The Nostalgia Night Dinner Series at the St. Lawrence Club in Cos Cob continued on Friday. Timed to coincide with Cinco de Mayo, the Remember Fonda La Paloma night featured an authentic Mexican meal reminiscent of the fare served for decades at Fonda La Paloma in Cos Cob, now home to Little Pub. Guests enjoyed ceviche, carnitas, fajitas, and Mexican beer. After dinner, the party continued with Karaoke Master, Mike Lehman.
Lou Coppola with the delicious ceviche at St. Lawrence Club’s Fonda La Paloma nostalgia dinner. May 5, 2017 Photo: Leslie Yager
“In 1968 two Mexican gentlemen had an idea,” explained Jimmy Capparelle between courses. “They started Fonda La Paloma on East 49th Street in New York City near the United Nations. It was a chef named Alberto Ossorio, along with Sal Hernandez. Then they came to Greenwich.”
“Three Italians from Cos Cob put up the money for the business –my father, who was a builder, his friend and an accountant backed them. The Mexican gentlemen hired a man named Carlos Vivero as a bus boy. A little at a time, Carlos bought into business, eventually owning half of Fonda La Paloma,” Capparelle said, adding that he owned the other half.
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“I gave Carlos my half of the Fonda La Paloma name,” Jimmy said, adding that three years ago he sold the former Fonda La Paloma restaurant in Cos Cob to Little Pub.
Mr. Vivero has since opened Fonda La Paloma in Milford with his son, Charlie.
“All his life he worked – from the time he was 16 to 65,” Jimmy said of Mr. Vivero. “Now he owns the Fonda La Paloma name.”
For anyone who missed the nostalgia dinner, or just misses the former Fonda La Paloma restaurant in Cos Cob, be consoled that you can visit Mr. Vivero’s Fonda La Paloma in Milford.
Judy Iantorno, MaryAnne Lippmann, Denise Longo, Kerrin Coyle and Terry Coletti. May 5, 2017 Photo: Leslie Yager
Ruby Durant wowed the crowd singing karaoke. May 5, 2017 Photo: Leslie Yager
Diane, Dan and Steve Warzoha at St. Lawrence Club’s Fonda La Paloma nostalgia dinner. May 5, 2017 Photo: Leslie Yager
Jimmy Capparelle and Terry Coletti at the St. Lawrence Club, May 5, 2017 Photo: Leslie Yager
Denise and Mark Longo at the St. Lawrence Club, May 5, 2017 Photo: Leslie Yager
Denise Longo and Katy Finch at the St. Lawrence Club, May 5, 2017 Photo: Leslie Yager
Frank DiVincenzo and Bea Crumbine at St. Lawrence Club, May 5, 2017 Photo: Leslie Yager
Ruby Durant and Kerrin Coyle at the St. Lawrence Club. May 5, 2017 Photo: Leslie Yager
Judy Iantorno, Terry Coletti, Ruby Durant, MaryAnne Lippmann and Linda Moshier at the St. Lawrence Club. May 5, 2017 Photo: Leslie Yager
Enjoying the Fonda La Paloma nostalgia dinner at the St. Lawrence Club. May 5, 2017 Photo: Leslie Yager
Amy and Mary DeCaro with Sara McMullin. May 5, 2017 Photo: Leslie Yager
Jean DiVincenzo with Chase Crumbine. May 5, 2017
Hunter and Chase Crumbine at the Fonda La Paloma nostalgia dinner at St. Lawrence Club, May 5, 2017 Photo: Leslie Yager
Drink token at the St. Lawrence Club in Cos Cob. May 5, 2017 Photo: Leslie Yager
Birthday cake for Terry Coletti at the St. Lawrence Club. May 5, 2017 Photo: Leslie Yager
Meg and Fred DeCaro with Patricia and Peter McMullin at the St. Lawrence Club. May 5 ,2017 Photo: Leslie Yager
Amy and Mary DeCaro with Sara McMullin. May 5, 2017 Photo: Leslie Yager
Enjoying the Fonda La Paloma nostalgia dinner at the St. Lawrence Club, May 5, 2017 Photo: Leslie Yager
Enjoying the Fonda La Paloma nostalgia dinner at the St. Lawrence Club, May 5, 2017 Photo: Leslie Yager
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