Posts Tagged ‘Jeff Orbi’

Halos on street lamps over empty sidewalks that knew the tread of feet long ago. So I say hail to a long stretch of Manchester, from McCausland to Big Bend.  As the city grows away from itself, it grows more deeply into itself, perhaps in self-protection.  But it is the last of the constants, where one can hardly find the mythical faubourg on a map. It gets high marks in the minds of night crawlers, columnists and real estate agents. In sum, it is a point of view that points to itself with pride. One of the jewels on the avenue is the born-again Monarch Restaurant, which held a private pouring Saturday night before its opening on Monday. The National Chidlren’s Cancer Society (NCCS) benefited from the event, helmed by Donna Wilkinson. Bob and Carol Jones, heiress to the late oil exec Sam Goldstein, were front ‘n center.  Mary Deverman and David Steward, II, of Nicene Brands announced they will aisle walk Nov. 23 in Chicago.  Steward is the heir of David Steward of World Wide Technology fame. The grand dame of flowers and landscaping, Martha Tobin of St. Louis Blooms, arrived with her son-in-law, Mike Mertz.  She recalled an incident years ago, when she worked for the late Jon Prel. “My daughter asked Prel what his function was at his flower shop.”  According to Martha, Prel shot back, “To kick little girls like you out of the store.” Columnist Deb Peterson diligently worked the room, while lights impinged on her dazzler, given by her new husband, Dr. Tom Steinberg. Peggy and Andy Newman were toasted on their eight grandchildren. Food maven Catherine Neville, with her partner, Jennifer Schoemehl, confided to pals, that copies of her new  publication, Feast, went through the roof.  Asked what her favorite restaurant is, Neville replied, “the Persian restaurant, Cafe Natasha.” Robust wine bar owners Stanley and Arlene Browne were there as were: the Beacon’s Bob Duffy with Marty Kaplan; Marilyn and Dr. Steve Teitelbaum, whose son, Aaron, is partnered at Monarch with Jeff Orbin; Stephanie Arndt with Steve Cox and  Joan Quicksilver, who wore what one bitchy guest described, “Mother Teresa is wearing a practical peasant dress.” Past the new modern American dining room and into the kitchen, the columnist cornered celebrated chef Josh Galliano, while he prepared house specialties: crawfish etouffee, lima bean hummus and grilled spicy steak with onions.

But, the highlight of the evening was Donna Wilkinson‘s tip, that Goldie Hawn has been signed to highlight NCCS’s Oct. 30 gala at the Ballpark Hilton.  Wilkinson also added, that at the event, the organization will unveil a new toy, “Laffy-A-Lot,” that emits 20 different laughs and is capable of recording children and their parents’ messages.