With appetizers consisting of duck, rack of lamb, plump, juicy dumplings, and veggie rolls wrapped in rice paper, there’s no doubt this was one gathering of high stature. Oh, and don’t forget the open bar.

Before attending, I was told the house was equipped with 16 bathrooms. “16 bathrooms? How big can this place be?” I thought to myself. As I drove by the gated entrance, I knew instantly this was some serious estate. The driveway was gated off and a valet service awaited the guests. Upon exiting from your car, you walk the freshly layed down red carpet that stretches up the steps to the double set of doors that are opened by the doormen who check you off the guest list.

Upon entering the home, the owners greet you with a smile and kiss, and do their best to accommodate your every needs. Have a coat or a bag you don’t want to carry? Simply leave it at the coat check. Need to go to the bathroom? Make your way to the men’s or the women’s bathroom. The mens’ comes complete with a urinal and separate stall, a fancy gold coated deep sink and fancy paper to dry your hands with. The womens, I can only imagine. I believe there was a couch or a seat in there.

As I took a gander within the home, I marveled at the high ceilings, the myriad of paintings and artwork that adorned the walls, the chandeliers that are exact duplicates of the ones in Putin’s office, and the corridors and winding stairway. Oh, did I forget to mention the elevator that leads to the bedroom?

If the inside was this majestic, what would the backyard look like? Stepping out from their home leads to a beautiful stoned “deck” that overlooks their swimming pool that has no wall on the far side making it seem as if the water simply flowed into the ground. With fountains on either side of the pool spitting water so high up, and a separate area for a jacuzzi, and plenty of walking space about that in turn is surrounded by lush greenery, this was stunning.

Looking a little to my left, there was a fully enclosed gazebo with what looked like a library and sofa and tables. The entire place was so surreal that it seemed liked something out of a Hollywood movie. Think Beverly Hills type homes. I actually never even knew these places existed here in lowly little Toronto, so that’s probably why this entire place came as quite a surprise to me.

The evening itself was rather interesting. After appetizers, we listed to a short presentation, which was then followed by a young Russian pianist who played his hands off to a standing ovation. It was quite the concert. Afterwards, he mentioned that he made so many mistakes that he thought it was awful. Quite the soft-spoken and humble individual, he was a pleasure to talk with.

Dessert was next in line and the kitchen staff was hard at work all this time preparing the table full of fruits, cakes, sweets, coffee, and tea. So much to go around I’m sure there were leftovers after everybody left for the evening.

It was a pleasant evening overall and quite the different gathering than I am accustomed to. I suppose it is quite nice to be able to afford such things. But then again, if you have all of this, what more would you want?

Oh, I think I can still think of a few things!