Piatti Ristorante hosted a benefit at its anniversary party Jan. 27. The evening revved up fast as patrons filled the popular and remodeled La Jolla Shores location.

Las Patronas was the beneficiary organization for the reception. This charitable group of hard-working La Jolla ladies, affectionately known as the LP Ladies, has been giving back to the San Diego community for 65 years. Their beneficiaries in La Jolla have included Scripps Health Foundation, La Jolla Playhouse, La Jolla Youth Baseball, UCSD Shiley Eye Center, Friends of La Jolla Library, La Jolla Recreation Council, La Jolla Music Society, Foundation of La Jolla High School and Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

Las Patronas has given out a whopping $15 million-plus since 1946. Every organization request is thoroughly vetted by Las Patronas before any grant is awarded.

On hand greeting guests for the benefit party were Piatti’s very popular General Manager Tom Spano, Las Patronas President Sallie Warren and Lise Wilson, the terrific 2010 Heart + Soul chairperson for the 2010 Jewel Ball. The Jewel Ball is the annual gala fundraising event that Las Patronas throws every August at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club.

Among the many supporters there for the evening were Tracy Lyon, Gina and Rob Hixson, Sue and Bob Lakosil, Esther Nahama and Nancy Laturno Bojanic with the Mainly Mozart organization, Nancy and Fred Borrelli, Claudia Johnson, Judith and Duke Johnson, Pat Marsch, Elaine Murphy, Sue Kalish and her daughter Amanda, Mac and Tim Canty, Darcy Smith, Ingrid Hibben and Victor La Magna, Cecilia and Santiago Aguerre, and Kathryn and Laurent Hamon.

Crab and risotto appetizers, kebabs of yellowtail and vibrant peppers, and stuffed mushrooms were served up by the wait staff. Offered later was a buffet of entrees like Penne al Brasato d’Angello (braised lamb, red wine, Grana Padana and fresh mint) and Ravioli al Limone (Lemon Ravioli), a very popular Piatti’s dish.

Piatti’s has been known for it excellent cuisine for two decades thanks to Executive Chef Pepe Ccapatinta and his team. Chef Pepe has been at Piatti’s in La Jolla more than 15 years. So too has General Manager Tom Spano.

With Las Patronas’s community history of giving back for 65 years and Piatti’s Ristorante generosity to community events for 20 years, it was quite an evening of synergistic charitable giving.

On that successful note, Spano quipped "here’s to another 20.”

Cheers and Buon Appetito!