Remember?

ÝÝRemember Smokey Stoverís, Pacific Coast Dining Car, and Chefís Inn? Thinking hard? Where were they? Did you meet your spouse in one of these spots? Stay tuned, weíll get back to you on this...

The WOW House

ÝÝWeíve all bay cruised by the house; weíve all wondered what the insideÝ

like; weíve all wanted to know whoís house it is. The Underwriterís Committee and a few chosen friends of the Planned Parenthood Gala ìSqueezeî all got a firsthand look at Frank Cutlerís palatial oriental-fusion-inspired home on the tip of Newportís most exclusive enclave, Bay Island. And it was all youíd expect and more.

ÝÝPre-party cocktails started at the Newport Harbor Yacht Club and guests were then ferried to the domicile by Duffy Electric Boats, courtesy of Duffy Duffield and Kevin Kearns, since cars are not allowed on the island. Party co-chairs Allyson Sonenshine and Leslie Mains-Thompson mingled among the Joeís Jeans young and curvy models thanks to Victor and Nancy Dahan, while Jimmy and Julianne Ulcickas, Phil and Laurie LaPlant, Teddy Ray, Bill Peterson, Melanie Belger, Mac Shattuck, and Joe DeComaÝmunched on Bluewater Grillís famous crab cakes and tri-tip sandwich and sipped raspberry-red martinis while viewing the incredible sights this prime location offered.

ÝÝMay was a very hectic month...including those two major national made-up American holidays, Cinco de Mayo and our local yacht clubís ìOpening Days.î

ÝÝDos Margaritaís, Por Favor

ÝÝCinco De Mayo proved to be all that youíd imagine, an excuse to drink that nasty tequila after swearing the last time youíd never do it again and acting like margaritas are a fruit-flavored sport drink. The fiesta Friday started out with a birthday celebration for Charlie Covina at his parents Dave and Gina Covinaís eastside party abode. Essentials such as tacos, chips, and cervezas, including the Jump House (Charlie is 5), flowed among the 60-plus guests that included Anthony and Erin Curci, Marco and Gale Baljeu, Cam and Ryan Williams, Stephanie Kalatschian, Kayse Morgan, Kevin and Laura Russell and proud big sister, Clair Covina.

ÝÝNext, my entourage traveled south of the border (Corona Del Marís) to an unmentionable Laguna Beach compound. Situated on nearly two acres were strolling mariachis, a 30-foot-long Mexican buffet and more tequila and more margaritas and more cervezas that were served among some of the Orange Coastís finest and beautiful celebrators. Sworn to secrecy, this soon-to-be-legendary soiree will be the talk of the townóìWish you were there!î Stumbling north we dropped by the Ocean Club, where we ran into Steve Layton, Bill Kearns, and Gary Robertson, all celebrating the closing of a really big deal.

ÝÝSitting across the bar, chatting with a girlfriend, was the Real Housewives of Orange County favorite, Jo, sporting what looked like a small ice-skating ring on that finger. HMMM...wonder if itís Sladeís? Speaking of celebrity restaurant sightings, seen on the coast recently was Bayshoreís very own Nicolas Cage dining at 3Thirty3 Waterfront, followed the next two nights in a row by Tiger WoodsÝand friends at the same establishment. Could this become our own version of The Ivy, with hordes of paparazzi lurking in the parking lot waiting for the perfect shot?

ÝÝMoving a little farther north, we opted for a little less traditional Mexican fare and it turned out to be one of those nights where everything was magic. Tacos and tequilaÖnoÖnoÖ

no. It was the finest wine meets the best of California-French fusion. Alfred Tesseron, owner of Chateau Pontet Canet (and member of legendary Cognac family), showed us why his wines are the buzz of Bordeaux. Joining us for caviar to cognac at Aubergine (of course) were Lidoís Mark and Jayne Murrel, clean-energy mogul Andrew and Karen Littlefair, and Anne and John Wortmann. Spending an evening with Alfred, you soon realize the difference between a man that can afford to own a vineyard and a man who is destined to.

