Correspondents’ Dinner: Tammy Haddad’s Power Brunch

What: The annual brunch hosted at the Palisades home of Ted Greenberg and Tammy Haddad, executive producer of MSNBC's Hardball, co-hosted by power players Hilary Rosen, Alex Castellanos, David Adler, Kathryn Lehman, Beth Viola, and Loretta Ucelli.

When: Saturday, April 21, noon to 3 p.m.

Who: What happens when the combine the Rolodexes of eight Washington insiders? Answer: This party, including a mix ranging from retired General Barry McCaffrey to Morgan Fairchild, Howard Kurtz to a Phillies-baseball hat-wearing Chris Matthews, Dee Dee Myers to David Corn, Greta Van Susterern to Bob Shrum, Debbie Dingell to Dan Glickman, and Tony Blankley to Arianna Huffington. Then there was a taste of Hollywood: Tim Daly (Wings), Kerry Washington, and celeb stylist Philip Bloch.

Food: A buffet lunch including beef tenderloin, salmon, and pasta salad.

Drink: White wine and bloody marys.

Scene: Every year, "Tammy's brunch," as its known to nearly everyone, gets a little bit larger and wilder. This year overwhelmed the valets on the crowded street, leaving guests to search for their own parking. Harold Ford, Jr., frustrated by the parking situation, just dumped the car in which he was riding in a neighbor's driveway. Haddad and Greenberg's backyard sported two large tents, keeping guests cool in the hot afternoon sun—one tent held the bar while the other the buffet. Guests, all in their "garden party" best (which meant a lot of bow ties, ascots, linen, and seersucker), juggled plates and glasses of wine, which as the afternoon wore on and guests kept drinking meant that the lawn was well watered by wine.

Ratings:
Bold Face Names: 4 (out of 5)
Swankiness: 3 (out of 5)
Food/Drink: 3 (out of 5)
Exclusivity: 4 (out of 5)

Total Score: 14 (out of 20)

Garrett M. Graff