Who Says There's No Such Thing as a Free Lunch?

Apparently, this is the year for turning fifty in New York. (As ever, though, fifty is the new forty.) In any case, having sent birthday wishes to the Guggenheim museum and the Four Seasons restaurant, both of which hit the quarter century mark early this year, we must now offer salutations to Brasserie. The mid-century eatery on the north side of the Seagram Building is beloved for its buzzy feel and delectable and always-dependable menu. Says Nick Valenti, CEO of Patina Restaurant Group: “Brasserie established itself as a place in New York where people from all walks of life meet, cross paths and dine side by side, fostering a culture all its own."

To celebrate this particular milestone, on September 17, the restaurant will be offering a free lunch to patrons who reserve a table between the hours of 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. “It’s our way of saying merci to our loyal guests and friends,” says Alsatian chef Luc Dimnet. (If you aren't lucky enough to score a reservation, ask them about nabbing a special "$19.59 after 9" dinner voucher.)

We don't know about you, but we're counting down the days till we can order the the Brasserie Burger, which will be prepared just as it was fifty years ago: on a baguette slathered in garlic butter, topped with a blend of Gruyère and Swiss cheeses. Who knew turning a half-century could be so much fun? For more on this promotion and other b-day related events, visit www.patinagroup.com/brasserie50th.

A Diner's Place is in the Kitchen

On any given day, the Grill Room at the Four Seasons is the place where deals are done and the people-watching can't be beat. But last night, the main action at the Park Avenue restaurant was in a place most patrons never see. Nearly three hundred supporters of the Cancer Research Institute turned up for the annual "Through the Kitchen" fund-raiser, which transforms the culinary heart of the legendary eatery into a buffet smorgasbord. Ticket sales, along with the proceeds of a live auction, netted in excess of half a million dollars for the charity. Organizers of the event are to be forgiven if they felt like throwing a parade after raising such a handsome sum, particularly since New York's parades were the theme of the night, with tables in the Pool Room themed to many of the city's quintessential street carnivals, from the St. Patrick's Day parade to the Steuben Day parade. Even Coney Island's Mermaid parade was represented, with—what else?—a raven-haired, fish-tailed beauty floating on a raft in the restaurant's reflecting pool.