Diane Rose, chef and owner of Crimson Restaurant in the Village Shopping Center at 15466 Los Gatos Blvd., has successfully exemplified the Thanksgiving spirit by providing delicious food while benefiting the community through specific events and partnerships during her nearly two-year time in business.

For example, on Nov. 5 she hosted a cocktail party for the board members and donors of Los Gatos High School's Theater Improvement Program. Yet that wasn't enough—she then donated 10 percent of sales to the TIP for all the lunch, dinner and takeout orders on Nov. 13.

"After a successful fundraising effort on Nov. 13, the TIP program is still in need of monetary support, and I believe that our community and students need to have a new theater, so I will continue to help and support the project as much as possible," Rose says.

Her generosity extends not only to our local Los Gatos community, but also to charities throughout Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. This past August, she created and hosted a new event, Chefs Bite Back (aka "Cooking to Fight Hunger"), which raised $30,000 for the Second Harvest Food Bank.

Not surprisingly, for her outstanding contributions to her community (more than $200,000 during the past two decades), Rose received the Women Who Inspire Award on Nov. 16 from the National Organization of Women Chefs and Restaurateurs.

Crimson again will donate 10 percent of all sales from lunch, dinner and takeout to TIP on Dec. 13. Reservations are now being accepted, and Ms. Rose is planning some great specials, including her famous 15-hour braised short ribs.

For additional information regarding the Los Gatos High School Theater Improvement Project, contact Diana Pleasant at 408.354.3730 ext. 240. To make reservations at Crimson to support this fundraising, call 408.358.0175. Additional information can be found at the restaurant's website at www.crimsonrestaurant.com.

For those seeking to pair the perfect wine with their Thanksgiving meal, Sallie Robbins-Druian and Jay Druian, owners of The French Cellar at 32 E. Main St., offer the following expert advice.

"There are important rules to follow for successful wine pairings. Chardonnay and turkey together cause a chemical reaction that produces a metallic taste on the palate," reports Sallie Robbins-Druian. "The gamay grape from Beaujolais or pinot noir from Burgundy are excellent choices. These reds work well without overwhelming the meat with a heavy taste, and create a perfect wine experience with all the trimmings."

Mark your calendars now for the next wine sampling on Dec. 19 (wine samplings are held the third Thursday of each month). But you don't have to wait until December to experience wine tasting at The French Cellar.

"We're now open for wine tastings daily during normal business hours—Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. On any given day, we will be pouring a red, a white and a champagne," Robbins-Druian says, noting the cost per pouring is around $3, depending upon the vintage. "Along with each sampling, we will provide information about the vineyard producers and appropriate food pairings."

The two welcome budding and experienced oenophiles (that's a fancy name for wine lovers) to join them at their antique bar to explore the great wines and values of the small growers of France in a fun, non-intimidating atmosphere. For details, call 408.354.0993, or send an e-mail message to thefrenchcellar@worldnteatt.net or visit their website at www.thefrenchcellar.com.

Welcome to new home furnishings boutique lulu Pom. Formerly of the Rose Garden area of San Jose, Laura Ziffer's and Linda McFalone's new 1800-square-foot shop at 100 W. Main St. (at University Avenue) officially opened on Nov. 7.

While the name sounds like it could be Ivana Trump's new poodle (hey, the owners said that, not me!), it's actually a different type of rare animal. The boutique combines the two interior designers' love of vintage glamour with whimsical flair for designing a variety of home spaces, including nurseries, bedrooms, living and dining rooms.

In addition to designing women's soccer star Brandi Chastain's home in 2002 and one of the Rose Garden homes featured on the annual St. Martin's of Tours Fundraiser in 2003, the duo will be featured in a 16-page spread in Mary Engelbreit's Home Companion Magazine in spring of 2004. Both ladies also offer a full range of design services, and they feature three lines of upholstered furniture as well as reinvented furniture.

What sets their business apart from other new home decor stores (particularly chains) is their salvage-chic style. Many of their treasures (such as vintage crystal chandeliers, hotel silver and well-traveled luggage) have been unearthed at flea markets, estate sales and salvage yards, then transformed with fresh paint and unique fabrics.

The lulu Pom boutique is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and is closed on Monday. They can be reached at 408.399.5572.

Do you have or know about a cool new Los Gatos business, a hot news tip or a business anniversary or special event to announce? We'd love to hear about it. Contact Michelle C. Crowe at 408.378.9056 or a1writers@hotmail.com.