Epicurean elegance caps festival finale

DINING OUT

A romantically balmy evening set a magical pace for the fifth annual

celebrity celebration heralding The Festival of Arts 70th

anniversary.

Topping producer Diane Challis Davey’s phenomenal production of

“Seasons,” a pair of angelic figures hovering on stilts above the

crowd greeted guests as they approached the entrance for the

traditional black tie event. The vocals of Gayle St. Gregory

accompanying Damian Willis and Company set a rhythmic pace for

dancing. This was also the final foray for perusing the art, jewelry

and furnishings displayed on the grounds while sipping Kendall

Jackson wines and enjoying delectable hors d’oeuvres catered by Chef

Molly’s Gourmet Solutions.

And delectable is certainly the operative word for such innovative

delicacies as grilled polenta triangles crowned with creamy fromage

crunchy with asparagus bits. Among a dozen of these taste sensations,

attentive servers also passed trays of Asian chicken skewers, little

pita pocket halves filled with chicken, potato, chorizo, beans, mini

onion tarts, baked brie with mango chutney, Cuban pork fried rice

plantains. Then, for a sweet taste, came savory key lime tarts,

hazelnut cake parfaits, chewy brownies, plump summer strawberries and

tangy clusters of juicy ripe grapes.

Sharing the evening with such famed motion picture and TV

personalities as guest of honor Jane Seymour and her husband James

Keach, comedians Bernie Kopell and Hal Linden, beautiful actresses

Donna Mills and Florence Henderson, the entourage continued this

enchanting evening upstairs at treasured Tivoli Terrace for an

elegant four-course dinner.

The leisurely repast, designed by gracious owner/director June

Neptune and creative executive chef Louis Comparan, commenced with a

trio of appetizers, most notably luscious eggplant rounds crowned

with Roma tomato and mozzarella slices with a provocative waft of

pesto. Bottles of Kendall Jackson merlot and chilled chardonnay at

every table made for bottomless glasses and happy guests throughout

the evening.

The piece de resistance was bacon-wrapped filet mignon-topped

eggplant slices sided with crisp asparagus and pastry shells filled

with seafood Newburg. This followed a tossed salad of mixed greens.

Chocolate brownie souffles enhanced with assorted berries provided

the perfect grand finale presented with coffee and tea. Melodic

rhythms from the grounds below coupled with the cherubic alfresco

ambience of the Terrace provided exceptional enhancement to the

celebration after which the assemblage ambled on to the final Pageant

of the Masters performance, thus capping a totally memorable evening.

While this celebration capped the conclusion of our summer season

and closure of the festival grounds until 2004, Tivoli Terrace is

available year around for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and

other special events.

* GLORI FICKLING is a longtime Laguna Beach resident who has

written restaurant news and views columns since 1966. She may be reached at 494-4710 or by e-mail at [email protected].