Giuseppe Zanotti Toasted Thirty Years at Mr Chow

It was “Ciao!” and “Cin cin!” all around at Mr Chow last night, as Giuseppe Zanotti and his Italian team took over the secret party room to celebrate 30 years and their first US event in a long, long time.

The famed East 57th Street eatery is close to Mr. Zanotti’s heart—he still remembers the first time he set foot in the dining room, back in the ‘80s when he was a freelance shoe designer for the likes of Mugler, Cavalli, and Balmain. In the ensuing decades, as his eponymous label became a global powerplayer, it became his regular haunt every time he came to town, both for business and pleasure over lychee martinis. One evening, his reservation happily coincided with the birthday celebration of a longtime fan and collaborator of his: Beyoncé. So when the time came to host an anniversary dinner, there was nowhere filled with more memories that could fit the bill.

When guests, many of whom were sporting his fantasy-worthy footwear and accessories, arrived at the famously atmospheric sunken dining room, they were surprised to be whisked right through it, and into the kitchen and down some back stairs. Turns out the evening would take place in a subterranean hideaway, where attendees could kick back long past closing time. Such is the perk of being a four-decade-long regular.

“I’d like to introduce my best friend, and my boss,” Alain Baume, president and CEO, announced to the room as they were tucking into chicken satay and spare ribs. While Baume translated each sentence, he jokingly turned to Zanotti and said, “You know how to speak English!” “Si, but the poetry comes out better in Italian,” the designer replied with a smile. The poetry in question? Translated by Baume Zanotti opined: “[This anniversary] is an important moment. This type of work is not only beautiful and fun, some moments are hard. But if the result is passion, love, and friendship….” “Wow, you speak English very well,” Zanotti joked back to Rome native Baume, who’s been living steps away from the restaurant for many decades.

Over heaping plates of crispy beef, the laughter got louder and louder as the night got later and later (leave it to the Italians). LaQuan Smith, whose brand has partnered with Zanotti for its last three consecutive shows on oh-so-sexy stilettos to go with each runway look, was swapping notes on the dishes with Instagram’s favorite no-holds-barred red carpet fashion critic, Nicky Campbell. “No notes” for the Peking duck pancakes, of course.

As Mr. Zanotti did the rounds of the room, he took a pouch of markers and pens with him, doodling shoes on tablecloths and paper plates as he went. As she was leaving, actress Jemima Kirke happily pocketed a personalized sketch drawn on her menu that was covered in little hearts and heels. All in a night, at Mr Chow!