Exclusive doesn’t even capture the magic of the Petit Slam’s fourth annual event at the Baccarat Hotel in Midtown Manhattan.
The US Open is the kind of event that brings people old, young, true fans, and new fans to the courts. But the Petit Slam, hosted by Baccarat, brings a four-time champion like Naomi Osaka to the table. She’s here to play a friendly game of ping pong with trailblazer and media maven Gayle King.
Honestly, you couldn’t pick a better venue for these two giants to shine. If there is one thing Baccarat crystal is known to do, it is sparkle. Designed by the Parisian design pair Gilles and Boissier, this Baccarat Hotel stays true to the brand’s origins. The design expertly brings to life the sophistication of classic France with the aesthetic of New York City.
Upon entry, the elegance of crystal touches greets you at every turn. Classic Baccarat red accents the Petit Salon we enter. The real showstopper? That is the now iconic Baccarat ping pong table and its stunning crystal net. To get the evening started, we watch King get a couple of warm-up rounds in. Meanwhile, attendants provide endless rounds of spicy beef tartar, bluefin tuna tartlet, and potato waffle with lobster salad, among other treats served on tennis-inspired platters.
Photo by The Knockturnal
Rounds of champagne circled the room in various flutes made of the signature Baccarat crystal. A beautifully organized dessert table did not disappoint either, intricately designed and leveraging ingredients like berry caviar and milk chocolate choux. The drinks also paid homage to the event, with signature sips such as Moet & Chandon’s The Moet Serve. Chef Gabriel Kreuther executes a masterclass-worthy menu for the event.
Moet fills the guests’ crystal glasses as King and Osaka take their places to begin their own championship match. King puts up a good fight, but Osaka comes out with the first-place trophy. Keep in mind, both trophies are made of Baccarat crystal, so there are no losers.
The guests even take home a few exclusive Baccarat tennis balls. With the conclusion of the match, a few even take their turn playing on the iconic table. The evening ended with live Bossa Nova playing in the Grand Salon, slowly floating into the Petit Salon.
Even if you don’t make it over to this event, a visit to the Baccarat Hotel is absolutely worth the time. Visit the Grand Salon to enjoy the creations of Chef Kreuther, and stay for the ambiance and, of course, for the crystal.
Photo by The Knockturnal
