An Arvid Evening - F l e m i n g ' s  V I P  P a r t y

It all began on a Wednesday evening in late June. Thomas Arvid and his colleague and friend Rob Preiditsch arrived in Cleveland aboard Continental Airlines non-stop fromtheir Atlanta headquarters.First stop on Thursday morning, a promotional radio interview with a group of Cleveland Talk Radio legends, John Lanigan, Jimmy Malone and Chip Kulik.A quick trip back to the host gallery for an autograph session, and off to another interview over lunch.As Thursday evening sets in, the fun begins ......

Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar in the eastern suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio was the venue for an enchanting evening that is instilled in the memory of every attendee.Fleming's was the place, well known for its award-winning wine selection, mouth-watering steaks, and proudly displaying the art of that evening's guest of honor.The 'sold out' Arvid Dinner, held in a private banquet room, gave every attendee more than ample opportunity to not only listen to Thomas describe his art, watch him at work painting, but to engage in one on one conversations with the artist.

Guests were greeted by the presence of Fleming's staff pouring Perrier-Jouet Grand Brut English Cuvee, the French Champagne immortalized in Arvid's artwork, into dozens of crystal champagne glasses.As everyone mingled clinking glasses to “toast” their luck in obtaining reservations to this coveted event, hors d'oeuvres of polenta crusted oysters served on a grilled cucumber with lemon dill, crème fraiche and topped with caviar, were served.The second round of appetizers featured roasted red pepper, Prosciutto, and smoked mozzarella pinwheels drizzled with infused sweet Basil Oil.

As the wait staff patiently waited to begin serving dinner, guests returned to their seats to find a “dinner gift,” courtesy of Fleming's Steakhouse and an autographed Arvid portfolio featuring many of the artist's works.

The first course consisted ofasparagus and langoustine salad paired with a 2003 Far Niente Napa Valley Chardonnay.

In between the courses of the evening, several speakers emerged ranging from Fleming's Managing Partner Cliff Craven, to the Silver Oak Cellars representative describing the wines of the evening, to Arvid himself who spoke to the group several times during the evening.

The second course emerged with filet mignon served over caramelized onion and goat cheese potato torte, topped with cinnamon matchstick sweet potatoes drizzled with Cabernet Reduction.Paired with this course, was the flagship of Arvid's portfolio, Silver Oak 2000 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.

Dessert completed this culinary extravaganza with Chocolate Napoleon Torte with Hazelnut Chantilly Cream, perfectly paired with a 1997 Quinta Do Noval L.B.V. Port.

The evening was still far from over.Thomas hung around for a couple more hours working on a painting, posing for photographs with guests and signing wine bottles, books and other memorabilia. The fortunate attendees will cherish this special Arvid evening for many years to come.