Neiman restaurant to open soon

B.W. COOK

The glam gals of the Sound of Music Guild supporting the Orange

County Performing Arts Center gathered at Neiman Marcus in Fashion

Island this week to celebrate a soft opening of the new dining room

in the store called Mariposa.

The white on white, stark contemporary restaurant with splashes of

vibrant color will open to the public in two weeks. A signature

Midori martini will be the cocktail du jour for the Neiman’s crowd.

Designers have created a very special seating arrangement for

sampling the martinis. Guests will sit at the bar facing an open view

of shoppers in Neiman Marcus’ home department. Have a drink or buy a

vase.

Everything has been revamped with two exceptions. The infamous

popovers remain a staple on the menu. Also, heaven-forbid, the

demitasse chicken bouillon appetizer stays in the game.

Hostesses Sally Crockett and Kelly Hague, chairs of the upcoming

Sound of Music March 6 gala “License To Thrill -- James Bond Meets

Austin Powers,” welcomed the arriving crush. Servers passed fabulous

hors d’ oeuvres as the drinks flowed and the cocktail conversation

escalated. Gorgeous girls in retro cigar-girl uniforms passed both

Cohiba cigars and chocolate cigar imitations. Smoking was restricted

to an outside patio. Chocolate cigar sampling was permitted

everywhere.

Black was the dress color of choice: tight black, short black,

strapless black, with an occasional pink and the “new red” thrown in

for good luck. The party was a shoe-watcher’s fantasy delight. Manolo

Blanick stock went up tenfold. One man in the crowd commented, “That

woman’s shoes cost more than my net worth.” He refused to be named in

this story, but did help himself to several expensive Cohiba cigars.

Another man commented, “Did you notice that this affair is

standing-room only?” The gal on his arm retorted, not without a hint

of sarcasm, “Of course it’s standing room only -- who could sit down

wearing skirts so tight?”

The Paparazzi flashed away as patrons mingled. Patsy Marshall held

court, moving about the room along with Harriet Sandhu of Pelican

Point and her husband, mogul Sandy Sandhu. Eve Kornyei was there

wearing a smashing vintage Pucci dress in keeping with the ‘60s James

Bond theme for the upcoming big event. Her man Stan Hanson of Corona

del Mar was also on hand to support the cause.

Kathy and John Porter, Randy Crockett, Danni Good, Tracy Martin,

Lori and John Loftus, Diane Cruzen, Jennifer Condas, Robin

Newton-Jacono and Erin and Jim Keller also were on hand to support

the Neiman Marcus opening and promote fundraising for the Sound of

Music gala in March. Some 400 guests are expected to participate in

the “James Bond” affair set to unfold at the Four Seasons Hotel in

Newport Beach.

The gala will coincide with the 25th anniversary of the Sound of

Music Guild. More than $2 million has been raised to date by the

women supporting the center. Tickets are priced at $225 per person.

Call Laura Barrata at (949) 240-4108 to make your reservations.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.