Updated on December 14, 2023

 

I was recently invited to a Hyatt RSVP event at Le Bernardin (twitter).  For $100 per person, I was entitled to the following:

• Wine reception with passed hors d’oeuvres
• 30 Minute cooking demonstration and interaction with James Beard Award winning chef Eric Ripert 4–course sit–down dinner with wine pairings from Stonestreet Winery (twitter)
• Customized pairing menu designed by chef Eric Ripert
• Chef Eric Ripert appearance during dinner for a brief explanation of menu and pairings
• Interaction and tableside discussion of featured wines from Lisa Valtenbergs, Winemaker from Stonestreet Winery
• Taxes and gratuities for dinner and wines

 

Giveaway:

Since my lady joined me at this event, I have extra goodies to give away.   The winner will be randomly selected on 7/4/14 12PM E.S.T. and will receive (pictures are below of these goodies):

1. hardcopy of Avec Eric, a Culinary Journey with Eric Ripert, autographed by Chef Eric Ripert (autograph is on p.2 inside the book)
2. hardcopy of New York State of Mind – overview of Hyatt properties in New York
3. customized menu from the Hyatt RSVP event, autographed by Lisa Valtenbergs (Stone Street Wines) and Chef Eric Ripert (Le Bernardin)

Here's how to enter:

• 1 entry = Leave a comment below, noting your favorite perk of either Hyatt Gold Passport or Visa Signature
• 3 entries = Subscribe for email updates (enter your email in the top left corver)
• 1 entry each = Click like on Facebook, Follow me Twitter or  Google+,

**The winner is Linda.  Thanks for entering!

 

Review of the event:

I phoned immediately after I received the email invite and was placed on hold for 45 minutes before reaching a rep.  The phone rep instantly placed me on hold to grab 2 of the last few tickets available before going through the laundry list of questions.  She said this was a popular event and expected to sell out within minutes.  While socializing at the event, all the guests I spoke with had similar comments: they phoned in as soon as they received the email, were put on hold for 45 – 60 minutes.  One couple got lucky and persisted several times after initially selling out, eventually landed an opening, probably due to a cancellation.

I was blown away when I arrived at Le Bernardin.  The wines and passed hors d’oeuvres were never ending.  Chef Eric Ripert gave a step by step presentation on making the famous tuna foie gras appetizer.  I have attached a small video clip of him explaining how to select the right piece of tuna:

When I asked Chef Eric Ripert where Anthony Bourdain was, he rolled his eyes and said “Anthony was in Jamaica, probably for his next episode”.  In my defense, I learned of Chef Eric Ripert from the Bourdain shows, so I thought it was a fair question.  Perhaps he gets asked that all the time… my bad, Eric!  Here is an amateur picture I took off my iPhone (hand shadows included) of the specially customized menu (autographed by Lisa Valtenbergs and Chef Eric Ripert):

The food was immaculate to say the least, although some of this may have been the wine talking.  All diners for this event received a goodie bag which contained a cookbook by Eric Ripert and a bottle of wine from Stonestreet.

This event was a steal for $100. I can’t wait for the next Hyatt RSVP event.

 

Here’s a photo of Chef Eric Ripert raising the roof:

We reached out to Hyatt and here’s the Q&A on Hyatt RSVP events:

– Do invitees need to be Chase Hyatt Visa cardholders AND also have Diamond status with Hyatt?

In the past, we hosted events that were specifically for Hyatt Credit Cardmembers, but this year, we wanted to launch an events platform for all of our Hyatt Gold Passport members. Hyatt RSVP is a way for us to continue to recognize our valued Hyatt Gold Passport members by giving them exclusive access to unique events and experiences outside of their Hyatt stays. It gives us new opportunities to interact with our members in new settings and engage with them further. Events range from movie premiers to delicious winemaker dinners to wine tasting weekends, and surrounding area members are invited to purchase tickets. We are trying to expand and host events in various cities nationwide. Some events include invitations for members across tier levels, while others are reserved for elite membership.

– Are invitees selected based on billing address and the address of the event?

We generally invite members in the surrounding areas of the event location based on the addresses listed in their profiles. Select marquee events, such as Sonoma Wine Country Weekend, include invitations for elite members nationwide.

– Any upcoming Hyatt RSVP events you are at liberty to share?

Our goal is to host one or two events each month in various cities around the country. In July, we will host advanced movie screenings in Los Angeles, San Francisco, DC, and Dallas. In August, we will host a Sonoma Wine Country Weekend, where attendees will enjoy private winery tours and tastings. We are working on details for additional events, and you can stay up to date at hyattrsvp.com or by following #hyattrsvp.

