By Liz Culley, photos by Jamie Garcia
One of the many misconceptions about Los Angeles is that it doesn’t ever quite feel like Winter, or even further, the holidays. Granted the rainy season is getting less and less of a “season” and more like a few days that we grit and bear but Los Angeles just does the holidays its own way.
Over the past few years, Racquet has hosted their holiday party on semi-cloudy December days in Los Angeles toasting to friends, family and the sport of tennis. This year was no different—Los Angeles kept its promise and threatened rain and tennis friends came together at the illustrious Silvertop Residence to feast on Shake Shack burgers and Cloud11 chocolates while raising glasses of Champagne Louis Roederer, Domaines Ott rosé and Boodles gin fizzes. It was glorious.
The Silvertop Residence is truly a masterpiece from iconic Architect John Lautner. Lautner began the project in 1956, however construction was stalled by his first clients, the Reiners (who actually went bankrupt due to the project around 1974) and was sold to another family that put in their own kitchens and bathrooms. Off the market for almost 40 years, the home was revisited by architect Barbara Bestor, who worked with her client to restore the home using the original plans Lautner had laid out. Lucky for us, the tennis court stayed put.
As most Racquet parties begin, friends of the brand—from our west coast crew featuring founders from Racquet Club LA, Evolve Agency and Sergio Tacchini enjoyed live ball while overlooking the Reservoir as guests like Rennae Stubbs, Alaina Moore and Patrick Riley of Tennis (the band), and beloved chef and cookbook author Molly Baz arrived on the scene with her dachshund, Tuna. Tennis pro extraordinaires Mads and Simon Hegelund got the drills started early as everyone from those at the beginning of their tennis journeys to more advanced players get to hit some balls on the stunning court.
One of the many fun reasons why you should have your holiday party in Los Angeles is because you and your guests can enjoy cannabis treats like the ones we had from local brand Drew Martin and Cloud11. Drew Martin creates botanical infused pre-rolls (think lavender and lemon verbena) and Cloud11 are decadent low-dose chocolates created in partnership with the former pastry chef from 11 Madison Park.
I picked grapefruits from my garden (yes I am THAT LA and I love it!) and our bartenders created grapefruit and rosemary gin fizzes with Boodles gin that were divine and paired perfectly with the new Silver Lake Burger from Shake Shack made from Regenerative-farmed beef topped with LA’s own Kaylin + Kaylin pickles, griddled onions, cheese and ShackSauce on a toasted potato bun. You can only get the burger at the Silver Lake location so if you are in town, I 10/10 recommend you hit that location up and get their exclusive burger.
As the party winded down and folks called their Lyft’s home, a special surprise arrived. Loria Stern, chef and owner of “Eat Your Flowers” bakery arrived with the most gorgeous tennis court cake for us! Inspired by the Silvertop Residence, the court cake was decadent and divine and was the perfect treat to have with one last glass of Champagne Louis Roederer.
Feeling a bit of FOMO? Here is my checklist to have the perfect year-end send off:
- Keep it fun and keep it simple
- Burgers. Always. You can always pick up or Postmate some Shake Shack right to your door. Truly no one will say no to a burger and there is basically zero clean up. Genius.
- No court? No problem. Find a public court then swing by a friend’s nearby
- Champagne, especially Roederer is always a good idea and pairs well with… everything
- Get your friends involved. Does someone have a lemon tree? Perfect for Boodles Gin and Tonics!
- Feeling artistic? If you aren’t down with baking a cake from scratch, purchase a simple sheet cake from your local grocery stores and check out @loriastern’s IG to see how to make your own tennis court cake!
- Take a Lyft, because, well, duh?!
Happiest holidays from us to you!
xo Your favorite official unofficial tennis influencer
