Like a big-a pizza pie

Like a big-a pizza pie
National Italian American
Foundation hosts annual gala
By Michelle Weiss
Photo Credit: John McCoy (May 19, 2011)
Monday, May 23, 2011
Joe Mantegna, Mike Piazza and Robert Davi team up to sing "That's Amore."
Anyone driving along Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica on Thursday night most likely heard a gathering
of people screaming, "That's Amore!" from the Miramar Fairmont Hotel. Kicking off the National Italian
American Foundation's annual West Coast gala, host Joe Mantegna remarked, "You guys all have bottles
of olive oil and vinegar at your table, which means we can all give each other confirmation later."
When Franc D'Ambrosio of "Phantom of the Opera" fame launched into the Italian national anthem, guests
stood and waved napkins above their heads -- a reaction that also greeted his rendition of "That's Amore!"
Rep. Nancy Pelosi paid tribute to recently deceased NIAF vice chairman Joseph Cerrell, and honorees
included Gary Sinise, Jon Favreau and Kara DioGuardi, who remarked, "My only regret is that no one in
my family ever taught me how to make a good sauce."
Franc with Christina Carlucci
Kara DioGuardi,
Giuliana DePandi-Rancic
Nancy Pelosi
Joe Mantegna
Joe Mantegna, Mike Piazza
& Robert Davi
Mike Piazza
Tommy Lasorda
Gary Sinise
Joe Mantegna & friend