Lunch at Michael's: Power Court

Even without our heaviest hitter, we were able to mingle with the once- and still-powerful powers that be'd at Michael's today. Right behind us, Mario Cuomo had a real power lunch, while former daughter-in-law Kerry Kennedy nibbled just feet away. Maria Bartiromo, held court at the alcove table with publishing industry heavyweights. Jeff Greenfield whipped off his tie, then entertained Tom Brokaw and others. Andy Heyward hailed many, and king-of-all TV Regis (yes that Regis) was in fine form, as well. Table 1: The always hot (in both senses) Maria Bartiromo of CNBC held sway at the bay-windowed big table with Wayne Kaback, co-COO of the William Morris Agency, Marion Maneker, vice president and publisher of (Harper) Collins Business, and Joe Tessitore, president, Collins U.S. (Could Bartiromo be looking for a new book deal? The price of her old book on Amazon is, well, hard to believe.) 2: Grace Mirabella. With? 3: Rob Wiesenthal, executive vice president and chief financial officer, Sony Corporation of America, and Howard Sloan. (Where was the Mayor today?) 4: CNN's Jeff Greenfield looking casual after he stood and took off his tie, Tom Brokaw looking relaxed in a jacket and slacks, and two other handsome gents, all under the big potted plant (which shades the other big table). 5: Regis Philbin with Roni Selig. 6: Former CBS News chief Andrew Heyward, looking very healthy sans moustache, CBSNews.com senior VP and president of business development Betsy Morgan, looking very nice as always, with someone else we didn't recognize, but who happily greeted Greenfield with Hayward when the CNN senior analyst went over to say "hi." 7: Author Lisa Birnbach (whom we used to see on a CBS News show, too, we think), with her very cute daughters Maisie Haft, 9, who lost a tooth (!) during lunch (we think Michael might have an "in" with the tooth fairy, Maisie), Boco Haft, 12, and psychologist Barbara Liberman. 8: New York social scene chronicler David Patrick Columbia with the Observer's Choire Sicha. 9: Author Pamela Keogh, looking very svelte in Chanel (she told us) with Joseph Montebello. (Why were there so many Collins people in the house?) 12: Celebrity maternity fashion doyenne Liz Lange with Variety reporter Diane Clehane, also in Chanel (Keogh told us). 14: CBS spox Gil Schwartz with West Coast colleague John Wentworth of Paramount. 15: Simon & Schuster CEO Jack Romanos. 16: Former New York Governor Mario Cuomo looking very healthy and having a grand time, laughing, smiling and raising his eyebrows at the pile of fries that came with his Michael's burger. Judge Robert Keating. Two other gentlemen, including Brooklyn DA Charles Hynes, also smiling a lot. 17: Ex-Variety publisher and current Velocity Services board member Gerry Byrne. With? 18: Was that Court TV chairman and CEO Henry S. Schleiff with Kerry Kennedy, former spouse of Cuomo's son Andrew ? 22: Premiere publisher Paul Turcotte in oh-so-black, with a copy of his mag under his arm and a DVD of "Good Night and Good Luck" on the table. 23: IAC senior VP Eric Korman, we think. 25: New York Times crossword puzzler and Hill and Knowlton bigwig Jonathan Capehart looking extra spiffy in new shades, which he donned on the way out. Table 8's Columbia chronicled another spiffy day for Capehart, here. 26: Mediabistro editorial director Dorian Benkoil with Galleycat blogger and publishing aficionada Sarah Weinman, who gave us the quote of the afternoon: "Nobody should be universally liked." She was referring to herself and her ability to write tough, when called for. But we think the sentiment works for most of the people in the room. We had great fun eating the California-esque cuisine (how did they get that sashimi wrapped in those shapes?) topped off with a distinctly New York-ishly decadent dessert (see picture above) of chocolate, peanut butter, flakes, jam, sauce, cake, "oy". Laurel Touby, our CEO, was digesting some authentic California cuisine after helping christen our spanking new L.A. offices at Santa Monica and Gardner in West Hollywood, attending the OMMA conf, and other CEO-ly duties. 30: Morris Reed? Also seen: Daily News gossipisto Lloyd Grove with actress Elizabeth Roehm. Reed Business Information CEO Tad Smith. Film producer Diane Sokolow. Stu Zakim, we think. British sounding Euan Rellie, whom Columbia also chronicled and who went over to see Columbia at his table before going to sit at the bar. Michael's was so hot today, they were out of matches. We'll be back soon to see if they've successfully printed up a new batch. If you were at Michael's today (or any day) and would like to report in, or correct the record, please email LaurelT AT mediabistro.com, or, for today's, Dorian AT mediabistro.com. Map of Michael's

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Lunch at Michael's: Power Court

Dorian

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