Wild Thyme’s Rive Gauche returns; Classic Cars and food in Plaza Saturday; Cowboy Cab rides into town for Teen Center; Nepal fundraisers recap

While the high energy and highly successful Ramekins fundraiser for the Himalayan Sherpa Club-Sonoma was a huge hit and brought in more than $80,000 for earthquake relief in Nepal at $200 per person and a Fund-In-Need, as Sarah Anderson dubbed it, the lower key $100 per person dinner at Saddles Steakhouse had the entire two rooms of givers in tears, several times.

Local Sonoma chefs cooked and donated elegant food, organized by Carlo Cavallo of B&V Whiskey Bar and Victoria Campbell of Ramekins, local Sherpas and Saddles chef Sanjeev K. Singh prepared everything for the elegant Saddles buffet.

The formal part of the evening started with women whom Chirring Sherpa called “the girls” sang the Nepal national anthem, paused for a few silent seconds, and then broke into an enthusiastic rendition of our national anthem. Their spirit and energy affected everyone.

As a Nepalese Buddhist monk chanted prayers and blessings, some of us teared up again.

Then came one of our local Sherpas weeping as he sang a lovely song while a video screened showing what Katmandu and surroundings used to look like, with a few shots of the brick piles it is today, with the words “Thank you, Sonoma.”

David Bolling, who made a trek to Mt. Everest in 2000 to help clean it up, introduced Jon Reiter, who told stories and showed his video of helping at base camp in both last year’s avalanche and this year’s earthquake, ending with a 4-year-old boy crouching, hugging, and protecting his 2-year-old little sister. More tears.

Nima Sherpa gave a rousing speech in which he explained that none of the money we give to the Sonoma Himalayan Sherpa group will go to family members of Sonoma Sherpas.

It will all go to people in outer villages who don’t get the attention received by residents of Katmandu.

Nima continued, “There are rich people who lost their homes. We are not helping them.”

“None of this money goes to rebuild our homes. We can work and rebuild someday. We are in the United States!” More quivering lips and tears again.

The buffet was served in those elegant domed copper and brass chafing dishes seemingly lined up the length of Saddles’ entry way and laden with soup, salads, rice, lamb curry, chicken masala and many other dishes.

While final figures are not in yet, more gifts were given with donors receiving special red scarves, and I am guessing about $20,000 was raised at Saddles.

If you do put out a can or jar to collect small amounts for Himalayan Sherpa Club Sonoma, please tell me and I will keep a running list in this column.

Nima Sherpa told me that he has been extremely busy working to raise money to help people in Nepal, but now can get back to working to remodel his dream restaurant, Sonoma Grille, soon to rise again from interior rubble where Carlo Cavallo’s Sonoma Meritage used to be so that he and his family and friends can serve us seafood, steak and cocktails.

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For a super pleasant indulgent Saturday, trip on down to Sonoma Plaza from 5:30 to 8 p.m. for Sonoma Raceway’s Sonoma Historic Mortorsports Festival.

About 30 historic race cars will arrive around 5:30 from Sonoma Raceway, all to raise funds for the Sonoma chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities and the Sonoma Education Foundation, hopefully with a little coming to our Sonoma School Gardens.

Enjoy food from Aventine, Basque Boulangerie, Hopmonk Tavern, Maya, Plaza Bistro, The Red Grape, Supreme Sweets, Taste of Himalayas and Dutch Bros. Coffee.

Cline, Deerfield Ranch, Eric Ross, (A.J.) Foyt Wines, Highway 12, Jacuzzi, Larson, Ledson, Muscardini, Pangloss and Petroni Vineyards will offer tastings to compliment the food.

You can also just stroll around and peer into the cars and not indulge in the food or wine. $30 advance, $35 at the festival. 5:30 p.m. More information and tickets at 800-870-7223.

