THE CROWD:

Let’s hear it for the men. They came in traditional blue blazers and khaki slacks; they smoked their major assortment of gratis cigars; they dined on filet, lobster and steamed clams; and they bid through the roof on auction items raising a record $52,000 earmarked in part to support the “1221 Club” College Scholarship Fund in Newport-Mesa.

It was the 14th annual Gentlemen’s Smoker and Lobster Clambake thrown on the bay-front lawn of The Balboa Bay Club and Resort. The brainchild of hotelier Henry Schielein, internationally known as the king of the cigar dinner, the summer evening rallied a sold-out crowd of some 200 well-dressed gents who paid $275 and more for a night out with the boys — no ladies invited.

For many it was a multi-generational affair as granddads, dads and adult sons came for a smoke, a scotch and some manly conversation. Very politically incorrect, but enjoyed to the max.

Local wit Peter Buffa, Daily Pilot scribe and former Costa Mesa mayor, emceed the night, making the party move with punch.

The dinner was extraordinary. As the men arrived at sunset on the recent Friday night, steak tartar on fiselle greeted them as butlers in white jackets and silver trays offered a full range of libations.

There was sliced smoked salmon, shrimp tempura, prosciutto and enough caviar and vodka to make an angry Russian smile.

Seated at white cloth-covered tables on the lawn centered with summer orchid arrangements created by talented florist Karrie Selvaggi, the men sat down to a dinner that included a duet of filet mignon paired with three-pound lobsters, clams and all the trimmings.

To call it a feast would be a modest description. Schielein and staff served a dinner surely valued at $1,000 per plate as the wines flowed from such vintners as Rodney Strong, Ferrari Carano and Marlstone.

The live auction turned into a roast as comedy and cash mixed, all for a great cause — sending deserving youth to college so they can turn out better than their fathers at the dinner. Bidding was generous on items that included exotic travel, fine wines, dining excursions and art. The big-ticket item started the bidding off at a furious pace as local celeb artist Michael Bryan offered to paint the high bidder in one of his notable paintings. The item sold three times, bringing in $15,000 for the cause. Some of the other prizes included a stay at The Boulders Resort and Golden Door Spa in Arizona, a visit to Anchorage at the famed Captain Cook Hotel, New Year’s Eve at The Balboa Bay Club and Resort, a $12,500 Carl Bucherer watch donated by Mardo Fine Jewelry, and travel packages in the east at The Conrad Hotel, Hong Kong, The Fullerton Hotel, Singapore, The Park Lane, Hong Kong and more.

Attending the evening and generously supporting the scholarship fund were Claes Anderson, Mardo Ayrazyan, Tykye Camaras and son Dean Camaras, Tom Dallape, John Daniels, Kirk Dawson, Chris Dubia, Darren Eckhaff, Sonny Jensen, Richard Luehrs, Lynn Jackson and son Robert King and grandson. Also front and center were Dan Marcheano, Eugene Moriarty and son Richard Moriarty, Arlis Parkhurst, Bob Robinson and his sons David and Jim, Scott Sarkisian, Steve Schwary, Tom Wilson, Dave Wooten and John Wortmann.

THE CROWD runs Thursdays and Saturdays.