There's swank ... and then there's awards season in Los Angeles. First up: The Emmy's and its Governor's Ball held at the LA Civic Center. (Actually, it's for the 2009 Academy of Television Arts & Sciences' Creative Arts Ball as well as the Governors' Ball.)

How can they make an empty box like a ballroom you could land the Shuttle in and make it, um, cozy, for 2900-3500 guests? Well they do, every year.

And this year is a cavalcade of color, to borrow a phrase -- "a Sultan's palace replete with 2,000 yards of Fortuny-like patterned silk hanging tent-like from the 36'-high ceilings. Forty-eight oversized, brightly colored hanging lanterns will help illuminate the vast interior-tented expanse. Tablecloths and napkins will come in a rich kaleidoscope of striking colors: cerulean, royal plum, zanzibar, cerise and lime."

For those disoriented by the dizzying display, bearings can be had by using one of the three performance stages or one of the many, well-stocked and happy-to-pour bar areas.

Oh, and chocolate. Lots of yummy chocolate -- called Fling (from Dove). Champagne, too, from Moet + Chandon White Star as well as The Emmy from Grey Goose (recipe below). The governors know how to party, apparently...

The main attraction -- other than the VIPs and statuettes -- is another memorable meal from Chef Joachim Splichal and Chef Alec Lestr's team of 177 on-site chefs. 

First course: Sweet peppers, eggplant caviar and chips, a few petite red mustard leaves, layered potato salad, olives, smoked mushrooms and medjool dates, toybox tomatoes, sweet

Second course: Filet mignon, polenta ravioli with cauliflower and vadouvan butter, whole roasted zucchini blossom, bloomsdale spinach and pinot noir sauce

Dessert: Dove Silky Smooth Milk Chocolate infused with raspberry creme, paired with yuzu gelee and a mint lollipop

Wine: 2008 Beaulieu Vineyard Carneros Chardonnay; 2005 Beaulieu Vineyard Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Whew... there you have it. Better get cooking so you can have some parallel play with your Emmy Awards dinner at home.

THE EMMY DRINK RECIPE: The coup de cocktail, if you will...
1.5 oz. Grey Goose L'Orange
.5 oz. Licor 43
1.5 oz. fresh orange juice and pulp
Splash of Grenadine
*Pour all into a shaker -- shake until a little ice forms on shaker's exterior. Strain into martini glass. Garnish with three seedless grapes. Imbibe.