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Bob Rice will extend service of the Breakaway Café’s gorgeous May Vegetable Scramble, one of the most attractive breakfasts I have seen. It brings together in a shallow bowl fingerling potatoes, asparagus, zucchini, onions, cherry tomatoes and mozzarella cheese, topped with two eggs any way you want, mild pesto, and served with toast of your choice ($12.95).

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Starting Monday, June 1, Rocket Sushi, etc. will open a new venture, the “Back Door,” just behind their sushi restaurant and close to their catering kitchen, with great parking in the lot. According to co-owner Liz Heylerly, they will serve sandwiches, soups and salads Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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Memorial Day started early this year at the splendid and hidden Sonoma home of Andi and Frank Espina, who hosted the Marine’s Ball committee for an outdoor (the clouds parted) evening. Lots of Marine memories and stories were peppered with fabulous pizzas and salads prepared on the spot by Red Grape chef Todd Thompson. Huge platters of salads were available all evening, and Thompson made pizzas to order in the Espinas’ wood burning oven.

Enjoying the evening were Jeanne and Chip Allen, Sue and Ron Wecht, Robert Leonard, Nancy and Bill Peacock (he emceed the Memorial Day Services at the Veterans’ Cemetery), Erin and Bill Bentham, Diane and Vic Leventhal, Captain Sebastian Magraner, Garth Langley, Carolina and James Brown and Wendy Lethin.

The evening’s capper was that Red Grape owner Sam Morphy refused to take any payment for the pizzas, salad or staff and contributed the entire meal in thanks for the Marines’ service.

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Rotary Club of Sonoma Valley will host a California Luau on Saturday, June 6 at Sonoma’s Moose Lodge to raise funds to purchase of a new HVAC system, meaning heating and air conditioning, at the Moose Lodge.

This is an unusual effort of one Sonoma Valley nonprofit supporting another to benefit local community. To keep our Moose Lodge going, we need to raise funds to help them so that more events can be held there.

Dinner will be prepared by Moose member Roger Declercq of Sonoma Gourmet and will feature whole roasted crispy pig with three salsas, smoked chicken thighs with pineapple-soy glaze, Field of Greens lamb meatballs, slow-smoked brisket with horseradish barbecue sauce, and plenty of side dishes. Homemade desserts will be prepared by the Women of the Moose.

Tickets include dinner, one free drink, and live music by the award-winning local band Twang Ditty featuring favorites from the 1950s, '60s, and '70s.

A social club dedicated to serving the community, the Moose Lodge gives money to local schools, the Sonoma Valley High School culinary program, 4-H clubs, the Lions Club, and local families facing hardships. The Moose hosts popular Tuesday Bingo nights and Sunday polka dancing, as well as many other events, and can be rented at affordable rates for celebrations, fundraisers, and other community or private events. Luau $40 includes one drink. 4 to 11 p.m. 20580 Broadway, Sonoma. Tickets in advance at the Moose Lodge or by calling Sonoma Valley Rotary at 938-8560.

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Starting last night, Catherine Venturini’s Olive & Vine restaurant in Glen Ellen’s Jack London Village has launched “Cellar Nights” on Thursday evenings. She invites locals to bring an older special wine, preferably local, from your collection and share the story of the wine you bring. No corkage on either Wednesday locals night or on Thursday Cellar Night. 14301 Arnold Dr., Glen Ellen. 996-9150.

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Muscardini Cellars in Kenwood will host a unique art reception where Roberto Pignatero’s son, Daniel, will show his father’s artwork created in the 1950s at art school in Argentina. Roberto Pignatarao was born in the Villa Urquiza neighborhood of Buenos Aires to Italian immigrants, and eventually became one of Argentina’s most famous artists. Wine and cheese will be served at the Wednesday, June 10 event. 5 to 7 p.m. 9380 Sonoma Highway, Kenwood. Muscardinicellars.com.

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Wild Thyme fans will jump for joy that Joanne and Keith Filipello are bringing back their terrific “Dining Club Rive Gauche” dinners this summer under the oak trees at the FAHA gazebo on Verano Avenue.

