The City's Most Expensive Dinner

And you thought Nobu was pricey. Bringing with him the gridlock that is part and parcel of any presidential visit to our island, Barack Obama arrived in town last night for a whistle-stop tour that included a fund-raiser dinner at the Mandarin Oriental hotel for 200 deep-pocketed donors, each of whom paid $30,400--the legal maximum--for the privilege. (To be fair, that did include a plus-one.) The commander-in-chief also spoke at an event at the Hammerstein Ballroom. Compared to the fête at the Mandarin, entry to that fund-raiser was a steal, at $1,000 per head or less. Nearly 2,500 supporters were estimated to have turned out for the cheaper of the two presidential-viewing opportunities, both of which supported the Democratic National Committee.

Not feeling the love, however, was New York's Democratic mayoral hopeful, Bill Thompson, who got a gentle nod from the president with the comment that he is "our candidate," but nothing resembling the endorsement he so sorely needs in his race against Michael Bloomberg.

Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?

Decorators and other appreciators of beautiful interior furnishings flocked to last night's Design on a Dime benefit, the fifth annual showcase in support of Housing Works. The New York-based charity, which raises funds to support the fights against AIDS and homelessness, maintains shops in Manhattan that sell used clothing and items for the vintage-loving home.

The gala preview, co-chaired by actress Parker Posey, attracted some of the city's biggest-name designers, 40 of whom created vignettes containing an assortment of Housing Works merchandise. Among our favorites included homages to Spongebob and one to Barack Obama. (See photos in the jump.) One of the other great thrills of the night was the presence of the gracious and never-anything-but-stunning Jaclyn Smith. The actress and longtime K-Mart design partner, will appear in next week's "Farrah's Story," which documents the battle that Farrah Fawcett, Smith's former Charlie's Angels co-star, has waged with a pernicious cancer for nearly three years.

For anyone who didn't make it to the gala, Design on a Dime will be open to the public (admission is free), at the Metropolitan Pavilion (125 W. 18th Street) through Sunday. Check it out. But be sure to bring more than a dime. Though the prices are up to 80-percent off retail, loose change will not get you very far at this event.

For more photos, click here.

Princess Leia's Pajama Party

Carrie Fisher, the actress best known for playing Jabba the Hutt's bikini-wearing princess-cum-slave girl in Return of the Jedi, opted for a silk robe rather than a skimpy two-piece tonight. But the ensemble was apropos, considering she was hosting an event to benefit the Pajama Program. Attended by Mad Men's Bryan Batt, Milk producer Bruce Cohen, television raconteur Mo Rocca and a slew of supportive folks in PJs, the event was a benefit for a terrific charity that puts warm sleepwear into the hands of needy children across America. This innauguration-week confab wins our award for having the most fun name to say: The Obama Pajama Party. Doesn't it just make you want to put on your best pair of footies and grab a teddy bear?

For more photos, click here.

New York Insider Heads to D.C.

All next week, New York Insider.TV will be bringing you the best of the celebrity-packed inaugural events taking place in our nation's capital.  (Yes, we know the name of our site indicates otherwise, but we do occasionally acknowledge that there's a world outside the island of Manhattan. Particularly during a historic week such as this one.)

A Night to Remember

Everyone had a party to go to last night and if they didn't, they simply danced in the streets. Indeed, there was much joy on Election Evening in New York City. Supporters of John McCain and Barack Obama alike wanted to be with friends as they prepared to witness history being made. At financier David Larkin's Tribeca home, a movie-size screen displayed the results as the magic numbers moved quickly toward 270 electoral votes for Barack Obama. Over at Public House, Harvey Weinstein, Georgette Mosbacher, Cindi Leive, and GQ's Jim Nelson hosted a star-studded fete attended by James Franco, Katie Lee Joel and James Lipton, among others. And at gallery Gavin Brown's Enterprise, the art on the walls left no doubt about the curator's favored candidate. Once the night's victor was announced, cars and taxis honked their horns--well into the wee hours of the morning. On their subway rides home, delirious passengers broke into spontaneous applause. After a two-year presidential campaign, change had finally arrived.

For more photos, click here.

Obama Leading McCain 2:1

We're not talking the battle for electoral votes here, we're talking bragging rights for the best cocktail. At the Gypsy Bar in Atlantic City's Borgata Hotel, the Ciroc Obama is outselling the McCainarita by a margin of nearly two to one. (See recipes below.) If you're looking to raise a glass to the winner at the end of tonight's tally (or if you need to drown your sorrows), we recommend throwing caution to the wind and trying both of these casino cocktails. But don't bother with the Gypsy Bar's Miss Independent creation. If you still haven't made up your mind about whom you're voting for, we have no sympathy for you. Go drink some white Zinfandel instead. Lastly, if you need something to sate your your sweet tooth, pick yourself up a box of Obama and McCain cookies from Chelsea Market baker extraordinaire Eleni's and some chocolate Democrat and Republican lollipops from Jacques Torres. May the best creation win! Ciroq Obama 1 part Ciroc vodka 1/2 part Blue Curacao 1 part fresh lime juice (or sour mix) 1 part Sprite Mix ingredients and shake in a stirrer with ice; serve over ice in a rocks glass and garnish with lime. McCainarita 1 part Siembra Azul Reposado tequila 1/2 part Grand Marnier 1 part fresh lime juice (or sour mix) 1 part pomegranate juice Mix ingredients and shake in a stirrer with ice; serve over ice.

For more photos, click here.