Diary Monday June 12, 2023. Warm in the low 80s yesterday in New York. Sunny and bright; no weird red and orange air moving through. Whew. A nice weekend in New York.
Sunday was the annual Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York. It runs up Fifth Avenue to 79th Street. This is the 66th anniversary of the Parade and is the largest demonstration of cultural pride in the nation. And if you’re a New Yorker you’ve seen the great natural progress of the people. That is, or was, the American way, and what made this country so special, the majority always being from around the world.
A sunny day. It was very quiet in my neighborhood close to the riverside. I went to Lunch with Gillian Miniter at Luke’s, a longtime resident as tavern bar/restaurant on Third Avenue and 80th Street. The place was jammed with people, evidently many going to or coming from the parade. Gillian’s been going to Luke’s for lunch all the way back to her school days. It’s so old fashioned-nabe that it’s new again, and the clientele’s got younger.
Last week we popped in at Michael’s to say hi to the gang and we noticed a big group celebrating in the bay window. Turns out Deborah Grubman was hosting a surprise birthday lunch for Prudence Inzerillo. Their table is right around the corner from my regular table so it’s always impressive when these girls have “special” luncheon. A lot of professional personalities taking a break from their businesses and full of energy to enjoy the company.
When we were chatting with Michael’s GM and CFO Steve Millington, JH told him he was having dinner that night at the Polo Bar, just down the street. Steve quipped, “Say hello to Nelly Moudime for me, the greatest maitre’d in NYC!!!!” (excluding Michael’s very own Lore’al, of course).
And so, coincidentally, later that night when JH was talking to his waiter over at The Polo Bar, the waiter mentioned that his mother, who lives on Long Island, only likes eating at Michael’s Restaurant when she visits the city.
So, you see … Michael’s and the Polo Lounge are forever connected!
But then, there is Doubles. You’ve read about Doubles on these pages. And maybe you’ve read my ravings about their buffet table. Well, last week they held their Summer Lobster – Clambake at Doubles. Lobster was number one on the list and on the plate (there were literally a boatload of lobsters weighing in at 300 lbs!). Our friend Vanessa Noel hosted a little dinner for 12 friends with big appetites. It’s the season or something like that, at least over at Doubles.
Before you forget, David. A month ago last Friday at The Glasshouse, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) hosted their annual Hot Pink Party. The evening raised a record-breaking $10.3 million to support BCRF’s global legion of 255 scientists pursuing high-impact, lifesaving breast cancer research.
The party was hosted by Elizabeth Hurley, Global Ambassador of The Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Campaign. The evening featured an unforgettable concert by Diana Ross (Yes!), who performed “I’m Coming Out,” “Stop in The Name of Love,” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”
The evening honored BCRF Board of Directors Co-chair Kinga Lampert with the inaugural Evelyn H. Lauder Spirit of Philanthropy Award; and Margaret Flinter with The Roslyn and Leslie Goldstein Unsung Hero Award, presented to her by Nicole Seagriff.
This marks its 30th year since Evelyn Lauder founded the organization. I’ve followed its development since the beginning and have watched it grow with amazement into one of the most effective philanthropies of our time. It is a perfect example of what one individual can accomplish and achieve in our world (with the devoted assistance of many others inspired). This year there are 255 scientists all over the world benefiting from the cause, thanks to the BCRF’s philanthropy.
Breast cancer recently became the most common cancer worldwide for the first time, underscoring the rising and urgent need for research. BCRF is the largest private funder of breast cancer research in the world and the highest rated breast cancer research organization in the U.S.
Hot Pink Party guests included: Candace Bushnell, Lydia Fenet, Nina Garcia, Desiree Gruber, Jenna Leigh Green, Arianna Huffington, Jill and Harry Kargman, Monique Lhuillier, Gretta Monahan, Emma Myles, Paul Shaffer, Anastasia Soare, Ingrid Vandebosch and Jeff Gordon, Vera Wang and many others.
The event experience was made possible with generous support from Rafanelli Events and Winston Flowers. Honorary Co-chairs included Sir Elton John and David Furnish; Judy and Leonard Lauder; and Anthony von Mandl.
Gala Steering Co-chairs included: Dee and Tommy Hilfiger; Kinga Lampert; and, Aerin Lauder. Lead Gala Co-chairs included: Jody and John Arnhold; Tatianna and Peter Cancro; Valentine and Patrick Firmenich; Amy and Brian France, Roslyn Goldstein; Terri and Jerry Kohl; Lori Kanter Tritsch and William P. Lauder; Adrienne and Dan Lufkin; Jeanne Sorensen Siegel and Herbert J. Siegel; Marilyn and Jim Simons; and, Candace King Weir.
Gala Co-chairs included: Leslie Bluhm, Sandra Brant, Patsy and Patrick Callahan; Susan Crown; Mary-Ann and Fabrizio Freda; Nina Garcia; Marjorie Reed Gordon; Louise Camuto Grieder; Mellody Hobson, Shelly and Howard Kivell; Michael Kors, Jane Lauder, Jo Carole and Ronald S. Lauder; Laura and Gary Lauder; Dominique Lévy, Jane and Daniel Och; Margaret Paul; John Paulson; Bryan Rafanelli; Lois Robbins and Andrew Zaro; John Rosenwald snd Arlene Taub; Alice and Thomas Tisch; Lizzie and Jonathan Tisch; Merryl and James Tisch; Ingrid Vandebosch and Jeff Gordon; and Vera Wang.
Learn more and get involved at BCRF.org
Photographs by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for BCRF
