PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 9, 2003--Tamarine Restaurant & Gallery will host a silent auction of contemporary Vietnamese art on Saturday, May 17, 2003 at 2:00 pm benefiting La Maison Chance, an orphanage in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Named one of the Bay Area's top 100 restaurants by the San Francisco Chronicle, Tamarine's exhibit includes paintings of six renowned Vietnamese artists whose works will be auctioned at an event featuring live jazz, international wines, cocktails and hors d'oeuvres.

The collection of eight paintings includes works on paper, canvas, and lacquer. Among them are paintings by Truong Dinh Hao, whose works are on permanent display at Vietnam's National Fine Arts Museum; Le Tuong, a neo-realist artist known for his emotive depictions of everyday life, and by Le Loc. Hao's paintings and others by contemporary Vietnamese artists have found extraordinary favor among collectors in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Uncontrived and uncomplicated, these scenes of a simple, pastoral life are seen by art critics as antidotes to modern life and the overly intellectual modern art scene.

The auction marks the close of a six-month exhibition at Tamarine. A new exhibit of eight paintings by Vietnamese artists will be unveiled at the close of the event. For further information on the auction or to RSVP, contact Kristine Schaefer, 650/529-1250, kristine@lomacommunications.com.

Tamarine Restaurant & Gallery is located at 546 University Avenue, Palo Alto, Calif. The concept, cuisine and distinctive culture of Tamarine are products of years of travel, dining and cultural exploration throughout Southeast Asia by proprietor Anne Le and executive chef/proprietor Tammy Huynh. For reservations or private viewings, please contact Tamarine at 650/325-8500 or info@tamarinerestaurant.com.

Note to Editor: Images of artwork are available. Please contact kristine@lomacommunications.com and specify desired format.

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Contact:

     Loma Communications, Inc.
     Kristine Schaefer, 650/529-1250
     kristine@lomacommunications.com