The Filipello family classically traveled Europe in a VW bus several times, cooking their way around Spain and France and learning as they went. We love it when they bring their world food to Sonoma.

This season kicks off Wednesday, June 17 with a “Swinging Summer Menu” and the music of Tommy Thomsen, King of Western Swing, gazpacho with corn muffins, BBQ baby back ribs with summer slaw and country potato salad, summer sponge cake with local strawberries and whipped Clover cream, and coffee.

Next event will celebrate ”Bastille Day Almost” on Sunday, July 12 with French songs by Due Zighi Baci (Sheri Magnano on accordion and tenor Michael Van Whey) and a French menu of cruditiés and a vegetable salad plate and fougasse; Provençal chicken with vegetables; green salad with artisan cheeses, and petite génoises aux fraises.

All I know about the third event in August is that it will feature the wild and happy music of Wendy DeWitt, well-known Queen of Boogie Woogie. All dinners $40 or 35 euro (not inclusive), BYOW or beer, no corkage. 7 p.m. 197 Verano Ave ... Sonoma. Reservations required: 996-0900 or wildthyme@vom.com.

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Cowboy Cab, an annual fundraising event for Teen Services Sonoma, rockets into Sonoma Barracks again on Saturday, June 13. I remember the first of these evenings held in the living room of Doug and Dr. Marcia Charles-Mo, progressed to the living room of Deborah and Dr. John Emery, and then eventually filled the courtyard behind the Barracks, as it will again this year.

Rocket Catering, assisted by Teen Center members, will serve southwestern grilled chicken with green grape salsa, Sonoma smoked BBQ pork ribs, chopped salad, cowboy beans, smoky wagon wheel pasta salad, and cheddar cheese and jalapeno or classic cornbread. Then a dessert bar will feature chili-spiced brownie bites with whipped cream, mini-strawberry shortcake bites, mini dulce de leche tarts, and fruit skewers with chili and lime. The Other Guys will donate all dinner wines.

Dedicated committee members include Deborah Kweller, Jean Hopeman, Jodie Taylor, Nancy Dome, Anea Kamahele, Angela Ryan, Jerica Tercero, David Wells, Cristin Felso, Therri Rhodes and Doug Hanford.

Diamond Jim Corbett and the Country All-Stars will play music while you consider several auction lots, from fabulous magnums of wine and local event packages to Giants and Stompers tickets. $75. 6 to 10 p.m. Sonoma Barracks, Spain Street and First St. East, Sonoma. Tickets at cowboycabsonoma.com

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Margie Brooke’s Annex Wine Bar offers some special deals with a Fish Fry Friday with beer-battered cod filets, fries, cole slaw or substitute fried artichokes on, drum roll, Friday evenings, and steak with mushroom sauce, scalloped potatoes, salad and garlic bread on Saturdays, each for $15. 6 to 7:30 p.m., 875 W. Napa St., Sonoma. Margie@commuintycafesonoma.com.

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The Olive Press just won Best of Show for its Sevillano olive oil at the first annual California State Fair Olive Oil Competition, and also took a gold medal and best of division. Their Blood Orange Olive Oil also won best of division, while other flavors won four gold medals, three silver and one bronze. The Olive Press has won 367 medals since 2001.

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France is ahead of us on a few things:

The French National Assembly unanimously passed legislation banning supermarkets from throwing away or destroying unsold food, and will force supermarkets to donate excess food to charities or for animal feed. Apparently some stores were deliberately letting unsold food spoil so it could not be eaten. Desperate people have been dumpster diving to feed themselves, and some supermarkets were allegedly pouring bleach into bins to prevent foraging.

French hospitals have started to serve wine to patients, a most civilized activity. Alta Bates Hospital in Berkeley used to serve port as a nightcap to mothers after giving birth. I know that one first hand.

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Bon appétit!