Wishin’ and dishin’
It was a gastronomic dream come true at the Barker Hanger as the Make-A-Wish Foundation put on its annual wine tasting and auction. There was a tempting treat for every taste bud and from every locale. Hundreds of hungry guests nibbled on everything from succulent prime rib sandwiches with horseradish sauce from Chicago, to sweet banana boats from Jamaica, to tenderloin tamales from south of the border. Many of L.A.’s top restaurants took part in the sumptuous smorgasbord, including Citrus, Fenix, McCormick & Schmick’s and the Water Grill. Extraordinary and flavorful cheeses from around the world could be picked up courtesy of the Cheese Shop of Beverly Hills and paired with great grape selections from Chalone, Grgich Hills, Niebaum-Coppola and Tattinger. The live and silent auctions held throughout the evening featured works of art from modern masters like David Hockney and Peter Max. The event is expected to raise more than $400,000 to grant wishes to kids in need.
Boone tunes
Crooner and sometimes leather-clad punker Pat Boone was in a “Symphonic Mood” with the release of his new CD featuring 125 musicians of the Junior Philharmonic Orchestra. Guests gathered on the lush grounds of Lori and Neil Gordon’s Beverly Hills estate.
The evening paid tribute to orchestra founder Dr. Ernst Katz, who is often likened to the real Glenn Holland in “Mr. Holland’s Opus.” The good doctor has helped thousands of young people from various social, economic and ethnic backgrounds realize their dreams through music and has personally funded the orchestra as a service to the community.
Mama mia A&E-a!
Allegria has found itself in the spotlight and will be featured on the Arts and Entertainment network as one of Malibu’s favorite eateries. A film crew recently spent the day with owner Franco Simplicio posing many a query about the restaurant and its celebrity clientele. “They wanted to know about film stars, who comes and who doesn’t come,” Simplicio explained. “I told them that we have a lot of stars as well as locals.” And when you ask him to spill some names, he does. Like who? “Oh, we have Tia Leone, David Duchovny, Mel Gibson, Pierce Brosnan, Barbra Streisand, Olivia Newton-John, Anthony Hopkins, Rod Steiger, Liz Taylor, Richard Gere.” OK — we get the picture.
With its piping-hot pizzas, fresh pastas and Italian homestyle entrees, Allegria has been a popular spot since the day it opened its doors, and Simplicio is all too happy to explain his success in what is a really tough restaurant town. “What we set out to do was to offer really good food as well priced as possible and to have a comfortable homey feeling,” he said. “That’s why people come, because it’s a magic thing that happens when you have the right combo of food price and atmosphere.” Buon appetito!