The Gracie Mansion Conservancy held its benefit dinner for about 200 guests. There was a seated three-course dinner featuring a dynamic roster of some of the City’s most extraordinary culinary talent: First Course: Le Bernardin; Second Course: Perry Street; Dessert: Locanda Verde. The dinner was preceded by a cocktail hour featuring hors d’oeuvres and stations from restaurants in each of the five boroughs: Al di La in Brooklyn; Butter here in Manhattan; Carol’s Café in Staten Island; Cookshop, Great Performances, Nobu, Plaza Food Hall, Mitchel London; Pain D’Avignon in Queens, and a cocktail by The Liquid Chef in the Bronx. The menu was accompanied by an array of outstanding wines from New York State, donated by Fourth Wall Restaurants. Cocktail wines were donated by Michael Lynne’s Bedell Cellars.

The Mayor, Michael Bloomberg was host. Benefit co-chairs were Stanley and Fiona Druckenmiller and George and Nancy Walker.

Mr. Bloomberg is the first mayor in many years to choose to live at his own house. Since then the 211-year-old house has undergone a major restoration, giving residents more accessibility as well as to City Agencies. Gracie Mansion is now more frequently used than any other time in its history. For example, in the past four years, more than 10,000 school children have toured the mansion. The Conservancy raises funds to preserve and maintain the house.
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