HAPPY 100th BIRTHDAY PAPA !!! 1914-2014
A fun-loving rascal all his life, ‘Papa’ was born in Riomaggiore, Italy on September 14, 1914 to Bartolomeo and Maria Pasini. As a typical mischievous youth, legend holds that Lorenzo and a few friends strapped a cable across some train tracks, derailing the train. As a result, his uncle, the local chief of police, sent him to the U.S. to cool his heels for a short time. This was his first taste of the Americas. Though he did eventually return to Italy, he would later come back in 1931 to stay for good.
Papa met Ailie Maria Sutela in NYC at the Automat where they both worked. They decided in 1944 to come to the Golden State for more opportunities. Both Pasinis made a modest living in the hospitality industry, primarily working in wealthy households along the coast, moving from San Francisco all the way down to Tijuana. Mama Pasini cooked; Papa ran the house as valet or butler. Over the years, Papa loved to tell the story about when they worked for Clark Gable and Carol Lombard. Mr. Gable frequently complimented them on their delicious cuisine and excellent service.
In the early 1950s, the Pasinis moved from South Laguna Beach and started their first restaurant in Huntington Beach, right on Coast Highway which they named Joyce’s Cafe. One year later, they took over the famous Golden Bear, called it Joyce's Restaurant & it became a raging success! After 2 1/2 years, Mama who did all the cooking from scratch & worked 12 to 16 hours a day realized that she could no longer keep up the pace & sold it. Later it became the famed concert hall The Golden Bear during the 1960s. Shortly afterwards, from 1955 until 1960 they also owned and operated the 39er Café on Beach Boulevard. On many trips south of the border, Papa became friendly with Caesar Cardini who, at his famous restaurant in Tijuana, created the Caesar salad.
The Pasinis then moved to Palm Springs, working again in the private homes of wealthy socialites. In 1968, they opened Joyce’s Pantry back in Huntington Beach, the location of today’s Sugar Shack on Main Street. Then, in 1969, the family opened The Spaghetti Bender – Papa’s nickname in Italy – on Pacific Coast Highway in Newport Beach.
Papa was famous, not just for his salad dressing, but for his love of the racetrack. At least once a week, you could find Papa at Santa Anita, Hollywood Park or Del Mar. he was dressed nattily, as usual; either at the Turf Club or down at trackside watching his horse cross the finish line.
For over 30 years, Papa was a daily fixture at the ‘Bender’ where he greeted guests, sat with patrons and told his quirky, sometimes ‘tall’ tales. With his trim physique, impish blue eyes and endearing smile, many patrons of the Bender came in just to see Papa and enjoy his storytelling over a plate of spaghetti and glass of Chianti.
A fun-loving rascal all his life, ‘Papa’ was born in Riomaggiore, Italy on September 14, 1914 to Bartolomeo and Maria Pasini. As a typical mischievous youth, legend holds that Lorenzo and a few friends strapped a cable across some train tracks, derailing the train. As a result, his uncle, the local chief of police, sent him to the U.S. to cool his heels for a short time. This was his first taste of the Americas. Though he did eventually return to Italy, he would later come back in 1931 to stay for good.
Papa met Ailie Maria Sutela in NYC at the Automat where they both worked. They decided in 1944 to come to the Golden State for more opportunities. Both Pasinis made a modest living in the hospitality industry, primarily working in wealthy households along the coast, moving from San Francisco all the way down to Tijuana. Mama Pasini cooked; Papa ran the house as valet or butler. Over the years, Papa loved to tell the story about when they worked for Clark Gable and Carol Lombard. Mr. Gable frequently complimented them on their delicious cuisine and excellent service.
In the early 1950s, the Pasinis moved from South Laguna Beach and started their first restaurant in Huntington Beach, right on Coast Highway which they named Joyce’s Cafe. One year later, they took over the famous Golden Bear, called it Joyce's Restaurant & it became a raging success! After 2 1/2 years, Mama who did all the cooking from scratch & worked 12 to 16 hours a day realized that she could no longer keep up the pace & sold it. Later it became the famed concert hall The Golden Bear during the 1960s. Shortly afterwards, from 1955 until 1960 they also owned and operated the 39er Café on Beach Boulevard. On many trips south of the border, Papa became friendly with Caesar Cardini who, at his famous restaurant in Tijuana, created the Caesar salad.
The Pasinis then moved to Palm Springs, working again in the private homes of wealthy socialites. In 1968, they opened Joyce’s Pantry back in Huntington Beach, the location of today’s Sugar Shack on Main Street. Then, in 1969, the family opened The Spaghetti Bender – Papa’s nickname in Italy – on Pacific Coast Highway in Newport Beach.
Papa was famous, not just for his salad dressing, but for his love of the racetrack. At least once a week, you could find Papa at Santa Anita, Hollywood Park or Del Mar. he was dressed nattily, as usual; either at the Turf Club or down at trackside watching his horse cross the finish line.
For over 30 years, Papa was a daily fixture at the ‘Bender’ where he greeted guests, sat with patrons and told his quirky, sometimes ‘tall’ tales. With his trim physique, impish blue eyes and endearing smile, many patrons of the Bender came in just to see Papa and enjoy his storytelling over a plate of spaghetti and glass of Chianti.