Los Gatos Weekly-Times

Photograph by George Sakkestad

Mary Anne Leach (left) and Connie Roberts prepare for the 20th annual summer luncheons at Montalvo.

Summer luncheons keep senator's tradition alive

By Suzanne Cristallo

In a tradition established in the 1920s by its owner, the late Sen. James D. Phelan, luncheons will be served on the terrace at Villa Montalvo this summer. The Montalvo Service Group is taking inspiration from the expansive lawns and gardens of the old Saratoga villa to present its summer luncheon and informal fashion show series beginning June 25.

Every Wednesday through Aug. 20, service group volunteers will arrange flowers, serve beverages, prepare and serve food, model clothes and then clean up--even to the extent of taking linens home to wash. Their husbands will shuttle guests up the hill from the parking lot. To accomplish these tasks, it takes 30 members--one for every four guests. The 120 guests expected at each luncheon will be served in three sittings.

"It's a heroic effort," says Connie Roberts, co-chair of the event with fellow Saratogan Mary Anne Leach. Roberts says each member understands she has an obligation as a member of the service group to spend two days a year as a luncheon volunteer.

Enthusiasm for the work has not diminished in the 19 years the group has served the luncheons. The net earnings from the $20 luncheon tickets are expected to total nearly $10,000, all of which goes to support the estate and to further the arts.

For the second year in a row, Something Special of Los Gatos will do the catering. Owner Debbie Finet is featuring "contemporary California cuisine" on three different menus each month.

The menu entrée for June 25, July 16 and Aug. 16 is a grilled chicken breast on a bed of arugala with apples and pecans. On July 2 and 23 and Aug. 13, the entrée is shrimp, scallops and crab meat on a bed of orzo pasta, spinach and red cabbage. For July 9 and 30 and Aug. 20, spinach salad will be served with apples, wood-smoked bacon, mushrooms, mandarin oranges and red onions.

Each entrée is accompanied by an appetizer, dessert and a beverage. Wine will be available. Vegetarian menus can be provided with advance notice, and reservations are required.

Villa Montalvo Estate for the Arts, 15400 Montalvo Road, Saratoga. Seatings every Wednesday, June 25-Aug. 20, at noon, 12:30 and 1 p.m. Shuttle service is available from parking lot no. 4, 11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. Call 961-5823 for reservations.

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