Start spreading the news—the yearly cluster of celebrity sightings are going on at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, the venue to the 27th Annual Frank Sinatra Starkey Foundation Celebrity Invitational Golf Tournament, co-hosted by Barbara Sinatra and Robert Wagner and scheduled for February 19-21.
By Rick Riozza
The Eagle Falls Golf Course will be the host course and the social events will take place at the Fantasy Springs Resort & Casino. Starkey Hearing Technologies will return to their role as proud sponsor of the event.
Known affectionately as “Frank’s little party in the desert”, Barbara and Frank Sinatra founded this celebrity invitational in 1988 to raise funds for the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center for Abused Children at Eisenhower Hospital in Rancho Mirage, California. More than 18,000 children have been helped since the Center opened its doors in 1986. This celebrity invitational has become one of the most successful fund raising events of its kind. You can visit www.franksinatragolf.org to sign up and check out the heavy celeb list, event up-dates, and other info.
A few of us media peeps and valley celebrities were very privileged to be welcomed to join Barbara Sinatra for a luncheon at The Bistro, the 2nd floor eatery at the Fantasy Springs Casino to “assist” in selecting and determining from a wonderful array of dishes prepared by Executive Chef Freddy Rieger. And he prepared a bunch! Over a dozen plates of salads, entrées, and main courses that were all stellar, but needed to be narrowed down to our tasty favorites!
The nice thing about this type of selection process, Mrs. Sinatra along with her table advisors pretty much had the last say. Chef Freddy was so agreeable: He told me that he had prepared cuisines from around the world with a special emphasis on “Asian fusion and Pacific Rim flavors”. Mrs. Sinatra, however, is a lover of Chef’s Mediterranean fare; but being a true epicure she also chose to include some of Freddy’s inventive combinations from all of the proffered plates.
Meeting up at The Bistro was perfect. It specializes in exciting, contemporary fine cuisine including succulent seafood and tantalizing sushi selections. We had a great view of the exhibition kitchen where Chef Freddy and his veteran staff of sous-chefs prepared and plated the inventive dishes.
And just as fun, was the sampling of wines from the very formidable, efficient, and so reasonably priced wine list by the glass, who’s offered varietals can match the panoply of plates that the restaurant provides/serves.
Some very tasty favorites include Fumé Blanc Ferrari-Carrano $8; Chardonnay Chateau St. Jean “Robert Young Vineyards” $12; Riesling Chateau Ste. Michelle & Dr. Loosen “Eroica” Washington $10; Erath Pinot Noir from Oregon $11; Cecchi Chianti Classico, Tuscany $10; Zinfandel Cosentino “Cigar Zin” $9; and, Beringer “Knights Valley” Cabernet Sauvignon $14.
So—voilà! Here’s the completed menu or the two of the event’s functions.
LADY’S FASHION SHOW LUNCHEON
SALAD COURSE: INSALATA CAPRESE — vine ripe tomato, buffalo mozzarella, fresh basil, baby spring greens, roasted eggplant-asiago crostini, chianti vinaigrette.
ENTRÉE: CHICKEN CARCIOFINI, BOURSIN PESTO SALMON–artichoke, brioche, roast pepper filling spinach agnolottis, grilled vegetables, marsala demi , lemon-caper sauce.
DESSERT: STRAWBERRY NAPOLEAN—vanilla anglaise, strawberry coulis.
SINATRA BLACK TIE DINNER GALA
FIRST COURSE: BABY ICEBERG SOCLE, CRAB DIJONAISE–grape tomato-cucumber-black olive relish, shaved parmigiano reggiano, Chef Freddy’s abbondanza dressing, boursin profiterole.
INTERMEZZO: PINOT GRIS ROSEMARY-MINT GRANITE shaved ice of crisp citrus and fragrant herbs
MAIN COURSE: MADEIRA GLAZED FILET MIGNON, ADRIATIC GRILLED PRAWN—pear william potato, spring vegetable melange, madeira demi, salmoriglio.
DESSERTS: FLOURLESS CHOCOLATE CAKE baily’s chocolate sauce, raspberry coulis, Chantilly cream.
Festivities kick-off Thursday, February 19 with registration and Pairings Party for participants; Friday begins the first round of golf with a silent auction and Luncheon & Fashion Show in the afternoon; Saturday is the final round of golf with the Live Auction & Black Tie Gala Dinner in the evening with Burt Bacharach as the Gala Headliner. Sunday concludes the event with an open house hosted at the Barbara Sinatra Center for Abused Children from 11:30am – 1:00pm.
Multiple levels of event participation are available including Golf and Party Packages as well as individual event tickets. Detailed information and tickets available at www.franksinatragolf.org or by calling 760-674-8447. Follow Frank Sinatra Celebrity Invitational on Facebook and on Twitter @GolfSinatra_PS
Barbara Sinatra is quick to acknowledge supporters and tournament participants who make it possible for the center to keep doing the work she considers critical. Barbara Sinatra herself will graciously host the popular two day celebrity–amateur golf tournament, along with her longtime friend, Robert Wagner. Along with the celebrity golf event, there will be three nights of parties, entertainment and a luncheon and fashion show.
I always have a good time at this event. Things are comfortable, fun, and social with world famous celebs at every turn, and at every bar, and at every dinner table. We’ll see you there!
Bon Appétit & Cheers!
