The Lombardi family’s La Fiorentina Tuscan Grill was packed earlier this week when the restaurant and Park Place Dealerships hosted a white truffle dinner and auction. The proceeds were donated to the Make-a-Wish-Foundation, the entity that makes it possible for children with life-threatening illnesses to pursue their dreams. The first recipient, Chris Greicius, who was age 7 in 1980, dreamed of being a police officer. The foundation made it possible for him. Another wished to be a zookeeper. Another wished to be a Blue Angel. The foundation found ways to make all of these possible.
Jump for some good news.
The average wish costs more than $7,000 to fulfill. At the dinner, an auction winner paid $3,500 for four luxury dinners for four over the next year accompanied by a free luxury car from Park Place for each evening and hotel accommodations at luxury hotels including the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek. The Lombardi family donated $4,000 and individual diners pledged other amounts. I don’t have a final total on how much was raised for the Foundation yet, but the total will be released in the next few weeks.
Diners enjoyed a five-course menu featuring Italian white truffles with each course prior to dessert. At one time, the rare fungus commanded a per-ounce price higher than gold. Gold has done rather well recently so that relationship no longer holds, However $280/ounce is about the current market.
