It was a Good Grove Night at the Back Lot

Last night was one of those nights that I love, where it seems as if the whole Grove is out at an event. The new Back Lot wine bar and lounge at the Paragon movie theater at CocoWalk had a grand opening party and the world showed up. There was lots of food, drinks and happy people. Above are Felix and Karina, a couple of the staff who did an incredible job serving the large crowd. There was a large staff of waiters and bartenders.


People bellied up to the horseshoe bar, sat at cocktail tables, enjoyed the free movie showing in one of the theaters and also enjoyed cocktails and food in one of the private screening rooms. There was also an actual private party going on right next door in one of the private screening rooms. Above left: Kim Singer, Mike Whalen (co-owner of Paragon and the Back Lot) and Mikey Whalen; Right: Ron Nelson, Comm. Sarnoff's Chief of Staff and Curtis Crider, GM of the Sonesta Hotel.


Katie Koch, Becky Manuel, marketing director at Paragon, Robert Baliatico, GM of Prestige Audi and Angelo Ricasa, marketing director of Prestige Audi, all in the Prestige Audi Screening Room, part of the Back Lot.


Mary MacDonald, William Rivas, GM of CocoWalk; Martha Rivas, Giana Levya, Jen Weiss.


Frits Bigham, Chris Bond, Dan Monahan and Emily Birhingham.


Lillian Hampton, Anne MacDonald-Korth, James W. Korth, Deborah Crisp, Ken Janoski.


Armando Paz, Camille DePhillips, James Herd, VP of operations of Muvico and Mike Whalen, co-owner of Paragon and the Back Lot.


Michelle Niemeyer, Ken Drodvillo, Heather Bettner and Camille DePhillips. Heather's Peacock tour is coming to an end, the auction will be in March at Paragon, in one of the large theaters. Details to come on how to buy tickets to the big event. I have been asked to be the emcee at the auction and Bob Soper, the weather guy is the auctioneer. Bob is confirmed, I am still thinking about it.


Giana Levya, Tom Falco, Armando Paz.


Mike Whalen and his partner, Mike Wilson threw an incredible party, I regret I did not get Mike Wilson's picture, he's more in the background than Mike Whalen, who here you see on top of the bar making a speech. He was saying how much the Grove reminds him of his hometown of New York and that may explain a lot of the Back Lot's feel -- it feels very northern. It may be the bricks, the art and lighting, the staff, it just has a New York-Boston-type feel.

I did not try any of the food last night, so I can't comment on that. I seem to go to so many events, but never eat. I'm not sure why, probably talking too much to feed my face.

After Mike got down from the bar, I went up to him a bit later and told him I had a complaint. He said, "Oh oh, what is it?" I said, "There are scuff marks on top of the bar over there!" and I pointed to where he was standing. He got a good laugh out of that, guess you had to be there, but it was just one of those nights, what I call a "Good Grove Night." And it was.