brewster transformed the private-dining room and the space surrounding it into a charming Savanah-style courtyard. Wrought-iron gates surrounded by elegant topiaries closed off the dining room which was set with one long table. Massive floral arrangements with peach and pink roses, blooming branches, and pretty stuffed birds ran down the center of the table. Birdcages, gold-rimmed glassware, marble silverware, pale pink satin napkins—no detail was overlooked!—everywhere was a feast for the eyes.

Photo Credit: Natalie Schrik for Drew Altizer Photography

A wrought-iron pergola draped with moss was the perfect place for snapping Instagram photos. The guests were dressed to the nines. Sonya Molodetskaya was elegantly stunning in Prada and a small turquoise hat. Lisa Zabelle wore a playful feather poof and icy blue lace cocktail dress. Farah Makras was pretty in pink, Clara Shayevich was playful in polka dots, and Joel Goodrich was proper in pastels.

The bar served classic Southern cocktails: Ramos gin fizz, milk punch, and a Southern Gentleman, a potent mixture of gin and Lillet garnished with a pickled onion. Guests nibbled on caviar blinis and shrimp cocktail before sitting down to a multi-course meal of Southern favorites—fried green tomato and Dungeness crab salad; hominy grits and succulent lobster; fried chicken and waffles; and slow-braised short rib with crispy macaroni and cheese. Brewster worked closely with the Rotunda’s executive chef, Ruby Oliveros, to create the menu. He flew in a special type of ham from the South to be served with the chicken and waffles.

For the cake, which looked like an old-fashioned bird cage, Brewster collaborated with BethAnn Goldberg of Studio Cake and Sam Godfrey of Perfect Endings Cakes. The divine show-stopper featured two flavors: a pecan divinity and praline cake with gooey pecan caramel and vanilla buttercream; and a peaches and cream cake with white chocolate and cream cheese buttercream. It was an indulgent finish to a memorable and luxurious luncheon. The crowd marveled at Brewster’s entertaining prowess and I couldn’t help but wonder why he has not been named one of America’s 100 best party hosts. Next year, I’m personally nominating him for The Salonniere’s annual list. A natural-born host, Brewster dazzles and delights with every event he throws.

Photo Credit: Natalie Schrik for Drew Altizer Photography

Photo Credit: Natalie Schrik for Drew Altizer Photography

Photo Credit: Natalie Schrik for Drew Altizer Photography

Photo Credit: Natalie Schrik for Drew Altizer Photography

Photo Credit: Natalie Schrik for Drew Altizer Photography

Photo Credit: Natalie Schrik for Drew Altizer Photography