As mentioned before, Dallas has a heck of a lot of Mosaics in operation. If you were to ask restaurateur Al Biernat, he wouldn’t hesitate to tell you that the least known is Mosaic Family Services. But after learning the disturbing reality of MFS’s work in dealing with human rights abuses like human trafficking and domestic violence, he was going to change that spot on the MFS’s meter.
Whew! Boy, did Al call in some favors and friends to do that! Along with Mosaic’s sweetheart philanthropist Jan Rees-Jones, her designing buddy Abi Ferrin and NYC-based designer Juliette Longuet plus Mayor Mike Rawlings, Al had the big guns plus Nancy C. Rogers and sponsors like Tim Headington to spearhead the effort on Wednesday, May 7.
After all, Al had the perfect spot — his place-to-be, namesake restaurant. Despite a reputation for never, ever shutting down for fundraisers, he made an exception and his Al’s Pals (Brad Fuller and Audra Perdue) were there to make sure everything was “Al-right”!
The results?
A sold-out event with in seconds of Fashion for Freedom announcement.
Only problem? Women everywhere ordering lunch at the same time. Results? Al’s kitchen got slammed all at once with more than 170 orders for three courses including a first course (Al’s Salad, Summer Salad or Caesar Salad), second course (Beef Tenderloin or Bay of Fundy Salmon) and Dessert and Moet Nectar Rose.
But it wasn’t a big problem because the chatter level was higher than the dome in the restaurant.
Among those chit-chatting were Paige Lane, Johnson types (Kris and Kristen), Lisa Ogle, Cara French, Debra Nelson, Jill Tananbaum, Sunie Solmon, Leisa Street, Terra Perez, Headington headies (Matthew Simon and Jeny Bania) and MFS Executive Director Walter Nguyen.
Even Mayor Mike, who had been juggling the City Council Discussion over the Southwest vs. Virgin America debate arrived on the scene. Just getting him into the dining room was a major accomplishment, since everyone wanted their picture taken with him.
Needless to say, he couldn’t stay for the vittles, but he wanted to once again make it known where he stands when it comes to the abuse of women in any form.
Following lunch, a trunk show of Abi’s and Juliette’s collections took place in the center of the dining room. While the “mod” lighting was jazzy, some of the outfits appeared to have “Ferrin” emblazoned on them.
But no complaints thanks to a beautiful crowd, glasses of champagne and killer gift bags courtesy of the Joule’s Espa. One of the items was a 90-minute gift card for services at the luxurious spa.