A Moveable Feast is a captivating concept

Glori Fickling

Laguna restaurants, once again displaying their inimitable

hospitality, came forth once again to sponsor A Moveable Feast

presented by Laguna Playhouse for the 13th annual event.

The sensational evening of wining and dining presented on Oct. 20

was festively coupled with a superlative silent auction and was

deemed one of the most successful according to Development Manager

Amy Larson, who announced that the festive gala captivated 280

delighted attendees raising a hefty $25,000 to benefit the theater’s

annual fund.

Commencing with an opening champagne reception at perennially

fascinating [seven-degrees] art mecca, the exciting evening was

launched at 5:30 p.m.

Guests were immediately welcomed to elegant ambience with flutes

of bubbly from Domaine St Michelle to enjoy at flower-laden tables.

At 6 p.m. coaches hurried guests for appetizers at their chosen

restaurants where seating was expedited by charming volunteers. The

dozen wonderful selections were all within reasonable access to each

other.

On Coast Highway were Picayo, The Cabana, French 75, Splashes and

Partner’s Bistro; on Forest Avenue were 230 Forest, Sundried Tomato

and Cedar Creek Inn and on Glenneyre, 5-Feet and Sorrento Grille.

Alone on Cliff Drive was Las Brisas and on Broadway, Villa Romana

Trattoria.

There was prosciutto wrapped shrimp with baby mozzarella and pesto

drizzled bi-color teardrop tomato salad from 230 Forest; chicken

vegetable pot stickers with red bell pepper aioli and wasabi drizzle

from Cabana; and my personal choice, Villa Romana’s delectable

eggplant parmigiana tower swimming in savory roasted tomato sauce and

generously served by charming owner Fernanda Capraro.

From Sorrento Grille came roasted sea bass on risotto cake with

shrimp, tomatoes, fava beans and lobster nage. Las Brisas presented

macadamia crusted onaga in citrus sauce with jalapeno fennel mashed

potatoes. Guest were enchanted with succulent char grilled lamb chops

in bayaldi Provencal sided with herb mashed potatoes in a pool of

Beaujolais thyme sauce enthusiastically served by owners David Rubin

and Chef Laurent Brazier who dashed between tables, continuously

topping goblets of merlot and chardonnay.

Upon return to [seven-degrees], the captivating culinary

experience culminated with creative gems of luscious desserts gifted

by Laguna Culinary Arts: raspberry chocolate ganache, fresh fruit

tarts with vanilla pastry cream, free-form bands of checkered

chocolate wrapping custardy sponge cake studded with mango bits, a

perfect finale with coffee and cordials. Additionally guests were

treated to Grand Marnier and Baileys Irish Creme.

Tasty Bits! Laguna Coffee Company, 1050 S. Coast Highway features

a baker’s dozen blends of exotic coffee beans from faraway shores,

roasted to order on the premises. Charming Frenchman, Sylvain, offers

delectable espresso, lattes, mocha blends to savor with luscious

pastries delivered daily from a specialized boutique bakery. Phone:

(949) 494-6901

Congratulations to Studio, the prestigious ocean front restaurant

at Montage Resort and Spa. It was named in Esquire Magazine’s annual

survey among best new restaurants of 2003. Phone: (949) 715-6000.

* GLORI FICKLING is a longtime Laguna Beach resident. She may be

reached at (949) 494-4710 or by e-mail at ghoneywest@aol.com.