Velvet Room Debuts at Clift Hotel
San Francisco's landmark Clift Hotel has opened the Velvet Room, which is available for private events. The 2,100-square-foot space accommodates 150 guests banquet-style and 200 reception-style. When combined with the Redwood Room, the total area increases to 4,000 square feet accommodating 350 reception-style, management says. Under the direction of new executive chef Ewart Wardhaugh, most recently sous chef at the Wynn Las Vegas, the Velvet Room menus will focus on sustainably sourced foods. Decor features velvet curtains, mahogany and leather banquettes, hand-blown Murano glass lamps, and a cross-shaped illuminated communal dining table made from hand-etched Venetian mirrors.

Hyatt Rolls Out Seasonal Banquet Menus
Hotel giant Hyatt, headquartered in Chicago, has launched a seasonal banquet menu program this month, designed to showcase the best foods from the local marketplaces of its 434 properties and provide distinctive food and beverage choices for meetings and events, management says. The menus will be updated quarterly, with the summer menu running June 1 through Sept. 30. Summer menu options include Shrimp BLT Bites, Mini Monte Christo Sandwiches, Roasted Butternut Squash and Chestnut Soup with Chipotle Crème Fraiche, Pumpkin Crème Brulee and Apple Mascarpone Tartlets. For planners who want to book these menus online, Hyatt is working with Cendyn to offer more than 30 of the seasonal banquet items to Hyatt's e-menu banquet selection.

Fairmont Pittsburgh Offers "Sweet Meetings" Deal
The new Fairmont Pittsburgh, which opened in March, offers planners its introductory Sweet Meetings deal for meting booked by Dec. 31, 2010. Planners booking a minimum of 10 rooms per night will receive 10 percent off their master account and five complimentary upgrades, management says. The hotel offers 12,000 square feet of conference and event space, along with three private meeting rooms, a boardroom and full banquet and catering facilities. Some 165 guest rooms, 19 one-bedroom suites and one president suite are available. The hotel is located in Three PNC Plaza.

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