The New Year’s in Mercedes-speak. Or German. You choose.
The evening was an affair to celebrate the 2011 success and to Preview of the new generation of the Mercedez-Benz SL. What a way to open my media adventures @ NAIAS (or the North American International Auto Show)…FABULOUS.
Pre-announcement
Free flowing cocktails. Tray after tray of bite-sized goodness. Steak tartar. Beef wellington. Apple almond tartlet. Shrimp in lemon chipotle sauce. Am I on the set of Mad Men? I didn’t follow the Mad Men tradition, instead enjoying the house red wine (a Cab from Ste. Michelle) and champagne.
Announcement
A stage. Live music. {{What an amazing voice!}} Is this a concert? Oh, wait! I hear an engine reving up. First, the original SL drove onto the stage. Then heads turn for the new SL. Red, of course!
Post- announcement
My weakness were in full form at this point in the night! We were served a “strolling” dinner. The courses just kept coming and coming…and I kept eating…and eating. There must have been 10 dinner choices before the dessert round started! I restrained myself, trying:

- Gnocchi with roasted chicken and pesto mousse
- Beet salad on a bed of candied walnuts
- Decadent hand-rolled tortellini filled with cheese covered with cream and truffles (hands down my favorite)
- A trio of sushi
- A yummy creamy risotto
- And for dessert…a cake ball (but filled with raspberry mousse), an amazing trio of cheese with honeycomb and creme brulee
Editor’s Note: Later in the week, we learned about the ramp that is build each year inside the hotel to get the showcase cars to the fourth floor of the conference areas. It was way to expensive for me to fathom. That is all I am saying.
The Location:
The Westin Book Cadillac | 1114 Washington Boulevard | Detroit, MI | 313.442-1600 | Website