We knew it was Kentucky Derby Day when we arrived at Danny Meyer’s swank Eleven Madison Park for the highly anticipated horse race party of the year when a gorgeous horse in trailer greeted us. Yes, they didn’t miss a beat as the southern belle styled hat wearing babes and dapper preppy suited beaus donned their best Derby attire to indulge on Chef Daniel Humm’s Southern-style mouth-watering fried chicken, waffles with maple bourbon syrup, a high-end raw bar of shrimp, crabs, and oysters and flowing Maker’s Mark mint juleps, all while rocking out to the country swing of ‘The Crooners’ on the outdoor Nat Sherman cigar lounge patio. The handsome crowd at the 3rd annual event who watched in awe as Animal Kingdom became the 137th Kentucky Derby winner, included familiar foodies from The Food Network, Grub Street Editor Alan Sytsma, and Bill Sherman, Executive VP of legendary cigar company Nat Sherman. They say The Kentucky Derby is the most exciting two minutes in sports—I say the Esquire/Nat Sherman party at Danny Meyer’s alluring establishment was the most exciting four hours in entertainment. And do believe the rumors; this puts all other soirees to shame. Put it in your calendar for next year.