Guests: Laura Heintz, executive director of EMQ FamiliesFirst for the capital region and founder of its crisis nursery; Judy Wolf, retired chief administrative officer, Department of Pediatrics, UC Davis School of Medicine; Debbie Grover, driver/cook/housekeeper and Eskaton supporter; Patricia Miranda, wealth strategy associate with UBS Financial Services; Dani Luzzatti, bona fide foodie
Where: Roxy Restaurant & Bar, 2381 Fair Oaks Blvd., Sacramento; (916) 489-2000; roxyrestaurantandbar.com
Benefiting organizations: EMQ FamiliesFirst’s crisis nursery and Eskaton’s TLC (Talking, Listening and Caring) Reassurance Program
1-second review: “Excellent, scintillating company, fabulous service, fun,” said Laura Heintz.
Ambiance: Lively and good for people-watching, according to Dani Luzzatti; a happening place, observed Patricia Miranda; a good place for a business lunch, especially if you’re looking for a hearty meal, said Diva Paulette Bruce.
Dishing on the dishes: Like to know where your meat comes from? Then order the Lucky Dog Ranch burger or the Painted Hills natural beef hot dog—it’s a winner. Salad favorites included the curry chicken with organic apples and butter lettuce, the BLT and the steak salad. In the mains department, we sampled roasted chicken risotto, pork stroganoff with potato-mascarpone raviolis and beef enchiladas. Dessert included mixed-berry cobbler, s’mores pie, chocolate caramel tart and berry shortcake (a homemade biscuit topped with berries, vanilla-bean ice cream and crème fraîche).
Wine time: From the wine list, Diva Joan Leineke chose Ferrari-Carano 2006 Fumé Blanc and Rutherford Hill 2004 Merlot. The Fumé Blanc provided the right fruity touch, while the Merlot was the perfect foil for the meat-oriented meal.
Health tip of the day: “I cured a bronchial infection and scratchy throat by downing a whole clove of garlic and a shot of vodka,” said Laura Heintz. “It worked! But you have to be alone because the garlic comes out the pores.” Her disclaimer: Use at your own risk. Everyone at the table started to cough and clear her throat.
The Dining Divas—Gloria Glyer, Paulette Bruce, Bernice Hagen, Joan Leineke, Gayla Mace and Peg Tomlinson-Poswall—have been wining and dining together since 1993. Every month, they lunch at an area restaurant, taking as their guests people who placed winning bids at charity events. To date, they have raised more than $320,000 for local charities and nonprofits.
