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| An everyday scene. Photo: JH. |
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| Thursday, July 17, 2014. Rain over for the time being; the Sun came out yesterday, the temperatures reached up into the 80s but the humidity was minimal. The traffic wasn’t. Choking the streets and avenues, the worst in midtown, the worst of the week. How do I know this? I was on my way down to midtown to meet our No Holds Barred columnist Blair Sabol and her friend Linda Rodin (Ro-danh), the beauty consultant whom Blair swears by and whose services she subscribes to. And JH made one of his rare appearances and joined us too.
This trip she stayed at a luxury hotel which will remain nameless because, among other things, the hotel fire alarm went off (falsely, it turned out) about 4 a.m. This is disturbing to anyone in a sleep, deep or otherwise. But even more disturbing, the same thing happened after the midnight hour the last time Blair stayed there. Was it a conspiracy? Should she take it personally? She should take Ambien if nothing else at 4 a.m. The thought might have passed through her head. What transpired, I cannot say, and I don’t know if Blair Will say or What she will say if she does, so I’ll leave it to the wait. What she did learn was that there is an attitude in New York about which hotels are the good ones and which aren’t, and what part of town they’re in. If so, it’s dismaying news on many counts. But that’s for Blair to tell you in the next No Holds column ... Michael’s was very busy Wednesday, with the decibel levels moving up noticeably (I couldn’t hear my lunch partners without practically shoving my ear in their faces.) Normally my hearing is far from perfect. Others would attest to its obvious deafness. However, on this kind of Wednesday at Michael’s the majority of lunchers (diners?) were filling the air with that New York clatter chatter. The amazing thing about that is, in a place where all kinds of deals and dramas are being hatched by one and all (media/TV/film/publishing/bankers/Wall St), you can’t hear a word anyone is saying even if they’re yelling because so is everybody else. Yelling. Probably a good place to share a deep secret with someone you trust; the noise is so much that people try to tune out the voices nearby. What’d you say?? |
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The rundown. At the table next to us, the gregarious, garrulous and ubiquitous financial advisor Euan Rellie, a Scot, married to one of the famous Sykes sisters. Euan was with Justine Mannerling and Kevin Martel, the creative director of Harry’s of London. Harry’s of London was started I was told, by Matthew Mellon, the former husband of Tamara Mellon, the tycooness of Jimmy Choo fame and fortune.
That was next door to us. In the bay at Table One, Steven Rubenstein, the PR guru (along with his father and brother). On the other side of us Fern Mallis was lunching with architect Steven Learner and Sarah Medford. Beyond them, marketing and advertising executive Cindy Lewis. In the corner (Barry Diller’s table when he’s in town), Dana Miller and Mitch Kanner. You don’t know who they are? Neither do I. Michael’s knows, however, and maybe you might want to also. Next to them, Alice Mayhew, the Simon & Schuster editor with literary agent Ed Victor. Were they discussing the rumored to be imminent acquisition of S&S by Amazon.com? I have no idea, but others were definite airing opinions about the rumor and Jeff Bezos taking over the whole publishing/media world. And then the moon, of course. Moving along, at the table next to Alice Mayhew, Bob Barnett, the Washington attorney, husband of newcaster, the great (the voice) Rita Braver. Mr. Barnett on meeting is a congenial, gracious fellow, just the way you’d hope a high powered lawyer would be. At table, or across the desk, wherever it is, however, he’s a genius dealmaker for his clients, many of whom are very famous celebrities, athletes, actors, politicians -- and rich, no small thanks to him. Mr. Barnett was with Adrian Zackheim, the publisher. I am your camera. Across the way, and in the center of the room, Diane Clehane, girl reporter, was interviewing Tessa Edick, founder of FarmOn!, along with public relations lady Judy Twersky who arranged the howjado’s, and Beth Feldman. Across the aisle again: Lisa Linden (Linden Atschuler) with writer James Panero. Across the way from Ms. Linden, Dini Von Meuffling.
I would guess, the world outside aside, the guests yesterday afternoon at Michael’s were having a good time together too. And making some inroads, some agreements, some deals and some ideas that may move their worlds and even the world along to better things. |
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