According to Rep. Carolyn Maloney, every New York City mayor elected in the past three decades has attended the annual kick-off breakfast for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade before going on to win. So it’s no surprise that mayoral hopefuls — including Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Joe Lhota, billionaire John Catsimatidis and Bill Thompson — are expected at this morning’s event, hosted by New York County Democratic leader Jim McManus at TGI Fridays, along with Mayor
Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly. Maloney told us, “They call this the blessing of the Irish Breakfast.” Irish bagpipers and musicians will entertain. The parade up Fifth Avenue will follow at 11 a.m.