R S V P / ORANGE COUNTY : Patrons of Catalog Caper Unravel Pasta

Patrons of the Neiman Marcus Catalog Caper were treated to a kind of Roman holiday last week, enjoying pasta and Pavarotti at an Italian-style villa overlooking the Pacific.

About 50 guests attended the dinner party at Carmelo and Judie Manto’s Laguna Beach home. The party thanked the patrons and underwriters who help sponsor the caper, an annual fund-raiser for the American Diabetes Assn. (scheduled for Oct. 3 at Neiman Marcus in Newport Beach).

Treasure Island

The caper is an annual black-tie gala in which grown-ups tend to act like children, racing about the store in search of prizes.

“It’s a treasure hunt,” explained Catherine Thyen, chairwoman of the patrons. “You have to really know the store.”

So determined are they to claim one of the five grand prizes, some women wear tennis shoes beneath their ball gowns.

Shari Esayian, caper chairwoman, explained the event’s popularity: “Activity. People have a reason to be mobile. And everyone likes to find a treasure.”

“Go for Baroque” is the theme.

“We’ll have beautiful Baroque decorations, lots of rich color, flowers, cherubs and gold treatments,” promised Billur Wallerich, spokeswoman for Neiman Marcus.

Pavarotti and Pasta

Guests mingled on the Mantos’ villa terrace, listening to the crash of the surf below and Pavarotti on the stereo from above.

Dinner tables were set with bright yellow napkins and colorful cloths. Chefs from Carmelo’s restaurant in Corona del Mar (owned by the Mantos) worked the grills, serving seafood brochette and penne pasta with eggplant and mozzarella.

Among those attending were Byron and Ronnie Allumbaugh, Bob and Peggy Goldwater Clay, Jim and Patty Edwards, Jeff and Namy Folick, Janice Fuchs, Neiman Marcus manager Carol Horowitz, John and Charlene Pasko, Ron and Michele Pennington, Susie Plummer, Matt and Tina Schafnitz, Scott Stone and June and Ross Wankier.