OK, we know that Wednesday night's bash at Tootsies was all about Houston Grand Opera and encouraging a youthful contingent to take advantage of the value-worthy offerings of membership in Opening Nights for Young Professionals. And we seriously applaud that. But we have to give a standing ovation to Fleming's and its wickedly refreshing Violette Crush.

The lines were three and four deep at the refreshment table where Fleming's bartenders whipped up the tantalizing cocktail comprised of vodka, blood orange liqueur, lime juice, orange juice, Creme de Violette and red grapes skewered on cocktail stir sticks. La Traviata's Violetta, a courtesan who enjoys the rich life, surely would have approved.

In fact, members of ON, as the young supporters group is casually called, can see Violetta at her best on opening night Jan. 27 when Albina Shagimuratova takes the lead role under direction of artistic and music director Patrick Summers. ON membership, for as low as $90 depending on seating, includes six opening night performances, 60-percent discounts on single ticket pricing, intermission mixers, select service and ON-only special events.

On this night, ON chair Heather Pray welcomed more than 250 guests. The party was so popular that RSVPs had to be halted. Pray and a host of lovelies including Divya Brown, Kendall Hanno, Melissa Fitzgerald and Isabel David modeled evening clothes from designers such as Lela Rose, Nicole Miller and Monique Lhuillier.

The party also served as the book launch of Lone Star Chefs by John DeMers with photography by Julie Soefer. Published by Bright Star Press, the book focuses on 13 leading Texas chefs and the restaurants they head. Soefer was on hand signing copies of the colorful tome that was literally hot off the presses. She hadn't seen the book before Tuesday evening and those in the store were advance copies.

Spotted in the crowd were Danny David, Lauren Randle, Chris Brown, Ashley Segal, Janae Tsai, Kim Head, Warren Alldridge, Miya Shay with Gene Wu, Denise Furlough, Schuyler Evans, Bridget Johnson, Marc Sharpe, Trenette Allen, Meghan Lee, Kari Goven and Marcus Carter.