Guests started the night with a Champagne drink party on the Mr. C Beverly Hills patio. Next, they went inside to “The Rialto Room,” a private dining room within the restaurant. The long dining table was beautifully decorated with soft-colored flowers and LOUIS XIII decanters.
LeBron James and his wife Savannah were there with Davis’s parents, Anthony Davis Sr. and Erainer Davis, as well as his teammates, including Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Rajon Rondo, Dwight Howard, DeMarcus Cousins, Avery Bradley, and others. The evening was sponsored by XO and LOUIS XIII Cognac.
At the front of the room, a large print of Anthony Davis’ Los Angeles Haute Living cover was on display, and one of the walls had the eye-catching XO logo in its signature red-and-white color scheme. Davis’s cover photo for Haute Living was intense, just like the main theme of the story he wrote inside the magazine: his unwavering determination to win.
As people were taking their seats, upbeat music started playing over the speakers, and the lights were turned down, making it the perfect setting for dinner. Artichoke and Avocado Salad with Parmesan, Fried Calamari with Tartar Sauce, Baked Tagliolini with Mushrooms, and Risotto Primavera were some of the signature family-style starters that the staff brought out.
After the main courses—Burrata or Steak—were served, Haute Living CEO Kamal Hotchandani spoke to the group and thanked XO and LOUIS XIII for making the party possible. The impressive founder of JetSmarter, which is now part of Vista Global and rebranded as XO, was there. LOUIS XIII’s presence marked the start of a long-term relationship with Haute Living, a magazine that honors excellence in many areas. In addition, he thanked the honoree of the night, Anthony Davis, for what he brings to Los Angeles as an important key to one of the greatest NBA franchise teams of all time and for what he brings to the city in general, not just basketball. The event was made possible by Rich Paul, who was also there, and Paul was in charge of Klutch Sports Group.
As the party went on, Wayne Chang, a brand spokesman for Louis XIII, came into the room and led guests through a special tasting. In order to get their hands on the coveted Cognac, Anthony Davis and LeBron James joked with each other while Chang continued the show. He told the guests to enjoy the Cognac’s deep color and wide range of smells and tastes by sniffing them from different distances. Once the main course was over, desserts were brought out. The room was filled with the sound of Baccarat glasses clinking as the Lakers team and guests took their first drinks to honor their friend and brother Anthony Davis.