The Valley Line: Diners enjoy ‘hearty’ meals
Nearly 250 guests recently gathered at several restaurants throughout La Cañada Flintridge, as well as restaurant row in Montrose and Pasadena to dine with friends in support of Hathaway-Sycamores Child and family Services’ 20th annual “Dinners from the Heart” event.
This year’s event raised more than $45,000. Since its inception in 1991, “Dinners from the Heart” has raised a total of $600,000.
Paulette Lang, Annsley Strong and Mary Pinola hosted their “Heart” party at the delightful Italian restaurant, Cucina Rustica, in Montrose. Rob Myers, who grew up in LCF and is executive vice president of fund development for Hathaway-Sycamores, stopped by to say hello to everyone.
The restaurant’s menu choices were extensive. There were several different starters and salads such as Caprese, Insalata Tricolore and Cesare. The main course choices made you wish you could have more than one. The menu included beef bourguignon, salmon with creamy Dijon dill sauce, chicken with a creamy garlic, spinach and mushroom sauce and Cucina Rustica’s fabulous lasagna. For dessert diners could select from carrot cake and cheesecake.
Dining at Cucina Rustica were Betsy and Steve Petit, Jinny and Rich Dalbeck, Tom Rosa, Brooke and Geordy Strong, George Strong, Allison Dalbeck, Courtney and Bryan Thomas, Betsy and Michael Bazdarich, Will Bazdarich and Paula Santos, Jo and John Loomis, Emily and Paige Kenny, Mary Piccone and Higgans Manker, Betsy and Allen Gillespie, Bobbi Parker, Shirley and Bill Bottger, Penny and Steve Ledbetter, Judy Abeles and Bob Lang.
Valleyites who dined at the new AKA Restaurant in Pasadena included Nancy and Greg Boreham, Rose Chan and Warren Loui, Dru Gartside, Laura Hobart, Renee La Bran and Malcolm Boyd, Joel Peterson and Darlene Schuster, Ellen Portantino, Victoria and Brad Schwartz, and Cindy Steckbeck.
La Cañadans Jeannie and Terry Kay selected the Arroyo Chop House, while Elysa and Steve Del Guercio enjoyed themselvesat Noir Food and Wine in Pasadena; Tim and Barbara Conroy chose the Dish Restaurant here in LCF.
La Cañadans Mark and Jennifer Jewell took their friends to Smitty’s Bar and Grill in Pasadena. Joining them were Jennifer and John Suh, Lisa and Brad Freer, as well as Alicia and Eddie Lund.
Joining Julie and David Battaglia at Mi Piace in Pasadena were Madeline and Greg Lee and Linda and Cliff Klein.