The Hot Dogs Had Pedigrees at Carl’s Jr. Soiree

The champagne was chilled, the tuxedoes were pressed, and the stars were out in force Monday night--even though you might not have recognized them.

For they were stars of a different stripe at this, the quarterly dinner meeting of La Chaine des Rotisseurs.

The Newport Beach chapter of the famous gourmet club--whose roots reach back to Paris circa 1248--were guests of burger baron Carl N. Karcher and were dining at his flagship fast-food bistro Carl’s Jr. And the stars, of course, were Famous Star hamburgers although the menu called them: “Les ‘Hamburgers’ Miniatures de la Fameuse Etoile.”

The community room at the restaurant on North Harbor Boulevard was transformed from fast-food modern to classic gourmet chic, with the addition of crystal, silver, candelabra and white-gloved waiters.

There wasn’t much that could be done about the neon “Drinks: All You Want” sign, though.

There was to be no Chateaubriand this night.

Instead, the specially printed menu promised such culinary delights as “canapes au poulet grille sur la braise,” perhaps better known as the miniature Charbroiler BBQ Chicken Sandwich, and “Le Vrai ‘Chili Dog’ a la Carl” none other than Carl’s Original chili dog.

The evening wasn’t merely a romp in the restaurant for the 54 elegant diners who pay annual dues of $1,000 per couple; there was information to be gleaned.

If you’ve ever wondered just what wine to serve with that iceberg lettuce salad, the gourmets recommend a crisp, oaky Chardonnay. With that dog? Cabernet Sauvignon, of course. And G. H. Mumm & Co.’s Cordon Rouge champagne was a delight with the mini Famous Stars and the Charbroilers.

The dinner idea was cooked up by Don Regan, chapter president and an Orange County attorney. Karcher is a member of the club, whose last dinner was a multicourse affair at Antoine--the classy French restaurant at Le Meridien Hotel in Newport Beach.

“I thought it could be possible that our membership might get jaded,” Regan said. “For a change of pace, we thought we’d try this.”

Karcher was delighted with the tongue-in-cheek meal. “I thought it was good to have the dinner at Carl’s Jr. It’s different from one of the real nice restaurants, you know.”

His guests knew the difference.

Said one: “I think this is an outstanding experience, roughing it at Carl’s.”