Carl Ferraro's 100th Birthday Celebration

Artwork complied by Paul Vitello

Last night's celebration of the memory of Carl Ferraro was, fittingly, a good time for all...  The bar was rowed with mostly regulars very early in the evening.  People were generously sharing stories of their experiences with Mr. Ferraro.  One patron regaled us with stories of the Dresden prior to Mr. Ferraro's ownership of the establishment - stories from 1950!  Our in-house celebrity, Fred Kawano, showed up for dinner and drinks (and I would note that he behaved himself this time) and was as charming as ever.  Many who showed up to honor Carl Ferraro Sr. have been showing up since the beginning of Marty and Elayne's 32 year tenure at the Dresden, and, somewhat surprisingly, there is still a good number of Dresden patrons from even before that.  Personally, my evening started off in grand fashion, I got to assist elegant Eva in booking our private room for her birthday next week.
Jim Ferraro, the current owner/manager of the Dresden, attended, and, with the assistance of Marty and Elayne, he gave a warm, well received tribute to his Dad.  It was a packed house.  We sold our trademark drink, the adventurous Blood and Sand, for 5 dollars a glass.  Sally, a lovely young girl who was at the Dresden for her first time, was sharing a cake that she brought for a friend's birthday party/celebration.  The cake was chocolate.  She somehow talked me into having a piece.  Happy 100th birthday Mr. Ferraro.

 - John, the maitre d'  

Here is an additional shot of Mr. Ferraro via Dali Ewing.  This photo is from 2001.

A Celebration of Carl Ferraro, Dresden Owner

photo reproduced from Dresden archival scrapebook

Come celebrate the birth date of the man who founded one of Hollywood most enduring legends - The Dresden!  This Friday, October 18th, marks the passage of what would have been Carl Ferraro's 100th birthday.  Carl's son Jim has indicated that there is to be a celebration honoring the memory of his father, and, acknowledging what an amazing establishment his father created all those years ago. For those who don't know, Mr. Ferraro senior passed away at the age of ninety-one, early in two-thousand and five, he spent a great many years making sure a good time was had by all @ the Dresden.  Pre-2005 patrons remember this wonderful man, and they will, I am certain, be delighted to attend the evening and raise a glass in his name.

I will update you with any additional information regarding this special night, once it is made available to me.  And - yes, Marty and Elayne are scheduled to appear.  They go up at 9pm in the lounge.  I will be hosting your evening.

- John the Maitre d'