Celebrating summer’s Art-A-Fair

Glori Fickling

Celebrating 37 successful years with an elegant champagne dinner

reception on June 29, Art-A-Fair’s annual summer opening once again

launched the season on the romantically verdant grounds of Tivoli

Too.

The always-enthusiastic entourage, some of whom were formally

attired in black tuxedos and gowns, strolled leisurely through the

magnificent displays of art, from paintings and sculpture to

ceramics, jewelry and wearable adornments.

Guests were pampered by wandering servers offering flutes of

champagne, bacon-wrapped dates and spring roll appetizers as they

perused the enticing exhibits. Among standouts to enjoy are intricate

wall hangings by Loretta Alvarado, intricately handcrafted stained

glass by Sylvia Simmons and Oriental ceramics by Philippe Chambon and

Jim Babb.

A major surprise of the evening was the heartwarming tribute to

artist Iris Adam, who has graced the festival with her enchanting

watercolors for the last 25 years. Her genuine astonishment as she

graciously acknowledged the announcement brought a hearty round of

applause from the crowd, some of whom were surprised to learn that

Adam was an Arts Commissioner for the city of Laguna Beach for 12

years starting in 1984.

The three-course culmination to the evening celebration was

dinner, delightfully arranged by Tivoli Too chef Fernando Chavez, who

has been plying his talents here since 1999. Served on the adjoining

restaurant balcony and nearby porch as well as the level grounds, the

three-course repast commenced with a delicious Caesar salad so

generously dusted with parmesan cheese that the dressing clung

delectably to every crisp morsel of lettuce and each crouton cube.

Under astute supervision of general manager Bobby Fader, an

attentive crew was ever at the ready to dispense Tivoli’s signature

entree of tender, bacon-wrapped filet mignon, perfectly escorted with

chunky summer vegetables and superb seafood Newburg. This, enveloped

in flaky pastry, came forth bursting with scallops, shrimp, crab,

finfish and mushrooms. A light, luscious dessert of airy angel food

cake enhanced with fresh strawberries under a halo of whipped cream

provided the definitive balance to the festive occasion.

Tivoli Too will be open for lunch and dinner throughout festival

season starting at 11 a.m. The dinner menu commences at 5 p.m. with

music for dancing every evening. Special plaudits to Red Street, the

rhythmic group who entertained on preview night last week. The

excitingly varied repertoire of dynamic Will on sax, Eddie on bass

and Ron as lead vocalist will make for terrific dancing Wednesdays

and Thursdays until Sept. 2.

NEWS BITES

Big things are happening at La Casa del Camino, Laguna’s vintage

landmark hotel on Coast Highway. First, welcome new general manager

Jill Jelley (pronounced Jelay) to Savoury’s, the elegant street-level

dinner house. A charming Australian, who most recently managed First

Cabin at the Balboa Bay Club Resort and Spa, Jelley replaces Dawn

Wilson, who retired a few weeks ago. Executive chef Felix Baron

continues in the capacity he has held at Savoury’s since opening day

in September 2002.

According to Chris Keller, principal of the hotel who recently

acquired the restaurant, exciting new happenings are promised in the

near future. Savoury’s is open seven nights until 11 p.m. Lunch will

be served starting next month and soon followed by Sunday brunch.

Keller further promises the alfresco oceanfront rooftop patio, in the

mode of the recent festive Fourth of July celebration, will be

featuring many more such inviting events. Phone: (949) 376-9718.

Accolades to Hotel Laguna’s principal Claes Andersen and executive

chef David E. Mack for the sensational appetizers presented at the

July 1 unveiling of paintings by Laguna College of Art & Design

students in Tapas Lounge.

The colorful cabaret creations, which provide a classic

embellishment to the room’s art-deco ambience, are the award-winning

works of talented Melissa Devine, Dennis McElroy and Matt Talbert.

The reception was an intriguing introduction to the tapas taste

sensations available daily in the lounge.

Guests were visibly impressed with delectably fresh oyster

mignonettes seasoned with rice wine, shallots, black peppercorns and

lemon zest, Asian tuna tartar atop crisp wontons, chili-glazed lamb

“lolli” chops, assorted Mediterranean olives and, most inventive of

all, crisply crusted rock shrimp cakes, each superbly crowned with

avocado bits and a tiny bay shrimp. Phone: (949) 494-1151.