News

New Board Unveiled

Eight Members were voted onto the Board of Governors in the Club's annual election.

The results of the ballot were announced at the Club's Annual General Meeting (AGM) on November 20.

At the first Board meeting following the AGM, Michael Alfant was selected as representative governor. It is his third consecutive one-year term in the role.

In other Board positions, Jesse Green and Anthony Moore were named first and second vice president, respectively, with Betsy Rogers named secretary and Michael Benner continuing in his role as treasurer.

Elected Governors
American Citizens
Michael Benner
Trista Bridges Bivens
Jesse Green
James Mori
Christina Siegel

Japanese Citizens
Tetsutaro Muraki

Other Nationalities
Anthony Moore

Women's Group Representative
Heidi Regent

Restaurant Wine Lists Garner Awards

CHOP Steakhouse's wine list has received international recognition for a fourth consecutive year. 

The World of Fine Wine, a London-based magazine, awarded the Club restaurant three stars in the world’s best medium-size wine list category.

Meanwhile, American Bar & Grill picked up two stars in the short wine list category. In particular, the restaurant was recognized for its Enomatic by-the-glass offerings.

“It is extremely rewarding to see the efforts of our wine team continue to be recognized by this prestigious publication and its panel of industry experts,” says Sera Goto, the Club’s wine program director.

Now in their fifth year, the awards are regarded as the sommelier’s version of Michelin stars.

To celebrate these achievements, from November 12 to 16, diners at CHOP and American Bar & Grill can receive a complimentary glass of bubbly* when they mention this news to their server.

(*Limited to one glass per diner for the duration of the offer.)

Club Satisfaction Hits All-Time High

Member satisfaction reached a record high in this year's annual Club survey.

Ninety-two percent of the 1,463 respondents rated the Club as either “excellent” or “very good,” up from 91 percent last year.

Membership value also improved, with 64 percent of Members deeming it either “excellent” or “very good.” Last year's figure was around 63 percent.

The Club’s top three draws for Members were the recreation and fitness facilities (75 percent), the dining outlets (70 percent) and family-oriented activities (38 percent).

Of the 26 Club areas evaluated, Member and Concierge Services received the highest rating.

The survey was conducted in September. Check the full survey results (log-in required).

Club Launches Own Beer

The Traders' Bar taps will feature the Club's own beer from October 6.

Traders’ Session IPA, produced by Shizuoka Prefecture-based brewery Baird Beer, is a medium-bodied India Pale Ale, made from hops from America’s Pacific Northwest.

“While the Traders’ Session IPA bursts with character, it is also nuanced and supremely balanced," says Bryan Baird, owner of Baird Beer.

Members can sample the beer at First Friday: Oktoberfest on October 5.

Traders’ Session IPA will be offered at American Bar & Grill and CHOP Steakhouse after its release at Traders’.

Club Seasonal Wines Selected

The four winning wines at the Seasonal Wine Taste-Off on September 25 were from different wine regions and evenly split between New and Old world wineries.

From a field of 12 red wines and 12 whites, Members selected the 2017 Jean Marie Berthier L'Instant Sauvignon Blanc, from the Loire Valley, as the seasonal white for November to January and Familia Torres' 2015 Altos Ibéricos Crianza, a Tempranillo from Spain's Rioja region, as the seasonal red.

The seasonal wines for February to April are a 2016 Californian Chardonnay by Indigo Eyes and a 2015 E Series Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon blend from South Australian winery Elderton.

More than 70 Members voted for their favorite wines during the event.