ÝÝTouching back on the taco scene for a secÖyou should never miss Share Our Selvesí ìWild and Crazy Taco Night,î where our local culinary greats go nuts making the most elaborate tacos known to man on site at the S.O.S. campus. Letís start by mentioning that S.O.S. has been providing for the homeless and poor in our community for umpteen years and founder Jean Forbath and superstar executive director Karen McGlinn should go down in the non-profit Hall of Fame! Back to my favorite pastime as a foodie. In the past I remember alligator, buffalo, you name it, theyíve made it. This year was no exception. Chef Bill Bracken of The Island Hotel served Peking duck tacos with hoisin barbeque tomato salsa and his desert taco consisted of tropical fruit and sweet rice taco with chocolate sauce. Franco Baron of Antonelloís joined in on the desert taco action and served custard flan inside a chocolate tortilla, which was no doubt the taco hit of the day among the 657 locos.

ìHey, Smails! My dinghy is bigger than your whole boat!î

ÝÝJudge Smails stands on the bow of his sailboat, with caddy Danny Noonan nearby, and recites the following words: ìItís easy to grin when your ship comes in, and youíve got the stock market beat, and the man worthwhile is the man who can smile when his shorts are too tight in the seat.î Like a scene out of Caddyshack, the first weekend of May has become the official beginning of the season for many of the yacht clubs scattered throughout the bay.

ÝÝSimple and homey to extravagant and elegant, each club has its own distinct style. Lido Isle Yacht Clubís festivities included a parade around the island with children riding their decorated bikes and wagons, Newport Harbor High Schoolís Marching Band with song girls and, of course, a fire engine. Newport Harbor Yacht Club, without a doubt, clearly stands out as the premier opening party each and every year. Who was there? Everyone! It was difficult to take a step without running into someone you either saw just last week or havenít seen in years. OK, just a brief list of who was there. First of all, congratulations to newly commissioned Commodore Warren Person and his wife, Deedee; Bill and Lori and Olivia Peterson; Mark and Susie Hillgren; Dick and Marilyn Hausman; Ben and Michelle Anderson; and Peter and Christina Grace. Hosting a large group upon their boat, Trovato, Rob and Cathy Grice kept the margarita machine at full speed, filling the glasses of Lance Klueger, Chris and Diana Thomas, Carol Altieri, the mayor of Blackieís, Tom ìSmittyî Smith, and Devon and John Wortmann Jr. Seen strolling the docks were Eric Pepys (I am sure his wife, Shirley, was home relaxing after being honored the previous night at Orangewoodís Orange Blossom Ball), Rubyís Doug Cavanaugh, Watty and Kimmy Watson, Alan and Alex Airth, Phil and Shelly Belling, Jeff and Janet Reuter, Becky Reed, David and Jill Wilke, David Bradburne (were those your heels?), and Russ and Leann Fleuter.

GO DUCKS!

ÝÝWith Anaheimís Mighty Ducks making the playoffs this season, the Pond is attracting throngs of Orange Coastís locals. Celebrating his 7th birthday, Paxton Miller, along with brother Grayson, piloted the Zamboni around the ice during the gameís intermission. Joining them were parents Bob and Kim Miller. Cheering the Ducks to victory were Joe DeComa and Kelly Gorman, Carter Ewing, John Curci Jr., and Jerry Palanjian.

Showing your age?

ÝÝI have lived here a long time, as have many of you. Newport Beach is a big town. We have at least a dozen Starbucks alone and itís tough to drive a block without passing a sushi bar. But the old Newport had charm and character that is missing today. Hang with me occasionally while I take you back 10 or 15 or 20 years ago and try to remember if you were here.

ÝÝSmokey Stoverís directly across the street from City Hall was previously The White Horse Inn. Probably the first ìdiscoî in town. The Pacific Dining Car, where The Alley now sits at PCH and Balboa Boulevard, was the place to eat late night. Quite a scene at 2 or 3 in the morningócanít believe I ever stayed up that late. This oneís tough; Chefís Inn was in Corona Del Mar on the site where Bandera now stands. They had two locations, as I remember it, with the other in Pasadena.

ÝÝThis has been really fun, but itís time to hit the bay and look for some new adventures. Talk to you next monthÖ.

Sarko