Kim Marincola, left, and Melinda Hallyburton enjoy ‘Savor the Avenue’ at Caffe Luna Rosa.

2B-Caffe Luna Rosa-2

Guests enjoy gourmet comfort food at Caffe Luna Rosa’s “Savor the Avenue” in Delray Beach.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF RICH POLLACK

Staff Report

DELRAY BEACH, Fla. – One-hundred and ten guests turned out to enjoy Caffe Luna Rosa’s Ninth Annual ‘Savor the Avenue’ white party in Delray Beach. Most lauded it as an evening to remember.

“The weather couldn’t have been better and the atmosphere couldn’t have been more welcoming,” said Bonnie Beer, a partner in the restaurant who coordinates the event’s participation. “Everyone had a great time.”

Guests enjoyed outstanding service from the restaurant’s servers, also dressed in white, while seated at 18 reserved tables that stretched along Atlantic Avenue.

One of those guests was Delray Beach resident Ann Carro who has been the restaurant’s guest for all nine Savor the Avenue events.

“I wouldn’t miss this for anything in the world,” Carro said. “It was a fabulous, fabulous evening with wonderful friends.”

This year, Carro brought 15 friends, including Donna Knezevich, who flew in from California just for the event.

Attendees enjoyed an exquisite meal prepared under the watchful eye of Chef Ernesto DeBlasi, who created a cuisine of high-end comfort food.

The meal included a lump crab cocktail, a pasta course of Cavatelli con Tartufo, and a main course of a Forever Braised Wagyu Short Rib served with creamy soft polenta and Barolo demiglace.

For dessert, Caffe Luna Rosa offered a decadent Cappuccino Icebox Cake – homemade sponge cake with espresso, Italian liquors and imported mascarpone mousse.

Caffe Luna Rosa was one of 16 restaurants participating in this year’s ‘Savor the Avenue,’ with tables stretching almost 1,400 feet.

“We always look forward to this annual event because it gives us an opportunity to meet new guests and make new friends,” said Beer. “We’re already looking forward to coming up with something creative for next year.”

Located at 34 S. Ocean Boulevard, the beachside restaurant is open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. To make reservations, call 561-274-9404. To order online, visit www.caffelunarosa.com.