Kostoff adds that baked Alaska was the dessert chosen for Beverly Hills High's prom last May. "It was nice," he says, "that we got a whole new generation exposed to it."
But there has been one modification: no more sparklers.
"Because of fire department regulation, we can't have them anymore," Kostoff says. "So every fifth waiter carries a terrine of dry ice, which creates a trail of smoke."
* White tie: White-tie events are \o7 the\f7 most formal events, and now that we're no longer living in the age of innocence, there are precious few of them.
According to etiquette experts, men must wear a tail coat, starched white shirt front with a wing collar, white pique tie, studs made of precious metal and stones, a waistcoat, black socks and black patent leather shoes. Top hats and white gloves are optional. Women should dress in ball gowns (and jewels if available), with long white gloves optional for sleeveless gowns. White tie may be requested only from mid-September to mid-June, never during the hot summer months, and only after 6 p.m.
It shouldn't be surprising that save for a couple of debutante balls, L.A. plays host to almost no white-tie events (although one invitation a few years back requested "white tie and medals"). These are now usually limited to White House dinners, weddings and longstanding, traditional balls.
Besides, this is the casual capital of the world, where dressing for dinner means wearing socks.