– Any upcoming Hyatt GoldPassport announcements you are at liberty to share?

No more news to share at this time. We are continually looking for ways to provide value to our members, and we are always welcoming feedback.

 

From what I gather, one needs to be a Hyatt Gold Passport member and also a Chase Hyatt Visa cardholder to receive an invite.  Some events are YMMV based on location; however, I also received an invite for another Hyatt RSVP event in Sonoma Wine Country Weekend (details pasted below).  I was a bit too much for me to fly out to Cali just for this experience, but for $1,000 for 2 people, it was another steal.  You can try calling 1.888.877.1035 to hear the full list of current Visa Signature events, but you may not be able to sign up if you did not receive the email invite.

 

 

Below I’ve included the original invitations details I received for both the dinner reviewed above and an upcoming event.

 

 

Call 1.888.877.1035 to reserve your spot to this invitation-only event soon. #hyattrsvp Hyatt RSVP invites you to a Winemaker Dinner LE BERNARDIN featuring a cooking demonstration with Eric Ripert, special four-course menu and curated selection of Sonoma County wines from Stonestreet Winery.Thursday, June 19, 2014, at 6:30 p.m. 155 West 51st Street, New York City $100 per place settingCall 1.888.877.1035 to reserve your place setting with a Visa Signature® Credit Card (limit two per guest). This unique epicurean experience will include:A 30-minute cooking demonstration with Eric Ripert – James Beard Award-winning chef, host of PBS’s Avec Eric, and regular guest judge on Bravo’s Top Chef • An exclusive wine reception with passed canapés at Le Bernardin, New York’s internationally acclaimed four-star seafood restaurant • A special four-course menu designed by Chef Eric Ripert with Sonoma County wine pairings from Stonestreet Winery – an estate housed on an untamed landscape that features one of the most extensive mountain vineyards in the world • Tableside discussion with Chef Eric Ripert and Winemaker Lisa ValtenbergsThis extraordinary evening is being made available to you and your guest for only $100 per place setting (includes taxes and gratuities for dinner and wines). Due to the intimacy of this event, place settings are limited.RSVP NOW MONDAY – FRIDAY, 6 A.M. to 9 P.M. PST 1.888.877.1035 EXPLORE OTHER HYATT RSVP EVENTS Share your experience with others while at the event – #hyattrsvpAccess to this event is one of the many benefits you can enjoy as a Visa Signature Cardmember. Explore others.

 

 

This is an upcoming event:

 

Call 1.888.877.1035 to reserve your spot to this invitation-only event soon.

#hyattrsvp

Hyatt RSVP invites you to experience the finest in food and wine

Sonoma Wine Country Weekend Join us for a true epicurean adventure highlighting the best that Sonoma County has to offer, featuring the finest chefs, special private tasting events, luxury accommodations and moreFriday, August 29 – Sunday, August 31, 2014 $1,000 per package (two people per package)This invitation has been reserved exclusively for you and guestCall 1.888.877.1035 to reserve your getaway with a Visa Signature® Credit Card

Your 2 night stay at the Hyatt Vineyard Creek Hotel and Spa begins with a personal welcome reception (with sparkling wine) and includes complimentary breakfast • Enjoy an exclusive private winery tour Friday evening, followed by a sparkling winereception, a luxurious multi-course meal prepared by Chef John Toulze of the girl & the fig, and live music under the stars as Sonoma Starlight takes over the renowned Francis Ford Coppola Winery • Immerse yourself in the 35th Annual Taste of Sonoma on Saturday afternoon, with preferred seating and private tours as more than 230 award-winning wineries and chefs showcase their talents. Plus, receive exclusive access to the Visa Signature lounge, featuring passed hors d’oeuvres, personal interaction with leading winemakers, and live music • Begin Saturday night with an al fresco wine reception at J Vineyards & Wineryfeaturing live music and passed hors d’oeuvres, before enjoying a specially created multi-course dinner paired with select J Vineyard small-lot wines • You’ll also be provided with complimentary transportation to and from each event, as well as access to dedicated Hyatt Gold Passport and Visa Signature hospitality staffThis extraordinary opportunity is presented to you at the special price of $1,000 per package (taxes and gratuities included, two people per package; no individual tickets are available) Only a limited number of packages are available.RSVP NOW MONDAY – FRIDAY, 6 A.M. to 9 P.M. PST 1.888.877.1035

EXPLORE OTHER HYATT RSVP EVENTS

Share your experience with others while at the event – #hyattrsvpAccess to this event is one of the many benefits you can enjoy as a Visa Signature Cardmember. Explore others.

 

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