Lunch at Michael's



Fellow Michaelologist and, in his downtime, our favorite social chronicler David Patrick Columbia writes in NYSocialDiary:

"It was Wednesday at Michael’s, the day that seems to attract a larger number of doers and shakers in the corporate media world. Special Guests at the corner table in a party of six or eight hosted by Sherrie Westin were the Mayor and his constant companion Diana Taylor. They were celebrating birthdays (both are born under the sign of Aquarius). Today’s party evidently was a surprise for one or both.

"Also on the drumroll: Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Editor of the Financial Times, what I would call the 'distinguished' and excellent FT. Other tables: Gerry Byrne, Marilyn Cohen of JP Morgan, Vartan Gregorian with Charlie Rose; music impresario Charles Koppelman; Jared Kushner the new owner of the newly designed (now a tabloid) New York Observer with his editor Peter Kaplan."

Sure, Kaplan's no Deniro, But have you seen Deniro's latest performances? Shtinky! Phew! More DPC:

"If you’re already an Observer reader you’ll probably like the new format: easier to hold and read and move through. Like an uptown, hipper Village Voice (Michael Musto notwithstanding, of course). Mr. Kushner is much talked about because of this enterprise. He is 25 and spent several million of his 'own money' for the paper. Watching is what they’re doing. New York is the sort of place where surprises, one way or the other are always available.

"Also at table: ... David Hirshey, Eric Konigsberg of the New York Times; Terry Allen Kramer who was supposed to have lunch with Beth Ostrosky but all that changed when Beth got engaged today to Howard Stern. And more: Esther Newberg the ICM literary agent ... George Rush and Joanna Malloy, Marc Victor of the Today Show, Jonathan Tisch, .... and a cast of thousands."

For a fuller accounting of the talent in the room, see NYSocialDiary.