By the time the RDG + Bar Annie first anniversary party had been cooking for two hours, the sultry brew of movers and shakers, socialites and biz types reached a delicious simmer. And the din from the high-profile swells was a clear indicator of the level of revelry, an enthusiasm fueled by numerous open bars where the juice flowed freely for hours.
In the crush (and it was a crush as darkness fell), we spotted song man Steve Tyrell and his steady squeeze interior designer Karen Pulaski, international businessman John Thrash and international social diva Becca Cason Thrash, interior designer Renea Abbott and husband Greg Manteris, the Menil Collection's Vance Muse, glam couple Susan and Mike Plank and plastic surgeon Dr. Franklin Rose and wife Cindi.
Holding court throughout the party that began at 5 and extended well past the closing time of 9 p.m. were RDG principals — chef Robert Del Grande and wife Mimi and businessman Lonnie Schiller and wife Candice. Chef Robert, of course, was in the kitchen a good part of the night overseeing the steady stream of yummy appetizers — the best of the Bar Annie menu — that sated the crowd that in the end totaled close to 700. Whew!
It was all about the schmooze for this invitation-only celebration of RDG's success.
Among those raising their glasses to the Schiller Del Grande Restaurant Group were Caroline Schiller (daughter of the Lonnie and Candice), Nic Phillips, Debbie and Rudy Festari, Stephen Newman, Linda Lorelle and Lou Gregory, Tod Eason, Lora and Dr. John Clemmons, Dr. Roland Maldonado with Joel Bickley, Edward Sanchez, Leigh Williams, Tim Moloney, Karen and Mel Payne, Laurann Claridge and Roz and Alan Pactor.
